Workfluencer: Personal Branding & Content Creation

#90: Rebuilding a Personal Brand After a Layoff

Strong POV content feels risky for most creators, but Jillian O'Malior built her audience by removing the corporate pleasing filter completely. After being laid off in November 2024, she ran a 90-day experiment leaning into “strategically unhinged” content about layoffs, labor reform, and the dehumanization of workers — and the inbound work, brand deals, and podcast invites started rolling in. In this episode of Workfluencer, Rhona Pierce sits down with brand strategist and workplace advocate Jillian O'Malior about the moment she dropped corporate Jillian, the dinner-party framework she uses to keep her voice consistent, and the seven-story-plot approach she applies to every post. They cover how to be vulnerable without overexposing yourself, why a strong POV content strategy doubles as a filter, and how to build a personal brand without sounding like a rant. At its core, this episode is about what happens when you stop optimizing for the broadest possible audience and start saying what only you can say. The professionals who try to please everyone get scrolled past. The ones who plant a stake in the ground get hired. You'll hear Jillian's exact content framework, the difference between venting and a strong POV, why “strategically unhinged” outperforms safe corporate content, how she handled friends who thought she'd “gone off the deep end,” and the specific advice she gives clients building their personal brand from scratch. What You'll Learn: * How to build a personal brand after a layoff * Why authentic content outperforms sanitized corporate posting * How to use content as a filter for career opportunities * The difference between vulnerability and unhinged oversharing * How layoffs are reshaping conversations around work * Why AI-generated content is the reason for the loss of originality online * Why having a strong POV online is less risky than people think * How to create content that actually sounds like you * Jillian’s framework for developing a memorable personal brand * The future of work, portfolio careers, and labor reform Resources Mentioned: * Jillian's Website: https://www.jilliandoesbranding.com/ [https://www.jilliandoesbranding.com/] * The Liquidity of Truth Case Study: https://www.jilliandoesbranding.com/showrunner-methodology [https://www.jilliandoesbranding.com/showrunner-methodology] Connect With Us: * Connect with Jillian: ⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/annamorgan-recruiter-careerbff/]https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-omalior [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-omalior/] * Connect with Rhona: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/] Want to turn your team into creators? Visit ⁠workfluencermedia.com⁠ [https://workfluencermedia.com/] to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

#89: How to Build an HR Conference People Actually Want to Attend

Most conferences focus on information. Anna Morgan focused on belonging. In this episode of Workfluencer, Anna takes us behind the scenes of building Evolve — a fast-growing HR and recruiting conference brand built around trust, community, and real human connection. From hosting LinkedIn audio rooms and recruiter communities to executive dinners and a full-scale conference ecosystem, Anna shares how she turned years of relationship-building into one of the most community-driven experiences in the HR space. We talk about: * How she launched her first conference in just 69 days * Why most networking at conferences feels transactional * The realities of bootstrapping an event business * How she designs experiences people actually want to return to * Why content should extend the life of an event instead of just marketing it * What sponsors really want from conferences in 2026 * How Evolve On Demand is expanding the conference beyond the room If you care about HR events, employer branding, community building, recruiting, or creating experiences people genuinely connect with, this episode is packed with practical insights. Resources Mentioned: * Join the waitlist for EVOLVE on Demand: https://evolve.short.gy/5EKAv9 [https://evolve.short.gy/5EKAv9] Connect With Us: * Connect with Anna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annamorgan-recruiter-careerbff [https://www.linkedin.com/in/annamorgan-recruiter-careerbff/] * Connect with Rhona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/] Want to turn your team into creators? Visit workfluencermedia.com [https://workfluencermedia.com/] to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

