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

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

02:34 Contrarian Views in Marketing

05:41 The Importance of Personal Branding

08:19 The Role of Speaking in Business

10:59 Advice for Aspiring Speakers

13:56 Finding Your Unique Voice

16:34 Leveraging Social Media for Branding

19:14 Creating Content that Resonates

21:57 Opportunities in the Speaking Industry

24:29 Navigating AI in Marketing

27:36 The Need vs. Nice to Have in Speaking

30:11 Personal Experiences and Lessons Learned

32:36 Conclusion and Resources

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