Everyone’s talking about personal branding and how one should go about it Lets lock some basics and first principles It’s not about bragging or self-promotion It’s about owning your reputation in a world where your digital footprint defines you For founders, leaders, & content creators, a strong personal brand isn’t a vanity project, it’s your most critical business asset Here are some non-negotiable principles for building a brand that drives real impact & opportunity This is your note-taking guide 1) Your Mission is Your Magnet: – Before you chase a single follower, define your mission – Who are you, what do you do, who do you serve, and what transformation do you create? – A clear mission statement is the foundation for all your content – Don’t build on sand 2) Niche Down to Scale Up: – You cannot be for everyone – Your unique value is found at the intersection of your expertise, your passion, & a specific audience’s problem – Be a specialist, the riches are in the niches 3) Master One Platform, Don’t Boil the Ocean: – Don’t try to be on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, & Threads all at once – Find where your audience lives and dominate that one platform – Go deep, not wide – Quality & consistency on one channel beat mediocrity on five 4) Create a Content System, Not Just Content: – Stop posting randomly – Build a 90-day content plan around 3-5 core pillars that provide value (educate), build credibility (proof), & spark conversation (engage) – Systematize your value delivery 5) Authenticity is Your Ultimate Advantage: – In an era of AI & deepfakes, your humanity is your superpower – Share your wins, your lessons, your learnings, your losses & your perspective – Polished perfection is dead; trust is built through authentic, mission-driven storytelling 6) Engage More Than You Broadcast: – Talk, Write, Reply, Don’t “post & ghost” – The real magic happens in the comments on your posts & others’ – Block out time daily to have real conversations – Your network & authority are built through genuine interaction, not just broadcasting 7) Monetize the Mission, Not Just the Media: – A strong brand unlocks multiple income streams – Don’t just think ads or sponsorships – Think courses, consulting, paid communities, workshops, and digital products – If you solve a painful problem, your audience will gladly pay for the solution.Your personal brand is being built with or without your input – The only question is whether you want to be the one driving the narrative What’s the #1 challenge you’re facing with your personal brand in 2025? Let’s discuss in the comments, I will reply to all that I have answers to Photo from one of the best group I have been a part of – Communion, this one was the first edition in 2022, Rishikesh, India Photo by Sandeep Mall – follow him for health and life lessons
Trillion Dollar Coach
When it comes to learning about leadership, I have a ritual of reading a specific book every December, Ashish Tulsian introduced me to this book in 2019, & since then it’s been a year-end ritual Most people think “personal brand” is shouting loudly on the internet, its opposite of that Brutal truths about leadership & personal branding from Trillion Dollar Coach, simplified for founders, content creators & leaders: 1) Your title makes you a manager: How your people talk about you when you’re not in the room makes you a leader 2) Authenticity is a strategy: Bring your full self to work:values, quirks, flaws, people follow the real you 3) Humility > authority: Respect isn’t a line in your bio; it’s how you show up when you could easily pull rank but you don’t 4) Care is real USP: Ask about families, health, struggles, people never forget leaders who genuinely care 5) Truth beats comfort: The leaders people trust most are the ones who tell them what they need to hear, not what they want to hear 6) Listening is a power move: Undivided attention is rare, makes people feel heard & they will remember you for life 7) Love + hard feedback: Great leaders hug with one arm & hold a mirror with the other. High challenge, high care 8) Protect the “trust envelope”: Do what you say. Keep confidences, one leak can destroy a decade of brand-building 9) Be a confidence amplifier: See potential people can’t see in themselves, lend them your belief until they build their own 