#88: How Honest Employer Branding Attracts Better Candidates

What if candidates were lining up before you even posted the job? In this episode, Rhona sits down with Bradley Clark to break down how his team turned honest, transparent employer branding into a high-performing talent engine. They get into why most employer branding fails, how transparency filters in the right candidates (and repels the wrong ones), and the exact system behind their “early access” hiring strategy that drives 60% of hires before jobs ever hit job boards. This is a tactical, behind-the-scenes look at what happens when employer brand is actually aligned to hiring goals—not vanity metrics. What You’ll Learn: * Why honesty is the most effective employer branding strategy * Why “aspirational” employer branding hurts hiring * How radical transparency improves candidate quality * The early access hiring strategy (and how to copy it) * Why you should close jobs early (and stop collecting resumes) * The 4 content pillars behind a high-performing employer brand * How to use rejection emails as a brand-building tool * Why unpolished content outperforms high-production campaigns * How employer brand should directly support talent strategy Resources Mentioned: * Visit Article's LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/article.com/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/article.com/] * If you've been wanting to post more consistently on LinkedIn, try Stanley for FREE - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://workfluencerpodcast.com/stanley ⁠⁠ [https://workfluencerpodcast.com/stanley] * Subscribe to Rhona's Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2⁠ [https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2] Connect with Us: * Connect with Brad: ⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonsharpston]https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradmclark/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradmclark/] * Connect with Rhona ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/] Want to turn your team into creators? Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠workfluencermedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://workfluencermedia.com/] to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

#87: How to Turn Content Into Clients (By Building in Public)

How do you actually turn content into clients—especially when you’re just starting out? In this episode, we unpack what it really looks like to build in public and use content as more than just a visibility play. Not polished. Not hindsight. Real-time. Preston recently left corporate and is building his business from the ground up, documenting the process as he goes. That means sharing what’s working, what’s not, and how his approach to content has shifted from “just posting” to something much more intentional. We talk about how content evolves from a side project into a true business driver, what “building in public” actually means in practice, and where to draw the line between transparency and oversharing. You’ll also hear what types of content are gaining traction right now, what’s falling flat, and how to connect what you post back to real opportunities—without feeling salesy. It’s an honest look at figuring things out as you go, including the mental and financial side of making the leap. If you’ve been showing up online and wondering if it’s ever going to lead to something… this is the episode that connects the dots. What You'll Learn: * Why waiting until you feel ready to build in public is still delay — and what actually gets you started * How to use memes and infographics to educate your professional niche on LinkedIn without being generic * The financial runway strategy Preston used to safely leave a decade-long corporate career * Why content creation is the cheat code for introverts who hate networking * The difference between posting to educate and posting with a business development strategy * How to be selective with sponsorships in a way that protects your credibility and your audience's trust * What building in public looks like when you're still mid-pivot and haven't nailed your niche yet Resources Mentioned: * Visit Preston's website: https://www.guidelinetalent.com [https://www.guidelinetalent.com] * If you've been wanting to post more consistently on LinkedIn, try Stanley for FREE - ⁠⁠⁠https://workfluencerpodcast.com/stanley ⁠ [https://workfluencerpodcast.com/stanley] * Subscribe to Rhona's Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2 [https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2] Connect with Us: * Connect with Preston: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonsharpston [https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonsharpston] * Connect with Rhona ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/] Want to turn your team into creators? Visit ⁠⁠⁠workfluencermedia.com⁠⁠⁠ [https://workfluencermedia.com/] to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

#86: How to Build a Personal Brand After a Layoff

Most people get laid off and go quiet. Vanita Capobianco did the opposite. She started creating content, launched a podcast, and began building a personal brand from scratch. No audience. No experience. No roadmap. In this episode, we break down what actually happens after a layoff—and how to turn that moment into momentum. Vanita shares how she built consistency, found her voice, and created opportunities by showing up online. We also get into the real side of content creation. Late nights. Self-doubt. Low views. And why none of that matters if you keep going. If you’ve ever thought about building a personal brand but feel like you’re “not ready,” this episode will challenge that fast. What You’ll Learn * Why layoffs can be a turning point (if you use them right) * How to start creating content with zero audience * How to promote your content when no one knows you yet * Why consistency beats perfection every time * How to balance a 9–5, kids, and content creation Resources Mentioned: * Listen to Vanita's Podcast: https://laidofftoliftoff.riverside.com/ [https://laidofftoliftoff.riverside.com/] * If you've been wanting to post more consistently on LinkedIn, try Stanley for FREE - ⁠⁠https://workfluencerpodcast.com/stanley  [https://workfluencerpodcast.com/stanley] * Subscribe to Rhona's Newsletter: ⁠⁠https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2⁠ [https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2] Connect With Us: * Connect with Vanita: ⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffharryplays/]https://www.linkedin.com/in/vcapobiancohrtech/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vcapobiancohrtech/] * Connect with Rhona ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/] Want to turn your team into creators? Visit ⁠⁠workfluencermedia.com⁠⁠ [https://workfluencermedia.com/] to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]