15 Quick Wins for Your Personal Branding: The Easiest Ways to Build Your Personal Brand in 2026

Transform your professional presence with a collection of simple shifts that elevate your personal brand presence fast. 

The best personal branding is values-based, intentional and patiently plays the long game. But ever so often, there are some low-hanging fruit. Quick wins that can instantly transform your personal brand presence. Tiny transformations, stacked together, can create a high-impact personal brand. 

1. Update your LinkedIn profile photo

LinkedIn is the world’s biggest professional networking platform. Make a positive impression with your network and potential recruiters, contacts and clients with your LinkedIn profile photo. The research shows that first impressions are formed within milliseconds, so pick a photo that embodies the brand you want to represent.

For more on curating a high-quality LinkedIn photo, see my blog, Refresh Your LinkedIn Profile Photo to Elevate Your Professional Personal Brand.

2. Rewrite your LinkedIn bio

From storytelling to search engine optimisation, your LinkedIn About section is prime real estate for your professional personal brand. Use it to communicate your key expertise, values and the impact you’ve had in your career.

For more on creating a standout LinkedIn Bio, see my blog, Write a less boring bio. 10 tips to leave a memorable impression for your personal brand.

3. Change the default settings on your LinkedIn profile

The Activity section of your LinkedIn profile will automatically default to your latest posts. While this might work well for some, depending on what you share on LinkedIn, this could be selling your personal brand short. Selecting articles, videos, or other settings instead can instantly elevate your personal brand positioning. Plus it adds colour and personality to your page beyond the default settings.  

4. Pick a signature colour

Like any good branding, consistent colours make your personal brand recognisable. For a quick win for your personal brand, adopt a signature colour and project an intentional and cohesive brand.

For more on how to choose the right colours for you, see my blog, What your personal brand colours say about you, and how to choose them carefully.

5. Sport a signature accessory

Anna Wintour has her sunglasses, and Blair Waldorf has her headbands (if you know, you know). A signature accessory adds personality and a layer of visual interest to your personal brand’s style that is unique to you. 

6. Curate your ideal personal brand on Pinterest

Like a designer who mood boards first, build the vision of your personal brand on Pinterest. From colours, fonts, vocabulary, personal style, interiors and lifestyle, Pinterest gives you a place to be inspired, play and plan as you build your dream personal brand - and life. 

For more on making the most of Pinterest, see my blog, How I Use Pinterest Boards to Rewire My Brain and Upgrade My Life. 

7. Download Grammarly 

Personal branding isn’t all about what you say and wear; it’s also about the things you don’t do. And making spelling and grammar errors, is something you want to avoid doing as much as possible. Studies across platforms - emails, websites, social media, resumes - have found that spelling mistakes lower the credibility of the author. To build a personal brand that is taken seriously, pay attention to your spelling. 

8. Request testimonials 

Whether it’s for your personal brand website, resume or LinkedIn profile, request testimonials. They are social proof that other people trust you. As tribal beings, they help us reduce perceived risks. It only takes two minutes to send an email or text request. A few minutes of awkwardness can be a powerful quick win for your personal brand.   

9. Record your achievements

Open up a blank document, or sit down with a pen and paper and write down all of your biggest professional achievements. Think years in the industry, major projects and more. Quantify everything you can in your claims. You now have a solid foundation to rewrite your resume, LinkedIn profile, website or other personal branding materials. 

10. Refresh your resume 

Some personal branding efforts can take years to see results. It will only take you a day or two to achieve a dramatic transformation for your resume. Your resume isn’t simply a timeline of your career; it’s a pitch for your professional brand. I’ve used my resume to land a scholarship and position on a committee. Whether you’re looking for a job or not, have a standout resume ready for any opportunity. 

For more on how to write an impactful resume, see my blogs:

• Why your resume sounds weak & is selling your personal brand short

• How to sell your skills in your resume: Pitching a persuasive personal brand

11. ‘Document, don’t create’

Not everyone has time to create a slick social media content strategy. But showing up on social media or - as the gold standard - being consistent on it, is always going to do more for building your personal brand than simply lurking in the shadows. To take the pressure off “creating” for social media, adopt marketing guru Gary Vee’s ‘document, don’t create’ mantra. 

12. Sign up for something extra 

Relying on your current title to build your personal brand is putting all your eggs in one basket. Build your personal brand outside of your current 9-5 to diversify your personal branding efforts. Sign up for a relevant professional committee, apply for a board position, or join a relevant community group. Start to grow your reputation beyond your workplace and in the wider industry.  

13. Actively seek feedback 

Engage a past or present colleague or client for some honest feedback. Tell them you’re focused on building your professional presence for the better and would love to know what they think you do well and what you could do better. This will give you a better understanding of how others already experience your personal brand.  To keep it simple, you might request five keywords or more details. 

14. Intentionally observe others

Commit to following a few creators - either podcasters, YouTubers or social media personalities. Pay attention to what they do well and what you would do differently. Learn by osmosis. You’ll subconsciously absorb what you find compelling and filter out what doesn’t resonate, elevating your understanding of your own personal style. 

15. Say ‘yes’ to something you don’t want to do

The most effective personal branding isn’t about strategies and social media posts; it’s about real relationships. Planning your personal brand behind a screen is only going to get you so far. Say ‘yes’ to invitations from friends or register for the next networking event that aligns with your interests. Remember to keep personal branding personal.

Small shifts, big impact

Building your personal brand doesn’t need to begin with a grand rebrand, flashy new website or landing a high-profile position. Thought shifts and small choices can have an immediate impact and compound over time to transform the way the world sees you and how they experience your personal brand. Stack enough small wins, and you elevate the trajectory of your entire professional presence.