There’s a common misconception that running ads is the fastest way to build a personal brand. But here’s the truth—ads only amplify what’s already working. If your content and messaging aren’t resonating organically, throwing money at ads won’t fix the problem.
When to Start Using Ads
Ads should come into play when your organic content is consistently driving engagement, you have a clear message that resonates with your audience, and you want to scale your reach to more people who fit your ideal audience.
If you don’t have these in place, you’ll likely waste money on advertising that doesn’t convert.
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The Best Way to Use LinkedIn Ads for Personal Branding
One of the most effective ad formats for personal branding is Thought Leadership Ads. Unlike traditional company ads, these allow you to promote content from a personal profile while still benefiting from LinkedIn’s powerful targeting capabilities.
Here’s how to run a successful Thought Leadership Ad:
- Start With a High-Performing Organic Post: Don’t create an ad from scratch. Instead, look at your top-performing organic posts and choose one that has already resonated with your audience.
- Target the Right Audience: With LinkedIn Ads, you can be highly specific about who sees your content. Target by job title, industry, company size, or even individual accounts.
- Keep It Authentic: The best ads don’t feel like ads. They feel like valuable, engaging content that people actually want to read.
- Monitor and Adjust: No ad campaign is perfect from the start. Track your performance metrics, test different audiences, and refine your messaging as you go.
Ads Are a Tool—Not a Shortcut
Used correctly, ads can help you reach more of the right people and scale your brand. But they should never be a replacement for organic strategy. Instead, think of them as fuel for a fire that’s already burning.