By Sarah Snyder

Personal branding for MSLs and Medical Affairs professionals isn't optional anymore.

Think about it.

What's the FIRST thing you do before meeting someone new? 

You have their name and...

You Google them. 

Don't pretend you don't - we all do it. 🙂 

I was chatting with a well-respected MSL and she told me something that hit different. 

She could tell instantly that her KOL had looked her up before their first meeting (via LinkedIn).

And here's the thing - why wouldn't he? 

We Google restaurants before we eat there. 

We Google movies before we watch them. 

So why would you expect a KOL, a potential scientific collaborator, or a cross-functional colleague NOT to Google you before meeting you?

This isn't a one-off. 

This is the new normal in Medical Affairs (and the world). 

Whether you're an MSL building relationships with thought leaders, a medical advisor shaping strategy, or a medical information manager creating educational content - your digital footprint matters. 

Your personal brand isn't just about landing your next job anymore. 

That's small thinking.

Let’s review 5 reasons why your personal brand is non-negotiable for medical affairs professionals in 2025:

1. Scientific Credibility: Your LinkedIn Profile is Your CV 2.0

Your credibility isn't just built in KOL offices anymore. 

When they check your LinkedIn - and trust me, someone will - what story does it tell? 

Those publications you've shared, the conference presentations you've posted about, your thoughtful comments on clinical data - that's building trust before you ever walk in. For MSLs, a strong LinkedIn presence transforms first meetings from basic intros into deep scientific exchange.

2. Speed of Trust: Your Digital First Impression Matters 

When your LinkedIn profile clearly shows your therapeutic expertise and scientific background, you skip the awkward getting-to-know-you phase. Instead of spending months proving your worth, you walk in ready for meaningful clinical discussions. Time is the one thing you can't get more of - a strong digital presence saves it.

3. Cross-functional Impact: Make Your Expertise Visible 

Want to know what kills your influence in Medical Affairs?

Invisibility. When clinical teams and commercial colleagues can see your expertise highlighted via your personal brand - your project experiences, your therapeutic knowledge, your scientific contributions - collaboration happens naturally.

Your digital presence opens doors before you even know they exist. No more fighting to be included in key projects.

4. Conference Game: Your Digital Footprint is Your Ticket In 

Let's get real - medical congress organizers don't pick speakers blind anymore. They're checking your LinkedIn profile.

They're Googling your name. They're looking at your online engagement in the therapeutic area. A strong digital presence puts you in the running for speaking slots and advisory roles before you even apply.

This is especially crucial for breaking into major conferences like DIA or MAPS - where your reputation speaks volumes.

5. Hidden Opportunities: Your LinkedIn Profile is Working While You Sleep 

Here's what most Medical Affairs professionals miss: a well-crafted LinkedIn profile attracts opportunities 24/7. I'm talking about startup biotechs finding you for advisory roles, medical education companies discovering your expertise, academic institutions needing your industry perspective. 

When your digital brand clearly communicates your value, opportunities find you - opportunities that never hit job boards. I've seen MSLs get invited to write textbook chapters and join advisory boards simply because their LinkedIn profile made them discoverable to the right people (while staying compliant with their organization's policies, of course).

Want to take action? You can do a self-audit in 15 minutes. Follow these 5 steps:

1. Google yourself. Seriously, do it right now. First two pages. What story are they telling about your expertise? If it's not the story you want told, you can fix it.
2. LinkedIn photo check. Be brutally honest - does it look like it was taken on a flip phone in 2012? Fix it. This is your digital first impression with every KOL, researcher, and colleague. Make it count.
3. Email signature scan. Look at it on your phone and your laptop. Is it consistent? Professional? 
4. Social media sweep. Google your name + Twitter, Instagram, Facebook. What pops up? If you're cringing at old posts or outdated profiles, clean it up. Your KOLs don't need to see your vacation photos from 2018 (make those private)
5. LinkedIn headline and About section review. If your headline is just "Medical Science Liaison at Company X," you're playing small. Make it clear what therapeutic areas you specialize in. Your About section should tell your professional story in a way that makes people want to collaborate with you scientifically.

Want a step-by-step guide? Download the Ultimate MSL Digital Brand Checklist to optimize your online presence in minutes!

The days of building your Medical Affairs reputation purely through in-person meetings are over. 

Your personal brand isn't a nice-to-have anymore - it's a must-have tool in your scientific communication arsenal.

The good news? You can start fixing this today. Right now. Take control of your narrative in medical affairs. Because if you don't shape how you're perceived in this industry, someone else will do it for you.

Now go do the work on your personal brand. Your future self - and your KOLs - will thank you for it.

Want to take this further for your team? We work with Medical Affairs teams to build powerful personal brands that drive scientific impact. We'll create digital presence strategies that work within compliance and deliver real results.

Ready to transform your team's digital presence?

• Book a free 30-minute strategy call here - Your team’s personal brand is already telling a story. Make sure it's the right one.
   

Get our Ultimate MSL Digital Brand Checklist to make sure your online presence reflects your expertise! Get the checklist now!