Are you building a personal brand that attracts opportunities, or are you hiding behind your title on LinkedIn?

In this episode of Innovation Meets Leadership, Natalie speaks with branding expert and serial entrepreneur Brandon Lee about the power of reputation in driving business success. Brandon shares insights from his decades of experience in personal branding, content marketing, and sales. He challenges leaders to step out of obscurity, leverage platforms like LinkedIn effectively, and build meaningful connections that create revenue opportunities.

[00:01 - 07:26] From Employee to Entrepreneur

• Brandon’s journey from being an unsatisfied employee to launching multiple businesses

• The excitement of startup culture and embracing uncertainty

• Learning the power of personal branding before it had a name

[07:27 - 14:38] The LinkedIn Networking Mistake Most People Make

• Why people treat LinkedIn differently than in-person networking events

• The dangers of “pitch-slapping” connections

• How traditional sales tactics are failing in a digital-first world

[14:39 - 21:53] Relationship-First Selling in a Digital World

• Why personal branding is essential for sales and leadership

• How posting valuable content creates trust before a sales conversation

• The power of authenticity in networking

[21:54 - 28:30] Why CEOs Need to Show Up on LinkedIn

• The impact of a CEO’s presence on business growth

• How executives can effectively use LinkedIn without feeling overwhelmed

• Lessons from iconic leaders like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk

[28:31 - 33:47] Practical Steps to Overcome Posting Fear

• How to ease into content creation without overthinking

• The benefits of live shows and podcasts for thought leadership

• Why consistency is more important than perfection

Quotes:

"Everything for me has always been relationship first, business second." - Brandon Lee

"You only fist bump people you have a connection with, but you'll shake hands with anybody." - Brandon Lee

Connect with Brandon:

Website: https://getfistbumps.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonleedigital

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