10) Service over status: If you need the spotlight, you’ll lose the room, if you grow others, your reputation compounds 11) Treat everyone the same: Board member or barista, your brand is how you treat the person who can’t “do” anything for you 12) Show your scars: Admitting “I don’t know” or “I was wrong” makes people trust you more, not less 13) Feedback in real-time: Praise in public, correction in private, as close to the moment as possible, clarity is kindness 14) Kill ego politics early: Don’t tolerate drama, silos or “I, me, mine” behaviour, protect the mission ruthlessly 15) Build psychological safety: When people feel safe to speak up, they give you their best ideas not their safest ones 16) Use 1:1s for humans, not just OKRs: Start with life, then move to work, relationships first, dashboards later 17) Be aggressively generous: Time, intros, credit, opportunities, the market remembers givers more than takers 18) Crisis reveals true brand: Everyone watches how you behave when things break, that is your leadership identity 19) Only invest in the coachable: Energy is limited, pour it into the people who are hungry to learn, not those defending their ego 20) Live your 1st principles: Values don’t matter when it’s easy, they matter when it’s expensive Bill never called himself the “Trillion Dollar Coach” The world did, the best leaders who owned Trillion Dollar Companies did Your personal brand isn’t what you say about yourself, it’s about what others think of you
10 Things Every Subject Matter Expert Must Do to Build Their Personal Brand
10 Things Every Subject Matter Expert Must Do to Build Their Personal Brand Starting Day 1 – With no extra expense 1. Pick One Core Topic, Not 10 Start with one area you know deeply, something you can speak about confidently without research. ➡ Instead of “marketing,” go for “Instagram growth by creative storytelling” 2. Define Your Niche and Ideal Audience Clearly: Be laser-specific. You’re not speaking to “everyone who wants to grow.” You’re helping a very defined persona, know who you want to target/influence/reach ➡ Example: “First-time founders building a SaaS product without a tech co-founder.” 3. Choose One Platform to Begin — Based on Your Strengths & Audience Don’t chase all platforms. ➡ If you’re a good writer, start with LinkedIn. ➡ If you think visually, use Instagram. ➡ If you’re confident on camera, begin with YouTube Shorts or Reels. Once momentum builds, you can repurpose for others. 4. Start Simple: Use What You Already Have No need to create from scratch. Use old presentations, recorded Zoom calls, client FAQs, or handwritten notes. ➡ Turn a webinar into a blog post. A client query into a carousel. A training session into a short-form video. 5. Build Around 3–5 Evergreen Content Pillars These are your go-to themes that solve recurring problems for your audience. ➡ Examples: “Pricing Strategy for Freelancers,” “Time Management for Solo Consultants,” “Negotiation Tactics for First-Time Founders.” 6. Repurpose Ruthlessly Across Formats From one solid post, you can create: → A short LinkedIn video→ A carousel for Instagram→ A YouTube Short with voiceover→ Snippets for Twitter or Threads This multiplies your output without extra effort. 7. Use Free Tools to Stay Consistent Without a Team Use free scheduling tools like Buffer, Canva, Notion, or Metricool to plan and publish without daily stress.You don’t need a social media manager — you need a system. 8. Tell Personal Stories with Real Lessons Facts educate, but stories stick. Share your missteps, mindset shifts, and real-life case studies.It makes your expertise more human — and more memorable. 9. Build Authority First — Monetization Follows Don’t try to sell a course, webinar, or consulting service on Day 1.Use the first 3–6 months to build credibility, proof of expertise, and trust.Only then introduce paid offerings. 10. Treat This Like a 100-Post Game, Not a 100-Post Gamble You don’t become a thought leader in a month. If you stay consistent for 100 posts, you’ll learn faster, grow deeper roots, and unlock clients, speaking gigs, content deals, or investor interest Final Thought You already have the most important asset: your knowledge. What you need now is structure, consistency, and the courage to build publicly. The rest follows
Do Instagram Reel Covers Really Matter?
