Personal Branding Podcast

Today, I would like us to discuss brand legacy, but not in an abstract sense. I’m talking about how a personal brand can live long after your career peaks. And who better to illustrate this than Celine Dion? You know her, 27 albums, over 250 million records sold, one of the highest-paid performers in history, and a voice that hits notes most people can only dream of. If you love music, you know the energy, the passion, the way she commands a stage. But here’s the thing: for the past four or five years, Celine has been mostly absent from public performance. Why? In 2022, she was diagnosed with Stiff-Person Syndrome, a condition that severely affects her ability to sing and perform. Suddenly, the unstoppable force of her career hit a pause. And that’s where the lesson begins, for anyone building a brand, a business, or a personal legacy: seasons change. Life throws surprises at us, and sometimes, even the strongest, most disciplined careers can slow down or stop. The question is: what do you d

Why Drafting, Prototyping, and Preparation Matter in Your Work Where are your sketches? Great things don’t come cheap! Today, I’d like to take you back to a few personal stories that have shaped my perspective on the world of creativity, business, and execution. These stories carry a simple but powerful lesson: before you put out the product or service you’ve been dreaming of, you must go through a process of concept prototyping and preparation. This goes beyond art. It’s about building anything worth building: a business, a book, a brand, or even a career. Back to KNUST – My First Lessons in Preparation During my time at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), I studied Rural Art, which included coursework in sculpture, woodwork, and clay modeling. The rule in every creative project was clear: before you touch the clay, the wood, or the stone, you first needed to develop your idea on paper. This meant going through conceptual sketches and idea development stages befo

If Giants Advertise, Why Aren’t You? Today, we are looking at marketing and the need for advertisement amidst all the digital stuff, social media, the bars, and all of that. I was having a conversation with a colleague and this subject or marketing and ads came up, so I decided to share some insights to help all of us. Is there a need. Do I need to place ads as a small business owner or whatever business I’m running? Is it necessary? Can’t I use any other smart means and forget about paid ads? I’m going to share some data with you that will amaze you. Then we’ll look at a few things that you need to do as a small business owner, whether you’re an enterprise or a brand, to increase sales and revenue and establish your name and brand. If the Giants Are Doing It, Why Aren’t You? Here’s the thing. When the top-performing companies in the world, the big names we all know and admire, are pouring billions into advertising, that should tell you something important. Let’

Birthing Creativity Unusual Ways. “Kids don’t wait for permission to be creative—they just get bored enough to try something new.” — Bernard Kelvin Clive. Today, I’d like to discuss something I call “From Bored to Boardroom.” Don’t we all get bored at times? Well, it’s about how creativity is born—often not in the moments of pressure or hype, but in the quiet, sometimes repetitive spaces of life. The playgrounds. The routines. The places we often overlook. Let me begin with a simple story, something I’ve been observing with my kids lately. Not just my kids, but others too. especially when I take them to the playground. I’ve been watching how they play, how they interact. How do they explore? And the tools they use: the slides, swings, bicycles… You name it. And one thing keeps standing out to me. The Playground Discovery There was this one day at the park. The kids saw this new high slide. At first, they were cautious. Hesitant. They stood around it, quiet

Ways to Preserve Your Brand for the Next Generation “Documentation is the oxygen your business needs to breathe beyond your lifetime.” — Bernard Kelvin Clive We often speak of legacy like it’s a retirement plan—something to think about in our twilight years, after the work is done. But legacy isn’t built at the end; it’s shaped in every intentional decision we make along the way. In my journey as a writer, brand coach, and father, I’ve learned this truth repeatedly: what we fail to prepare for today can’t be preserved tomorrow. Whether it’s a business, a belief, or a brand, what truly lasts is what we start grooming early, not just in systems, but in people. This article is a call to action for builders, dreamers, and parents alike: pass it on, but start now. I will share with you three key areas to work on. Here we go! Start Grooming Early Some time ago, I was working on a ghost-writing project for a retired police officer. He was over 80 years old—yes, eighty!

In An Evolving, Tech-Driven World “Stay curious. What worked five years ago may no longer work today—keep refreshing your skills.” — Bernard Kelvin Clive. We are in a world where things keep shifting—fast. Every day, something changes. A new technology. A new app. A new tool. AI technologies are everywhere. Businesses that existed five years ago have either changed completely or disappeared. New industries are emerging by the minute. So, the question is: how do you stay relevant? How do you keep your brand, your product, and your service from becoming obsolete? Let’s talk about some key things I believe will help anyone—business owners, solopreneurs, brands—stay relevant in this fast-evolving world. 1. Build on Timeless Principles—Not Just Tools First and most fundamental: You must be grounded in principles, not products. Too many people build their brand on tools. On platforms. On trends. But tools come and go. What is hot today will be forgotten tomorrow. If your brand is built only on too

