Category: Content Writing

In 2025, a startup founder’s personal brand can make or break their company’s success. An APCO Worldwide survey found that 77% of consumers say a CEO’s reputation directly affects their willingness to invest, and 70% say thought leadership by a CEO positively shapes their view of the company. Millennials are even more convinced, 84% acknowledge this influence. When a founder actively builds a clear, compelling personal brand, it drives tangible business outcomes from financial performance to customer trust.

Little wonder that content-driven founder branding, where CEOs and executives use content to position themselves as thought leaders, has become a must-have strategy. From boosting personal brand SEO (so your name dominates Google results) to executing an executive LinkedIn strategy (so your posts engage thousands of followers), content is the new currency of credibility for leaders.

Two agencies leading this charge are Funky Marketing and OhhMyBrand, each claiming to turn founders into industry influencers through strategic content. But who truly does content-driven founder branding better? In this in-depth guide, we’ll compare Funky Marketing’s funky B2B approach with OhhMyBrand’s comprehensive personal branding system. We’ll benchmark both against industry leaders like SimplyBe. Agency, Brand of a Leader, and Prestidge Group agencies are setting the bar in executive branding to see how they stack up. Along the way, we’ll explore practical frameworks, real examples, and case studies of personal branding done right. By the end, you’ll know exactly which partner (and strategy) can best help you build a magnetic founder brand. Let’s dive in.

What Is Content-Driven Founder Branding?
Content-driven founder branding is the practice of building a founder’s or executive’s personal brand through valuable content creation and strategic storytelling. Instead of relying solely on press releases or corporate marketing, the leader becomes a content creator sharing insights via blogs, LinkedIn posts, videos, podcasts, and more to establish authority and trust.

A strong executive personal brand combines strategy, storytelling, and visuals to build influence. The founder “becomes the brand” for their company, using content to humanize the business and connect with audiences on a personal level. This approach typically involves:

• Defining a unique narrative and voice: Identifying what makes the founder’s perspective unique — their story, vision, values and crafting messaging around it.
  
• Consistent thought leadership content: Regularly publishing articles, social posts, videos, or podcasts that provide insight and value. This content showcases expertise while subtly reinforcing the company’s mission.
  
• Multi-channel presence: Ensuring the founder is visible where their audience is, especially on LinkedIn and Google. This includes an executive LinkedIn strategy and personal brand SEO tactics, so authoritative content and positive coverage appear when someone searches the founder’s name.
• Authenticity and engagement: Unlike faceless corporate branding, founder branding is rooted in authenticity and interaction. The founder engages directly with their audience, responding to comments, participating in industry conversations, and demonstrating real human personality. According to Forbes, 86% of consumers say authenticity is a key factor in deciding what brands they support, so a genuine personal brand goes a long way.
• Strategic visibility-building: This may include getting featured in media (guest articles, interviews), speaking at conferences or on podcasts, and building credibility markers like a strong personal website or even a Google knowledge panel. The goal is to position the founder as a recognizable authority in their field.

Content-driven founder branding turns the founder into a magnet for opportunity. A well-known adage in branding is “your reputation arrives before you do.” When you flood the digital world with insightful content and a cohesive personal narrative, your reputation precedes you in every room and every Zoom call.

As OhhMyBrand emphasizes, “the most powerful person in the room is the one whose reputation arrived first.” Their approach is to shape the message, define the position, and build the presence of a founder so that the right people hear about you before you’ve even met. In short, content-driven founder branding means proactively controlling your narrative through content. It’s a blend of marketing and leadership turning a CEO into a thought leader whose ideas and personality extend the company’s brand in an organic, trusted way.

Why Founder Branding Matters in 2025
If you’re a startup founder or executive wondering whether investing in your personal brand is worth it, consider the data. A chief executive’s personal brand is no longer optional, it’s a strategic asset. Nearly 48% of a company’s reputation is attributable to the CEO’s personal brand, according to Burson-Marsteller.

In an era of heightened transparency, customers, employees, and investors want to see the person behind the company. Neglecting your personal brand could mean leaving trust and opportunity on the table.

Social media has made executive visibility more impactful than ever. Studies show 82% of people are more likely to trust a company whose senior executives are active on social media, and 77% are more likely to buy from one when the CEO shares content with authenticity and insight. These leaders earn trust and loyalty. A silent or faceless founder, by contrast, can make a company seem distant or generic.

As the Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding for CEOs notes, not taking charge of your narrative is riskier. Your absence could let others control your story.

There’s a clear ROI to personal branding. Founder-driven thought leadership attracts clients, employees, and investors. That same APCO survey showed that a strong CEO reputation influences investment and buying decisions. Another study found that investors are willing to pay a premium for companies led by reputable CEOs. Internally, a well-branded leader boosts morale and attracts talent; people want to work with visionary leaders.

 Crucially, content-driven branding is one of the most cost-effective ways to market today. High-quality content can generate three times as many leads as traditional marketing while costing 62% less. For a founder on a budget, building a personal brand through content  such as LinkedIn posts, blogs, and media interviews can outshine expensive ad campaigns. In fact, 61% of consumers say they’re more likely to buy from a company that delivers unique content, especially when it comes directly from the founder.

In short, investing time in thought leadership pays dividends in brand equity that directly translates to business growth.

The year 2025 has also introduced new dimensions to personal branding, particularly in the context of AI search and digital visibility. With AI-driven search assistants like ChatGPT and Bing’s AI summarizing answers about people, being recognized by these systems is now crucial. A founder with a robust digital presence will be surfaced as an expert, while one without content risks digital invisibility.

The bottom line is that founder branding is not a vanity project, it’s a growth strategy. It builds trust (credibility matters), opens doors (partnerships, speaking gigs, press), and insulates your company’s reputation (half of which, remember, is tied to you as the leader).

Now that we understand why it matters, let’s look at how two notable agencies approach this task and how they compare.

Funky Marketing: B2B Content with a Personal Twist

Funky Marketing is a Serbia-based agency led by Nemanja Zivkovic, and it made its name on bold B2B marketing strategies. Their slogan is telling: “B2B done differently. With a bit of funk.” Funky Marketing’s core mission is helping B2B companies generate revenue through better positioning, planning, and execution, with creativity and boldness. What does this have to do with personal branding? Quite a lot. Funky Marketing’s philosophy recognizes that customers want to know the person behind the brand and engage on an emotional level. Modern buyers gravitate to companies with a human narrative, not just a good product. As their profile puts it: “Your success is no longer driven by what your product does, but by who you are as a brand. Companies that win are creating stories about who they are, why they matter, and how they make people’s lives better.” This reflects the essence of founder branding: the founder’s story and persona become a strategic marketing asset.

In practice, Funky Marketing often intertwines personal branding with B2B demand generation by heavily leveraging LinkedIn and content marketing. Nemanja Zivkovic himself is a LinkedIn influencer (dubbed “LinkedIn’s Rising Star of Marketing” on his podcast) and exemplifies the power of consistent content. He hosts The Funky Marketing Show podcast and regularly shares insights on LinkedIn about marketing and leadership. One of Funky Marketing’s clients, a consultancy that coaches CEOs on personal branding, hired them specifically to improve those CEOs’ LinkedIn profiles and content strategy. Funky Marketing worked closely on LinkedIn profiling, best practices, and a tailored approach for those executive clients, providing 24/7 support in polishing their online presence. The result was satisfied clients and even educational products like a Master Class on mastering LinkedIn, co-developed with Funky Marketing’s CEO to help more leaders build their brands.

This example shows Funky Marketing isn’t just about company branding; they actively help individual founders and executives shine online, especially on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is Funky Marketing’s playground for founder branding. Nemanja frequently advises on executive LinkedIn strategy through real-life examples. For instance, he stresses engaging with your network consistently: if you stop engaging, you disappear from their feed, and you miss out on referrals and repeat business. In one podcast episode, he explains how commenting on client posts, messaging contacts with feedback, and maintaining social visibility leads to more referrals and sales, because clients who see you regularly will think of you first. This reflects Funky Marketing’s tactical approach: use LinkedIn not only for broadcasting content but for two-way engagement that reinforces your expertise. Their goal is to transform a founder’s LinkedIn presence from a static resume to a dynamic content hub that generates inbound interest.

When it comes to frameworks, Funky Marketing approaches personal-brand-as-demand-gen with a structured strategy. They often implement their Funky Marketing Growth Framework for clients, a holistic plan covering marketing strategy, content distribution, and creative production. Step one focuses on cutting through the noise with the right positioning and messaging, which for a founder might mean honing a unique point of view. Then they amplify that message via multi-channel content distribution, heavily featuring social media (LinkedIn, communities, word-of-mouth) to develop audience and demand. Throughout, Funky Marketing emphasizes research, strategy, and continuous optimization. They are data-driven in figuring out what content resonates and what doesn’t, and they iterate to boost engagement. Essentially, they treat a founder’s personal brand as a growth engine, not far removed from how they’d treat a product marketing campaign. The difference is that the “product” is the founder’s own reputation.

Strengths of Funky Marketing’s Approach:
They excel at content creation and social engagement for founders who want to drive business results. Their B2B pedigree means they tie personal brand efforts to pipeline metrics  for example, more LinkedIn engagement leading to more leads or opportunities. They also bring a fun, creative flair that can help a founder stand out in a traditionally stuffy corporate world. Clients praise their openness, flexibility, and visionary thinking in modern marketing. Funky Marketing is particularly well-suited for founders in the B2B or tech space who want to leverage LinkedIn and thought leadership to generate demand.

Potential Gaps:
Funky Marketing’s focus is somewhat narrower in the context of personal branding. They shine on social content strategy, especially LinkedIn, but they are not a full-service personal branding agency. Their website and services emphasize B2B demand generation more than comprehensive executive branding. For instance, things like SEO for personal name, PR, or speaker placement aren’t core offerings mentioned in their marketing. If your goal is purely to build a holistic personal brand presence, including website, press, and SEO, Funky might cover some but not all aspects. That’s where a dedicated personal branding agency like OhhMyBrand comes in.

OhhMyBrand: Personal Branding with SEO and Strategic Content

OhhMyBrand is a personal branding agency that positions itself as a specialist in turning entrepreneurs, founders, and executives into industry thought leaders. In contrast to Funky Marketing’s broad marketing remit, OhhMyBrand lives and breathes personal branding. It’s described as “an awarded and recognized personal branding agency and LinkedIn branding consultant” that helps you grow your business organically. The agency’s ethos is about blending creativity, storytelling, and design to transform a personal brand into a compelling narrative that stands out in today’s market. They go beyond just pretty visuals or basic content. “OhhMyBrand goes beyond aesthetics, it’s about creating meaningful connections, boosting credibility, and positioning clients as industry leaders.” This warm, soulful approach (built by a founder who’s “walked the path” himself) sets the tone for how they handle content-driven founder branding.

