Are You Saying One Thing and Your Online Presence is Saying Another? - Cleve Langton
I work closely with early-stage companies, where the way investors perceive the management team often makes or breaks a funding decision. As I’ve said before: a great product or service may catch an investor’s eye, but it’s the team’s relevant experience and demonstrated passion that seals the deal.
Many startup CEOs have made bold pivots from established careers, yet their online presence hasn’t caught up. LinkedIn, while important, tends to reflect where you’ve been, not necessarily where you’re headed. In many cases, profiles are weighted heavily toward corporate experience — which, while impressive, can clash with the scrappy, all-in ethos investors expect from startup leadership.
The question investors are quietly asking is: Is this person truly committed to this new venture, or is it just a temporary detour from a comfortable career? That tension between “entrepreneur” and “corporate veteran” can raise doubts.
The good news? It’s not hard to shift the narrative. Start positioning yourself as a thought leader in your new category. Share your insights on where the industry is headed. Write these pieces yourself, or collaborate with someone who can help craft your ideas into compelling, authentic stories. You don’t need to wait until you’re fully immersed in the startup — building a visible trail of thought leadership over time can actually be more powerful. It shows consistency, curiosity, and long-term investment.
As you create these stories, lean into storytelling. Let your voice come through. What excites you about this space? What gaps do you see in the market, and what do you believe needs to change? Speak in broad terms — you’re not pitching your product here, you’re building credibility.
There is no found truth in what I am saying here. But most people don’t do it, until they find themselves having to explain away an outdated or misaligned online presence.
Do yourself a favor: Google your name. Only about 30% of people regularly do, but 93% of others Google you before deciding to move forward. That gap? That’s where perception lives. And perception matters.
Connect with Cleve on LinkedIn.
