This week we’re joined by Charlie Lawson, aka The Unnatural Networker, for a refreshingly real conversation about what networking actually looks like when you’re building a personal brand. Spoiler alert: it’s not about schmoozing or handing out business cards at awkward events. Whether you’re showing up on LinkedIn, sliding into DMs, or chatting over coffee, networking is simply about building genuine relationships, and that makes it a powerful extension of your brand.

Charlie shares practical strategies for connecting online without sounding robotic, from commenting with intention to keeping follow-ups friendly (not pitchy). We also explore the sweet spot where online and offline networking collide, how to turn a LinkedIn conversation into a real-life collaboration, and why those in-person moments can solidify the trust you’ve been building online. It’s all about blending visibility with connection, and showing up in ways that feel good and real.

If you’ve ever told yourself you’re “just not a networker,” this one’s for you. Charlie debunks the myths that hold people back, from imposter syndrome to the fear of not having anything valuable to say, and offers mindset shifts to help you show up with confidence. Because your personal brand isn’t just what you post, it’s how you connect. And building relationships the real way? That’s where the magic (and the referrals) happen.

Follow Charlie on LinkedIn and visit his website to learn more about the work he does and to purchase his books: https://unnaturalsuccess.com/

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn, and join the⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brand You community group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can share all your personal branding questions and queries.

Follow your hosts⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Toby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for lots of extra tips and wisdom on personal branding, social media strategy and brand photography.

Check out Sparkhouse if you’re based in Lincoln and are looking for affordable, flexible and buildable office spaces.

Welcome to Brand You, the Ultimate Personal Branding Podcast.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into one of the most underrated tools for building your personal brand: LinkedIn.

Despite being packed with potential, most people are still using it like a digital CV rather than the powerful, real-time networking platform it’s become. Whether you’re job-hunting, running a business, or simply wanting to grow your visibility, there’s a huge opportunity waiting if you know how to show up the right way.

We’re breaking down the basics of a standout profile, from your headline to your “About” section, and why first impressions here matter a lot. Think of your profile as your digital storefront: if it’s outdated, vague, or missing key info, you’re likely turning away opportunities before they even reach out. And let’s not forget content: sharing wins, lessons, or even behind-the-scenes moments can help you connect as a real human, not just a résumé on legs.

And yes, we get it, the fear of being “too much” or “too casual” holds a lot of people back. But we’re here to tell you: professional doesn’t mean personality-free. Showing up with authenticity, consistency, and a clear message builds real trust, and that’s what opens doors. Whether it’s a new client, a dream collaboration, or your next job, LinkedIn can absolutely be the launchpad. Let’s help you make it work for you.

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn, and join the⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brand You community group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can share all your personal branding questions and queries.

Follow your hosts⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Toby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for lots of extra tips and wisdom on personal branding, social media strategy and brand photography.

Check out Sparkhouse if you’re based in Lincoln and are looking for affordable, flexible and buildable office spaces.

Welcome to Brand You, the Ultimate Personal Branding Podcast.

In this episode, we flip the script and take you behind the brand of our very own Caz Grant. As someone who runs multiple businesses under one personal brand, Caz shares how she’s made it all work, in a way that feels aligned, sustainable, and true to who she is. She opens up about what it really looks like to juggle different roles without losing your sense of self or overwhelming your audience.

Caz walks us through her day-to-day rhythms, including how she uses time blocking to keep each business clearly segmented, and why physical movement, like walking her dog or hitting the gym, helps her mentally reset between tasks. She also shares how having specific workspaces (and even different “uniforms”) for each part of her work helps her show up with clarity and focus. Plus, she lets us in on her favourite weekly ritual: one non-negotiable night off the screen to completely switch off.

For anyone craving a more multipassionate life, Caz offers powerful reminders about the importance of values, boundaries, and self-awareness. She believes your personal brand can carry more than one role - as long as it’s built on strong foundations and designed in a way that supports your energy. This one’s packed with honest reflections and real-life strategies to help you shape a personal brand that feels like home, no matter how many hats you wear.

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn, and join the⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brand You community group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can share all your personal branding questions and queries.

Follow your hosts⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Toby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for lots of extra tips and wisdom on personal branding, social media strategy and brand photography.

Check out Sparkhouse if you’re based in Lincoln and are looking for affordable, flexible and buildable office spaces.

Welcome to Brand You, the Ultimate Personal Branding Podcast.

Season 3 kicks off with a twist - Toby’s in the hot seat! In this episode, we dive deep into his personal branding journey, fresh off a powerful rebrand with Matt and Eleanor from Number 75 Design and a brand shoot with Nicholas Dawkes Photography. From the guy who’s usually behind the camera, Toby opens up about what it felt like to step into the spotlight and truly be seen, not just visually, but emotionally and professionally.

We unpack everything from the nerves of showing up more online to the power of storytelling in building a brand that connects. Toby shares how his photography work has always been about helping others feel seen, and now, how he’s applying those same principles to his own personal brand. It’s a real, honest look at visibility, imposter syndrome, and why building trust matters more than chasing perfection.

Whether you’re camera-shy or just figuring out how to show up more fully in your business, this one’s packed with takeaways on using branding, storytelling, and photography as tools for connection. Think of it as your behind-the-scenes pass into Toby’s world, and a reminder that your face, your story, and your energy are your brand.

