Nunu Ntshingila, CEO of Ogilvy South Africa
I stumbled upon the topic of branding after watching an episode of America’s Next Top Model in which Tyra Bank’s competing models were taught a lesson on the importance of redefining themselves as a brand as a marketing technique to their targeted audience. But whether a top model, celebrity, company, or businessperson branding is a key necessity that can help you to achieve success on a much greater scale.
As a businessperson it is also critical to market oneself to an intended audience and sell a quality to an employer, investor, or consumer that sets you a part from your competition. Branding, gives you the opportunity to market yourself, solidifying all of the listed skills on your resume and prove to your target audience that you are both a memorable force and an asset to your field.
So,what exactly is branding and why should you care?
Women, Success & Money blog define branding as ” when you give yourself a unique spin that differentiates you from others in your field, so you are seen as the only one who can provide a specific solution”. A brand embodies who you are, what your mission is, what you stand for and what sets you apart from other competitors. Think of any business for example, Nike. We as an audience know exactly what we are getting when we buy Nike’s products. Branding creates a sense of clarity to your audience and guarantees trust and consistency.
Here are some tips to help you build your brand in the business world:
1. Define your brand. And be an expert in your field! This is the time to do major digging and soul searching. Figure out who you are, how you would like to be perceived and what exactly your mission is. Then, establish an expertise that correlates with what you stand for both as an individual and as a business.
2. Be Memorable! When you walk into any room have a presence that makes you unforgettable. No one likes to see the same old thing on repeat. The same thing applies to the business world. Don’t be like every other candidate or competitor on the market. Be different. If you represent a company, have a name or slogan that is simple and compelling to its audience. Offer a different quality than any other business or individual they have ever seen before. Market yourself as though you ready from Day 1 for your dream position.
3. Network, Network, Network! Whether it is through social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter or face to face interactions, it is important to represent your brand everywhere. This is an opportunity to spread awareness about your brand and convey your value to your audience.
4. Incorporate the “Holy Trinity of branding.” You want to have consistency, clarity and authenticity, says Roffer. “Translated correctly, how I present myself and how I speak about myself should be a true reflection of who I am at the core.” Start with what you know. Build on passions, strengths, talents and past success. As Roffer says, “redefine you in a fresh new way,”consistency is key.
5. Share Your Story. Women Success & Money point out that it is important to be relatable to your audience. A good way to show this is by sharing your experiences that have helped to shape you and your brand. No one has stood where you have.
Photo: Flickr; by Ogilvy Joburg
Sources:
http://womenmoneyandsuccessmag.com/why-you-should-brand-yourself-now
http://sixrevisions.com/project-management/why-branding-yourself-is-important/
I was utterly inspired after reading about Dorothy Ghettuba, a daring African entrepreneur who left her job at a venture capital firm in Canada , packed up and moved to Kenya to follow her dreams and work toward the creation of a major African entertainment company, called Spielworks Media. Dorothy Ghettuba believed that there was a great need for local media, talent and stories that represent the people in African entertainment derived from racial pride and cultural heritage. Ghettuba provides an uplifting tale of her journey and urges African youth to continue to dream and remained empowered. 
