Personal Branding on Social Media: What Works in 2025

In today’s digital world, building a personal brand is no longer optional- it’s essential. The Internet is flooded with influencers throwing different advice on building personal brands. While they are helpful, information overload has made it difficult for a newbie to start their personal brand journey.

If you want to stand out, attract opportunities, and build authority, you need to know how to build a personal brand on Instagram and across social media platforms. This guide breaks down what’s working in 2025, packed with real-life examples, actionable strategies based on data, and proven tips you can apply right away.

Why Building a Personal Brand on Instagram Matters in 2025

Instagram now has over 2 billion monthly active users, making it one of the most powerful platforms for personal branding. According to Hootsuite’s 2025 Social Trends Report, 72% of professionals say a strong personal brand on Instagram has directly led to career or business opportunities.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, coach, influencer, or creator, building a personal brand on Instagram boosts visibility, fosters trust, and helps you connect authentically with your audience.

“People follow people- not faceless logos.”

And that’s where tools like Deepsolv come in: they help personal brands manage engagement at scale, ensuring no DM or comment gets missed, and helping build real relationships with followers.

Step 1: Define Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP)

Before you post a single Reel, clarify:

• What do you want to be known for?
• Who are you speaking to?
• What’s the emotional promise you make to your audience?

Example: Krissy Cela is a well-known fitness influencer and entrepreneur, who didn’t just post fitness content- she built Oner Active, an activewear brand born from her authentic voice. Her audience connects to her "real girl" tone, discipline, and vulnerability about balancing fitness and entrepreneurship. She mixes motivation with authenticity, which makes followers trust both her workouts and her products.

Takeaway:

Define your UVP (Unique Value Proposition) in one sentence and ensure every post aligns with it.

Step 2: Create Content Pillars That Build Authority

Before you even start uploading, define the content pillars that your account will focus upon. Content pillars give structure and consistency. A strong personal brand usually focuses on 2–4 pillars.

Content Pillar Examples:

• Educational: Share tips, tutorials, or how-tos.
• Personal: Tell stories, struggles, or lessons learned.
• Behind-the-Scenes: Show your process, workspace, or team.
• Inspirational: Share wins, client results, or motivational content.

Real Example: Steven Bartlett, entrepreneur and host of The Diary of a CEO, mixes business advice (educational), raw personal confessions (personal), and clips from his podcast studio (behind-the-scenes). This blend makes his brand feel authoritative but also deeply relatable.

Posts using educational carousels have 23% more saves on average, boosting Instagram’s recommendation algorithm (Source: Later 2025).

Takeaway:

Clearly map out your content pillars and rotate them weekly to keep your feed dynamic.

Step 3: Build Engagement Through Authentic Interaction

A personal brand thrives on engagement but it’s not just about posting. You need to build a community on Instagram by interacting consistently. The power of community is one of the reasons why people keep coming to a single brand.

Action Tips:

• Reply to all comments within 24 hours.
• Use name mentions and personalized replies.
• Use polls, question stickers, and AMAs in Stories.
• Send thank-you DMs to top commenters or supporters.

Pro Tip: Use Deepsolv to automate smart replies and DMs, so you can stay responsive even as your audience grows. Unlike robotic replies, Deepsolv adapts to your unique brand tone and voice, and therefore tailors every response accordingly.

Real Example: Jay Shetty uses comment threads to expand on video topics, asks followers for their experiences, and hosts regular Lives to talk directly with his audience. His community-first approach has helped him amass over 16.5 million followers on Instagram and multiple brand partnerships.

Takeaway:

Prioritize meaningful interactions, not just pushing content. Building a community is always about prioritising quality interactions, rather than blindly chasing the volume.

Step 4: Use Reels, Lives, and Carousels to Maximize Reach

Reels currently have 42% higher reach than static posts. But personal brands succeed when they balance content formats.

High-Impact Formats:

• Reels: Tutorials, storytelling, or trend participation.
• Lives: Real-time connection, Q&As, or co-hosted interviews.
• Carousels: Multi-step processes, deep dives, or mini-guides.

Real Example: Pooja Dhingra, pastry chef and founder of Le15, uses Reels to show behind-the-scenes baking, Lives to answer follower questions, and carousels to share recipes and entrepreneurial advice. Her approachable tone and mix of personal and professional content make her followers feel part of her journey.

Takeaway:

Use at least three formats per week to stay visible in different parts of the algorithm. However, increase the volume of short-form videos (Instagram Reels) to increase your likelihood of being discovered by a new set of audience.

Step 5: Collaborate Strategically

Collaboration is one of the fastest ways to grow. But it’s not just about mega influencers- micro-collabs often convert better.

Collaboration Strategies:

• Partner with niche creators.
• Do Instagram Lives or Reels together.
• Guest post on each other’s accounts.
• Run joint giveaways or challenges.

Real Example: Gary Vaynerchuk regularly features rising creators, amplifying their voices while boosting his own relevance. It is crucial to identify who adds value to your personal brand, and then decide whether you want to collaborate or not.

Takeaway:

Always choose collaborators whose audiences share your values and interests, so that your content doesn’t feel like another ad.

FAQ: Instagram Strategies for Personal Branding

Q1: How to Build a Personal Brand on Instagram Without Being Fake?

Focus on your real interests, experiences, and personality. Authenticity wins long-term.

Q2: How Often Should I Post for Personal Branding?

Aim for 3–4 feed posts and 5–7 Stories per week. Mix formats to increase reach.

Q3: Do I Need Professional Photos to Build a Brand?

No. High-quality smartphone photos + strong editing + good lighting work well in 2025.

Q4: Can Automation Help Personal Branding?

Yes. Tools like Deepsolv ensure you never miss a comment or DM, helping you nurture your audience even as you scale.

Q5: What Metrics Should I Track?

Track saves, shares, DM replies, and follower quality (not just quantity).

Final Takeaways to Build a Strong Personal Brand on Instagram

• Define your Unique Value Proposition and stick to it.
• Rotate between educational, personal, and behind-the-scenes content.
• Engage meaningfully- comments and DMs matter.
• Experiment with Reels, Lives, and carousels.
• Use tools like Deepsolv to manage growth and interaction efficiently.

Building a personal brand on Instagram isn’t about overnight fame. It’s about long-term consistency, value, and authentic connection.

Want to scale your personal brand without burning out? Book a free exploratory call with Deepsolv today and discover how to automate your Instagram engagement like a pro.