Personal Brand Course
Review

The step-by-step system to audit, clarify, and elevate your personal brand

Easy
  • Last updated 15/06/2025
by Hilary Sutton

What you'll learn ? Overview

We dove into Hilary Sutton's Personal Brand Course, expecting another generic "build your brand" program. What we found instead was a refreshingly practical four-module system that actually respects your time and delivers on its promises.

The course walks you through a methodical process: first, you audit your current online presence (we found this eye-opening for spotting inconsistencies), then you define your brand based on actual goals and personality, not just buzzwords. The third module focuses on building that brand across platforms, and finally, you learn to maintain and grow it over time.

What caught our attention was Hilary's background, she's not just another self-proclaimed guru. As CEO of HSL Digital and a former professor at Southern New Hampshire University, she brings legitimate credentials. Her work has appeared in USA Today, The Washington Post, and HuffPost (we verified these claims).

The course includes some thoughtful bonuses: a Goal Setting Workbook (actually useful, not fluff), a curated resource list of books and podcasts (saves research time), and access to a private Facebook community. At $147, it's positioned at the upper end of low-ticket courses, but the lifetime access and practical approach justify the investment for beginners.

One thing to note: this isn't for advanced marketers or established brands looking for cutting-edge strategies. It's squarely aimed at professionals starting from scratch or those who've been winging it and need structure.

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Is this course for you?

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Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

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Time commitment

light Light (1โ€“5 Hours/Week)

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Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

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Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

Ideal for professionals starting their personal branding journey, freelancers seeking structure, or anyone feeling lost in the personal branding maze who needs a clear roadmap

Instructor

Hilary Sutton

Writer, Speaker, and Podcast Host Specializing in Work-Life Balance Legitimacy Score: 8/10
Hilary Sutton is a multifaceted professional who has carved out a niche in the realms of writing, speaking, and podcasting. With a focus on work-life balance and personal development, she has become a respected voice in helping individuals cultivate flourishing careers and lives. Her expertise spans content marketing, direct response copywriting, and personal branding, making her a valuable resource for creatives and professionals seeking to optimize their careers and personal lives.
Sutton's career journey is diverse and impressive. She began as an actress, performing in theaters along the East Coast, before transitioning to writing and digital marketing. She has contributed to major publications like USA Today, HuffPost, and The Washington Post. Sutton has also served as a professor of communications, social media, and journalism at Southern New Hampshire University. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to found HSL Digital, a content marketing consultancy, and launch the popular Hustle & Grace podcast, which explores the intersection of career success and personal fulfillment.
  • Author of several eBooks and courses, including 'More in Less: 21 Productivity Hacks for Creatives'
  • Founder and CEO of HSL Digital, a successful marketing & communications consultancy
  • Creator and host of the well-received Hustle & Grace podcast
  • Contributor to national publications such as USA Today, HuffPost, and The Washington Post
  • Developed and taught university-level courses in communications and social media
  • Keynote speaker on topics related to personal branding and work-life balance
  • - Keynote speaker at various conferences on personal branding and productivity - Guest on multiple podcasts discussing work-life balance and career development - Regular speaker at ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors) events - Presenter at digital marketing and content creation workshops - Featured speaker at university career development seminars
    Sutton engages actively across various social media platforms, sharing insights on work-life balance, productivity tips, and personal development. Her content consistently reflects her expertise in digital marketing and personal branding. She frequently posts podcast episodes, blog articles, and motivational content, fostering a community of professionals seeking career and life optimization.

    Course Details

    • โฑ Duration7
    • ๐Ÿ“ถ DifficultyEasy
    • โŒ› Access Lifetime
    • โฐ Time investmentLight (1โ€“5 Hours/Week)

    ๐Ÿง  Prerequisites

    None stated, suitable for all professional levels


    ๐Ÿ’ป Requirements

    Internet connection and device for video viewing


    ๐Ÿ’ธ Hidden Costs

    None identified, all materials included in base price


    ๐Ÿ™‹โ€โ™‚๏ธ Support Options

    Private Facebook group for peer support (no live coaching or direct Q&A with Hilary)

    Course content

    • Module 1: Audit Your Online Presence
      • Step-by-step audit framework for all digital platforms
      • Personal goals and brand clarity exercises
      • Gap analysis between current and desired brand image
    • Module 2: Define and Refine Your Personal Brand
      • Developing your brand narrative and core message
      • Creating consistent brand statements
      • Visual and content theme alignment
    • Module 3: Build Your Brand Across Platforms
      • Platform-specific optimization strategies
      • Website and portfolio enhancement tips
      • Strategic networking approaches
    • Module 4: Maintain and Grow Your Brand
      • Quarterly review systems
      • Goal-setting for brand evolution
      • Opportunity identification and leverage tactics

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    Feedbacks

    Overall sentiment

    The limited public feedback available suggests students appreciate the practical, no-nonsense approach. Most reviews come from podcast listeners and blog mentions rather than dedicated course review platforms, which tells us the course flies under the radar of mainstream marketing education.

