Expert Highlights Power of Personal Branding for Introverts

Goldie Chan, founder and head of content at branding agency Warm Robots, is urging introverts to embrace personal branding as a tool for career growth, describing it as a way to control the narrative others tell about them. Speaking from her own experience, Chan — an author, frequent keynote speaker, LinkedIn Top Voice, and Forbes contributor — says many people underestimate introverts in the workplace, but consistent and strategic self-promotion can help them stand out.

Chan began her career in marketing and social media, working entirely behind the scenes. In 2017, while between jobs, she started posting short videos on LinkedIn about pop culture branding and marketing, during the platform’s video feature beta-testing. Initially intended as a temporary project until she found another full-time role, the effort grew into a significant personal brand.

Over 800 consecutive daily videos later, Chan had amassed a substantial following. “I really thought, I’m just going to do this until I get my next full-time job,” she recalled. “I grew my own personal brand through a lot of consistency and hard work.” Her LinkedIn audience now exceeds 100,000, and the exposure has led to new roles, a book deal, and speaking opportunities.

Woman recording herself | Source: Pexels

Her upcoming book, Personal Branding for Introverts, set for release in October, outlines how introverts can build visibility without compromising their nature. Chan emphasizes that “everyone has a personal brand,” whether they actively cultivate it or not. She describes it as the professional traits and qualities people associate with you, which could range from public speaking skills to a distinctive fashion style or a recognizable tone in online posts.

For introverts who find the idea daunting, Chan advises starting small. Early in her journey, she challenged herself to speak to a new person at her local coffee shop each day for a month to ease social anxiety. She recommends similar incremental steps: sending one networking email per month or posting one social media update each week.

“The more you do it regularly, the easier it is to keep going,” Chan said. While much personal branding happens online, she notes that offline activities — such as joining hobby groups or attending networking events — also contribute. Interests unrelated to work can still yield professional opportunities.

“A personal brand is never created in isolation,” Chan explained. “Being involved in groups that interest you, even if they’re not directly related to your career, can actually help with your career.”

Woman recording herself | Source: Pexels

She likens personal brands to a wheel, with the brand itself as the hub and various activities as spokes. “All these different spokes are all the different things that you do, and they all connect back to a central hub — so whatever small things you do are always going to help your overall personal brand,” she said.

Chan’s message is clear: consistent, authentic engagement — both online and in person — can help introverts shape their professional reputation and open doors to new opportunities.

To sum up

Her upcoming book, Personal Branding for Introverts, offers strategies for increasing professional presence without compromising one’s nature, including starting small with manageable steps like occasional networking or social media posts. Chan emphasizes that personal brands are built through both online and offline activities, with diverse interests feeding into a cohesive “hub-and-spoke” model. Her message underscores that regular, genuine participation in communities—whether work-related or not—strengthens a personal brand and opens new professional doors.