At OhhMyBrand, everything starts with strategy and ends with strategic content. A senior strategist at the agency sums up their philosophy: “Patience. Precision. And a refusal to publish anything ordinary.” In practice, they build personal brands that work around the clock, online and offline, everywhere your name is seen or spoken. This means they take a comprehensive view: your LinkedIn, your Google results, your personal website, your press quotes, even how your name appears in AI-driven searches, all should consistently reinforce your brand. Every element is intentional; nothing is left to chance in crafting the founder’s digital presence.

OhhMyBrand’s services reflect this 360° approach. Their offerings include Digital PR & Thought Leadership, LinkedIn Reputation Management, SEO Consulting, Personal Website (Webflow) Design, and Brand Strategy, essentially covering all pillars of personal branding. If you engage OhhMyBrand, they can help you with content creation (blogs, articles) to showcase thought leadership, SEO optimization to ensure you rank for your topics, LinkedIn strategy to grow and engage your executive audience, public relations to get you featured externally, and even visual branding and websites to present a polished image. It’s the kind of one-stop shop that busy executives appreciate. And they have the pedigree. The agency’s founder, Bhavik Sarkhedi, is a Forbes Global Branding Expert who has built 160+ personal brands across 14 countries, turning clients’ ambition into clarity, momentum, and authority. In total, OhhMyBrand boasts over 100+ personal brands amplified globally through their programs. This track record lends credibility when they say they know how to take someone “from unknown to known.”

One thing that differentiates OhhMyBrand is its strong integration of SEO (search engine optimization) into personal branding. They recognize that LinkedIn alone isn’t enough; a founder needs to be searchable on Google and even visible in emerging areas like voice and AI search. A striking case study from OhhMyBrand is the story of how they helped “The Brand Professor” Sahil Gandhi rebuild his digital presence for the age of AI. Despite Sahil’s offline reputation as a top brand strategist to Fortune 500 founders, his online presence was fragmented. OhhMyBrand stepped in to create coherence, merging his personal name and moniker into one unified identity, then rewriting his entire digital footprint around that identity. They weren’t chasing vanity metrics; they were building recognizability “across systems – from Google to Gemini, LinkedIn to ChatGPT.” In just 49 days, they took his website’s Domain Rating from 0 to 34 (a massive SEO gain) and achieved top visibility for key phrases like “top brand strategist” and “brand strategy expert,” all through organic content and strategic backlinks. He began showing up in 3 out of 10 searches in various AI overview tools as well. Importantly, this was done with no paid traffic, all organic content and SEO precision. At the same time, they optimized his LinkedIn profile and content such that consistent inbound leads were coming via LinkedIn directly to his (newly optimized) services page.

This case is a powerful example of content-driven founder branding done right: Search engines recognize him. AI systems recommend him. LinkedIn drives real business. As OhhMyBrand puts it, that’s “the quiet power of consistency meeting the right strategy,” when your name carries weight everywhere.

OhhMyBrand’s approach also involves thoughtful storytelling and personal touch. They often showcase transformations like turning a “behind-the-scenes operator” into a frontline AI thought leader, or helping a creative entrepreneur translate intuition into a full brand ecosystem. These stories underline how content plus personal branding strategy can redefine someone’s career. Another client was even able to become a Top 3 CIO Awards Finalist after elevating his profile with OhhMyBrand. By creating authoritative content and a clear narrative, the agency helps clients move from “expert” to “industry authority” in their domain.

Strengths of OhhMyBrand’s Approach:
It is holistic and tailored. They cover all bases: from your social media presence to your Google search results. Their emphasis on quality (no “ordinary” content) means they focus on depth, making sure every blog post or LinkedIn article strengthens your positioning. They also operate as strategic partners; many clients testify that Bhavik “builds brands and sculpts legacies,” turning quiet expertise into undeniable authority. The warm but authoritative tone they bring (a “trusted advisor with strategic branding expertise”) makes the process collaborative and confidence-inspiring. Practically, they provide one-on-one strategy, ghostwriting/content creation, profile optimization, SEO tech work, and PR pitching. It’s like having a personal CMO for your brand.

Given their global perspective (clients across USA, UK, India, etc.), OhhMyBrand also benchmarks your personal brand against international standards. They ensure that if someone searches your name or “CEO of [industry]” anywhere on the internet, you own that first impression. And as we saw, they even future-proof it for AI. Few agencies go that far.

Potential Consideration:
OhhMyBrand’s comprehensive service might be overkill for very small-scale needs. If a founder only wants a quick LinkedIn refresh and a month of content, OhhMyBrand will certainly do that, but their real value shines in long-term brand building. They often work best with founders who are ready to invest in a multi-month strategy (and who have a lot to say). Also, being a premium, award-winning agency means it’s not the cheapest option — it’s an investment in your legacy. For those committed to that journey, however, the ROI in authority and inbound opportunities can be enormous.

Benchmarking Funky Marketing and OhhMyBrand Against Industry Leaders

To put Funky Marketing and OhhMyBrand in context, let’s see how they compare with a few industry-leading personal branding agencies often cited as the gold standard:

SimplyBe. Agency (Chicago, USA): Founded by Jessica Zweig in 2014, SimplyBe. is a boutique personal branding and content firm focused on C-suite leaders. They emphasize authenticity and have helped executives at Google, Pinterest, Salesforce, Verizon, and other blue-chip companies develop social media strategies, thought leadership content, and speaker profiles. Their services range from brand messaging and personal vision statements to content writing and media coaching. SimplyBe. often works on one-on-one coaching and workshops (popular among women leaders) and has been featured in Forbes for its thought leadership in executive influence. The core of SimplyBe.’s approach is helping individuals “harness the power of their personal brands to increase recognition and ROI.” They operate with the mantra of authenticity and being (hence the name “Simply Be”).

Brand of a Leader (Montreal, Canada): Co-founded by Marina Byezhanova, Brand of a Leader is a personal branding agency specializing in Gen X entrepreneurs and executives. They tout a mission to “scale the voices” of the world’s most inspiring leaders. In practice, they serve entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 execs in North America, often Gen X leaders looking to cement their legacy before retirement. Their services span executive branding, from long-term mentorship programs to social media strategy and content. Brand of a Leader’s process is very framework-driven: for example, they will uncover your true brand essence, build a strategy to scale your influence, and then co-create and co-execute content with you. This mirrors what many see as best practice, first, get the brand story right, then plan the platform strategy, then consistently produce content. They are known for a refined, engaging process and have been featured in entrepreneur magazines in Canada for their work.

Prestidge Group (NYC & Dubai): Prestidge Group is one of the world’s first personal branding agencies and positions itself at the high end, catering to high-profile leaders, HNW individuals, and celebrities. They offer “Personal Branding, PR & Production for High-Profile Leaders,” crafting thought leadership and managing personal brands for C-level execs, tech experts, investors, and more. Their speciality is combining traditional PR with social media branding. They will elevate your personal brand, create engaging content, build your social following, and secure you media coverage and keynote speaking opportunities. If you want to be on the cover of a magazine or land a TEDx talk, Prestidge Group has the connections. Essentially, they function as personal PR agents plus brand strategists, managing a leader’s reputation from A to Z, including press, social media, personal websites, even Wikipedia pages and verification services. This is a top-tier service for those who need full-service executive branding and public relations on a global scale.

How do Funky Marketing and OhhMyBrand compare to these leaders?

Funky Marketing overlaps with these agencies in recognizing the importance of content and social media for executives, but it’s more niche. Unlike SimplyBe or Prestidge, Funky Marketing doesn’t explicitly offer PR or one-on-one personal brand coaching beyond the LinkedIn/content arena. It is closer in spirit to a content marketing agency that also polishes the founder’s brand as part of boosting the company brand. This can work well if you’re in B2B SaaS or tech. Funky Marketing’s style might align closely with a scrappy startup mindset focusing on LinkedIn hustle, community building, rather than photoshoots or personal websites.

OhhMyBrand, on the other hand, stands toe-to-toe with the likes of Brand of a Leader and Prestidge Group. Like those firms, OhhMyBrand provides end-to-end personal branding services, from brand identity (messaging) to content creation to PR. They combine many strengths of the others: the content-centric, authenticity-driven approach of SimplyBe, the entrepreneurial focus and clear framework of Brand of a Leader, and even a touch of the PR/media savvy of Prestidge Group. For example, OhhMyBrand’s inclusion of Digital PR, thought leadership, and SEO means they ensure a client gets not only content on their own channels but also coverage on external sites and high Google rankings, a mix of what a PR firm and an SEO consultant would do, but tailored for an individual’s brand. Not every agency covers that.

It’s also worth noting recognition: OhhMyBrand’s founder, Bhavik Sarkhedi, is highlighted as an influencer founder with deep expertise in CEO/founder branding alongside other industry experts, signalling that within the personal branding industry, OhhMyBrand is seen as a top player. SimplyBe’s Jessica Zweig is often cited in the media, Prestidge Group’s Briar Prestidge is known as a pioneer in executive branding, and Brand of a Leader’s Marina Byezhanova speaks frequently on personal branding. Bhavik Sarkhedi belongs in that tier of experts, particularly with his thought leadership in personal brand SEO and content.

In summary, Funky Marketing is somewhat unique. It’s not typically listed among pure personal branding agencies because its DNA is B2B demand generation. But it does a commendable job using content and social strategies to elevate founders in the service of business goals. OhhMyBrand, by contrast, is very much a direct personal branding competitor to the big names and arguably more innovative in the SEO and content integration they offer.

For a founder deciding between them, the choice might come down to scope. If you want just LinkedIn growth and some content marketing to support your startup’s demand generation, Funky Marketing can deliver that with flair. If you want a comprehensive personal brand build-out, the kind that could land you speaking gigs, a strong Google presence, and make you the “face” of your industry, OhhMyBrand or a similar full-service agency is likely the better fit. And among full-service agencies, OhhMyBrand has the advantage of blending the creative storytelling with the technical SEO and digital prowess needed in 2025’s landscape.

Practical Frameworks and Examples of Personal Branding
Funky Marketing and OhhMyBrand both use frameworks or step-by-step approaches to engineer a founder’s brand. Let’s distill a practical framework for content-driven founder branding, borrowing from their best practices and those of industry leaders.

1. Discover Your Brand Essence (Clarity Phase)
This foundational step defines who you are as a brand. It involves introspection and messaging development. Agencies like Brand of a Leader call this “architect your brand,” uncovering everything that makes you uniquely you and crafting it into a clear personal value proposition. At this stage, you’ll typically work on your personal story, mission, values, and the key themes you want to be known for. OhhMyBrand, for instance, will identify what message you want to own and what positioning you should take in your industry (e.g., are you the visionary innovator, the customer-centric champion, or the technical guru with a human touch?). By the end of this phase, you should have a personal brand statement or narrative and perhaps even a personal slogan. Think of 2-3 topics or pillars that all your content will revolve around; these should align with your expertise and what your audience cares about.

