by Thembe Khumalo
Are we still debating the importance of building your brand in a fast-paced and interconnected world? Didn’t think so! It’s an essential tool for African leaders looking to stand out, make an impact, and unlock new opportunities. One more time, for those who are new here — your personal brand is how you show up in the world; how you present yourself, your values, and your unique attributes to those you wish to influence. Now for the how-to: here are some step-by-step strategies you can leverage to build a strong personal brand.
Step 1: Define Your Authentic Purpose
Building a powerful personal brand begins with understanding your authentic purpose. What motivates you? What do you want to be known for? When you are gone, how would you like to be remembered? Look to leaders like Ivorian Swaady Martin, an Ivorian entrepreneur who prides herself as a custodian of Africa’s rich culture and history. Define your unique value proposition and align it with your passions and values.
Step 2: Craft Your Compelling Narrative
Every leader has a story to tell. Use your narrative to connect with your audience and inspire them. Share your journey, highlight pivotal moments, and illustrate how they have shaped your perspective and expertise. Your narrative should be relatable, inspiring, and memorable. My favourite Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, does this beautifully, and her powerful storytelling has solidified her personal brand, allowing it to extend beyond authorship, which is how we first knew her, into advocacy for African culture.
Step 3: Leverage Online Platforms
I am surprising myself by having to say this, but perhaps there are still some among us who have not heard: in the digital age, online platforms are invaluable for building your personal brand (for building any brand, to be honest). Establish a strong online presence through a well-designed website, blog, or engaging social media profiles. Take a page from South African entrepreneur Vusi Thembekwayo, whose active presence on YouTube and LinkedIn has allowed him to share insights, connect with industry leaders, and amplify his personal brand while growing his business. Share your opinions and perspectives on common industry issues, engage with your audience, and position yourself as a thought leader in your field.
Step 4: Cultivate Strategic Networks
Networking plays a crucial role in personal branding. Identify key communities where you can connect with like-minded individuals, industry experts, and potential collaborators, business partners, or future employers. Nigerian businesswoman Ibukun Awosika, leveraged her networks to become the first female chair of the board at First Bank of Nigeria. “I come from a place where there are opportunities staring you in the eye, but it’s looking for the people who have the heart and the courage to do it and do it right,” she says. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and foster meaningful relationships that can amplify your personal brand and open doors to new opportunities.
Step 5: Demonstrate Expertise and Thought Leadership
To build a strong personal brand, it is essential to position yourself as an expert in your field. Share your knowledge and insights through public speaking engagements, guest articles, or hosting webinars. Kenyan entrepreneur and investor Laila Macharia, regularly speaks at international conferences and contributes to influential publications. Her views are highly sought after because her brand positioning points to her relevance and leadership in the investment space. By showcasing your expertise, you establish credibility and strengthen your personal brand. This opens up worlds of opportunity for future endeavours.
Step 6: Stay Consistent and Authentic
Consistency is the bedrock of branding. You need to be true to your values, and maintain a consistent voice and presence across platforms. Remember that those who meet you online will expect you to deliver on your promises when they encounter you in person — so promise only what you can deliver, and deliver what you promise. As you navigate your personal branding journey, remember to stay true to yourself and your purpose.
Building a personal brand is an ongoing process that requires commitment, self-reflection, and continuous improvement. By following this step-by-step guide and drawing inspiration from successful African leaders, you can craft a powerful personal brand that resonates with your audience, establishes your expertise, and opens doors to new opportunities. Embrace your unique story, leverage online platforms, cultivate strategic networks, demonstrate expertise, and above all, stay authentic. Your personal brand has the potential to shape not only your professional success but also your impact on us all on the continent and the world.
Thembe Khumalo is one of Zimbabwe’s leading voices when it comes to brand-building, business growth and personal development. A winner of multiple awards both at home and in the region, she is the founder and Managing Director of Brandbuilder, a high-performance brand strategy firm that helps entrepreneurial leaders and SMEs achieve visibility and growth through comprehensive brand strategy, creative execution and social media content strategies. Known for her clarity and courage, Thembe Khumalo’s leadership track record includes board positions in listed, unlisted and not-for-profit entities. With more than 20 years in the media and communication industry, she delivers a network of high-level relationships across many industries in several African countries. | thembekhumalo.com | www.brandtobuild.co | askus@brandtobuild.co
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