Why PR Professionals Need Personal Brands Too
By Oreoluwa Ojo
For years, I worked behind the scenes, pitching stories, managing crises, monitoring media coverage, ghostwriting thought leadership pieces, and curating events that built reputations and moved the needle for brands.
I was the invisible force behind the visibility.
The voice behind the headlines.
The strategist behind the spotlight.
I helped founders, executives, and creatives craft compelling narratives and present their best selves to the world. I understood the psychology of public perception and the mechanics of influence. I saw firsthand how intentional storytelling, consistent messaging, and strategic positioning transformed businesses and careers.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: I never applied that same branding wisdom to myself.
The Strategist in the Shadows
Like many PR professionals, I made the mistake of thinking my work could speak for me. I poured energy into building others up but kept myself behind the curtain, silent, unseen, and undefined.
- My clients had vibrant digital footprints.
- They were invited to panels, featured in articles, and tagged in accolades.
- I was the architect of visibility… and yet, I stayed invisible.
This wasn’t humility. It was an oversight.
And it’s one that many media executives, brand consultants, and communications leads are guilty of.
But that is changing.
The Wake-Up Call: Branding Is No Longer Optional
Today, as Personal Branding Lead at That Good Media, I see things with a fresh perspective.
Personal branding is not vanity; it’s visibility.
It’s not fluff; it’s foundational to professional influence.
In an age of transparency and connection, your brand is your business card, your reputation, and your competitive edge.
So why does personal branding matter, especially for those of us who build brands for others?
1. Because People Trust People
The most powerful brands are not just logos or taglines; they are people-driven stories.
- Consumers trust people more than companies.
- Investors want to connect with real decision-makers.
- Employees are inspired by leaders who are relatable and accessible.
A brand with no human face is forgettable. A brand with a voice, a face, and a story? Magnetic.
2. Because Expertise Without Visibility Is Wasted
You can be brilliant at your job, but if no one knows what you do or stand for, it doesn’t matter. Visibility is a form of currency. It builds credibility, authority, and recall.
You don’t have to shout to be seen.
You just have to show up intentionally, consistently, and with clarity.
3. Because the Line Between Work and Identity Is Blurred
In today’s world, your digital presence is often your first impression.
When someone Googles you, what shows up?
Is it curated or confusing? Is it clear what you do, what you stand for, and what impact you’re driving?
You’re either telling your story or letting the internet tell it for you.
Your Personal Brand Is Your Work
As a PR consultant, I’ve come to a simple but powerful realisation:
My brand is not separate from my work, it is the lens through which my work is interpreted.
- It is how I am perceived.
- It influences the clients I attract.
- It shapes the rooms I’m invited into.
For those of us in the business of influence, this is non-negotiable. We can’t keep showing up anonymously.
This Is Your Sign to Step Forward
To every communications lead, brand strategist, or PR executive who has stayed behind the scenes:
You deserve to be visible. You deserve to be known.
You’ve helped countless others find their voice.
Now it’s time to find yours.
Start building your brand. Not for clout, but for clarity.
Not for attention, but for authority.
Not for show, but for legacy.
The world is watching. Let them see you, on your terms.
The People Behind the Brands Are Brands Too
We live in a world where who you are is just as important as what you do.
PR professionals must lead by example. We are no longer just brand architects; we are brand assets.
Let’s build our reputations with the same intention we bring to our clients.
Let’s embrace visibility as a form of leadership.
Let’s step into the light strategically, confidently, and authentically.
Because the people behind the brands?
They need branding, too.
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