2. Build a Content Strategy (Planning Phase)
With clarity on your brand, the next step is to plan how to communicate it. This includes choosing platforms (LinkedIn, personal blog, YouTube, etc.) and formats (written articles, videos, podcasts) that best suit you and your audience.1 In Brand of a Leader’s framework, this is “build a scaling strategy,” a plan to use your personal brand to achieve your goals.2 OhhMyBrand would call it crafting a blueprint for online and offline presence, deciding where you need to be seen and how frequently. For example, you might decide to publish two LinkedIn articles per month, one guest column per quarter, speak on a podcast once a month, and steadily optimize your website content for SEO. Funky Marketing’s content plans often ensure multi-channel distribution, meaning a core idea might be repurposed into a LinkedIn post, a Twitter thread, a short video, etc., to maximize reach. A smart content strategy also includes SEO research: figure out what terms people might search related to your expertise (e.g., “AI healthcare speaker,” “fintech thought leader [Name]”) and plan content that targets those queries.3 Set up a content calendar aligning with industry events or company news for relevance.4

3. Optimize Your Platforms (Execution Phase 1 – Profiles and SEO)
Before you start heavy content creation, get your digital house in order. This means optimizing your LinkedIn profile (professional photo, compelling headline, summary that tells your story, featured links, and regular activity), essentially what Funky Marketing did for those CEOs, giving them a polished LinkedIn presence with best practices.5 It also means building or refining your personal website or an About page with your bio and achievements (OhhMyBrand often designs personal websites on Webflow as part of this).6 Importantly, nail down the SEO basics: ensure that a Google search for your name shows accurate, positive results. You might need to update your bio on your company site, create a Google Knowledge Panel (Prestidge Group even offers this service), or publish content on high-authority sites to push up your visibility. In Sahil “Brand Professor” Gandhi’s case, OhhMyBrand unified his fragmented online mentions under one SEO-optimized identity and secured backlinks from reputable sources, quickly boosting his domain authority so that Google associated him with terms like “top brand strategist.”8 Consider setting up Google Alerts for your name to monitor mentions. This platform optimization phase ensures that once you start broadcasting content, anyone who checks you out will see a credible, professional, and consistent image.

4. Create Valuable Content Consistently (Execution Phase 2 – Content Creation)
Now comes the heart of content-driven branding: regularly creating and sharing content that reinforces your narrative and provides value. Follow the plan from step 2, but be ready to iterate based on feedback. Quality trumps quantity; remember OhhMyBrand’s mantra of “no ordinary content.” Each piece of content should either educate, inspire, or inform your target audience. Some content ideas: share lessons learned from your founder journey, comment on industry news with your expert take, publish how-to guides or “ultimate guides” in your domain, showcase successes (case studies, client stories) in a storytelling format, and occasionally share personal anecdotes that humanize you (authenticity!). Engaging content could also include interviews or collaborations, for example, host a LinkedIn Live chat with another expert. As you post, use visuals when possible (people remember faces; share a speaking photo or a short clip). Also, pay attention to engagement: Funky Marketing emphasizes responding to comments and engaging with others’ posts to stay visible. This not only boosts algorithm reach but also builds community. Aim for a consistent cadence (e.g., weekly LinkedIn posts, monthly blog) that is sustainable for you. Over time, this library of content becomes your thought leadership portfolio.

5. Distribute and Promote (Execution Phase 3 – Amplification)
Content creation is half the battle; getting people to see it is the other half. Use your network to amplify your posts; for example, personally share your new blog with a note to certain contacts, or tag relevant people or companies in your posts when appropriate. Leverage internal company channels too (if your team can reshare, that’s extra reach). For bigger pieces like a comprehensive guide or a press feature, consider a mini PR push; OhhMyBrand often does Digital PR, meaning they’ll help get your content featured or republished on other platforms for more exposure. You can also repurpose content across formats: turn a blog post into a slide deck, or a podcast into a series of short LinkedIn text posts. The idea is to squeeze maximum ROI from every insight you produce. Tools like newsletters or email updates can keep your professional circle in the loop on your thought leadership and don’t forget SEO during distribution: share your articles in a way that they earn backlinks (maybe a friendly acquaintance links to your post from their site, etc.), because backlinks will raise your search profile. In Sahil’s case, distributing content with high-authority backlinks was key to his starting to appear across Google and even AI search results.

6. Engage and Network (Ongoing – Community Building)
A personal brand flourishes when it’s not just broadcasting but conversing. Make sure to actively engage with comments on your posts; respond to questions, thank people for their input, and occasionally ask questions to encourage discussion. Join relevant industry groups or online communities (be it LinkedIn Groups, specialized forums, or Twitter chats) and contribute there. This not only spreads your name but also keeps you attuned to what your target audience cares about. Funky Marketing’s advice here is clear: stay top-of-mind by staying in the conversation. If you vanish for months, people forget you. If you consistently show up with value, you become a familiar and trusted figure. Over time, this leads to organic opportunities: people will start inviting you to speak at events, collaborate on projects, or they refer clients to you because “you’re the person that comes to mind” for X topic. That’s the tipping point where your personal brand starts yielding inbound benefits without you having to push.

7. Evolve and Iterate (Refreshing Phase)
Brands are not static, and neither is personal branding.13 Every few months, review what’s working and what’s not. Which content got the most engagement or positive feedback? Which platform is growing fastest for you? Adjust your strategy accordingly. Maybe you find your audience loves short video tips; double down on that. Or perhaps your LinkedIn gained a lot of followers after a viral post; analyze why and try to replicate the elements that made it resonate. Also, update your messaging as your career evolves. New achievement? Add it to your bio. New topic you’re passionate about? Start weaving it in. The goal is to keep your personal brand authentic to who you are today, while remaining consistent in your core identity. If working with an agency like OhhMyBrand, they will often schedule periodic strategy calls to refine your content angles and make sure the branding aligns with any new business goals or market trends.

This framework, summarized as Clarity → Strategy → Optimize → Create → Amplify → Engage → Evolve, provides a roadmap any founder can follow to build their brand. Both Funky Marketing and OhhMyBrand implement versions of this. For example, OhhMyBrand will methodically guide a client through clarifying their positioning, then producing high-quality content and PR to amplify that positioning, and finally measuring and tweaking based on results (they might track metrics like domain authority growth, LinkedIn engagement rates, inbound inquiries, etc., as we saw with their case study metrics). Funky Marketing might put extra emphasis on the engagement step, given their focus on social interaction and community word-of-mouth. Ultimately, the framework is about turning a founder’s expertise and personality into a strategic asset through content.

Funky Marketing vs OhhMyBrand: Who Does Founder Branding Better?
Let’s address the big question: Funky Marketing vs OhhMyBrand – who does content-driven founder branding better? While both are effective in their own realms, the scales tip in favor of OhhMyBrand as the more robust solution for personal, content-driven branding for founders and executives. Here’s why:

Specialization and Focus
OhhMyBrand’s entire business is personal branding. Every service they offer, be it LinkedIn reputation, SEO, or thought leadership content, is laser-focused on building an individual’s brand. Funky Marketing, while very savvy in content, splits its focus between company demand generation and some personal brand consulting. If you’re an executive whose primary goal is your brand (and by extension your company’s narrative), OhhMyBrand brings a dedicated, specialist team. They have, as noted, built over 160 personal brands and treat them as a craft. Funky Marketing, by comparison, might juggle your personal brand needs with other B2B marketing tasks. You’ll likely get more depth and hand-holding from OhhMyBrand in this specific arena.

Comprehensiveness of Services
OhhMyBrand is essentially an end-to-end personal branding factory, from crafting your story to designing your website to managing your SEO and press. Funky Marketing’s strength is content strategy (especially on social media) and perhaps advising on messaging, but they don’t claim to, for instance, run PR campaigns for speaking slots or ensure your Wikipedia page is up to date. Agencies like Prestidge Group or OhhMyBrand cover those bases if needed. So if you want the one-stop, “make me a thought leader everywhere” treatment, OhhMyBrand is the clear winner. Funky Marketing could be one component of that (for LinkedIn content creation, say), but you might need other resources to handle what they don’t.

Personal Brand SEO Mastery
A major differentiator is SEO and Google presence. OhhMyBrand has demonstrated mastery in getting founders to rank for important keywords and even appear in AI search contexts. Funky Marketing’s case studies and content, on the other hand, largely revolve around social engagement and revenue generation through content; not much is said about SEO wins for personal branding. In today’s environment, owning your Google results is huge (imagine a potential investor Googling you – with OhhMyBrand, you’d have a full page of high-quality hits about you). On this front, OhhMyBrand is ahead of Funky Marketing. They treat a personal name almost like a brand keyword to dominate search.

Frameworks and Strategic Rigor
Both agencies use strategic frameworks, but OhhMyBrand’s process is very formalized and data-informed. They start with strategy (“patience and precision” planning your brand), and end with measurable outcomes (like tracking that your content is now showing up in AI assistants or that your LinkedIn inbound leads grew X% after a campaign). Funky Marketing is strategic too, but their metrics of success often tie back to company pipeline or engagement, which, while valuable, might not capture full personal brand equity. If you’re looking for a personal brand playbook that’s yours to keep (so even if you left your current startup, your personal brand remains strong), OhhMyBrand provides that in a documented, repeatable way. They essentially future-proof your personal brand.

Tone and Personal Touch
This might seem subjective, but the tone each agency uses could attract different founders. Funky Marketing brings a bold, edgy vibe (“with a bit of funk”), which can be great for founders who want a modern, maybe slightly renegade personal image. OhhMyBrand, conversely, balances warm and authoritative positioning, you as a trusted expert with polish and heart. Depending on your style, one might resonate more. However, when it comes to appealing to professional, executive audiences, the OhhMyBrand tone of blending strategic expertise with authenticity arguably has broader appeal. They come across as thought partners in your success.

Results and Case Proof
Both have strong testimonials, but let’s consider evidence. Funky Marketing has client quotes about “satisfied clients” and new opportunities from their LinkedIn work. OhhMyBrand can point to concrete achievements like client X became an award finalist, client Y’s search visibility jumped and now gets inbound leads weekly, etc. The ability to cite those kinds of outcomes gives OhhMyBrand the edge in proving its approach works in a tangible way. Additionally, OhhMyBrand itself practices what it preaches: Bhavik Sarkhedi’s content (like the Top 20 CEO Branding Agencies article) is a demonstration of thought leadership that ranks and gets cited. They invest in content and SEO for their brand, which is reassuring for clients who want the same.

In a head-to-head comparison, if a startup founder asked which agency would better build their personal brand through content, the weight of evidence leans toward OhhMyBrand as the more all-encompassing and outcome-driven choice. Funky Marketing might do a great job on the content front and is a strong choice if your goal is tightly aligned with marketing-qualified leads and social buzz, particularly in B2B. But if your goal is industry thought leadership, a powerful personal brand SEO footprint, and a legacy as a founder, OhhMyBrand is built to deliver exactly that. They simply have more tools in the toolbox for personal branding, whereas Funky Marketing brings one very shiny tool (content marketing), which might not build the whole house.