Should Content Creators Care About Instagram Reel Covers? Does it have Real Impact? If you’re investing time in making custom Reel covers, read this before your next upload What Instagram’s Head Adam Mosseri has clarified: 1) Your Reel cover/thumbnail does not impact reach or algorithmic distribution 2) Custom thumbnails (from Canva/Adobe Express) have zero negative effect on how your Reel performs in Recommendations or Explore: algorithm simply doesn’t care So, where do Reel covers actually matter? 1) Profile Grid Aesthetics: – Covers show up in your feed and profile grid, they make first impressions – A branded grid signals professionalism and intentionality – Messy grids > confused visitors 2) Profile-Level Click-Through: – A cover with clear topic text helps profile visitors instantly pick content that interests them – This boosts your views from returning and new profile visitors 3) Content Discoverability: – Creators who teach, coach, or share resources benefit most clear covers make your profile a searchable resource library for your audience 4) Brand Consistency: – Consistent covers with your brand colors/fonts build credibility and trust – Even if you skip covers sometimes, intentional design has compounding effects 5) No Impact on Algorithm, But Yes on Human Behavior: – Most Reel views come from IG’s Recommendations, where cover isn’t shown – But people do judge your expertise based on profile appearance Pro Tips for Reel Covers (if you use them): – Keep the core message in the center/top third of the cover– Limit text to 3-4 actionable words– Use template batches—update covers even after posting – Recommended dimensions: 1080 x 1920 px (safe zone in the center) Who Should Focus on Reel Covers? – Business, educational, and expert-led creators: Covers = valuable asset – Entertainment-only creators: Optional for algorithm, useful for branding Bottom Line: Covers don’t change reach, but they make your content discoverable and your brand trustworthy, especially for “profile browsers.” What’s working for you? Do custom covers drive more clicks from your profile? Drop your results & questions below
Instagram Features Content Creators Can’t Ignore in 2025
Instagram Features Content Creators Can’t Ignore in 2025 Here are the most powerful features and how to unlock them for real results 1) Reels: Your Discovery Engine: – Short-form videos remain the fastest path to new audiences.– In 2025, Reels can be up to 20 min.– Use strong hooks in the first 2 seconds, focus on retention, pick trending audio that fits your niche, and keep most content under 90 seconds for broadest reach.– Trial Reels allow you to test new content with non-followers before publishing to your main grid. 2) Stories: – The Engagement Swiss Army Knife– Stories sit at the top of your followers’ feed for max attention. Here’s a full list of what’s possible: * Creative Tools:– Upload or snap photos/videos,– add text overlays,– AI-generated images,– Boomerangs (looping mini-clips),– Layouts (collages),– GIFs, &– even hands-free video recording * Video: Shoot clips up to 60 seconds * Add Music: Overlay trending tracks or original audio * Stickers: – Polls, Questions, Quizzes, Emoji Sliders for instant audience participation– “Add Yours” chain sticker for viral challenges (exponentially extends reach)– Link, Mention, Location, Hashtag, Timer (Countdown), and Product stickers for deeper interaction and conversion drives– GIFs and custom stickers for personality and CTA nudges– New in 2025: Comment directly on Stories (publicly visible to all viewers) * Live: Go live solo or with others * Captions/Transcriptions: Make your content accessible and boost completion rates * Design Tips: Use custom fonts, overlays, consistent visuals; avoid placing text at screen edges * Sequence: Think in mini-stories (beginning, middle, end for each batch of Stories). * Frequency: 3–7 Stories/day keeps you visible and boosts engagement. 3. Highlights: – Evergreen Stories on Your Profile– Save Stories: Highlights allow you to save your top Stories permanently on your profile, now in a dedicated tab– Categories: Organise Highlights by topic (About, Tips, Reviews, Products, Events, BTS, Testimonials)– Custom Covers: Use brand-aligned graphics for a cohesive look– Keep Updated: Refresh regularly: most important highlights first– Conversions: Use them to feature FAQs, story sequences, product demos, teasers, and even direct followers to shops or landing pages. 4) Collab Posts: Double Audience, Double Impact– Co-author content with up to 2 creators/influencers and share all engagement/visibility mutually across profiles.– Ideal for cross-niche growth, giveaways, and brand partnerships. 6) Carousels:– Storytelling that Gets SavesPosts with up to 20 slides capture attention. – Hook with the first image, use clear structure, and end with a call-to-action (“Swipe”, “Save”, etc.)– They’re perfect for step-by-steps, stories, and before/afters 7) Broadcast Channels:– Speak to Superfans– Broadcast Channels (DM to many) are perfect for nurturing loyalists with exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes, tutorials, & product drops
Instagram’s New Creator Update.
