Authenticity in Personal Branding: Lessons from AI Action Figures
Authenticity is a big word.
Twelve letters. Three Ts. Two Is. And more hidden.
Because there’s never just one authentic self.
Would you act the same way at your best friend’s 40th birthday party as you do on LinkedIn™?
(“I find your cake interesting and would like to connect.”)
We play roles all the time. That’s not fake; it’s human. Playfulness and roleplay even share six letters. That’s no coincidence.
Just don’t confuse your personal brand with your personality.
One supports your career. The other keeps you sane.
Three Exemplars of Successful Personal Branding
Building a personal brand requires strategic effort and authenticity. Here are three individuals who have mastered this art:
1. Tim Ferriss: The Human Guinea Pig Turned Productivity Guru
Tim Ferriss is widely known as the author of The 4-Hour Workweek, a book that revolutionized how many people think about work and productivity. His journey began with a curiosity about optimizing personal and professional performance. Ferriss’s branding strategy revolves around his unique experiments and experiences, which he shares through deep-dive content that explores the habits of world-class performers. LinkedIn article
2. Marie Forleo: Empowerment Through Business and Mindset Coaching
Marie Forleo is not just a life coach; she is a movement. Through her platform, MarieTV, she empowers entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners with actionable advice and mindset shifts. Forleo’s branding strategy focuses on a clear mission: to help people turn their dreams into reality. Her content is characterized by high-quality, engaging videos that maintain a professional feel while being approachable and relatable. LinkedIn article
3. Amy Jo Martin: Pioneering Digital Influence
Amy Jo Martin is an American author, speaker, entrepreneur, and investor. She wrote the New York Times bestseller Renegades Write the Rules, founded Renegade Global, and hosts the Why Not Now? podcast. Her personal brand centers around innovation in digital communication, making her a sought-after expert in social media and branding. Wikipedia
Be Real, Not Just Relatable
Personal branding isn’t about being one fixed version of yourself. It’s about choosing which parts of you show up where—and being intentional about it. Authenticity doesn’t mean full transparency; it means consistency with purpose. Like a good action figure, your brand should flex with context but never lose its core. If people can trust that version of you, they’ll follow you—even into battle (or into your sales funnel).