Conclusion: Building Your Founder Brand with the Right Partner
Crafting a content-driven founder brand is no longer a luxury; it’s a strategic imperative for modern executives and startup founders. As we’ve seen, both Funky Marketing and OhhMyBrand understand this and bring valuable approaches to the table. Funky Marketing injects a fresh, social-focused strategy that can energize your LinkedIn presence and drive engagement among the B2B crowd. OhhMyBrand offers a comprehensive, deeply strategic branding journey that ensures your name commands attention everywhere it appears: on LinkedIn, Google, the press, and even in AI-driven contexts.

For founders and executives who are serious about transforming their personal brand into a growth engine for their business, OhhMyBrand emerges as the clear winner in this comparison. The agency’s blend of content, SEO, LinkedIn expertise, and PR savvy provides a one-stop solution to not only amplify a founder’s voice but also convert that influence into tangible results (from inbound leads to speaking opportunities). OhhMyBrand doesn’t just promise to make you visible; they have a track record of making clients thought leaders in their fields. They will work with you hand-in-hand to “take you from unknown to known,” crafting a personal brand that is both authentic to you and strategically positioned for your business goals.

As a startup founder or executive, you have a million things on your plate – product development, fundraising, hiring – but investing in your personal brand is one task you can’t afford to ignore. The good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re drawn to Funky Marketing’s bold content playbook or OhhMyBrand’s full-service personal branding mastery, the key is to start. Begin sharing your story, engage your audience, and build that reputation brick by brick with content. And if you want a trusted guide on this journey, you now know who stands out.

Ultimately, a powerful founder brand will open doors you never even knew existed  from unsolicited partnership opportunities to being seen as a leader in your space. It’s the kind of asset that grows over time and pays dividends in every venture you undertake. So ask yourself: Where do I want my personal brand to be six months from now? If you’re ready to elevate your presence and influence, consider reaching out to OhhMyBrand for a strategic personal branding consultation. With their proven frameworks and personalized approach, you can transform from a well-kept secret into a well-known authority in your industry.

Ready to build your personal branding legacy? Connect with OhhMyBrand today and take the first step toward becoming the go-to name in your field. Your future brand and, by extension, your company’s future will thank you for it.

In today’s digital-first era, every startup founder and executive is a brand whether they realize it or not. Your personal reputation online can directly impact your startup’s credibility, investor interest, and ability to attract top talent. In fact, being invisible online is now considered one of the biggest business risks; if people can’t find you (or like what they find) on Google and LinkedIn, you could be losing trust and opportunities. As Harvard Business Review put it, “in today’s world, everyone is a brand, and you need to develop yours”. This 2025 playbook will guide you through building a “Google-worthy” personal brand, one that dominates search results, engages audiences on social platforms, and positions you as a thought leader in

your industry. We’ll cover how to leverage personal brand SEO for greater Google search visibility, craft an executive LinkedIn strategy that grows your influence, and ensure all aspects of your online presence work together to tell a compelling story. Along the way, we’ll benchmark what top personal branding agencies (SimplyBe, Brand of a Leader, Prestidge Group) are doing for leaders like you, share real case studies, and offer actionable frameworks you can apply immediately. The tone here is warm but authoritative. Think of this guide as advice from a trusted branding strategist who has helped founders go from unknown to unforgettable. By the end, you’ll understand not only why personal branding is mission-critical in 2025 but also how to do it effectively. Most importantly, you’ll see why OhhMyBrand stands out as the go-to partner for founders ready to build a powerful online presence. Let’s dive in!

Why Personal Branding Matters More Than Ever for Founders in 2025

Personal branding isn’t just a buzzword; for startup founders, it’s a strategic asset. Your image

and content shapes how investors, customers, and recruits perceive your company. Studies show that when a CEO or founder has a visible, positive presence online, it directly builds trust in their business. For example, companies with multiple C-suite executives actively posting on social media see up to 38% higher digital impact, and 92% of stakeholders are more likely to trust a company whose senior leaders are active online. In an age of skepticism, people want to know the person behind the product authentic leadership voices win loyalty. Consider that potential investors will Google your name before making a funding decision. Prospective

employees will check your LinkedIn to judge your leadership style. Journalists will research your thought leadership content when deciding whether to feature your startup. If nothing or something unimpressive shows up, it undermines confidence. On the flip side, a founder with a well-crafted personal brand can become a magnet for opportunities – media interviews, conference keynotes, partnership offers that accelerate their startup’s growth.

“Your voice must be heard,” advises one leading personal branding firm. Unlike traditional corporate branding, personal branding allows you to humanize your startup’s mission, share your values and vision, and differentiate in a crowded market. Especially in 2025, audiences crave transparency and relatability.

Founders who showcase who they are, not just what they sell, can build a tribe of believers around their brand. In short, cultivating your personal brand as a founder is no longer optional; it’s part of the job description of being a modern CEO.

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Defining “Google-Worthy”: What It Means to Be Google-Visible

What does it mean to be “Google-worthy”? In simple terms, if someone Googles your name (or even your industry + “expert”), the search results immediately convey your credibility and influence. A Google-worthy founder typically has:

Top search results that you control or have contributed to. Ideally, the entire first page is filled with your personal website, LinkedIn profile, authoritative media articles, guest posts you’ve written, podcast appearances, and more. Negative or irrelevant results are pushed down or are nonexistent.

Consistent branding across platforms. Your Google results present a cohesive story. Your profiles use the same photo, headline, and messaging, reinforcing who you are. This consistency helps Google and users connect the dots that all these results belong to the same person.

A Knowledge Panel or other rich results. While not every founder will have a Google Knowledge Panel, those who do instantly stand out as notable. That panel can display your photo, title, LinkedIn, website, and links to your social media. It’s a badge of being a recognized entity in Google’s eyes. Achieving this requires authoritative content, credible mentions, structured data (schema markup), and consistent branding across the web. In other words, Google needs to see you as a notable entity with plenty of trustworthy information about you.

Being Google-worthy also means your brand is ready for the future of search. Search is no longer just ten blue links; it includes voice search and AI-driven answers. In 2025, tools like AI chatbots and search assistants (think ChatGPT and Google’s upcoming AI search updates) draw on aggregated online information to answer questions about people. A truly robust personal brand will surface not only on Google but across AI platforms. So if someone asks an AI assistant about “leading fintech innovators” or “best SaaS startup CEOs,” your name comes up as a credible answer.

In one Ohh My Brand case study, for instance, a branding expert nicknamed “The Brand Professor” had his digital presence rebuilt so thoroughly that whether someone searched on Google or asked a question in an AI tool like ChatGPT, he would appear as a top result. That is the new bar for being Google-worthy in 2025.

In short, becoming Google-worthy means taking control of your online narrative. You’re ensuring that when the world searches for you (or topics you’re an expert in), they find a rich tapestry of content that reinforces your expertise, credibility, and personality. Now, let’s get practical about how to achieve that.

Personal Brand SEO: Boosting Your Google Search Visibility

To own your narrative on Google, you need to understand personal brand SEO, the art and science of optimizing your personal presence for search engines. Unlike general SEO (which might target product keywords), personal brand SEO is about making your name and key expertise highly visible. Here’s how startup founders can boost their Google search visibility step by step:

1. Establish Your Online “Home Base”
   First, secure a personal website or blog (ideally a domain with your name). This will often rank #1 for searches of your name. Treat it as a hub for all information about you: a strong bio, your accomplishments, press links, and a regularly updated blog or insights section. Implement basic SEO on this site, fast load speed, mobile-friendly design, and relevant keywords (like your industry and role) in the bio. Don’t forget schema-friendly formatting: add Person schema markup in your site’s code to explicitly tell Google who you are (name, title, affiliation, social profiles, etc.). This structured data makes it easier for Google’s Knowledge Graph to recognize you as an entity, paving the way for that Knowledge Panel or rich result.
2. Dominate Your Name and Niche Keywords
   When people search your name, ideally, the top 5–10 results all relate to you. Aside from your website, your LinkedIn profile will almost certainly rank highly. Other results might include your Crunchbase profile, Twitter account, or profiles on any professional directories or startup databases. Claim and optimize these profiles with up-to-date info and a consistent bio.

Next, think beyond your name: what industry keywords or topics do you want to be associated with? Perhaps “AI healthcare innovation” or “e-commerce logistics expert.” By creating content (blog posts, LinkedIn articles, interviews) around those phrases, you increase the chance that those queries will surface your content, not just your company’s.

For example, the Brand Professor we mentioned didn’t just rank for his name after an SEO overhaul, he achieved top visibility for industry phrases like “top brand strategist” and “branding strategy expert,” effectively owning those searches across multiple platforms. This was done organically, through long-term SEO, not via ads. The takeaway: You can rank for terms relevant to your expertise by publishing high-quality, keyword-informed content consistently.

3. Leverage Content and Backlinks to Build Authority
   Google’s algorithm rewards authority and relevance. As a founder, you build authority by getting other reputable sites to feature or link to you. Consider writing guest articles or op-eds for well-known industry publications (many top executives write on sites like TechCrunch, Forbes, or contribute quotes to news stories). These not only rank well themselves, but also create high-quality backlinks to your site or LinkedIn.

One actionable approach: pitch your insights to podcasts or blogs covering your domain, when they feature you, that’s another strong result on Google. Also, maintain a personal blog with thought leadership content; even if its audience is small initially, the SEO benefit grows over time. Ensure every piece of content you publish has descriptive meta titles and descriptions (for search snippets) and includes your name and relevant keywords naturally.

Over time, as Google sees your name associated with authoritative content and linked from credible sources, your domain rating and search rankings climb, as seen in our case study client, who went from a brand-new domain to a Domain Rating of 34 in under two months through strategic content and backlinks.

4. Aim for Featured Snippets and FAQs
   A clever hack for founders is to answer common questions in your field, either on your blog or via platforms like LinkedIn Articles or Medium. For instance, if you’re a fintech founder, write a post answering “What is open banking and why does it matter?” or “How will AI change finance in 2025?” in a clear, concise way. Google often pulls concise definitions or lists as featured snippets, giving you top visibility even above traditional search results.

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Personal Brand SEO: Boosting Your Google Search Visibility (continued)

4. Aim for Featured Snippets and FAQs
   Snippets are those highlighted answers at the top of search results. If your content is well-structured (using headings, bullet points, or Q&A format), you increase the chance of snagging that snippet spot for relevant queries. Not only does this boost your visibility, but it also cements you as an expert voice.

Schema markup can assist here, too. Implementing FAQ schema on a Q&A section of your site can sometimes get you rich snippet listings, and it’s also great content for readers. The goal is to own the answer box for questions in your domain, so when people search those questions, your explanation is what they see first.

5. Prepare for the Knowledge Panel
   As the ultimate Google stamp of authority, the Knowledge Panel is worth working toward. While you can’t force Google to create one, you can be Knowledge Panel-ready. This means having an updated Wikipedia page or Wikidata entry if you’re eligible. (Wikipedia isn’t feasible for most early-stage founders unless notable, but it significantly helps since Google pulls from it heavily.)