Instagram just became a creator’s playground in 2025-26 & these new features are a goldmine for personal brand builders. This feature, which began global rollout in July 2024 after initial testing in December 2023, addresses content creators’ concerns about experimenting with new content formats without risking their existing follower engagement. Here’s what’s changing & why every content creator should care: 1) Trial Reels: – Think of this as your test lab.– Now, creators can share reels to non-followers first no pressure from your audience, and pure, unbiased feedback.– Publish to everyone only if the metrics look solid.– Experiment and see what truly works without risking engagement dips. 2) Unlockable Reels: – Want to go exclusive?– Hide content behind secret codes and create campaigns for your superfans.– This feature lets you build hype and reward your most loyal followers with special access. 3) Professional Dashboard: – Analytics on steroids reach, demographics, post-by-post performance.– Identify what’s working, tweak faster, and scale smarter.– Advanced metrics help you optimize everything from content formats to follower growth. 4) Monetization: – Instagram badges evolve with better tracking, limited-time bonuses, and a Creator Marketplace API for brands and agencies.– Dive into affiliate opportunities, paid collaborations, and new partnerships. 5) Editing Power: – AI editing tools are rolling out soon plus more fonts, animated text, and multi-track audio for reels.– Create studio-quality videos straight from your phone.– Captions, translations & stickers are also upgraded for 2025. 6) Collab Mode & Broadcast Channels: – Up to 5 collaborators on a single post, multi-channel engagement with replies & prompts.– Channel analytics are sharper; paid tiers for superfans are being tested.– Build community, not just followers. 7) Instagram Notes & Prompts: – Like, mention, and prompt in Notes with better display for responses.– It’s a subtle but powerful way to spark 8) RINGS: – Creator Recognition ProgramsInstagram introduced the “Rings” award program, offering physical and digital recognition for innovative creators rather than monetary rewards.– Winners receive gold ring profile indicators and customization options. Emerging Features in Testing Several features are currently being tested for broader rollout: 1) Social Library: Centralized location for shared posts and Reels from conversations 2) Story Collage Templates: New creative ways to share multi-photo content 3) AI Profile Picture Generator: Custom profile image creation using artificial intelligence 4) Scheduled Direct Messages: Automated DM scheduling for businesses and creators 5) Clickable Links in Reels: Meta Verified subscribers can add interactive links to Reels INSTAGRAM continues evolving from a simple photo-sharing app into a comprehensive creator economy ecosystem
LinkedIn Growth Habits.
High-leverage habits, practices & hacks to increase YOUR followers, reach & engagement on LinkedIn 20+ points that can help in your LinkedIn content journey: 1) Nail the First 2 Lines – First impression gets engagement– Lead with a question, bold claim, or statistics 2) Post 3–5x a Week (Strategically) – Stick to Tue–Thu, 8 AM–2 PM– Use LinkedIn analytics to refine timing– I have started posting at 8.30 AM and it’s working fine for me, see what’s yours 3) Master the First 60 Minutes – React to 10 posts + reply to comments fast 4) Use Content Mix That Performs – Alternate between carousels, videos, polls, stories, text posts 5) Repurpose Your Winners – Repackage top posts as new formats with fresh hooks 6) Share First-Person Stories + Small Wins– Be human– Be Real, you will be perfect 7) Be a Daily Comment Creator – Leave thoughtful, 5+ word comments on top posts in your niche– Be smart in comment section 8) Piggyback on Big LinkedIn Creators – Add insights under relevant creators’ content to tap into their audience 9) Optimize Your Profile Like a Sales Page – Clear headline– SEO keywords– Good banner– CTA with pinned post– Make following you a no-brainer 10) Tag Responsibly – Tag 2–5 relevant people if it adds value– Avoid ghost tags– People & platform both do notice 11) Use Hashtags & Keywords Smartly – 3 to 5 targeted hashtags– Use industry keywords for discovery 12) Add CTAs That Drive Engagement – End posts with a question– opinion prompt or DM invite– Guide interaction– Ask what you want 13) Launch a LinkedIn Newsletter – Bypass the feed– Direct inbox = more attention + authority– Be responsible and keep it short, to the point DMs 14) Collaborate to Expand Reach – Do LinkedIn Lives– guest carouselsA or joint panels– Win new audiences 15) Show Behind-the-Scenes – Share how you work– Not just what you deliver– People buy process, not polish 16) Comment-to-Connect Ratio – For every post, engage– Engage with 5–7 others– Reciprocity grows relationships and reach. 17) Reuse Long-Form Content – Convert YT videos, blog posts, tweets into LinkedIn native formats– You can use AI tools for this 18) Experiment with Time & Format Weekly – Try different days/times/formats– Track with analytics– Adapt what’s working 19) Celebrate Community Wins – Shout out your audience, team, mentors– Recognition drives shares + warmth 20) Start or Join Meaningful Conversations – Trend jacking is short-term– Long-term: ask questions people want to answer 21) Pinned Post Are Authority Builders – Showcase a high-value thread, your origin story, or a “start here” carousel 22) Avoid 3rd-Degree Engagement Pods – Go for trusted 1st-degree circles– Spammy pods are algorithm penalty 23) Stay in the Game for 6+ Months If you want to connect with me to discuss starting/scaling content, strategy, growth, feel free to block my time using topmate.io/join2manish, book your slot
The Unspoken Rulebook for LinkedIn Content Creators.
