Press vs. Presence: What You Really Need to Stand Out

In the era of hyper-connectivity, building a personal brand is no longer a nicety, it's a must. But as we browse highly curated LinkedIn profiles and sycophantic pieces in online publications, the simplest question is: Is it more beneficial to be in the press or have a solid presence?

Let's dissect what actually sets you apart in 2025 and how you can develop your brand to be noticed and remembered.

With over 70% of business professionals Googling someone before a meeting or interview (source), what appears about you online may seal the deal or kill it.

It's no longer about being "featured" in a magazine; it's about taking the steering wheel of your narrative, being able to prove credibility, and make an indelible impression.

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1. The Changing Topography: Why Being There Matters More Than Ever

There was a time when a shining article in a regular magazine was the ultimate personal branding. But those times are changing.

By 2025, Google Trends shows a steady rise in terms like "personal brand coach," "LinkedIn profile makeover," and "how to build online authority" over 40% greater than last year globally. Being known for something is taking the place of just being known somewhere.

Presence is what other people notice and remember about you, not just what they read. It's your consistency, your message, your energy. Presence is desirable. Press is temporary.

2. So What Does Press Get You?

Don't get me wrong, though. To be in a decent publication or to win an award when you've earned it is priceless. It's social proof. It tells people that you're credible, that someone else thinks that you're worthy of being listened to, and that you're somebody that people should notice.

But the thing is, press without presence is a billboard in the desert. Folks might drive by once, but they won't remember who drove by.

Must read: How to Create Brand Visibility and Authority Online With ShoutStart

3. The Real Pain Point: We're Swamped by Noise

Everybody's vying to be noticed. The web is chock full of thought pieces, personal triumphs, humblebrags, and reels. Audiences are smart; they can smell phony from a mile away.

Your fans don't require you to become famous. They require you to be authentic.

And that is where Shoutstart comes in.

We help you create presence through real wins: edited press, sure but also by crafting your online presence, shaping your messaging, and building your narrative from the ground up. You might be starting out in your career or running a mature business, and we help you become remembered for the right reasons.

4. Building a Magnetic Presence (Even Without Press)

These are 5 must-have tactics to get you noticed:

1. Stand Up For Your Story

Who are you, actually? What do you care about? What's your unique journey?

2. Curate Your Online Presence

Your LinkedIn, personal website, Twitter/X feed, and even email signature should reflect your brand voice.

3. Speak, Write, Share

Being present grows when you're communicating your ideas. You don't need to give a TEDx talk an excellent thread or an excellent LinkedIn post will do.

4. Harness Micro-Wins

Did you run a successful project? Get positive client feedback? Launch something new? These are proof points. Share them!

5. Be Consistent

Humans remember what sticks. If you need to be the go-to person in your domain, show up frequently with value and clarity.

Important article: How to Make Your Brand popular While You Work Full-Time

5. Final Take: What You Really Need to Stand Out

If we had to choose? Presence > Press.

But ideally, you want both in the correct order.

Create presence first: become absolutely clear on who you are, what you stand for, and how you desire to be remembered.

Then boost with press : share with the world what you've created.

Press gives you visibility. Presence gives you memorability.

And in 2025, when the scroll is fast and attention is fleeting, memorability is your biggest asset.

Want a brand that outlasts trends?

Let Shoutstart make you stand out, not just look.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the press still relevant in 2025?

Yes, but only if your core presence is strong. Otherwise, it's a one-time spike, not sustainable growth.

2. What do you mean by presence exactly?

Presence is the manner in which you present yourself online your content, your voice, your consistency, and how you're remembered.

3. I don't have grand achievements. Can I still build presence?

Absolutely. Everyone has a story. Shoutstart helps you uncover and shape yours with honesty.

4. How long does it take to build presence?

With consistency, you can start seeing results in 60-90 days. It's not instant, but it rolls on.

5. Do I need to be on all platforms?

No way. Focus on where your audience is. Quality beats quantity always.

Book a free call to get featured via PR and blog placements