SXSW London isn’t just another conference.
It’s a convergence of music, tech, and culture that attracts some of the sharpest minds in the industry. It’s also one of the most powerful offline moments to build real brand equity — if you know how to use it right.
Whether you’re a CEO, a startup Founder, an Executive or a solo artist trying to get noticed below is my advice on how to make SXSW London work for your personal brand (not just your camera roll):
1. Prepare for the Spotlight (Even If You’re Not on Stage). Craft your pitch. Then cut it in half. Then cut it in half again. You’re not here to recite your resume. You’re here to spark curiosity. Create a 15-second version and a 60-second version of who you are and what you're about that is punchy, unexpected, and memorable. Lead with the weird, the bold, or the human.
2. Be Less Impressive, More Interested. No one likes being cornered by a walking LinkedIn headline. Ask better questions. Be more human. Talk music. Talk tech. Talk about the weird art installation you just walked past. The irony? The less you try to impress people, the more likely they are to remember you.
3. Pre-Game Like a Pro. SXSW is chaos with a calendar. If you wait until you land, you’ve already missed the strategic window. Research speakers on the app. DM attendees. Post before you go. SXSW is noisy. If you wait to make connections at the event, you’ve already lost half the game. I posted on LinkedIn and on TikTok a few days ahead of time to let my network know I’ll be there. It’s the easiest way to warm up the room before you’re even in it.
4. Turn Social Media into a Brand Amplifier. Share smart. Share fast. Share you. Post during, not after — the window closes fast on social media. Use these 19 Tips for social media copywriting and do the following:
- Recap panel insights in your voice
- Post quotes that genuinely inspired you
- Tag people you met and want to stay connected with
- Stop the Scroll with these written social media hooks or if you're creating video content use these visual hooks.
- Drop a few hot takes (don’t be afraid to ruffle feathers)
Content doesn’t have to be polished. It just has to be real.
5. Brand Yourself Without Bragging. You don’t need a mic to be memorable. You just need to bring value in convos, comments, or even casual hangs at the food trucks. Hint: If you can teach something in 30 seconds or less, you’re building brand equity in real time.
6. Be a Catalyst. All the other personal brand agencies talk about self promotion but I teach my clients personal brands scale fastest when you stop making it about you. You’re not just there for your goals. Be the person who helps others make progress on theirs. Introduce people. Recommend tools. Drop a resource. Share an insight. You build a personal brand by being useful when no one asked you to be. Those moments of generosity? They travel further than any pitch ever will.
7. Make It Easy to Connect With You. Wallpaper your phone with your LinkedIn QR code or LinkTree like I do. And don’t just follow someone's social accounts — DM. Mention what you talked about. Make it easy for people to remember you after the conference dust settles.
8. The Afterparties are the Best Part of the Brand Strategy. The best conversations don’t just happen under stage lights they also happen after the third drink, when the DJ's too loud, and everyone’s a little more real. Be there. Be chill. Be unforgettable.
9. Post-Event Follow-Up > Passive Lurking. Following someone is not a follow-up. Send a message. Tag them in a post. Share something they’d find useful. Relationships are built in the days after the conference, not during the 10-second chat at the coffee cart.
10. Final Thought. At events like SXSW London, the temptation is to “perform” your brand. But the best personal brands aren’t performed — they’re felt. Make some human connections. Don’t chase attention. Earn resonance. And don’t just go to be seen. Go to be remembered.
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Note: This blog is copyright of The Brand Audit. We would love you to share this content, but please always credit any ideas shared to Christina Minshull or The Brand Audit. Unauthorized copying is a violation of intellectual property law and may result in legal action.
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