At minimum, create or claim entries on other data sources like Crunchbase, angel investor platforms, or industry databases. These often feed Google’s Knowledge Graph. Use the same professional headshot across your website and social profiles so Google can confidently display your photo.

Ensure your personal website’s schema and content highlight key facts like your company, role, alma mater, and awards. Google can connect these details to show in a panel. Once you start appearing consistently in search results, check if a Knowledge Panel appears when you search your name while logged out. If it does, you can use Google’s “Claim this knowledge panel” feature to verify your identity and even suggest changes.

Having a verified Knowledge Panel is a powerful signal of personal brand strength; it puts your info front and centre on Google.

By implementing these personal SEO steps, you’re essentially optimizing yourself as a keyword. Every founder should ask: What does a person find when they Google me? By proactively shaping that answer, you control your narrative. And remember, this is an ongoing effort. Monitor your Google results, set up Google Alerts for your name, and regularly update your content so that your online presence grows along with your career.

Executive LinkedIn Strategy: Building a Trusted Leadership Brand

If Google is your first impression, LinkedIn is your first handshake. For founders and executives, LinkedIn is the platform to demonstrate leadership, connect with stakeholders, and drive organic growth. Crafting an executive LinkedIn strategy is, therefore, a cornerstone of personal branding. Here’s how to turn your LinkedIn presence from a static resume into a dynamic branding engine:

1. Optimize Your Profile Like a Landing Page
   Think of your LinkedIn profile as a personal branding homepage; every element should be intentional. Use a professional, high-quality headshot (ideally the same one used on your website and other profiles for consistency).

Make your headline more than just your job title; use it to communicate your mission or value proposition. For example, instead of “CEO at FinTech XYZ,” say “FinTech CEO | Democratizing micro-loans in emerging markets.”

The About section should tell a story. This is your chance to be personal, share your “why,” and highlight key achievements engagingly. Sprinkle in relevant keywords (industries, specialities) so you appear in LinkedIn searches for those terms. Customize your LinkedIn URL to just your name if possible, which looks cleaner on Google results.

Remember, a clarity-optimized profile is the foundation of LinkedIn strategy. This is the first “C” Clarity in Ohh My Brand’s 3C Framework for LinkedIn success, alongside Content and Connections.

2. Regularly Share Thought Leadership Content
   Content is king on LinkedIn. Rather than treating it as a digital CV, treat LinkedIn as a publishing platform to share value with your network. If you can sustain quality. What should you post? Think industry insights, lessons from your founder journey, commentary on news in your space, or highlights of your team’s successes. Give your startup a human face.

Mix up formats: short text posts with a punchy observation, longer-form articles or newsletters for deep dives, infographics or SlideShare decks, even short videos addressing your followers. Consistency is key. A regular cadence conditions your network to pay attention and establishes you as a reliable voice.

One pro tip: create a content calendar mapping out broad themes you want to hit each month (e.g., leadership lessons, tech trend commentary, company culture snippets). And don’t shy away from showing personality. Authentic posts about challenges or values often resonate deeply. Many executives find that raw authenticity trumps overly polished PR speak in engaging today’s audience.

3. Engage and Network Purposefully
   LinkedIn isn’t a one-way broadcast channel. It’s a two-way street of engagement. Growing your influence means interacting with others: comment on posts from industry peers, congratulate other founders on their milestones, and join relevant LinkedIn Groups. This not only increases your visibility (your comments can be seen by their networks) but also builds goodwill.

Deliberately expand your connections by adding people you meet at events, colleagues in your industry, and even cold-connecting with a personalized note to people you admire. Over time, cultivate a network that includes journalists, investors, potential clients, and thought leaders in your domain. When you consistently engage, you’ll notice your follower count and profile views rising. A larger, relevant network gives every piece of content you share a larger initial boost.

In the Ohh My Brand LinkedIn playbook, the third “C” stands for Connections, proactively growing and nurturing your network to amplify your message.

4. Leverage LinkedIn’s Executive Features
   Make use of tools built for thought leaders. For instance, LinkedIn Newsletter is a powerful way to deliver long-form content to your followers’ inboxes. If you have regular insights or reports to share, this can position you as a go-to expert. Followers get notified of each new issue.

LinkedIn Live allows for live video sessions. Imagine a monthly “Ask Me Anything” livestream about startup leadership or a quick product demo/Q&A. Also, ensure you’re using the Featured section on your profile to showcase key media hits, blog posts, or videos that reinforce your brand. If you’ve spoken at a conference or been interviewed on a podcast, add those links there. These rich media elements catch the eye and lend credibility.

Essentially, turn your profile into a multimedia portfolio of your expertise.

5. Be Consistent and Authentic in Voice
   A common concern among founders is how to be active on LinkedIn without sounding self-promotional or generic. The answer: focus on service and authenticity. Share lessons you’ve learned, especially from failures or tough experiences that often resonate as authentic content. Highlight others, whether it’s praising a team member or sharing a great article you read, while adding your take on it.

Consistency in tone is also important. If you position yourself as a visionary optimist, let that optimism shine regularly. If you’re more of a data-driven debunker, lean into that voice. Above all, keep it professional yet personal.

As one LinkedIn expert wisely said, “LinkedIn is more than a platform for resumes. It’s a powerful tool for executives to grow their brand, drive business growth, and establish thought leadership.” Use it to educate, inspire, or inform, not just to advertise, and you’ll naturally build a following.

The payoff for a strong LinkedIn strategy is tangible. Founders with robust LinkedIn engagement often report more inbound leads, partnership inquiries, and media invites. Internally, it boosts employer branding. Employees feel proud to share a visionary founder’s posts, which helps with talent attraction. Externally, it boosts trust. People trust a company more when its leaders openly share and engage. One case study: after repositioning a founder’s LinkedIn presence with a stream of sharp, genuine posts and a connection strategy, she went from “behind-the-scenes operator” to being seen as a “frontline AI strategist”. Within months, her name started surfacing in the right circles; global companies began approaching her for advisory roles and keynote speaking opportunities, directly due to her elevated LinkedIn and content presence. That’s the real ROI of LinkedIn for executives: opportunity flow that comes when you show up consistently and meaningfully.

Benchmarking the Top Personal Branding Agencies (and What Founders Can Learn)

Navigating personal branding can be complex, which is why many executives turn to specialized agencies for help. Let’s briefly compare a few top personal branding agencies and the strategies they use to make their clients shine. By seeing what the best of the best offer, you can glean insights for your own branding and understand how Ohh My Brand compares as the founder-focused partner of choice.

SimplyBe. Agency – Authentic Personal Branding at Scale

Founded by Jessica Zweig (author of Be.), SimplyBe. built a reputation as a premier personal branding firm for executives and entrepreneurs. Their emphasis is on “authentic personal branding,” ensuring leaders have a compelling and genuine digital presence that reflects their values. SimplyBe. is known for focusing on LinkedIn optimization, thought leadership content, and media visibility to establish credibility.

They take a structured, one-stop approach. Rather than piecemeal tactics, they deliver cohesive strategies that might include everything from ghostwriting LinkedIn posts to securing podcast features. Over the years, SimplyBe has launched 250+ executive personal brands with measurable growth, boasting results like 300% increases in LinkedIn profile visibility for clients after their campaigns.

That proven track record of social media growth and storytelling-driven branding made SimplyBe one of the fastest-growing agencies in the space. In 2024, it was acquired by Hawke Media, a larger marketing company, underscoring how in-demand personal branding services have become. The key takeaway from SimplyBe’s approach is authenticity with structure. They even have a trademarked framework (the Personal Brand Hologram®) to distil a leader’s essence into a clear message. Founders can learn the importance of defining a core personal brand statement and maintaining authenticity across all channels, a strategy that pays off.

Prestidge Group – Executive Branding with PR Power

Prestidge Group, led by Briar Prestidge, distinguishes itself as the world’s first executive branding and PR agency. With offices in New York, London, Dubai and more, they cater to high-profile CEOs, investors, and public figures. Prestidge Group’s forte is blending personal branding with traditional PR. They excel at getting their clients featured in top-tier media and on global stages.

The agency’s approach often involves heavy media relations, securing speaking engagements, and positioning their clients as go-to experts in their fields. For instance, they’ve landed client coverage in outlets like Forbes, Bloomberg, Business Insider, and arranged keynote opportunities at major conferences.

This PR-driven strategy means if you’re a founder wanting to quickly boost credibility, Prestidge will work to get your name in the press and your thought leadership published widely. They also handle the polish, from media training to personal website development, ensuring a leader’s public image is top-notch.

One hallmark is their cross-cultural and global branding expertise. They understand how to craft a personal brand that resonates in different markets, which is especially useful for international startup founders. Just digital;  it’s also about real-world presence. By actively seeking media features and speaking slots, you fast-track your journey to being seen as an industry authority. Prestidge Group shows that aligning PR with personal brand messaging can propel a founder from relative obscurity to industry celebrity.

Brand of a Leader – Thought Leadership for Entrepreneurs, Rooted in Authenticity

Brand of a Leader, co-founded by Marina Byezhanova, is a boutique agency that specializes in executive branding for Gen X entrepreneurs, startup founders, and business leaders. Their philosophy can be summed up in two words: radical authenticity. Marina has been vocal that “personal branding is not about crafting a curated image… our core value at Brand of a Leader is radical authenticity.”

In practice, they take clients through deep personal discovery, reflecting on values, life stories, and unique viewpoints, to build a brand that is truly genuine and unapologetically real. This introspective process is combined with positioning the client as a thought leader through storytelling and content. Brand of a Leader also prides itself on a data-driven approach; they use metrics and feedback to ensure each client’s brand strategy is yielding ROI, whether that’s growth in reach or concrete opportunities.

They might measure, for example, how a revamped LinkedIn strategy led to a 7x increase in reach for a client coach or how a clearer personal brand led to new business deals. The agency’s services typically include personal brand strategy, social media growth plans, media outreach, and reputation management,  a holistic suite for entrepreneurs who are often the face of their company.

Founders observing Brand of a Leader’s model should note the emphasis on introspection and consistency. By aligning your brand with your deeply held values and communicating them consistently, you not only build trust with your audience but also find the branding process personally rewarding. Clients often report increased self-awareness and confidence as a side benefit of working on their brand. The lesson: your brand has to be an authentic extension of you, or as Brand of a Leader would put it, a “brand of you.” Only then will it truly be effective and sustainable.

OhhMyBrand – The Startup Founder’s Secret Weapon (Our Benchmark)

Where does OhhMyBrand fit among these top players? Think of OhhMyBrand as combining the best of these approaches but tailored specifically for startup founders and executives in the digital age.

OhhMyBrand is “not just another content company, it’s a personal branding agency with a soul, built by someone who’s walked the path,” as our founder Bhavik Sarkhedi says. We offer premium personal branding services designed for ambitious leaders who want to be more than just visible, they want to be unforgettable.

