Think Like a Bridge Painter: Building Your Personal Brand Over Time

February 4, 2025

Written By:
Ryan Vet

When it comes to building a personal brand, many people focus on the launch: creating a logo, refining a tagline, and polishing their social media profiles. But maintaining your brand is where the real work begins. It’s not a one-and-done effort—it’s a constant process of refinement, much like painting the Golden Gate Bridge.

In So You Want to Speak, I share the story of the Golden Gate Bridge’s iconic International Orange paint. To maintain its brilliance, a team of painters works year-round, touching up areas that wear down due to weather, time, and exposure. Without this ongoing effort, the bridge would lose its signature look and begin to corrode.

The same principle applies to your personal brand. Without regular upkeep, complacency can creep in, leading to stagnation and irrelevance. Let’s explore why constant maintenance is essential and how you can ensure your brand stays fresh and impactful.

The Danger of Complacency

In the speaking industry, resting on past successes can be a career killer. Audiences’ needs evolve, industries shift, and new voices emerge. If you don’t adapt, your message—and your brand—can quickly feel outdated.

Consider this:

  • A speaker who built their brand on leadership strategies from the 1990s may struggle to connect with today’s leaders navigating hybrid work environments.
  • Someone who ignores trends in digital marketing risks being overshadowed by speakers who incorporate cutting-edge tools and strategies.

Complacency leads to irrelevance. If you’re not actively refining your brand, you’re leaving it vulnerable to the wear and tear of time.

Actionable Steps to Maintain Your Personal Brand

To keep your personal brand as strong and recognizable as the Golden Gate Bridge, you need a plan for ongoing maintenance. Here are three actionable steps to ensure your brand remains sharp and relevant:

1. Regularly Audit Your Brand

Take time every quarter or year to evaluate your brand. Ask yourself:

  • Does my visual identity (logo, colors, website) still reflect who I am and what I stand for?
  • Is my messaging aligned with current trends and audience needs?
  • Are there outdated materials (slides, blog posts, videos) that need updating or retiring?

By auditing your brand, you can identify areas that need touch-ups before they become liabilities.

2. Stay Curious and Keep Learning

One of the keys to building a personal brand that lasts is staying ahead of the curve. Dedicate time to learning about your industry, emerging trends, and the needs of your audience.

Some ways to stay sharp include:

  • Reading industry blogs, books, and reports.
  • Attending conferences or webinars.
  • Engaging with your network to understand what challenges they’re facing.

In So You Want to Speak, I emphasize the importance of continuous learning as a speaker. Your brand thrives when it reflects current knowledge and insights.

3. Engage with Your Audience

Your brand isn’t just what you say about yourself—it’s what others say about you. Engaging with your audience helps you stay connected to their needs and ensures your brand remains relevant.

  • Seek feedback. After every speaking engagement, ask for audience and organizer feedback.
  • Stay active on social media. Regular posts, stories, and interactions remind your audience that you’re present and engaged.
  • Offer new value. Whether it’s through a blog post, a podcast, or a quick video, share fresh content that reinforces your expertise and builds trust.

Think Like a Bridge Painter

Maintaining your personal brand is a lifelong process. Just like the Golden Gate Bridge needs continuous attention to keep its iconic look, your brand requires regular care to remain impactful and recognizable.

Each tweak, update, and moment of reflection ensures that your brand stays ahead of the curve rather than fading into the background. Building a personal brand isn’t just about starting strong—it’s about staying strong over time.

Final Thoughts

In a world where audiences and industries evolve rapidly, complacency isn’t an option. By treating your personal brand like the Golden Gate Bridge, you’ll ensure that it remains vibrant, relevant, and capable of withstanding the test of time.

Are you ready to take the next step in maintaining your brand? Start by auditing your current presence and committing to ongoing refinement. The world is waiting for your voice—make sure your brand is ready to shine.

Ryan Vet

Thanks for stopping by my blog! A bit about me, I’m an entreprenuer, author
and speaker. This gives me the opportunity to travel the globe. Plus, I get to host a TV series called Sip’d and I’m a Sommelier and wine enthusiast.

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