The Futur with Chris Do Make Reputation Your Strategy w/ Matt Essam | Ep 381
25 snips
Sep 18, 2025 
In this insightful discussion, Matt Essam, a design and marketing consultant and author, shares his wisdom on personal branding. He highlights that building a brand isn't about seeking fame but rather being credible and trustworthy. The duo delves into the importance of the Know–Like–Trust framework and how social proof enhances reputation. They also explore transitioning from traditional networking to effective LinkedIn strategies and the necessity of being findable to attract opportunities. Essential takeaways include focusing on substance and the strategic balance of giving value first.
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Be Findable Before Expecting Inbound
- Being findable is the first step toward getting hired; talent alone doesn't produce inbound leads.
- Chris Do: you must master the game of being known through intentional channels, online or in person.
From Networking Events To LinkedIn
- Matt Essam replaced weekly in-person networking with building a LinkedIn presence.
- He found online visibility reduced the need for attending events to generate work.
Reputation Acts As Social Proof
- Social proof (titles, followers, body of work) acts as heuristics that signal competence to decision-makers.
- Reputation often precedes actual discovery and opens doors that pure talent alone may not.
