The Tuesday Wine vs. the I-Just-Closed-Something Bottle Pt. 4

0:00 / 4:48

Tonight's Episode

Victoria wrote a book about building a personal brand, and then people kept asking her the same follow-up question: fine, I built it — now what? That question became the sequel. Influence Unleashed taught the construction. Influence Activated teaches what you do once it's standing. Her diagnosis of where most people go wrong is uncomfortable and probably correct: they lead with credentials and industry and job titles, when the truth is people do business with people.

She never takes a meeting cold. Prospective hire, new client, old client — she looks them up first, and she assumes they're doing the same to her. That's the whole argument in a sentence. Write your own narrative or accept the one strangers assemble for you. She's honest about using AI, honest about the filters, and firm that none of it works without something real underneath. And she has little patience for the quiet hope so many professionals live on: that doing excellent work will simply be noticed.

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Key Takeaways

Victoria wrote two books on personal branding: Influence Unleashed covers construction, while Influence Activated teaches what to do once your brand is established.
Most professionals lead with credentials and job titles, but the core principle is that people do business with people, not titles.
Victoria researches people before meetings and assumes others do the same to her, emphasizing the importance of controlling your own narrative rather than letting strangers define it.
Excellent work alone will not be noticed without intentional personal branding and narrative-building efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Victoria's two books?

Influence Unleashed teaches how to build a personal brand, while Influence Activated teaches what to do once your brand is established.

What does Victoria identify as the main mistake most professionals make?

They lead with credentials, industry, and job titles instead of focusing on the fact that people do business with people.

Does Victoria use AI in her personal branding work?

Yes, she is honest about using AI and filters, but emphasizes that none of it works without something real underneath.

What is Victoria's approach to meetings?

She never takes a meeting cold and always looks up prospective hires, new clients, and old clients first, assuming they are doing the same to her.