“You don’t grow by showing up everywhere—you grow by going deep somewhere.” — Bernard Kelvin Clive There’s an undeniable attraction to mastery. The world is drawn to excellence—whether it’s in art, music, business, or branding. People are drawn to the finished product, the seamless delivery, and the effortless appearance of work well done. But what’s often unseen, overlooked, and unappreciated is the silent discipline, years of failure and learning, and the persistence behind every moment of brilliance. This is what I call Mastering Your Art. As an author of over 70 published books—and one who continuously writes, coaches, and helps others build their brands and publish—I’ve encountered a wide range of people: from aspiring writers to entrepreneurs, all eager to make their mark. Some are often stunned by the speed and precision with which I deliver results. They marvel at how quickly I write, and how decisively I guide them through branding or publishing. But the truth is,

Welcome to another episode of Your Personal Branding Podcast. Bernard Kelvin Clive here. Today, I have a special guest with me — Loren Nelson. Loren, welcome to the show! Loren:Thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate it. BKC:Let’s dive right in. We often talk about personal branding, digital marketing, and all things in between. From your perspective, what is personal branding really all about? Loren:For me, personal branding is tied to self-worth. It’s about knowing who you are — being self-aware enough to show up in the world as your authentic self. That’s where true authenticity lies: in self-knowledge and the courage to be seen clearly by others. BKC:I love that. Many people begin their personal branding journeys by jumping on digital platforms — LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok — and putting out great profile pictures, fancy bios, and avatars. While that’s common, I often have issues with that approach. You mentioned something critical: self-awareness is the starting point.So let’s go there

Building a Brand with Honesty, Heart, and Hard Work “Passion alone is not enough. Your brand must meet a need, solve a problem, or serve someone.” — Bernard Kelvin Clive Let me tell you something many won’t admit: the brand you’re trying to build won’t come fully formed on day one. It won’t shine like those global names you’re admiring on Instagram. It won’t command five-figure deals or fill conference halls the moment you hit “post.” The process often starts with uncertainty, a quiet idea, or a frustrated question like, “How do I even begin?” That’s where I was over a decade ago—just a simple guy with a passion, a few books to my credit, and a desire to teach others what I was learning along the way. No fancy graphics – logos and all that stuff. No followers in the thousands. Just grit, generosity, and desire for growth. What I discovered is this: branding, career, and passion only align when you permit yourself to be both a studen

Gifted but Gated: Doing the Work That Matters “Don’t just package yourself to look good; position yourself to do good.”— Bernard Kelvin Clive We’re continuing our series on Gifted but Gated—a deep dive into doing the work that truly matters and building a personal brand that cuts across borders, breaks barriers, and outlives businesses. Today, I want us to explore something personal, something practical. Discovering the Gift Years ago, while studying at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, I pursued a program at the College of Art, Rural Art. Among the many disciplines we studied, one stood out to me—Sculpture, specifically the course titled “Wood Work.” It was a fascinating class, though quite different from the kind of art I naturally gravitated toward. I remember some of my classmates like Kwame Kyere Diabour and Preko George—these guys were extraordinary. They could pick up an ordinary log of wood, make a few chalk or pencil markings, and start carvin

Career Levers – Gifted but Gated To we will explore how to break through a career ceiling using your personal brand. Many people find themselves feeling stuck in certain careers or fields. Previously, we discussed the factors that can cause individuals to stagnate or face limitations in their professional growth. Today, we focus on how building a strong personal brand can help you overcome these challenges and break through career ceilings, regardless of your field. Developing your brand involves several key actions: enhancing your professional presence, positioning yourself for discovery and recognition, and ultimately, achieving success and celebration in your work. More importantly, it enables you to offer services that positively impact others while also being profitable. I will guide you through this process using what I call the ‘Five C’s’—a framework designed to strengthen your career brand, overcome barriers, and excel in your chosen field. The Five C’s for Breaking Caree

“The next generation is watching—let your brand be the permission they need to rise.” — Bernard Kelvin Clive So today we are looking at some personal branding mistakes that people often overlook in building their personal brand, particularly through the lens of cultural and religious settings—especially in Africa—and how brands can break through to succeed and impact the lives of those who matter to them most. The need to build a personal brand—rising above the noise, social limitations, and cultural myths or biases—is critical to standing out. You know, long before now, some religious and cultural systems didn’t give women the opportunity to lead or take the front lines. I mean, to spearhead great initiatives or even engage in challenges like going to war—those were seen as men’s responsibilities. Over the years, things have evolved, and now women are taking up major roles. However, the belief systems that shaped earlier generations still hold many women back. When they reflect on how

“A business without customers is just a hobby with expenses.” – Bernard Kelvin Clive Today, we continue our series on customer care, customer experience, and handling negative feedback. This is especially vital for small business owners and brands who want to build and sustain a cordial relationship with clients. Businesses thrive on clients—without them, there is no business. That’s why every single customer should be treated like gold. There are many instances where businesses fall short, and these shortcomings must be addressed. In the previous article, I shared some personal experiences with vendors and clients, and how I handled them. That piece sparked a lot of conversation—others shared similar stories, especially from the entrepreneurship ecosystems in Ghana and Nigeria. So, let’s get into some of those insights and lessons. The Customer Care Shift: From Humble to Haughty Most small business owners start off strong with customer care. When they’re just launching, their focus is on gaining