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn, and join the⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brand You community group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can share all your personal branding questions and queries.

Follow your hosts⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Toby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for lots of extra tips and wisdom on personal branding, social media strategy and brand photography.

Welcome to Brand You, the Ultimate Personal Branding Podcast.

In last week’s episode, we unpacked the art of subtle selling, how to turn followers into customers without feeling salesy or inauthentic. This week, we’re turning the spotlight on the quieter side of personal branding. If the idea of “being visible” makes you want to hide under a blanket, this one’s for you. We’re talking all things personal branding for introverts, how to build a presence that feels true, calm, and powerful, without having to be the loudest person online.

From redefining what it really means to stand out, to choosing content formats that suit your energy, we explore how introverts can create brands rooted in depth, clarity, and quiet confidence. We share practical tips for setting boundaries, choosing the right platforms, and creating trust through thoughtful storytelling. Because here’s the truth: being visible doesn't mean being “on” 24/7. It means showing up in a way that feels sustainable and real.

You’ll also hear why your soft voice matters, how calming can be a strategy, and why slow burn growth often leads to the most aligned success. Whether you’re a full on introvert or just crave a more intentional approach to your brand, this episode will remind you: you don’t need to shout to be heard, you just need to speak in a way that’s true to you.

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn, and join the⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brand You community group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can share all your personal branding questions and queries.

Follow your hosts⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Toby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for lots of extra tips and wisdom on personal branding, social media strategy and brand photography.

Welcome to Brand You, the Ultimate Personal Branding Podcast.

After walking you through how to grow a loyal online audience in last week’s episode, Caz and Toby are back to tackle the next big question: how do you actually convert those followers into paying clients, without feeling cringe, salesy, or out of alignment? In this episode, they're diving into the art of subtle selling and why it’s become such a powerful tool for personal brands in 2025 and beyond.

They break down what subtle selling actually looks like (hint: it’s more human connection, less “limited time offer”), and how to blend sales into your content in a way that feels natural, honest, and valuable. From storytelling over sales pitches, to showing real-life transformations and using casual call-to-actions that invite, not pressure. This episode is full of tangible tips for making your content do the selling for you. Plus, they explore why positioning yourself as the guide (not the hero) builds more trust and more conversions.

You’ll also learn how to use your content to pre-qualify buyers, how to talk about your offers with pride, and how to keep showing up with value while still making it super clear that people can work with you. The episode wraps up with a simple action step you can take right away: start building a bank of soft CTAs you can drop into your posts when the time’s right or to strike up a conversation. This one’s a must-listen if you’re ready to turn your online presence into a sales tool that still feels true to you.

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn, and join the⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brand You community group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can share all your personal branding questions and queries.

Follow your hosts⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Toby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for lots of extra tips and wisdom on personal branding, social media strategy and brand photography.

Welcome to Brand You, the Ultimate Personal Branding Podcast.

You don’t need everyone on the internet to follow you, you just need the right people to stick around. In this episode, Caz and Toby unpack what it really takes to grow a loyal, engaged audience that actually cares about what you do. Forget vanity metrics, this is about building trust, community, and long-term connection with people who genuinely want to be in your world.

From showing up with authenticity to sparking real conversations in your comments and DMs, they share practical strategies for turning passive scrollers into active supporters. You’ll hear why loyalty beats reach every time, how to use personal stories to deepen connection, and why a consistent tone and content rhythm makes your audience feel like they know (and like) you. Plus, they explore how to go beyond the follow button and start creating a genuine community, whether that’s through shared values, two-way engagement, or spaces like online groups and live Q&As.

This episode is full of tips for showing up in a way that builds trust over time, not overnight. To wrap up, Caz and Toby challenge you to spend 30 minutes a day intentionally engaging with your ideal audience this week. Because loyalty doesn’t just happen, it’s something you build. And when you do? That’s when the magic happens.

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn, and join the⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brand You community group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can share all your personal branding questions and queries.

Follow your hosts⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Toby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for lots of extra tips and wisdom on personal branding, social media strategy and brand photography.

Welcome to Brand You, the Ultimate Personal Branding Podcast.

This week on Brand You, we're joined by leadership coach Andy Nisevic to unpack the powerful relationship between personal branding and leadership. From the boardroom to the breakroom, we’re diving into why leadership today isn’t just about strategy, it’s about showing up with clarity, consistency and authenticity. And that starts with knowing who you are and what you stand for.

Andy shares how his own personal brand has evolved through his leadership journey, and why getting clear on your mission, vision and values isn’t just good branding, it’s essential for setting the tone across your whole organisation. We talk about how those values can shape how people behave at every level, and why authenticity isn’t a fluffy extra, it’s your superpower as a leader.

Whether you're leading a team, a company or just getting started with building your influence, this episode is packed with real talk, practical advice, and inspiring stories that’ll help you lead with more purpose, trust and impact. If you’ve ever wondered how your personal brand fits into the bigger leadership picture, this one’s for you.

Follow Andy through his website One Degree or LinkedIn.

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn, and join the⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brand You community group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can share all your personal branding questions and queries.

Follow your hosts⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Toby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for lots of extra tips and wisdom on personal branding, social media strategy and brand photography.

Welcome to Brand You, the Ultimate Personal Branding Podcast.