What Black Friday Taught Me About Building a Personal Brand That Stands Out in a Crowded Market

You’re not wrong—it’s chaos.

But it’s also a masterclass in commanding attention, driving action, and standing out in a very crowded market (sound familiar, LinkedIn?).

As women leaders, we can borrow from Black Friday’s playbook to build personal brands that rise above the noise—and no, it doesn’t involve slashing prices.

Here’s how Black Friday marketing tactics can help you position yourself as the go-to expert in your field this coming year:

1. Create Urgency Around Your Expertise

Black Friday thrives on urgency. Think: “Only 24 hours left!” or “Limited stock available!” This sense of immediacy is a powerful driver of action.

Your personal brand can harness the same principle—without the countdown clock.

➡️ Share must-know advice: Frame your expertise as timely, relevant, and essential. For example, share a post titled “What Every Leader Should Know About [Your Field] in 2024” to position yourself as the authority on upcoming trends.

➡️ Tap into scarcity: Highlight your unique perspective or insights that your audience won’t find anywhere else.

The Takeaway: Make your expertise feel like something people can’t afford to miss. If you consistently deliver valuable, timely insights, your audience will start to see you as the go-to expert in your field.

2. Highlight Your Value—Loudly

Black Friday deals shout their value: “70% off!” “Buy one, get one free!” They make it clear why you should choose them.

Unfortunately, many women leaders have been conditioned to do the opposite—downplay their achievements or “cut their prices” to seem more approachable.

Here’s the truth: successful personal brands don’t downplay their value—they own it.

➡️ Quantify your wins: Share results and outcomes to demonstrate your expertise. For example: “Over the past year, I’ve helped teams grow revenue by 25% through [specific strategy].”

➡️ Celebrate your accomplishments: Highlight what makes you stand out, whether it’s your experience, perspective, or unique skills.

The Takeaway: Make sure your audience knows exactly why they should trust you. Owning your achievements isn’t bragging—it’s helping others understand the value you bring to the table.

3. Make Your Brand Impossible to Ignore

Black Friday ads are everywhere—you can’t escape them. The best personal brands are just as visible.

Building your brand isn’t just about posting—it’s about being present in your industry.

➡️ Post consistently: Regular LinkedIn posts keep you top of mind for your audience. Aim for a mix of thought leadership, personal stories, and actionable advice.

➡️ Engage with others: Visibility doesn’t end with your own posts. Comment thoughtfully on industry conversations, share others’ content, and participate in discussions to expand your reach.

The Goal: When someone thinks of your area of expertise, your name is the first that comes to mind.

4. Package Yourself Like a Product

Black Friday deals are clear and well-packaged: “Here’s what you get, here’s why it’s amazing.”

Your personal brand should be just as compelling and polished. Think of your LinkedIn profile as your packaging—it should tell your story in a way that’s irresistible.

➡️ Optimize your LinkedIn profile:

• Craft a bold headline that screams value (e.g., “Helping Women Leaders Build Personal Brands That Attract Career-Defining Opportunities”).
• Use a banner image that highlights your expertise and grabs attention.
• Rewrite your About section to feel like a personal pitch deck. Share your story, your unique value, and what you can offer.

The Takeaway: Your profile should make it clear who you are, what you do, and why people should choose you. If it doesn’t, it’s time for a refresh.

5. Drive Action with Clear CTAs

Every Black Friday promo ends with a call to action: “Click here to shop now!” “Act fast!”

Your personal brand needs CTAs too—because even the most compelling content won’t convert if you don’t guide your audience on what to do next.

➡️ Invite engagement: End your posts with questions or prompts to encourage comments.

• Example: “What’s one strategy you’ve used to build trust in your industry? Share your tips below!”

➡️ Guide your audience: Tell them exactly what to do next, whether it’s connecting with you, sending a message, or following your journey.

• Example: “Looking for someone to [solve a specific problem]? Let’s connect!”

The Takeaway: CTAs turn passive readers into active participants. Don’t leave them guessing—show them the next step.

Final Thoughts: Building a Personal Brand That Wins

The brands that win on Black Friday—and beyond—know their audience, own their value, and make themselves impossible to ignore.

Your personal brand can do the same.

✅ Show up consistently.
✅ Highlight the value you bring to the table.
✅ Make it clear why people should choose you.

Because here’s the hard truth: If you’re not building your brand, someone else is building theirs—and taking the opportunities that could have been yours.

So, what’s one Black Friday-inspired branding move you’ll implement this year? Let me know below—I’d love to hear your thoughts.