How to Become Known (Without Being a Marketing Clone) – Mark Schaefer on Personal Brand, Speaking...

Secrets of Personal Branding


SUMMARY


In this episode of Present Influence, John is joined by branding expert and bestselling author Mark Schaefer to explore what it truly means to become known in a noisy, copy-and-paste marketing world.


They explore why most personal brands fail, how guru-led thinking is killing originality, and why authority is built through relevance, consistency, and usefulness rather than visibility or hype.


Mark shares practical insights from his books Known and Audacious, including how speakers and experts can clarify what they want to be known for, choose the right content strategy, and avoid the trap of chasing platforms instead of building trust.


This conversation is essential listening for speakers, coaches, and consultants who want to build real credibility, stand out without selling out, and turn visibility into lasting influence.


Find out more about Mark and his books at https://businessesgrow.com/


CHAPTERS


00:00 Introduction to Mark Schaefer


02:44 Contrarian Views in Marketing


06:02 The Importance of Personal Branding


08:51 The Role of Speaking in Business


11:49 Advice for Aspiring Speakers


15:00 Finding Your Unique Voice


17:59 Leveraging Social Media for Branding


20:51 Creating Content that Resonates


23:53 Opportunities in the Speaking Industry


26:39 Navigating AI in Marketing


29:59 The Need vs. Nice to Have in Speaking


33:01 Personal Experiences and Lessons Learned


35:52 Conclusion and Resources


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