How to build your online presence as a public figure and keynote speaker

1. Authority Over Personality

While a “normal” personal brand might lead with relatability, speakers and public figures lead with credibility and expertise.

• Normal brand: “Here’s my story, let’s connect.”
• Speaker/public figure: “Here’s my track record, here’s why I’m the expert.”

Their online presence needs to say: “I’m the go-to person for this topic.”

2. Press and Media Ready

They often get googled before events or interviews, so their Google presence matters a lot:

• Proper SEO on their name
• A website that clearly lists keynote topics, speaker bio, and media kit
• High-quality photos and videos for press or PR use.

3. Clear, Bookable Offers

Unlike personal brands who might juggle different types of offers, keynote speakers need to make their core offer extremely obvious:

• Keynote topics with titles and takeaways
• Event types they speak at
• Button that says “Book Me” or “Request Speaking Info”.

4. Professional Visual Identity

• No Canva chaos or over-designed templates
• Clean, modern, editorial-style design
• Strong visuals that match stage presence (think: authority, clarity, impact) This isn’t about looking “fun” or “quirky,” it’s about looking credible, bookable, and high-end.

5. Thought Leadership Content

Instead of trendy, viral content, they focus on:

• Insights and frameworks
• Behind-the-scenes from speaking gigs
• Strong point-of-view posts They don’t post to entertain, they post to position.

6. Social Proof in a Specific Format

• Logos of events/companies they’ve worked with
• Testimonials from event organisers (not clients)
• Audience feedback or photos from real-life stages

These are different than client testimonials you’d see on a coach or freelancer’s site.

7. Cross-Channel Cohesion

They’re often on:

• LinkedIn (authority + professional reach)
• YouTube or Vimeo (talks, showreels)
• Instagram (behind-the-scenes, a human touch)
• A personal website with a booking/contact system

The tone is consistent across all—no weird “quirky here, serious there” vibes.

8. They Don’t Have Time

Public figures and keynote speakers rarely manage their own content. Their online presence needs to be:

• Easy to maintain
• Automated where possible
• Structured enough that someone from their team (or an agency like yours) can run with it.

9. They Attract Partnerships, Not Just Clients

Their presence often also attracts:

• Media coverage
• Book deals
• Event partnerships So their brand has to be elevated and public-facing—more like a “personal brand as a company.”

Being a public figure or keynote speaker means your presence doesn’t start when you walk on stage, it starts the moment someone Googles your name.

Unlike most personal brands, your online presence needs to function like a digital business card, booking tool, media hub, and credibility engine all at once. From authority-first messaging to a press-ready website, every touchpoint should reinforce your value, professionalism, and stage-readiness.

If your current online presence feels like it still belongs to your “previous chapter”, as an athlete, executive, or behind-the-scenes professional, it’s time to realign it with who you are now.

A strong digital brand doesn’t just make you look good. It makes it easier for the right people to find you, trust you, and book you.