It’s a bit meta posting about a podcast about personal branding and thought leadership right here on LinkedIn, but I’ve gotta practice what I preach by sharing my story and expertise along the way.
This week I had a chance to reflect on my career so far in entrepreneurship, education and social good, and what I’ve learned so far, as a guest on a podcast. Everything I’ve done comes back to creating positive impact, leveraging creativity and building meaningful connections, it seems.
Here’s 5 takeaways as a teaser of what we discussed on the episode if you’re looking to step up your presence and grow in 2025:
1️⃣ Take a brand-first approach. That includes investing upfront in long-term success for your business by clearly defining your mission, vision, and values and investing in brand from day one — something I’ve found essential for building trust and creating connections with audiences. (This can get overlooked with a push for immediate ROI and performance marketing, which unfortunately is often focused on short-term wins only).
2️⃣ As it’s been top of mind lately with my work and talks, I also highlighted the value of founder-led marketing, encouraging more leaders to use their personal brands to amplify their organization’s story authentically.
3️⃣ Edwin also asked me how I’ve tried to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. Continuous learning has been pivotal in my own journey — whether through podcasts, audiobooks, attending conferences, or even teaching. I believe curiosity and adaptability are the keys to thriving (especially in this field). Plus, cross-pollinating ideas across sectors and building meaningful networks helps us to stay sharp and be ready to evolve.
4️⃣ For those looking to build their own brands, I shared a few tips like:
👉 Start small by defining your core values and identifying your target audience.
👉 Embrace storytelling and begin sharing your journey, even if it’s just through LinkedIn posts or articles.
👉 Commit to regular content creation and allow your brand to grow and adapt over time.
5️⃣ Building a brand of any kind is about playing the long game. It’s investing in relationships, staying curious, and creating a foundation that can sustain and grow over time. Start with your story — it’s the most powerful tool you have.
🙏 Thank you to Edwin J. Frondozo for having me on The Business Leadership Podcast, and congrats on your continued success with the show over all these years.
🎙️ The episode doesn’t come out until January, but follow or subscribe in the meantime for Edwin’s other episodes.
🎥 Shoutout to Mark for the fresh studio setup at CreatorClub.
🟠 Did you know The Intersection is a weekly newsletter where I share stories, lessons and relevant reflections? Subscribe free at intersection.danieldoes.co — see you in your inbox!
