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Takeaways
- Your persona is the way your audience connects with you. It’s not about faking anything; it’s about amplifying what’s real.
- A great persona starts with your backstory, strong opinions, and the stories you tell.
- Executives and founders who take the time to create their persona will build trust, attract the right audience, and stand out in their industry.
Reading time: 6 minutes
Why I needed an online persona
I used to think that my work would speak for itself. I figured that as long as I delivered results and built something valuable, the right people would notice. But let’s be honest, that’s not how things work anymore.
As a founder or executive, you’re not just leading a business. You’re building trust, rallying a team, attracting customers, and inspiring others to follow your vision. People want to connect with you. They want to know who you are, what you stand for, and why they should trust you.
The problem? The digital world is noisy. Everyone’s talking, but very few people are actually saying something worth hearing. I realized that if I wanted to stand out, I needed to be intentional about how I showed up online. That’s when I decided to create my persona.
Let me walk you through how I did it.
Step 1: I shared my backstory
If you’re anything like me, you don’t think about your own story all that much. For years, I was so focused on what I was building that I didn’t stop to reflect on why I was doing it. But here’s what I learned: your backstory is what makes people trust you.
It’s not about bragging or oversharing. It’s about showing your audience the journey that got you here. When people see your challenges, your values, and the lessons you’ve learned, they see themselves. And that’s when trust is built.
For me, I started sharing why I got into my niche in the first place. I talked about the struggles I faced early on, how I felt stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next. And I explained how I figured it out over time, one step at a time.
Your story doesn’t have to be flashy. Just be real. Share the pivotal moments, the wins and the struggles, that shaped who you are today.
Step 2: I took a stance
Early on, I realized that playing it safe wasn’t going to get me anywhere. People want to follow leaders who have a point of view. If you want to stand out, you need to take a stance.
I started thinking about the things I believed in that weren’t being talked about enough. What frustrated me about my industry? What advice did I see being repeated that I didn’t agree with? What trends was I excited about that no one else seemed to notice?
I started sharing those thoughts online. I stopped worrying about whether people would agree with me. Instead, I focused on being clear about what I stood for. And here’s the thing, when you share strong opinions, you attract the right audience. The people who share your values will gravitate toward you.
Sure, some people will disagree, and that’s fine. Your goal isn’t to please everyone. Your goal is to connect with the people who need to hear what you have to say.
Step 3: I used stories to make my point
One of the most important lessons I learned is this: facts and data don’t stick, but stories do. If you want people to remember your message, or take action because of it, you need to tell a story.
For example, instead of just saying, “Consistency matters,” I shared a story about how showing up every single day for six months helped me land my first major client. Stories like that do two things. First, they make your point more relatable. Second, they make it memorable.
I didn’t overthink it. I just started sharing small moments from my own life. When something worked, I told people why it worked. When I failed, I shared what I learned. And I noticed that people started engaging more because they could see themselves in those stories.
When you combine strong opinions with personal stories, you’re not just giving advice, you’re making people feel something. That’s what builds connection.
Why this process works for founders and executives
Here’s the bottom line: if you’re a founder or executive, people aren’t just buying your product or service. They’re buying into you.
Building your persona doesn’t mean creating a fake version of yourself. It’s about being intentional. It’s about taking your backstory, your values, and your unique perspective, and sharing it in a way that resonates with your audience.
When you do that, you don’t just stand out, you inspire trust. You attract the people who believe in what you’re building. And you position yourself as the leader they want to follow.
My challenge to you
Take some time today to reflect on your backstory. What moments shaped who you are and what you stand for? Write them down. Then think about the opinions you hold that set you apart. What do you believe that no one else is saying?
Start sharing those stories and opinions online. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be polished. It just has to be you.
If you do this consistently, you’ll be amazed at how quickly people start to see you as the go-to voice in your space. And the best part? You won’t have to pretend to be anyone but yourself.