The Unspoken Rulebook for LinkedIn Content Creators Following these guidelines helps you maintain credibility, build trust, and thrive as a creator on LinkedIn 16 behaviors every LinkedIn creator must strictly avoid: 1) Harassment or Personal Attacks: Never shame, troll, or target someone. Revealing private information (doxing) is also unacceptable 2) Threats or Promotion of Violence: Do not share content that promotes violence, destruction, or criminal activity in any form 3) Child Exploitation: Any content involving the sexual exploitation or endangerment of minors is strictly prohibited and will be reported 4) Illegal Services or Unsafe Products: Do not promote or sell fake documents, certifications, escort services, or instructions for illegal activities 5) Extremist Content: Avoid content that glorifies or recruits for terrorist or extremist ideologies 6) False or Misleading Information: Never post content that spreads misinformation about elections, health, or any topic meant to deceive the public 7) Fake Identities: Your profile must reflect your real identity. Do not use false photos, job titles, or affiliations 8) Scams and MalwareAvoid posting anything linked to phishing, pyramid schemes, romance scams, or malicious software 9. Hate Speech: Do not create or endorse content that attacks people based on race, religion, gender, or other protected traits. Denying historical atrocities is also unacceptable 10) Unwanted Sexual Content: LinkedIn is a professional space. Romantic advances, explicit photos, or flirtatious messages are not appropriate 11) Graphic Violence or Shock Content: Avoid posting disturbing visuals, weapon-making instructions, or content promoting self-harm or drug use 12) Nudity and Adult Material: Sexual content is not allowed, even if shared for educational or journalistic reasons 13) Spam and Engagement Manipulation: Do not send mass DMs, participate in engagement pods, or ask people to like, comment, or follow without offering value 14) Pure Promotions: Posting only to sell products or services, without offering insights or value, reduces credibility and reach 15) Plagiarism: If you’re resharing someone’s content, always credit them and add your own perspective. Blind reposts without attribution are not acceptable 16) Unconstructive Negativity: Avoid mocking, dismissing, or tearing others down. Constructive criticism is welcome, but negativity without purpose adds no value Our content shapes narratives, opens conversations, & builds trust. But with that influence comes responsibility. Let’s create with integrity, not just for visibility If you want to connect with me to discuss starting/scaling content, strategy, growth, feel free to block my time using topmate.io/join2manish, book your slot
LinkedIn Growth Playbook.