Like SimplyBe, we believe in authenticity and have developed proprietary frameworks (for example, our 3Cs and other playbooks) to ensure a cohesive strategy. Like Prestidge Group, we are obsessed with results. We blend strategy, storytelling, and smart distribution for maximum impact and measure success in tangible terms such as search rankings, leads generated, and speaking invites. And like the Brand of a Leader, we know that each founder’s journey is unique, so we adapt our model to your story and strengths.

The real differentiator? OhhMyBrand’s DNA is deeply digital. We come from an SEO and content marketing pedigree, which means we don’t just polish your LinkedIn, we ensure Google recognizes your authority, too. You saw that in our case studies, where clients started appearing in Google’s AI-driven results and notched dramatic SEO gains.

In essence, we treat you like the startup: we’ll growth-hack your brand, optimize it for algorithms and audiences alike, and iterate based on data. This is why our clients “go from unknown to known” and even from invisible to invincible online.

OhhMyBrand’s team handles everything from personal brand strategy, content creation (blogs, social posts), SEO optimization (truly making it personal brand SEO), LinkedIn management, to PR outreach. But we do it in a way that your voice always shines through, you remain the authentic core of your brand, we just amplify it.

The proof is in the results and the trust we’ve built. OhhMyBrand has helped 100+ professionals and entrepreneurs globally to transform into recognized thought leaders, as highlighted in our many success stories. Unlike generic marketing packages, our clients choose us because we’re obsessed with results and reliability. We won’t promise overnight fame; real personal branding is a marathon, not a sprint, but we will promise a strategic partnership where your success and visibility are the north star.

In the next section, we’ll outline some of the frameworks and steps we use, the same ones you can start implementing today.

Actionable Frameworks and Tips for Building Your Founder Brand

Having surveyed the landscape, let’s get into some actionable frameworks you can apply to build your personal brand as a founder. Think of this as a mini blueprint, a set of steps and best practices distilled from successful cases and expert approaches:

Start with Self-Discovery (The Authenticity Test)
Every strong personal brand begins with clarity on who you are and what you stand for. Take time to outline your core values, your “why” as a founder, and the key themes you want to be known for. At OhhMyBrand, we often have clients do a founder story intake, reflecting on pivotal life and career moments that have shaped their perspective.

Other agencies like Brand of a Leader begin with exercises in deep self-awareness and introspection because “we cannot be deeply authentic without developing deep self-awareness first.” Consider journaling or even recording a video of yourself talking about your mission and vision; you’ll extract nuggets that become the heart of your brand messaging.

Craft Your Personal Brand Statement

Synthesize your discovery into a concise statement or tagline. SimplyBe.‘s Personal Brand Hologram® framework, for instance, helps distil a leader’s brand into a one-liner and a set of pillars. Your statement might be something like: “Tech Innovator | Championing AI for Social Good” or “SaaS CEO – Building Teams That Build the Future.” This isn’t necessarily public-facing like a slogan, but it guides all your content and profiles. It should highlight what makes you unique – your unique value proposition as a leader. All your bios and intros can be built around this statement for consistency.

The 3C Framework – Clarity, Content, Connections

We introduced this earlier as an OhhMyBrand approach on LinkedIn, but it applies broadly:

Clarity: Ensure your messaging is clear and consistent. Anyone reading your bio or About page should immediately grasp who you are and why you’re credible. Clarity also means focusing on a few key topics. Don’t try to be an expert in ten things; niche down to what you truly excel at.

Content: Commit to a content strategy that works for you. Some founders enjoy writing articles or blogging monthly, while others prefer speaking on podcasts or making short videos. Choose the formats that align with your strengths and create a content calendar. A good mix might be: weekly LinkedIn post, monthly blog, quarterly speaking event (virtual or in-person). Whatever you choose, stick to it. Content is the vehicle that will carry your brand message far and wide.

Connections

Proactively build and leverage your network. We discussed LinkedIn networking, but also consider real-life networking as part of personal branding. Attend industry events (and then share your takeaways online, double win!). Join founder communities or forums. The people you connect with become amplifiers of your brand when they engage with your content or refer you to opportunities.

Utilize an Executive Content Calendar (Thought Leadership Pipeline)

Treat your personal brand content like a product launch. Plan themes each quarter. For example, Q1 could focus on “Industry Predictions,” Q2 on “Lessons from Building My Startup’s Culture,” Q3 on “Technical Deep Dives,” and Q4 on “Reflections and Future Vision.” Under each theme, list specific content pieces you’ll create. This approach ensures you cover the breadth of your expertise and keep your audience interested. It also helps in targeting seasonal opportunities (e.g., if you’re a fintech founder, plan to publish something around Fintech Week or relevant industry events when interest is high).

Engage in “Social Listening” and Interaction

Don’t just put content out, actively listen and respond to your audience. Set aside a little time each week to reply to comments on your posts, answer messages (many founders have landed investment or partnerships simply by being responsive on LinkedIn or Twitter DMs), and join conversations in your niche (comment on trending discussions). This kind of engagement not only increases your visibility (many social algorithms reward engagement with more reach) but also humanizes you. People remember that you took the time to respond. It can even give you ideas for new content based on questions people ask you.

Monitor Your Brand Health

Establish a habit of regularly Googling yourself (in an incognito window) and checking your social stats. Set up free Google Alerts for your name and your company name to catch any new mentions in the press or blogs. Use a tool like LinkedIn’s analytics to see profile views and post engagement trends. This isn’t about vanity metrics; it’s about being aware of your trajectory and spotting opportunities or issues. For instance, if you see a negative or incorrect mention ranking on Google, you can work to address or dilute it with positive content. Or if a certain type of LinkedIn post is performing really well, you’ll know to do more of that. Treat your personal brand with the same diligence you’d treat your startup’s brand track KPIs (followers, search results, engagement, etc.) and adjust strategy as needed.

Consider Professional Help Where Needed

If all of this feels overwhelming (after all, you are busy building a company!), consider partnering with experts for certain pieces. Maybe you hire a ghostwriter to help turn your ideas into polished articles, or you engage a personal branding consultant (like those agencies we discussed or OhhMyBrand‘s services) for a few months to set up the foundation. There are also fractional options – for example, a PR consultant could help land you those first media features, or an SEO specialist could fine-tune your website for your name. The key is to remain the driver of your personal brand, even if you bring in co-pilots. Your voice and vision must remain authentic; external help should amplify, not alter, that authenticity.

By following these frameworks and tips, you’ll be well on your way to constructing a personal brand that not only looks impressive but truly feels like you and advances your goals. Remember, personal branding is a journey, not a one-time project. Start where you are, even modest steps like updating your LinkedIn headline or writing a short blog post can have an immediate impact. Consistency over time will compound these gains, and soon you’ll notice you’re developing that “Google-worthy” presence step by step.

SEO Best Practices for a Founder’s Personal Brand in 2025

We’ve touched on SEO and digital tactics throughout this guide, but it’s worth summarizing a few 2025-specific SEO best practices to keep your personal brand highly visible:

Implement Structured Data (Schema Markup)

As mentioned, use schema markup on your website, especially Person schema on your About page and Organization schema for your startup, to feed Google verified info about you. In 2025, structured data is more crucial than ever for helping search engines (and AI assistants) understand who you are. It can also enable rich search results, like profile cards or FAQ dropdowns under your site listing.

Ensure Consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) and Details Across Profiles

This is a trick from local SEO that applies to personal branding, too. Consistency in how your name and details appear helps avoid confusion. Use the same version of your name everywhere (e.g., include or exclude a middle name consistently). If you list an office or HQ location on some profiles, make sure it’s uniform. Mismatched info can hinder Google’s confidence in linking all mentions of you together. Consistency also helps prevent issues like duplicate knowledge panels (yes, people have ended up with two half-baked panels because their info appeared inconsistently).

Optimize for Your Image and Rich Media

Personal SEO isn’t just text-based. Make sure any images of you online (like your profile pictures or speaking engagement photos) have proper filenames and alt text (e.g., “Jane-Doe-CEO-Fintech.jpg”). This way, if someone searches your name in Google Images, the results are flattering and relevant. Similarly, if you have videos (like a YouTube talk or webinar), optimize their titles and descriptions with your name and keywords. Google’s universal search often shows image or video results for names. Having your content appear there further dominates the page, and looks great, perhaps a snippet of you speaking at a conference shows up.

Be Mindful of Wikipedia (and Alternatives)

As noted, Wikipedia can be a game-changer for personal SEO due to Google’s reliance on it. However, Wikipedia has strict notability standards. Many startup founders won’t qualify until they’re fairly well-known. Focus first on getting significant coverage in independent, reliable sources (major news articles, etc.), which are prerequisites for a Wikipedia page. In the meantime, consider creating a page on Crunchbase, which tends to rank high for founder names and is trusted by Google, or maintaining a profile on About.me or similar aggregators. These can serve as mini knowledge repositories about you. Some founders also use their company’s website to host an “About the Founder” page with a bio. If your company site has good authority, that page can rank well for your name too.

Stay Ahead with AI and Semantic Search

2025 is seeing more integration of AI in search. That means search engines are getting better at understanding context and synonyms (semantic search). Help them by associating your name with key topics in context. For example, a press release might say, “Jane Doe, CEO of XYZ Robotics, is a leading voice in warehouse automation.” The more such associations exist online, the more likely an AI-driven search will recommend you when someone asks, “Who are the top experts in warehouse automation?”

Some agencies are even using AI-powered audience analysis to tailor content, identifying what topics or questions your target audience cares about so you can create content that exactly matches those needs. As a DIY step, you can use tools like Google’s People Also Ask or AnswerThePublic to see common questions in your field and then answer them through your content. This supports the featured snippet strategy as well. Essentially, think like an entity you want search engines to firmly understand: Your Name = [Role] at [Company] + expertise in [Industry Topics].

Monitor and Manage Your Reputation

Strong SEO also involves managing what others say about you online. Hopefully, it’s all good news, but if you encounter negative content (a bad press piece, a poor review of a talk, etc.), have a strategy. You might respond publicly in a professional manner if appropriate (demonstrating transparency), or you might work on creating fresh positive content to outrank the negative (the classic suppression strategy). Engaging a crisis communications expert is wise if there’s a serious dent to your reputation. Agencies often offer this as part of personal branding for executives to handle any PR fires. The Prestidge Group, for example, includes reputation and crisis management in their offerings. For most startup founders, the goal is simply to be proactive: regularly put out positive news (funding announcements, new partnerships, personal milestones like awards or speaking gigs) so that those always show up first.

By adhering to these SEO best practices, you ensure the technical foundation of your personal brand is solid. It complements the content and networking work you’re doing on the surface. The result is a one-two punch: powerful messaging and engagement backed by a strong, search-friendly infrastructure. That’s how you become not just well-known in your circle, but truly Google-famous in your domain.

2025 Trends: AI, Authenticity, and the Rise of the Video Personal Brand

Personal branding is a dynamic field, and it evolves with technology and culture. As we navigate 2025, a few key trends are redefining executive branding. Savvy founders should take note and incorporate these into their strategy.