In this article, we’re looking at trends and traditions—the dangers of following trends blindly and the risks of sticking to traditions when the signs are clear for a transition. In it right? In a small business management group, we discussed the content we share for an organization whose portal we manage. One of the interns suggested that we should run the captions in a particular way because they had seen several similar organizations using the same pattern. I paused for a moment and then told them that just because others are following a particular pattern doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for us. Firstly, it doesn’t mean it’s right. What they are doing may be completely wrong. Just because they are screaming and shouting doesn’t mean we should also scream and shout to get the attention of our audience. We need to run our content through a set of filters to ensure that what we produce aligns with the brand we are working on. Blindly following trends is dangerous both for b

Entertainers Seek Likes. Entrepreneurs Seek Leads. Have you ever posted something online and received thousands of likes but saw no real business growth? In today’s digital world, it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers—likes, views, and shares. However, if you’re serious about building a brand or growing a business, you must focus on the right metrics. The Fundamental Difference Entertainers crave likes. Entrepreneurs crave leads. Entertainers go after likes. Entrepreneurs go after leads. This distinction is so critical for one’s success in the digital ecosystem. If you position yourself as someone who simply follows the trends, chasing followers and social media virality without a solid plan to monetize your efforts, you may miss the essence of doing business in this digital age. Positioning Yourself for Growth You need to decide: Are you merely entertaining people for likes, or are you strategically positioning yourself to generate leads? Having a post go viral with thousands of likes means little

The ten times ten strategy: creating a silent brand army “True influence starts small; ten committed individuals can quietly create a movement that echoes across industries.” — Bernard Kelvin Clive Today, I continue with the emergence of silent brands. Businesses and brands doing remarkably well but unseen in the digital sphere, devoid of clear signs or online presence. We will use a strategy similar to how several multilevel marketing (MLM) functions. Using the (MLM), approach in recruiting and building a team, their conventional wisdom such as “bring x number of people, and they will bring x number, in that order” is widely used. Similarly, we will be using a methodical, scalable technique that will enable us to acquire a presence in the market even without great visibility, therefore strengthening a powerful, selling brand. Digital Visibility: The Challenge The concept of “1,000 true fans” and the difficulties of establishing a digital presence in a market growingly satu

“Attention is one of the most prized assets in this age” – Bernard Kelvin Clive. In this digital age, attention is indeed one of the most valuable assets. The ability to capture and hold attention determines the success of brands, businesses, and individuals. To illustrate its true worth, let’s examine the Super Bowl halftime show, a prime example of how strategic attention management translates into massive impact and value. Did you know that a 30-second Super Bowl ad costs approximately $8 million? According to a report by Forbes, when you factor in production costs, talent fees, and marketing expenses, the total investment can range between $10 to $20 million. Why such a high price? Because at that moment, millions of people are glued to their screens, providing brands with unparalleled exposure. The greater the audience, the higher the value of the attention being sold. However, not all attention is equal. If you’re getting millions of viewers but not converting them into las

The Power of Ungooglable Brands: The Silent Influencers Who Shape Industries Understanding Ungooglable Brands This week we continue our series on the ‘Rise of the Silent Brands. This is the thing; not all the powerful brands are visible. Some of the most influential individuals and businesses operate quietly, pulling the strings behind the scenes while remaining virtually unknown. I call them “ungooglable brands.” They don’t flood search engines, nor do they chase online fame, yet they hold the real power—making decisions that shape industries, politics, and businesses without the public even realizing it. These individuals include quiet influencers, global shapers, and industry movers who operate under the radar. They may not have a social media presence, but they command significant influence in politics, business, and various industries. Their impact is felt, but their identities remain concealed from the public eye. The Power of Invisible Influence A while ago, there was a local politica

Today, I’m continuing the discussion on the rise of silent brands, but this time, we’re focusing on personal brands. The rise of silent personal brands is incredibly important, especially in an aging system like ours. The Silent Brand in Action Sometime back, I was with my business consultant, John Armah, who specializes in helping MSMEs and businesses grow. During our discussion, a colleague of ours came up in conversation. Then, someone said, “It’s been a while since we saw his posts on social media. Where has this guy been?” The interesting thing is that this individual has built a solid offline presence that’s now globally connected—with very little social media presence. Yes, this person found ways to position himself strategically, network with the right people put the right mechanisms in place, and pitch his expertise effectively to the right audience. I thought, That’s amazing! So today, we’re going to break down how you can achieve something similar. Th

Can brands be silent? Some think they must be loud and everywhere to make an impact. Today, let’s explore “The Rise of the Silent Brands” — brands that are quiet yet impactful and profitable. A few months ago, I traveled to Kumasi, Ghana, for a project. While settling in, I needed to get some water. When I asked for popular water brands at a small neighborhood shop, they handed me an unfamiliar brand. Initially, I was hesitant and decided to look elsewhere. I visited a larger store in the municipal market, but the same unfamiliar brand was all they stocked. Surprised, I had no choice but to buy it. The following day, I went out again, taking a different route, hoping to find the brand I preferred. To my surprise, every shop along that path also sold the same water. It became evident that this was the dominant brand in the community. Despite the noise on radio and TV about other popular brands, this quiet brand reigned supreme in that area. This experience got me thinking about the power of s