A) LinkedIn’s Reality – Read through it: 1) Organic reach down 65% from peak and median impressions dropped 18% year-on-year 2) Top 1% creators grow 157x faster than average: excellence and niche focus are critical 3) Virality is capped, rewarding consistent, authority-driven posting over one-off viral hits 4) “Golden Hour” matters—first 60 minutes after posting drives initial reach, so aim for early engagement 5) The feed now prioritizes audience interests and relationships-not just recency-so quality evergreen content lasts longer B) Master the Art of Commenting: 1) The top 5% creators comment 499% more than average: 150-160 meaningful comments weekly is the benchmark 2) LinkedIn restricts daily comments to about 90 per day: make each one count and target high-value threads 3) Avoid generic, spammy AI-style comments; personalize with value, examples, and stories 4) Comments with images, anecdotes, and stories can get up to 30k views: go visual and real C) Format Matters: Prioritize These: 1) Carousels: 4x reach. Use >5 slides and stories. Make educational content interactive 2) Infographics: 3x reach. Actionable tips, structured “do this, don’t do that” formats work best 3) Motivational Quotes: 2.5x reach. Use unique brand backgrounds and iconography: billboards are outdated 4) Personal Images: 2.3x reach. Prioritize behind-the-scenes shots and real moments, not just staged photos 5) Videos: 1.9x reach. Blend teaching with personality for best performance 6) Text-Only Posts: Authority hooks, >1,250 characters, and 14+ short paragraphs perform best D) Algorithm Updates Every Creator Should Know: 1) Carousels are king and story-driven education works best 2) Infographics pull newsletter-level engagement; use them for shortcut learning 3) Longer, paragraph-rich posts (7+) boost reach by up to 74% 4) Write at a 4th–7th grade level for mass appeal; statistics and questions drive engagement, but avoid bland queries 5) Personal stories win-feed is tuned to push authenticity and expertise 6) External links in the main post still reduce reach; push important links to the comments 7) Native content-polls, carousels, videos-gets the biggest algorithmic bump E) Engagement Factors to Leverage: 1) LinkedIn values expert insights and insightful reposts that make readers smarter 2) Longer dwell time drives higher algorithmic visibility; favor saves, shares, and bookmarks 3) Likes matter less than meaningful engagement but still signal trust F) Advanced Creator Hacks: 1) Use Creator Mode and update hashtags quarterly to stay discoverable 2) Mix formats for weekly variety: audience and algorithm reward diversity 3) Analyze what works: iterate quickly for sustainable growth
Training the New LinkedIn Algorithm.
LINKEDIN IS CHANGING This change isn’t about chasing higher reach It’s about training the algorithm intentionally Because LinkedIn just rolled out its biggest transparency update yet The 360brew Report: – It finally explains what the platform actually rewards now and it’s not hustle, frequency, or hacks – The new algorithm is no longer rewarding activity – It’s rewarding coherence Let’s decode that for a second * The old game was simple:Post daily. Engage with everyone. Stay “active.” * The new game? Much smarter and much deeper. So, Write for LinkedIn’s reasoning engine. – Position yourself as an authority in your domain through consistent, coherent signals. Here’s how to train this new system to work for you: 1. Profile = Your Personal Brochure – Your profile is now your most important SEO/GEOon LinkedIn– The headline and first paragraph of your “About” section carry the most weight– Front-load your value, talk about who you help, how you help, and why it mattersA Keep it consistent with your content themes.– The AI reads this context while ranking your posts– Think of it as your executive summary: short, sharp, and story-led. 2) Content = Your Case Studies – Every post is a new data point for LinkedIn’s algorithm– It learns what you stand for by what (and how) you post– Go deep, not broad. Coherence > Virality– Structure your logic clearly: data, lists, or frameworks perform better because they signal expertise – Mix 3 core post types for balance: i) Credibility – authority led insightsii) Connection – personal, storytelling postsiii) Conversion – actionable, valuable lessons – Here’s a little-known insight: when users pause on your content for just 3 seconds,– LinkedIn interprets it as high relevance and scales your reach accordingly– So clarity & depth now matter more than polish 3) Engagement = You’re Training the Algorithm: – Your engagement activity is part of your “coherence score.” It’s how LinkedIn maps your professional identity– Don’t like or comment randomly– Leave thoughtful comments only on topics you want to be known for.– Engage 10 minutes before posting, this “warms” your feed and primes visibility In short, every interaction is a signal You’re not just networking you’re teaching the algorithm who to associate you with This shift means it’s no longer about performing It’s about positioning The creators and professionals who win here will treat LinkedIn as a long-term ecosystem, not a short-term stage Train the machine with intention and it will reward you with the right visibility, not fleeting reach So, how are you training your LinkedIn algorithm lately? Are you even doing it, if not- what are you waiting for? May be this post, haha Go for it now, pay attention, all the best