Deciding whether to hire a consultant for personal branding is a pivotal choice for many professionals. I've gathered insights from owners and CEOs, among others, to bring you a comprehensive view. From considering external expertise for brand growth to evaluating the consultant's impact on personal brand ROI, here are nine expert opinions on the matter. You should know that I offer personal brand consulting, but to remain unbiased included takes from people who wouldn't personally hire someone such as myself.
Consider External Expertise for Brand Growth
Boost Industry Recognition With Expert Help
Assessing Personal vs. Consultant Brand Development
Personal Branding Consultant for Business Leaders
Personal Branding Consultant for Credibility
Established Credibility May Outweigh Consultant Need
Organic Growth vs. Strategic Consultant Use
Authentic Self-Branding Over External Influence
Consultant's Impact on Personal Brand ROI
Consider External Expertise for Brand Growth
I’d consider hiring a consultant to help with my personal brand, especially if I felt I’d reached a plateau in how I’m perceived professionally, or if I wanted to pivot into a new industry. Consultants bring an external perspective and expertise that can help refine messaging, identify strengths, and uncover opportunities that might not be obvious when you’re too close to your own brand.
That said, I believe it’s important to have a strong sense of your own identity and goals before bringing in outside help. If you’re clear on what you stand for and where you want to go, a consultant can add tremendous value by helping you articulate and amplify that vision effectively.
Andrew Lee Jenkins, Owner, Andrew Lee Jenkins
Boost Industry Recognition With Expert Help
Yeah, I definitely would hire a consultant to help with my personal brand. It's pretty personal stuff, and I think a branding consultant could really help me see possibilities that go beyond what I'm currently imagining. Like, right now, you might just be starting out, maybe throwing all your money at marketing to get your business off the ground.
A lot of founders, myself included, tend to neglect their personal brand in the early days, focusing everything on the business. This can come back to bite you later when you're trying to expand beyond just your company.
For instance, as the founder of an e-commerce platform, my aim might be to build a team that handles the everyday stuff so I can eventually move on to other big projects. Maybe I want to use my experience and leadership position to score speaking engagements or even land a book deal.
In my opinion, whether you're just starting out or you're already an established entrepreneur, it makes sense to think about bringing a personal brand consultant on board, especially if you're aiming to boost industry recognition, increase deal flow, and get more press opportunities.
Amir Elaguizy, CEO and Co-Founder, Cratejoy, Inc
Assessing Personal vs. Consultant Brand Development
I would consider hiring a consultant to help with my personal brand, but it would depend on various factors. A fresh perspective from an outside professional can be invaluable in identifying blind spots and areas for improvement that I might overlook. Consultants often bring specialized knowledge and experience from working with diverse clients, which could provide unique insights into positioning myself effectively in the market. Also, they may have access to tools, resources, and industry connections that could accelerate the development and reach of my personal brand.
However, there are also compelling reasons to manage my personal brand independently. Developing my brand on my own allows for a more authentic representation of who I am and what I stand for, without the potential influence of an external party. It also provides an opportunity to showcase my branding expertise in action, serving as a living portfolio of my capabilities.
Matt Earle, President, Reputation.ca
Personal Branding Consultant for Business Leaders
From my point of view, and I suggest this to new business owners, you might want to think about getting a consultant to give you a hand with your personal brand. Having a strong personal brand matters when it comes to showing you're trustworthy, getting people to believe in you, and opening doors to new opportunities. A consultant can offer useful tips and advice to help you create a brand that's both appealing and true to who you are.
Getting help from a personal branding expert can pay off. These professionals can lend a hand in many ways, like pinpointing what makes you stand out, shaping a story that grabs attention, and building a consistent online image. They can also give tips on how to make the most of social media, public speaking, and other platforms to boost your visibility and reputation. Teaming up with an expert ensures your personal brand matches your business goals and helps you reach your objectives.
I think a personal branding consultant can help, but you need to check out their skills and background before hiring one. I'd try to find someone who's got a solid history of helping business leaders create their brands and can give advice that fits what I need and want to achieve.
