5 Practical (and Painless) Steps to Build Your Personal Brand

You’ve spent years building your career in international development—contributing to meaningful projects, improving policies, maybe even running high-stakes evaluations. Then suddenly, funding dries up, contracts aren’t renewed, and entire teams are downsized because of political shifts beyond your control. Sound familiar?

With the US freezing aid to multiple countries, development practitioners—especially those working on donor-funded projects—are facing uncertainty. Even if you’re not directly affected today, the ripple effects of funding cuts can disrupt job markets, consultancy gigs, and hiring trends across the sector.

So, what can you do to stay relevant, visible, and secure new opportunities? This is where personal branding comes in. And no, it’s not about becoming an “influencer” or posting endless LinkedIn updates—it’s about strategically positioning yourself as an expert in your field so that when opportunities arise, your name is already on the shortlist.

Why Personal Branding Is Your Career Insurance

Development work has always been about impact, but let’s be real—it’s also a business. If no one knows what you do, how will they hire you, fund your work, or invite you to the table?

In a sector where contracts end, funding shifts, and donor priorities change overnight, your reputation, network, and expertise need to be visible beyond your current role or employer.

• Personal branding ensures that when doors close, people still know your value.
• It puts you in control of your career narrative instead of relying solely on employers, donors, or projects.
• It helps you stand out in a crowded field of equally qualified professionals.

And the best part? You already have a brand—it’s just a matter of being intentional about shaping it.

You don’t need to become a social media guru or spend hours crafting thought leadership posts. Here’s how you can build your brand in ways that feel natural and actually work.

1?? Get Clear on Your Niche (You Can’t Be Everything to Everyone)

Development is broad. If your bio says “Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, Gender Expert, Policy Analyst, Climate Change Advisor, and Humanitarian Response Manager”… I hate to break it to you, but you’re losing people.

Instead, narrow it down.

What’s the ONE thing people should associate you with?

• Are you the go-to person for gender-sensitive evaluations in humanitarian contexts?
• Do you specialize in data visualization that makes M&E reports more impactful?
• Are you an expert at policy advocacy for disability inclusion?

Pick your lane and own it. You can still have multiple skills, but your brand should be clear and focused.

2?? Make LinkedIn Work for You (Without Feeling Cringe)

Love it or hate it, LinkedIn is where people look for professionals in development work—from recruiters to donors, to potential partners. And yet, many practitioners have dusty, half-filled profiles that scream “Last updated: 2017.”

Here’s a quick LinkedIn glow-up plan:

Headline

Make it clear and compelling (e.g., “M&E Specialist | Gender & Social Inclusion in Fragile Contexts”).

About Section

Write in first person, explain what you do and why it matters, and add a call to connect (e.g., “If you're working on gender-inclusive programming, let's talk!”).

Featured Section

Add your best reports, articles, or presentations so people see your work immediately.

Engagement

No need to post every day—just start by commenting on relevant discussions and sharing insights from your work.

Update your LinkedIn settings so recruiters and potential partners know you’re open to opportunities.

3?? Build a ‘Google-Proof’ Portfolio

If someone Googles your name, what will they find? (If the answer is nothing or your 2012 Facebook profile picture, we need to fix that.)

A simple website or portfolio can make a huge difference in showcasing your expertise.

Minimal effort options include:

• Create a free Notion or Google Sites page listing your work.
• Publish an article on LinkedIn or Medium about a project or lesson learned.
• Add a simple one-page bio that includes links to past work, articles, or reports.

You don’t need to build a full-blown website. The goal is just to have a credible, professional presence beyond your CV.

4?? Start Talking About What You Know (Without Overthinking It)

You don’t need to be an expert on everything to share insights. The best way to build a reputation is simply to start contributing to conversations in your field.

• Been part of an interesting project? Share a lesson learned.
• Attended a conference or webinar? Post a quick takeaway.
• Facilitated an evaluation? Write about common challenges and solutions.
• People respect practical insights over academic perfection. Share what you know in a way that helps others, and your credibility will grow.

Not sure where to start? Pick one platform and commit to posting once a month.

5?? Build Relationships (Your Network = Your Opportunities)

Many development professionals only think about networking when they need a job—but by then, it’s often too late. Your network should be nurtured constantly.

Easy ways to build relationships

• Reach out to former colleagues just to check in (not just when you need a reference).
• Join LinkedIn or in-person communities related to your expertise.
• Offer value first—share useful resources, introduce people, or comment on their work.

Opportunities come through people, not job boards. Stay connected, and when something opens up, your name will be top of mind.

Brand Yourself Before Someone Else Does

Here’s the hard truth: if you don’t define your personal brand, others will do it for you.

In an era where funding shifts, contracts end, and job security is unpredictable, your best career insurance is how well people know, trust, and remember your expertise.

You don’t have to become a personal branding “guru”—just be consistent, visible, and intentional about how you show up.

Want to Go Deeper? Join My Webinar! https://www.annmurraybrown.com/personalbranding