Author: April Ogden, Founder and CEO, It’s Your Outcome

Before You Scroll: What You Need to Know

If you’re not showing up online, you’re missing opportunities—someone else is ranking where you should be. Your LinkedIn profile is often the first thing Google shows, and  a large percentage of recruiters use it to vet candidates.

Take five minutes today to optimize your LinkedIn and control your career visibility. Small changes—like updating your headline, customizing your URL, and engaging with industry leaders—can position you for better job offers, speaking gigs, and leadership roles.

Start now: Google yourself. What do you see? If it’s not what you want, this guide will show you how to fix it.

How Google & LinkedIn Determine Your Career Visibility

A recruiter, a potential client, or a decision-maker is searching for you right now.

What if they Googled you today? Would they find an expert… or a ghost?

Because if you’re not showing up, someone else is. And they’re getting the opportunities that should have been yours.

Most professionals think personal branding is optional—until they realize they’ve been passed up for opportunities they didn’t even know existed.

Why Your LinkedIn Profile Matters in Google Search Rankings

When someone Googles your name, what’s the first result?

For most professionals, it’s their LinkedIn profile.

That’s not an accident. Google prioritizes LinkedIn. If you don’t believe me, try this:

1. Open a new browser window.
2. Type your name into Google.
3. What’s the first or second result?

If it’s LinkedIn, you just proved why this matters.

If someone Googles you and your name is shared with others, are you the one standing out—or are you getting lost in the mix?

Why this is important:

• 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn to search for candidates, according to one study.
• Google ranks LinkedIn high because it’s constantly updated—profiles, posts, comments, and interactions all help visibility.
• Your LinkedIn is your personal website. If someone wants to verify your expertise, this is what they see first.

Your LinkedIn isn’t just another social media account—it’s your first impression, your credibility check, and your personal career storefront.

And if you’re not showing up the right way, Google and LinkedIn aren’t just making you invisible. They’re ranking someone else above you.

Common Personal Branding Mistakes Professionals Make

Many mid-career professionals resist personal branding because they think:

• “My work should speak for itself.” → No, your work speaks to those who already know you. Branding makes sure new opportunities find you.
• “I don’t want to be salesy.” → You’re not selling—you’re positioning yourself as the go-to expert in your space.
• “I don’t have time.” → If you don’t make time to own your narrative, someone else will shape it for you.

Studies show that personal branding positively influences perceived employability, which in turn leads to greater career satisfaction.

This isn’t about ego—it’s about opportunity and fulfillment. Your brand shapes how people perceive your value, trust your expertise, and choose to work with you.

How Personal Branding Helped Me

I spent years believing my work would speak for itself. I kept my head down, focused on results, thinking that was enough.

Until one day, I saw someone—no more qualified than me—land a career-changing opportunity. And I realized something painful:

Success doesn’t go to the best. It goes to the most visible.

That’s when I made the decision to show up. Consistently. And because of that:

• I built real relationships that led to collaborations and friendships.
• I secured a Board of Directors position—now serving as Chair of the Governance Committee.
• I landed multiple speaking engagements and career-changing opportunities.

The 5-Minute Personal Brand Fix (Do This Now!)

I know putting yourself out there can feel like a lot, but hear me out—you don’t have to do everything today. Small moves, like updating your LinkedIn URL or dropping a thoughtful comment, can create big shifts. The key is just to start. Let’s take that first step together.

• Own your LinkedIn URL. A clean, customized URL boosts your Google rankingand makes it easier for people to find you.

• Engage with an industry leader. Here’s the secret about LinkedIn—it’s about building community. Every time you leave a meaningful comment; you increase your visibility and credibility.
• Post one valuable insight today. Fresh content keeps you relevant.
• Add a featured section. Showcase your best work—Google indexes these!

Next-Level Personal Branding Strategies (For When You’re Ready to Go Bigger)

• Own Your Name Online. I own AprilOgden.com so I control my brand. Get your domain!
• Start Creating Content Outside of LinkedIn. I just launched my Substack at aprilogden.substack.com—brand new! (Go follow—let’s grow together!)
• Leverage Video for More Visibility. LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram prioritize video—use it to stand out.
• Speak on Panels or Podcasts. Instant credibility.
• Build Strategic Partnerships. Align with brands, orgs, and companies that match your expertise.

Final Takeaway: Own Your Outcome

“Want more personal branding insights? I just launched my Substack, where I’ll be sharing even more tips, strategies, and behind-the-scenes content for the mid-career professional. It’s brand new, so go follow and let’s build this together!”
aprilogden.substack.com → Join now!

All right, now it’s your turn—what’s one small thing you can do today to build your personal brand?

Bonus: If you Googled yourself, what did you find? Were you surprised?

P.S.

Save this post, bookmark it, and tag someone who NEEDS to Google themselves today.