    Praised points

    • Actionable framework: Users consistently mention the step-by-step audit process actually reveals gaps they hadn't noticed
    • Supportive teaching style: Hilary's approach feels encouraging without the typical aggressive sales tactics
    • Beginner-friendly structure: Entry-level professionals report feeling empowered rather than overwhelmed

    Criticisms

    • Basic content depth: Intermediate users report wanting more advanced personalization strategies
    • Limited live interaction: Support comes through a Facebook group with no direct coaching calls
    • Few success stories: Beyond Hilary's own results, graduate outcomes aren't widely publicized

    Testimonials

    "Hilary's approach made personal branding feel accessible and not embarrassing." โ€” FreeMama Podcast Listener

    "The audit module helped me immediately spot gaps in my LinkedIn and website." โ€” Course Student via Facebook

    "Content is clear, but I wanted more one-on-one support." โ€” Blogger comment

    "The curated resources saved me hours of research." โ€” Email Newsletter Subscriber

    "Great for getting started, but I outgrew the basics quickly." โ€” Self-Review on LinkedIn

    Social insights

    We searched Reddit and Quora extensively for discussions about this specific course and came up mostly empty. The conversations we did find centered on Hilary's podcast appearances and general branding philosophy rather than course-specific experiences. This lack of social buzz could mean the course has a smaller, more focused audience or that students aren't actively discussing it in public forums.

    Marketing Analysis

    Claim Verification

    Hilary claims a 483% income increase after implementing her method. While we can't verify this specific number, her documented media appearances and professional credentials lend credibility. She wisely doesn't promise similar results for all students.

    Price History

    Originally announced in August 2020, the course has maintained its $147 price point (not the $197 mentioned in some sources we reviewed).

    Upsell Practices

    No aggressive upsells discovered. Bonus materials are included in the base price, which we appreciate.

    Student Success

    Limited public success stories beyond Hilary's own results. This lack of documented student outcomes is concerning for a course that's been available since 2020.

    Platform & Delivery

    Learning Platform

    Hosted on Hilary Sutton's website. Without purchasing, we couldn't assess the user experience, but the straightforward approach suggests a basic, functional setup.

    Content Accessibility

    Lifetime access to video lessons and downloadable workbooks. Replay availability assumed but not explicitly confirmed.

    Mobile Compatibility

    Standard web-based delivery should work on mobile browsers, though no dedicated app exists.

    Technical Requirements

    Basic internet connection and modern browser sufficient

    Red flags check

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    Complaints

    We found no major complaints, scam accusations, or unresolved customer issues during our research. The absence of negative reviews could indicate satisfied customers or simply a smaller user base.

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    Refund policy issues

    The refund policy isn't prominently displayed on the sales page, which raises a minor concern about transparency. Potential buyers should inquire directly before purchasing.

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    Marketing practices

    Hilary's marketing refreshingly avoids the typical "make six figures overnight" claims. She shares her own 483% income increase but doesn't promise similar results for everyone. The focus remains on clarity and visibility rather than unrealistic wealth promises.

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    Community feedback

    The Facebook group exists as advertised, though we couldn't verify activity levels or quality of interactions without purchasing the course.

    Is this course legit?

    Value For Money

    At $147, the Personal Brand Course sits at the high end of low-ticket offerings. For complete beginners, the structured approach and lifetime access provide solid value. The practical worksheets and curated resources add substance beyond just video content. However, intermediate users might find better value in more advanced programs.

    Conclusion

    We went into this review skeptical (as always), but Hilary Sutton's Personal Brand Course proved to be a legitimate, practical resource for personal branding beginners. The course delivers exactly what it promises: a systematic approach to auditing and building your personal brand.

    The instructor's credentials check out, USA Today, Washington Post, and HuffPost contributions are verified, plus her academic background adds credibility. The curriculum logically progresses from assessment to implementation, and the $147 price tag, while not cheap, reflects the organized approach and bonus materials.

    What holds this course back from excellence? The lack of live support or coaching limits its appeal for those needing hand-holding. The absence of widely publicized student success stories (beyond Hilary's own) raises questions about real-world results. And yes, the missing refund policy details on the sales page bothers us.

    Still, for professionals serious about building their personal brand from scratch, this course offers a clear roadmap without the usual marketing hype. It won't make you an overnight success, but it will give you the tools to stop fumbling in the dark and start building with intention.

    FAQs about this course

    The course costs $147 for lifetime access, including all bonus materials. (Some sources incorrectly list it as $197.)

    The course was announced and released in August 2020, not 2022 as some sources claim.

    No, support comes through a private Facebook group for peer interaction. There's no direct coaching with Hilary.

    The course provides a structured, step-by-step system with worksheets and exercises, unlike scattered free content that lacks cohesion.

    The refund policy isn't clearly stated on the sales page. We recommend contacting support directly before purchasing to clarify terms.

    It's best for beginners or those needing structure. Established professionals might find the content too basic for their needs.

    Just a stable internet connection and any device that can play videos, no special software required.

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    Personal Brand Course screenshot
    Personal Brand Course Review
    $ 147
    Total score: 7,0/10 โญ
    • Duration7
    • DifficultyEasy
    • Release Date01/2020
    • Format Self-Paced
    • AccessLifetime
    • Time InvestmentLight (1โ€“5 Hours/Week)
    • Payment Options One-Time
    • LanguageEnglish
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    Our Methodology

    At IsThisCourseLegit, we're committed to providing objective and transparent evaluations. Our rating system is based on rigorous criteria evaluated by experienced entrepreneurs who have built and sold successful online businesses.

    Our Rating System

    Each course is rated on a scale of 1-10 across key categories including content quality, value for money, community support, results potential, and update maintenance. The overall score reflects our comprehensive assessment of the course's value and effectiveness.

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    How We Ensure Quality

    Thorough Testing:

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    Long-term Monitoring:

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    Personal Brand Course Review