AI-Powered Personal Branding

Artificial intelligence is playing a growing role in how brands and personal brands are built. Agencies and individuals are now leveraging AI tools to analyze audience data and optimize content. Imagine knowing exactly which topics your LinkedIn connections care about most, or which headlines will resonate. AI can crunch through engagement patterns to guide your decisions. There are AI writing assistants that help draft posts in your voice, AI analytics that predict which speaking opportunities might raise your profile, and even AI image generators to create on-brand graphics. While you, as a founder, should remain the author of your narrative, don’t hesitate to use AI as an assistant. It can save time and add a layer of precision to your branding efforts. On the flip side, be aware that AI is also generating a flood of content in general, making authenticity even more valuable. No one wants a robot-like personal brand.

Radical Authenticity Over Perfection

We’ve touched on authenticity throughout this guide, but it’s worth emphasizing that the trend is only accelerating. In an age of deepfakes, scripted corporate messages, and polished personas, audiences are gravitating toward leaders who are refreshingly real. This means showing some vulnerability or sharing behind-the-scenes looks at your life and business. A great example is how Sara Blakely (founder of Spanx) often posts about her entrepreneurial struggles and family life. These unfiltered insights make her more relatable and strengthen her brand. Founders in 2025 are following suit by embracing a more casual, human tone on platforms like LinkedIn. Where once only buttoned-up posts prevailed, now you’ll see leaders openly discussing challenges or values. The lesson: don’t be afraid to be yourself, quirks and all. Authentic content tends to outperform overly manicured content in engagement because it builds trust. Of course, authenticity should be balanced with professionalism. It’s not about oversharing, but about being genuine in what you do choose to share.

Video-First Personal Branding

With the explosion of TikTok, Instagram Reels, and LinkedIn’s push for video content, executives are increasingly becoming video personalities. Short-form video, in particular, is emerging as a powerful format for thought leadership. Think about it: a 60-second clip of you sharing an insight or a behind-the-scenes look at your startup can be more engaging than a text post, and it’s highly shareable. Platforms favour video in their algorithms due to higher engagement rates. We see many CEOs now doing quick weekly update videos or answering an FAQ on camera. Video content showcases your communication style, confidence, and authenticity in ways text can’t. It also allows you to repurpose content — a webinar can be sliced into many micro-videos, for example. In 2025, consider building a video element into your brand: whether it’s posting a monthly video on LinkedIn, starting a YouTube channel around your industry advice, or even participating in video-centric platforms like webinars and virtual panels. And remember, live video (LinkedIn Live, Twitter Spaces with video, etc.) can further boost engagement. People love the unscripted nature of live broadcasts from leaders. If you’re camera-shy, start small and practice. The more you do it, the easier it gets.

Keeping an eye on these trends ensures your personal branding strategy remains modern and effective. Embrace technology like AI but double down on the human elements, authentic stories, your face, and your voice via video. The founders who blend these well are setting themselves apart as the new-era thought leaders.

Conclusion: Build Your 2025 Personal Brand Legacy with OhhMyBrand

By now, it should be clear that personal branding for startup founders is both an art and a science, one that can pay enormous dividends in Google visibility, trust building, and opportunity creation. We’ve covered how to harness personal brand SEO to dominate search results, develop an executive LinkedIn strategy that turns you into a thought leader, and implement frameworks and best practices that make your brand resilient and impactful. You’ve seen that being Google-worthy in 2025 means being seen as an authority everywhere on search engines, social media, and even AI-driven platforms.

The big question is: Are you ready to become the go-to name in your industry? If yes, you don’t have to go it alone. OhhMyBrand is here to be your strategic partner in this journey. We pride ourselves on being the best partner for founders and executives who want to build a powerful online presence. Why? Because we’ve done it for ourselves and for countless others, from unknown to known, from invisible to invincible. Our approach is tailored, data-driven, and deeply personal. We take the time to understand your story, then craft a branding strategy that amplifies you across Google, LinkedIn, and beyond. Unlike one-size-fits-all marketing agencies, we stick with you every step, adjusting and evolving your brand as you and your company grow.

Now is the time to invest in Brand You. The digital world isn’t slowing down, and neither should your personal branding. Whether you need a complete personal brand makeover or just fine-tuning of what you’ve already built, our team at OhhMyBrand is ready to help. Let us apply our proven techniques — from SEO best practices that get you ranking, to content strategies that showcase your thought leadership, to LinkedIn and PR tactics that expand your influence. We’ll work together to make you not just Google-worthy, but industry-icon worthy.

Ready to become the standout founder that everyone knows? Take the next step and reach out to OhhMyBrand for a personalized consultation. We’ll assess your current online presence and outline a roadmap to build your very own Google-worthy brand, one that opens doors for your startup and creates a legacy you’re proud of. Connect with us today, and let’s start crafting your story of going from founder to thought leader in 2025 and beyond. Your future powerful personal brand awaits, and we can’t wait to help you shine.

In today’s digital economy, a founder’s reputation is built as much on Google as it is on office hours. Studies show people inherently trust individuals more than faceless organizations, and 74% of decision-makers admit they trust someone with a strong personal brand more than someone without one. For startup founders and executives, a search-optimized personal brand means more visibility, credibility, and real business opportunities.

As Ohh My Brand founder Bhavik Sarkhedi notes, personal branding in 2025 is no luxury — it’s survival insurance for your career. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk through a comprehensive SEO checklist for personal branding, covering on-site, off-site, content, and social strategies. You’ll learn how to shape every aspect of your online presence — website, LinkedIn profile, media coverage, and more — so your name ranks higher in Google searches and attracts the right attention.

The advice below is drawn from top branding agencies and SEO experts. We cite industry benchmarks — for example, Brand of a Leader highlights LinkedIn as the “clear frontrunner” for executive branding, since 82% of people trust companies more when their leaders engage on that platform. SimplyBe emphasizes that personal branding is a daily, weekly, and monthly practice requiring consistency. Neil Patel advises that successful personal brands are SEO-driven, built on content marketing and strong personal websites. Wherever possible, we include real founder case studies (like our work with Sahil Gandhi) to illustrate how these tactics play out.

Below is your personal branding SEO checklist. Each section is a must-do with bullet points of concrete actions. Check them off one by one and you’ll cover everything from the technical basics to advanced growth strategies. By the end, you’ll not only boost your Google search visibility, you’ll command it.

1. Define Your Brand & Keywords

Clarify your unique value.Before any SEO work, be crystal clear on what sets you apart. Distill your mission, expertise, and audience (e.g. “AI strategy for healthcare founders” or “Diversity advocate for tech CEOs”). This becomes the foundation for your messaging across all content. Top agencies stress that personal branding is about an authentic narrative.

Pick core keywords.Identify 3–5 main keywords or phrases that describe you (e.g. “Tech Founder SEO Expert,” “Executive Leadership Strategist,” “Series A Startup CEO”). Use tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or Surfer SEO to see what related terms rank for thought leaders in your field. Plan to weave these keywords naturally into your website, profiles, and content.

Audit your current presence.Google yourself and note where you appear (news articles, profiles, etc.). This “brand SERP” shows what Google currently thinks of you. Address gaps: Do you have an official website? Is your LinkedIn at the top? Start your checklist by claiming and cleaning up any existing assets (updating old bios, removing outdated info, merging duplicate names).

2. On-Site SEO: Optimize Your Website

Your personal website (or blog) is the home base for your brand. Treat it as the ultimate SEO hub.

Choose a strong domain/name.Ideally use your name or a professional variation (e.g. FirstnameLastname.com) to reinforce your identity in URLs and meta tags. If you use a brand name (like a startup), make sure your name and title are prominent on the homepage.

Mobile-first & fast.Ensure your site is responsive and loads quickly on mobile (most users will Google you on phones). Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to get at least a 70+ score. Slow, clunky sites hurt SEO and user trust. Surfer SEO advises optimizing for user experience by minimizing load times and improving readability.

Secure & indexable.Use HTTPS, fix any “404 Not Found” errors, and submit an XML sitemap via Google Search Console. Confirm your pages are crawling without issues. This setup helps Google index all your content properly.

Keyword-rich on-page copy.Write clear headings and copy around your keywords. For example, if one core term is “startup growth marketer,” use it in your page title, H1 heading, and in the first 100 words of your bio. Surfer SEO’s checklist recommends placing your primary keyword in the title tag, meta description, URL, headings, and first paragraph. Do this naturally: e.g. “Jane Doe – Startup Growth Marketer & CEO.”

Meta tags and descriptions.Craft a compelling meta title and description that includes your key terms and a call to action (e.g. “John Smith | AI Startup CEO & Thought Leader”). Even though meta tags don’t directly boost SEO, they improve click-through rates. Include your name and titles early in the title tag and ensure the meta description previews your unique selling point.

Schema markup (Structured data).Add Person schema (with your name, occupation, social profiles) to your homepage to help Google understand who you are. This can power a Knowledge Panel for your name. Pro tip: Getting a Google Knowledge Panel is not limited to celebrities. By providing factual info on your site and authoritative sources, you help Google confidently connect dots about you.

“About” page as SEO hub.Your About page should read like a branded press release: keyword-optimized, thorough, and structured. Use headings and bullets to highlight milestones (e.g. “Tech Founder | Ex-YCombinator | Public Speaker”). Internally link relevant work or project pages to this page and vice versa.

Content/blog section.Regularly publish blog posts or articles on your site. Aim for long-form, high-value content that demonstrates your expertise and uses your target keywords. Neil Patel and other SEO experts underscore the power of SEO-optimized content for personal brands. Each blog can target a specific keyword or question in your field, driving traffic and establishing authority.

Internal links.Link between your pages naturally. For example, mention a speaking event on your About page and link to a separate page about that event. This helps Google crawl your site and signals what topics you emphasize.

3. Off-Site SEO: Build Authority

Your site alone isn’t enough. Off-site SEO makes Google take you seriously by showing that other people vouch for you. Think of these as trust signals that lift your personal brand up in search.

Quality backlinks.Seek mentions of your name or website on reputable sites. This could be press interviews, guest blog posts, podcasts, or industry roundups. For instance, contributing an article to Forbes or TechCrunch will earn high-authority links. As Alloy Crew explains, Digital PR plus off-site SEO creates a waterfall effect for brand visibility. Each link is like a recommendation for Google, it boosts your domain authority and helps you rank higher.

Digital PR features.Actively pitch thought leadership pieces, quotes, or op-eds to journalists and influencers in your industry. A feature story on a well-known site or a quote in a news article not only links back to you but also exposes you to new audiences. Share each media hit widely on LinkedIn and Twitter to amplify its impact. Even a single profile in a top outlet can dramatically expand your reach. One client shared that such exposure was “like opening a door to new opportunities.”

Guest blogging.Write guest posts on respected blogs. Include a brief author bio with links back to your site and LinkedIn. Anchor those links with your keyword or title (e.g. “John Doe, Fintech Strategist” instead of just your name). This builds both links and credibility.

