I caught up with Prachi Tyagi, brand and digital strategist and strong advocate for building your personal brand early. We spoke about visibility, vulnerability, and staying relevant in a fast-moving digital world.
📍 Q: When did you realise your personal brand was becoming an asset, not just an online presence?
Prachi: “As early as university. I always tell students, start building your personal brand from day one. It’s never ‘later,’ it’s now. One thing I did was publish my assignments online and present them in a visually appealing way. I networked intentionally on campus, with peers, professors, and people in the marketing space. There’s a misconception that you can start later. But personal brand takes time. It needs patience and consistency. You don’t wake up one day with credibility, you build it steadily.”
📍 Q: Hosting Real Talk for International Students, what surprised you most about the challenges international students actually face?
Prachi: “Mental health. I always knew it was a challenge, but hearing the stories made it real. At one point, I even considered quitting university myself. It’s funny how we forget those feelings once we move forward. Loneliness is common. Almost everyone experiences it at some stage. It’s not just an issue, it’s an awareness gap. The more we talk about it, the more we normalise it.”
📍 Q: If you could give one piece of advice to young marketers trying to stand out in a crowded digital world, what would it be?
Prachi: “Keep learning, especially with AI. Use AI as a tool, not a threat. The pace of change is accelerating, and it’s reshaping marketing. You don’t need to master everything, but you need to understand what’s relevant to you. Adopt a growth mindset. Say yes to opportunities. Keep experimenting. The learning never stops.”
📍 Q: One message for the world
Prachi: “Don’t be scared to experiment with your personal brand. There’s no single right way to do it.”
✨ Key Takeaway:
Prachi reminds us that visibility is built, not given. In a world shaped by rapid tech shifts and constant comparison, consistency, curiosity, and courage to show up, imperfectly, are what turn a profile into a platform.
