What It Takes to Build a Personal Brand That Gets Recognized

Recently, I received a surprising and humbling piece of news—I made it to Favikon’s Top 20 B2B Influencers in Singapore list.

This recognition means a lot, not just because of the title, but because of what it represents: years of intentional brand-building, content creation, and community engagement.

More importantly, it’s proof that the principles I’ve followed in growing my brand work—not just for me, but for anyone who wants to build influence in their industry.

So, instead of just sharing the news, I want to share the key insights that have helped me grow a brand that stands out.

1. Start With an Audience-First Mindset

The biggest mistake I see people make when building a personal brand? They focus too much on themselves—their achievements, their expertise, their story. While these things matter, your brand isn’t just about you. It’s about who you serve.

When I create content, I always ask:

  • Who is this for?
  • What problem am I helping them solve?
  • How will this content add value to their lives?

When you genuinely help your audience, they want to see you win. And when they see you win, they amplify your message even further.

2. Connect Before You Educate

Many people assume that to build authority, they need to focus on educating their audience. While that’s important, I’ve found that connection comes first.

People don’t just follow for knowledge; they follow for trust. They resonate with your struggles, your values, and your unique perspective.

This means:

  • Sharing personal stories that make you relatable
  • Talking about failures and lessons learned
  • Showing up as a real human, not just an expert

Once you win their hearts, you’ll naturally win their minds.

3. Bring Fresh Perspectives, Always

The online world is flooded with repetitive content. The same advice gets recycled over and over again. To stand out, you need to bring something new to the table.

That could mean:

  • Presenting an old idea in a fresh way
  • Challenging conventional wisdom
  • Experimenting with new content formats

The goal? Make your audience say, “I’ve never thought about it that way before.”

The Bigger Picture: Influence for Impact

Beyond personal wins, this recognition is a win for the community. It’s proof that if you’re intentional about your brand-building philosophy and consistently put in the work, you can build influence that matters.

But influence is just the starting point. The real question is: What will we do with it?

For me, personal branding has never just been about visibility—it’s about impact. With more collective influence, we have the power to create meaningful change.

That’s why I’m grateful to be on this journey with so many other incredible voices.

So, if you’re serious about using your voice for good, I invite you to join me.

Let’s make a difference together. 🙌🏻