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What We Learned About Personal Branding at Hear Here: Edition One

Last week, the first edition of Hear Here launched to a packed and buzzing room of 50 female creative leaders, all ready to connect and learn, challenging the shocking status quo of the current design landscape. (yes, we will keep talking about the percentage of female designers in the design industry, until we don’t need to talk about it any more!)

It was a space designed intentionally – yes, to gather women in the industry – but also to start real conversations that push things forward.

For our inaugural event, we tackled a topic that’s central to modern leadership but often misunderstood: personal brand.

With a powerhouse panel including Claudia Cardinali (Great Influence), Chloë Clover (Wander Films), and Emma Carr (Crave Personal Styling), we unpacked what personal branding actually means, how to build it with purpose, and why it matters now more than ever.

Here are some of the insights from the night!

 

Define it your way

Each panelist had a unique spin on what personal branding meant to them:

  • Claudia called it a conscious effort to build your network and seize new opportunities.
  • Chloe described it as an authentic extension of who you are, online and offline.
  • Emma said it’s about the feeling people are left with after they interact with you.

Different definitions. One clear message: your personal brand isn’t a logo or a tagline, it’s you, showing up with intention.

 

Your personal brand is your leadership toolkit

Let’s start with a reality check: since 2015, the proportion of female designers has grown by just 1%. And while women make up 63% of the design workforce in advertising, only 18% of senior creative roles are held by women.

As Claudia pointed out, the rise of AI and the flattening of traditional job paths means your personal brand is becoming one of your most important tools. It’s not just how you market yourself, it’s how you future-proof your career, stand out, and shape how people experience you as a leader.

IRL

We often think of personal branding as something that lives online, but the panel reminded us that it starts offline, in how you show up, what you say yes to, and how you make people feel.

So yes, it includes your digital presence, but it’s also about how you lead in meeting… write emails… how you mentor others… all the everyday things that create a lasting impression.

 

Visibility is everyone’s business!

One of the most discussed topics was how personal brands aren’t just for founders or senior leaders. Claudia called out the growing “trickle-down” effect, where entire teams, not just agency / business owners, are building their visibility.

The opportunity? Everyone in a business can be a voice for the brand, as well as for themselves.

Clarity over volume

One of the most reassuring takeaways? You don’t have to be a LinkedIn content machine or a natural extrovert to build a great personal brand!

Chloe talked about the power of authenticity. Being yourself consistently in digital spaces and in real life. That might mean showing up on social media, but it could also look like being intentional about how you present in a room or the stories you share with your team.

 

Start with purpose, not perfection

The number one blocker for most people? Overthinking what to post, say, or share. Claudia offered a simple reframe: don’t focus on “being visible”, focus on creating opportunities. Or, as Clover put it, “just f*cking post it!”

Think about who you want to reach and what they need to hear. Then speak directly to them. Build slowly. Schedule posts in advance if it helps. Done is better than perfect.

 

Dress like you mean it

Yes, personal brand includes how you show up visually. Emma shared that dressing with intention has a massive impact on how you feel and how others respond to you. Not style for style’s sake, but matching your outer presence to your inner message will make you feel like a powerhouse.

Even when you’re working from home. Even on Zoom. Yep, collars and statement earrings at the ready, WFH gang – if that’s your thing.

 

 

Be real

In a time when 71% of people trust individuals more than institutions the best thing you can be is real.

That means letting go of the idea that your brand needs to be “curated” or “perfect.” What connects? Human stories, lived experience, and vulnerability, not just the wins.

Clover has built a business around this ethos. Their culture is built on authenticity and acceptance, and it shows up in how the team communicates online. It’s strategic, and it works.

 

AI can be helpful – with a caveat

With AI creeping into content creation more and more, the panel was clear: don’t let it replace your voice. Use it for research or idea generation, sure, but your unique perspective is the most valuable asset you have. Over-reliance on AI leads to generic content, and this doesn’t build trust.

 

Don’t let imposter syndrome define you

Emma opened up about the imposter syndrome she felt after a major career pivot at 40. Claudia’s take? Don’t give it too much airtime. Feel it, name it, then move through it.

Almost everyone feels like an imposter at some point. It’s not a signal to stop. It’s just a sign you’re stretching into something bigger.

 

 

TL;DR Some easy wins to get started

  • Figure out who you’re speaking to: Your brand should be tailored, not broad.
  • Engage before you post: Comment on others, build networks, find your people.
  • Bank content ideas when they come: Inspiration rarely arrives when you know you NEED to post that day. 
  • Own your headshot and bio: It’s often your first impression.
  • Share what’s already happening: Document, don’t overthink!

 

Final word: shape your personal brand intentionally

Whether you’ve been actively building your personal brand or ignoring the whole concept completely, here’s the truth: you already have one. People already associate you with something, so why not be intentional about it?

The first edition of Hear Here was all about sparking these conversations. And, if the feedback is anything to go by, this is only just the beginning!

We’ll be back soon with more events, and powerful women leading from the front.

Follow, share, and join us for the next one! Get in touch with Emma on emma@craftagency.co.uk to know more and to be kept up to date with future events.