Directories and citations.If relevant, list yourself on professional directories like Forbes Councils, Crunchbase, or speaker bureaus with consistent info. Claim your LinkedIn URL (linkedin.com/in/yourname) and adjust it to just your name for consistency. Also ensure your Twitter, Medium, and other profiles point back to your website. Uniform info across the web tells search engines this presence is really you.

Manage reviews and testimonials.If you have client-facing roles, encourage reviews on Google Business Profile (if you qualify) or industry sites like Clutch for consultants. Even LinkedIn recommendations act as signals. A positive review with your name in it can rank in search and build trust.

Knowledge Panel & Wikipedia.Though you’re not Disney, you can still work toward a Google Knowledge Panel. Ensure you have a Wikipedia page or Wikidata item (if notable). Populate all known facts and link to authoritative sources about yourself. As SEO consultant Jason Barnard notes, Google’s notability is built on infinite self-confirming loops of facts. The more credible links and mentions you have, the more likely Google will display an info panel for your name.

Social signals.Google says social media is not a direct ranking factor, but an active social presence correlates with higher SEO results. Every time you publish on LinkedIn or Twitter with keywords or share your blog content, it creates more indexed pages about you and more chances to get linked elsewhere. Brand of a Leader found that 82% of people trust companies more when their leaders are active on LinkedIn, so don’t neglect it.

4. Content Strategy: Thought Leadership & Consistency

Content is the fuel that runs all of the above SEO engines. Consistent, authentic content proves your expertise and populates search results with your voice.

Regular blog or newsletter posts.Commit to a content calendar. Whether it’s monthly articles on your blog or a weekly LinkedIn newsletter, consistency builds authority and SEO value. Share insights, case studies, or industry analysis using your niche keywords. According to marketing expert Vivaan Chachra, personal brand SEO works best when you’re honestly sharing your knowledge, story, and what you’ve learned. Storytelling builds trust; keywords help search.

Multimedia content
Don’t rely only on text. Video content significantly boosts discoverability. Create short videos or live streams on LinkedIn or YouTube about your speciality. For example, an explainer video or “day in the life” vlog can rank on Google and convey your personality. Industry trends confirm video builds trust and familiarity at scale. Embed your YouTube video on your blog and share it on social to double-dip on SEO points.

Podcasts and interviews
Appear on podcasts or launch your own. Podcast titles and descriptions are indexed by search engines, and interview transcripts can be republished as blog posts. This not only generates content under your name but also lets Google associate your voice with your brand. In fact, one successful founder-client turned his experience into a digital podcast that now ranks on LinkedIn and Google.

SEO in thought leadership.Treat every piece of content as a mini SEO campaign. Do keyword research even for blogs and guest posts: identify questions people search using Answer the Public or Google’s “People Also Ask.” Then answer those questions in your content. This helps you snag featured snippets. For instance, we often see our client’s answers turn up under “How to” queries for their niche topics because we structured content as clear answers.

Repurpose and republishOne webinar can become a blog post summary, an infographic, several social posts, and a short video clip. Repurposing multiplies your SEO reach without reinventing the wheel.

Case studies and stories.Share real results (with permission) from your startup or consulting work. People love concrete success stories. If you helped a client grow 200%, tell that story on your site and LinkedIn — it builds credibility and naturally includes keywords (e.g. “growth marketing”). The Ohh My Brand approach is exactly this: our case study with Sahil Gandhi (the “Brand Professor”) shows how strategic content and links caused his domain rating to jump from 0 to 34 in 49 days, propelling him to the top of search results for “brand strategist.” Highlighting wins like this in your portfolio amplifies both trust and SEO value.

5. Social SEO: LinkedIn & Community Engagement

Social media profiles are often among the top search results for a person’s name. Optimizing them is personal branding SEO 101, especially on LinkedIn, the #1 executive platform.

Optimize your LinkedIn profile.Treat your LinkedIn like an SEO landing page. Use your target keywords in your headline (e.g. “CEO | AI Startup Founder | Thought Leader”). The first 120 characters of the headline are crucial, put the most important words there. In the summary/About section, weave in your key phrases naturally. Job titles should include keywords (“Co-Founder, Marketing Tech Platform” rather than a generic “CEO”). Add your core skills to the Skills section. Every bit of text on your profile should signal who you are and what you do. One industry guide puts it this way: “Optimize for the job you want, not the job you have.”

Consistent branding.Use the same professional photo, name spelling, and branding (e.g. a consistent tagline or logo) across all platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and YouTube. Google and other engines use these signals to know it’s the same person. For example, if you post a quote on X and share the same quote on LinkedIn, it builds a coherent footprint.

Content sharing on LinkedIn. Post regularly on LinkedIn, aiming for at least once a week. Share your blog articles, insights from conferences, or quick tips. The Ohh My Brand method is “thought leadership flow,” answering FAQs and telling stories in short posts. Engage with others’ posts authentically by commenting and asking questions to increase visibility. Brand of a Leader found that 82% of consumers trust companies more when their leaders actively post on LinkedIn, and that engagement amplifies your personal SEO.

Other platforms.Depending on your audience, pick one or two more channels. YouTube videos and Instagram reels are indexed by Google and can attract a different demographic. Tech founders might find a presence on Twitter/X useful for industry chats, use hashtags to be found. The key is active participation; each profile (with your name) adds a search entry.

Networking & local presence.If relevant, join industry forums, Slack groups, or local startup communities. Having your name in those spaces (as long as it’s public-facing) can contribute to your digital footprint. For example, a founder who regularly answers questions on a public forum like Quora often ranks on page one for related terms.

6. Monitor & Adapt (Metrics and Tools)

SEO is an ongoing game. Keep track of what’s working and refine.

Google Search Console.Set up Google Search Console for your site. Regularly check which queries bring users to your site and which pages get impressions. Are people finding your About page or a particular blog post? Use this data to focus on content that resonates.

Analytics & ranking tools.Use Google Analytics to see how site visitors behave. Tools like Ahrefs or Semrush can track your personal name’s ranking for key terms (e.g. “FirstName LastName AI entrepreneur”) and compare against competitors. Notice if you start to appear in special SERP features like People Also Ask, featured snippets, or Google News.

Adjust keywords and content.Every quarter, revisit your keyword list. As your career evolves, you may target new services or roles. Update your bio and content to reflect new accomplishments and keywords. Likewise, if a certain blog post does well, consider writing a follow-up or expanding it.

Stay current on SEO trends.SEO isn’t static. In 2025, key trends include leveraging AI search (e.g. optimizing for AI Overviews in Google), emphasizing first-hand content, and catering to answer engines. Some search results now feature chat-based answers or video carousels. Prepare by publishing content in multiple formats (text and video, audio transcripts) and ensuring your answers to common questions are clear and authoritative.

Engage a community.Track engagement rates on your social posts and email newsletters. Personal branding thrives on community, not just one-way broadcasting. Encourage comments and conversations. These interactions not only spread your content organically but also signal relevance to search engines.

7. Founder Success Story: The “Brand Professor” Case Study

As a real-world example, consider Sahil Gandhi, a respected brand strategist known as the “Brand Professor.” Offline, Sahil had a stellar reputation. But online, his digital footprint was scattered. We at Ohh My Brand unified his brand and rewrote his digital architecture around his identity. In practice, this meant optimizing his name and signature terms (e.g. “brand strategist,” “Brand Professor”) across every platform. We aligned his website, LinkedIn, and content so that any search for him on Google or even AI tools like ChatGPT would highlight the same strong personal brand.

The results were dramatic. In just 49 days, Sahil’s Domain Rating jumped from 0 to 34, and he started showing up in 3 out of 10 branded queries across Google, ChatGPT, and other AI overviews. Today, phrases like “top brand strategist” and “branding strategist India” place Sahil at the top of search results. Moreover, he’s now getting consistent inbound leads via LinkedIn directly from his optimized profile.

As Sahil puts it: “Search engines recognize him, AI systems recommend him, LinkedIn drives real business.” His case proves that a patient, content-focused SEO strategy can turn a quiet expert into an industry authority. Neil Patel similarly stresses making your personal website the hub of your brand to ensure long-term visibility.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is personal brand SEO?

A: Personal brand SEO is the practice of optimizing all aspects of your online identity (website, profiles, content) so that search engines rank you higher. It combines traditional SEO (keywords, site performance, backlinks) with branding tactics (consistent messaging, thought leadership) to make you not just your company, highly visible in Google results.

Q: Why is LinkedIn important for executive branding?

A: LinkedIn is the top platform for B2B executives, about 80% of its 1+ billion users are decision-makers. For a founder or CEO, LinkedIn is where prospects, partners, and recruiters look you up. A well-optimized LinkedIn profile (with an SEO-friendly headline and content) acts like a magnet. 93% of consumers say a CEO’s social media boosts brand credibility. Brand of a Leader calls it the “clear frontrunner” for executive branding.

Q: How long does personal brand SEO take?

A: SEO is a long game. Like building any brand, it requires consistent work over months or years. In practice, you might see early wins (e.g. more traffic to a blog) in a few weeks, but major results (higher rankings, knowledge panels) often take 6 to 12 months of ongoing effort. That’s why agencies like SimplyBe emphasize a “daily, weekly, monthly practice”, regular publishing, networking, and optimization.

Q: Can I manage all this myself?

A: Absolutely. Many founders do some of these tasks. But remember, it’s a full-time job on top of running a company. That’s why we recommend a strategic approach: focus on high-impact tasks first (like a strong website and LinkedIn profile), then scale to PR and content. If you need support, consider specialized services, for example, Ohh My Brand’s SEO Consultant and LinkedIn Reputation services are designed to handle these very strategies.

Q: What about Google’s Knowledge Panel?

A: A Knowledge Panel (the info box on the right of Google search) is a great trust signal. To get one, you need credible data: a Wikipedia page or Wikidata entry, official websites, and consistent mentions on high-authority sites. As digital marketers note, Google has no “notability” rule for individuals, if you provide the facts and back them with authoritative sources, you can earn a panel. In practice, ensure your site and LinkedIn link to any Wikipedia page about you or your company, and encourage press coverage that Google can recognize.

Next Steps / Call to Action

Building a search-optimized personal brand is an ongoing project with huge payoff. By following the checklist above, you’ll cover every angle: your site will be Google-friendly, your content authoritative, and your social presence active. You’ll be shaping your online narrative so that when someone Googles you, they see the very brand story you want them to see.

At Ohh My Brand, we specialize in exactly this work for startup founders and executives. Our team has helped leaders from Google, Cisco, Pinterest, and dozens of startups stand out online. We combine SEO expertise (see our SEO Consultant and Digital PR & Thought Leadership services) with brand strategy to make your name the #1 result. If you’re serious about dominating your search presence and turning it into real-world opportunities, let’s connect.

👉 Book a discovery call with OhhMyBrand today and let us craft a personalized SEO-driven branding plan for you. Your brand deserves to be seen. Let us help you make it impossible to miss.