Shambhu Kadel, Founder, KBA Global
Personal Branding Consultant for Credibility
When I took on the CEO role, our company's reputation was closely tied to my own. I needed to build trust with our clients, many of whom rely on us for critical business aspects. A clear and strong personal brand helped establish credibility and positioned me as an expert in the field.
Based on my experience, I would consider hiring a personal branding consultant. A consultant brings an outside perspective that can highlight strengths you may not see. They can help you articulate your value proposition and develop a consistent message across platforms.
However, the decision to hire a consultant depends on your specific needs and goals. If you already have a clear vision of your personal brand, a consultant might not be necessary. But if you're unsure or looking to make a significant impact, a consultant's guidance can be invaluable.
Konrad Martin, CEO, Tech Advisors
Established Credibility May Outweigh Consultant Need
I wouldn't personally employ a consultant for my brand. With three decades of assisting clients, my credibility is established in delivering outcomes and fostering connections rather than marketing tactics. The fact that I have recovered over $100 million for my clients' cases is more impactful than any marketing campaign. My journey has demonstrated that being genuine is crucial—people gain trust when they witness reliable outcomes and sincere concern for their welfare.
A client once mentioned that they selected our firm due to a friend's recommendation rather than an advertisement. If you're providing outstanding service, your brand will naturally expand. However, a consultant could offer valuable perspectives for newcomers to their area of expertise, particularly in understanding the digital environment. Nonetheless, for me, my work is my testimony.
Mark Hirsch, Co-founder and Personal Injury Attorney, Templer & Hirsch
Organic Growth vs. Strategic Consultant Use
Hiring a personal-branding consultant can be a double-edged sword. While they bring expertise in crafting a cohesive image, the essence of a personal brand should be, well, personal.
I prefer to develop my brand organically through authentic engagement and consistent value delivery in my field. This approach ensures my brand truly reflects my unique perspectives and strengths.
However, I do see value in selectively engaging consultants for specific aspects, like optimizing my online presence or refining my messaging. The key is to use their expertise as a tool to amplify your authentic voice, not to create an artificial persona.
Ultimately, your personal brand should evolve naturally from your work and interactions, guided by strategic insights rather than entirely outsourced.
Yoyao Hsueh, Founder, Blustrat Digital
Authentic Self-Branding Over External Influence
I believe personal branding is something deeply personal—it's the culmination of who you are, what you stand for, and how you practice law. While I can see the appeal of hiring a consultant to refine and amplify that brand, I'm more inclined to handle it myself. I think there's a certain authenticity that comes from managing your own narrative, especially in a profession like law, where trust is paramount. I've built my practice on being genuine and straightforward, and I'm not sure a consultant would fully capture that.
I know my strengths, my values, and the message I want to convey. So for now, I'd rather stay hands-on with my personal brand—it's an extension of who I am, and I believe that should come directly from me.
C.L. Mike Schmidt, Personal Injury Lawyer, Schmidt & Clark
Consultant's Impact on Personal Brand ROI
As the founder of a digital marketing agency, I have built my personal brand through consistently delivering results for clients over the years. Any consultant I hire would need to thoroughly understand my approach and values in order to provide strategic advice for growth. They would have to prove their impact through data showing increased opportunities and revenue for past clients.
While personal branding matters, the impact on my business's bottom line is paramount. If a consultant could demonstrate a customized plan to directly strengthen my brand and income, then the investment may be worthwhile. But a generic approach would not provide enough value for the time and money. I prefer to focus on what I do best—driving results for clients.
My brand is defined by the outcomes I achieve for customers. If a consultant could positively impact that, they may earn a seat at the table. But they would have to convince me of their ability through a track record of success and a customized strategy for my unique needs. I started this company on my own, so I am selective about hiring outside experts unless absolutely necessary for technical projects beyond my scope. For personal branding, the benefits would have to significantly outweigh the costs.
Doug Steinberg, Founder & President, Magnetik
Conclusion
There are many factors to consider when making the decision to hire a personal brand consultant, so don't just take it from me. I hope this article provided fruitful insights and offered new perspectives. I would like to thank each of these nine wonderful professionals for taking the time to share their views on the subject.
Share this article with someone you know who has considered hiring a personal brand consultant!
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