Excellent Examples Of Personal Branding On LinkedIn

What Does Great Personal Branding Actually Look Like? (With Real LinkedIn Examples)

Let’s face it—“personal branding” has become such a buzzword that it’s almost lost its meaning. Everyone says you need one, but few explain what that actually looks like in real life. More importantly, fewer still show you how it works when it’s done right.

So let’s cut through the noise.

This blog dives into real-world examples of entrepreneurs, creators, and thought leaders who’ve built powerful personal brands on LinkedIn. These aren't people with overnight success stories—they’re strategic, consistent, and damn good at making people feel something. And that’s the secret: the best personal brands connect.

Let’s unpack what they’re doing so well—and how you can steal a few pages from their playbook.

1. Justin Welsh – The One-Person Business Powerhouse

Followers: 500K+
Niche: Solopreneurship, content strategy, SaaS advisor

Justin Welsh is probably the go-to name when it comes to personal branding on LinkedIn. He’s taken a pretty saturated niche—online entrepreneurship—and carved out a lane so specific, it practically screams him.

What He Does Well:

• Shows up daily with short, punchy, high-value posts that are often list-based or framework-driven.

• Uses a clear visual identity even in text (think: bold sentence breaks, emojis, and clean formatting).

• Shares revenue numbers, personal wins, failures, and lessons learned without sounding braggy.

• Has scaled his personal brand into a 7-figure business selling digital products and training courses—all without hiring a team.

Takeaway: Clarity + consistency = trust. Justin doesn't try to be everything to everyone—he talks to a specific type of person, and they show up for him again and again.

2. Dr. Sabrina Starling – The “4-Day Workweek” Authority

Followers: 20K+
Niche: Business growth for entrepreneurs and teams, with a mental health twist

Dr. Starling is proof that you don’t need hundreds of thousands of followers to build a powerful brand. She consistently shares insights on how business owners can reclaim their time, reduce burnout, and grow intentionally.

What She Does Well:

• Anchors her content around a clear mission—helping business owners achieve more by working less.

• Weaves in mental health and personal well-being (which humanizes her and increases relatability).

• Her profile and banner clearly articulate her offer—she uses every inch of LinkedIn real estate to reinforce her brand.

Takeaway: Having a point of view is magnetic. Even with a smaller following, her voice stands out because it’s rooted in values and conviction.

3. Dave Gerhardt – Brand Builder & SaaS Storyteller

Followers: 200K+
Niche: B2B marketing, brand storytelling, leadership

The former CMO of Drift, Dave’s content is a masterclass in storytelling. He’s raw, funny, honest, and consistently gives away marketing gold without hiding behind gated content.

What He Does Well:

• Talks to marketers like a marketer—he’s not dumbing it down.

• Balances personal anecdotes (parenting, career missteps) with practical marketing advice.

• Repackages content across platforms but always optimizes it for the native audience on LinkedIn.

Takeaway: Storytelling wins. Even in a technical space like B2B marketing, Dave connects because he tells stories with lessons that stick.

4. Tiffany Yu – Inclusion Champion & Disability Advocate

Followers: 100K+
Niche: DEI, disability visibility, personal empowerment

Tiffany’s LinkedIn presence is emotionally resonant and visually distinct. She speaks about disability and inclusion with confidence, vulnerability, and clarity—all of which have helped her build a fiercely loyal audience.

What She Does Well:

• Uses storytelling and lived experience to build empathy.

• Isn’t afraid to talk about difficult topics (inclusion, accessibility, trauma) in a way that invites dialogue.

• Regularly features community members, making her platform about more than just her.

Takeaway: If you’re not sure where to start—start with your story. People connect with people, not résumés.

5. Katelyn Bourgoin – The Customer Whisperer

Followers: 100K+
Niche: Customer research, product marketing, buyer psychology

Katelyn is a founder and product marketing nerd who’s turned her obsession with buyer behaviour into a rock-solid brand. She’s witty, wise, and endlessly quotable.

What She Does Well:

• Breaks down complex marketing ideas into super digestible, fun formats (think memes and carousels).

• Regularly uses frameworks and formulas that people can steal—and they love her for it.

• Her tone of voice is consistent across platforms. What you see on LinkedIn is what you get on her website, newsletter, and Twitter/X.

Takeaway: Teach with flair. People remember what they feel, and Katelyn makes you feel smart and entertained at the same time.

So, What Can You Learn From These Powerhouses?

No matter the niche or follower count, here’s what all of these personal brands have in common:

✅ Clarity – They know who they’re speaking to and why.
✅ Consistency – They show up regularly with a recognizable tone and style.
✅ Conviction – They’re not lukewarm. They have strong opinions.
✅ Connection – They blend expertise with real-life, and it makes them relatable.
✅ Content – They create value without expecting something in return. And it keeps people coming back.

How to Apply This to Your Own Brand

If you’re looking to grow your personal brand on LinkedIn (or anywhere), start here:

1. Define Your Pillars – Pick 2–4 topics you want to be known for. Stick to them.

2. Get Personal, Not Private – You don’t have to bare your soul, but stories > stats every time.

3. Have a POV – People don’t follow neutral voices. Share what you actually think.

4. Make it Human – Professional doesn’t mean robotic. Let people see the real you.

5. Optimize Your Profile – Your banner, headline, and about section should immediately tell someone what you're about.

Your Brand Already Exists

Whether you’re intentionally crafting it or not, your personal brand is being formed with every post, comment, or bio you write. So why not take the reins?

These LinkedIn legends didn’t build powerful brands by accident. They built them on purpose—by showing up, standing out, and staying true to themselves. And if they can do it?

You can too.

Want more inspiration? Follow these voices on LinkedIn:

• Justin Welsh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinwelsh/

• Dr. Sabrina Starling: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinastarling/

• Dave Gerhardt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegerhardt/

• Tiffany Yu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imtiffanyyu/

• Katelyn Bourgoin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbourgoin/