Personal Branding Podcast

The Power of Repeat Business Today, I want to talk about clients, customers, and the real value of repeat business. Let me begin with an experience. A while ago, I handled a digital publishing project for a client — a book writing and publishing assignment. We discussed the scope, agreed on the pricing, aligned on timelines, and within just a few days, the task was completed. The process was clean, structured, and efficient. No unnecessary back and forth. No tension. Just clarity and execution. After delivery, he said something that stayed with me: “Wow, I like people like you.” Now, that’s the kind of feedback any team would love to hear. My team was excited — not just because it was praise, but because it affirmed something deeper: we had delivered value in a way that made the experience enjoyable. He appreciated the speed. He appreciated the professionalism. He appreciated the clarity of communication. Everything worked. But here’s where it became even more interesting. Shortly after t

— Brand Loyalty Diversion It is often said that customers cling to a particular brand or product for years because of loyalty. And yes, brand loyalty exists. However, I think that loyalty is not permanent. Desires change. Tastes evolve. Opinions shift. Consumers grow. And when the brand no longer aligns with the consumer’s current needs and expectations, loyalty begins to diffuse — or what I call brand loyalty diversion. There must always be a consistent match between what your brand offers and what your customers currently need. The moment that the connection weakens, even slightly, switching begins. And remember something I keep saying: your competitor is just a click away. Today, if a customer tries reaching you two or three times and you are unavailable, slow to respond, or inconsistent in delivery, they move to the next available option. They will not announce their departure; they simply switch. Even when customers feel attached to your brand, certain practical factors must still hold them in plac

Today, I want us to reflect on three critical things I believe micro, small, and medium business owners, startups, and growing brands must intentionally embrace if they truly want to multiply impact, productivity, and profit. Not just grow gradually, but position themselves to scale strategically in a fast-changing era. Let me begin with a simple story from my own work. Recently, I’ve been developing several digital products. Over time, I’ve built systems and templates that make my workflow smoother. Because I’ve repeated similar processes again and again, I already know what goes in, what comes out, and what steps to follow. These templates helped me stay structured and consistent; they made the work easier and more predictable. Then something interesting happened. I discovered a single tool that transformed the entire process. Suddenly, tasks that used to feel heavy became faster, more efficient, and far more effective. I paused and asked myself, what just happened to my time, my productivity, and

When Your Greatest Strength Becomes Your Blind Spot Today, I want to introduce a concept I call The Rhino’s Horn Effect, drawn from my book Gifted but Gated. It’s a powerful idea—simple on the surface, but deeply confronting once you begin to reflect on it. At its core, the Rhino’s Horn Effect explains how something that once helped you survive, fight, win, and rise can, at another stage of your journey, quietly become a barrier, a blockade, or even a hindrance—if it is not properly managed. Think about it this way. The rhino is known for one dominant feature: its horn. That horn represents strength, courage, confidence, dominance, and the ability to charge forward and win battles. It is the rhino’s signature advantage. It’s how it defends itself. It’s how it asserts presence. It’s how it survives. In the same way, every one of us carries a kind of horn—a unique strength, gift, talent, or ability that has given us an edge in life. For some, it’s communication. For others, it’s intelligence, spe

“If the character is wrong, changing the font size won’t fix it” — Herman Zapf Today, we are looking at ‘CHARACTER. The character of great brands. This is something most people overlook in marketing or business strategies. But character is the hidden force behind every brand that lasts. When I began writing children’s books, I noticed something immediately. Children don’t just like stories. They fall in love with the characters. A book could have the most exciting story, but if the characters are flat, it won’t connect. The moment a character comes alive, everything changes. Children remember them. They talk about them. They anticipate the next story because they connect with the character’s personality, values, and even flaws. This is true beyond books. Think about hit movies or best-selling series. Spider-Man is more than a superhero. He is a character with traits people admire, relate to, or aspire to. Kweku Ananse in African folklore transcends all the stories; he represents wit, lessons, and values that

The Silent Brand Series Today, when you turn everywhere, people are screaming, shouting, yelling, and selling. If you are not careful, you will feel that you are missing out as an entrepreneur. You see, noise is often mistaken for progress. Everyone is talking, posting, shouting, and promoting, hoping to be seen, heard, and hired. Well, not all visibility translates into value. Some of the most successful professionals and brands today are not the loudest in the room; they are the most strategically silent. Recently, I had a conversation with a colleague in the personal development space. Years ago, he was actively pushing his brand, running social media ads, posting flyers, hosting small seminars, and trying to get noticed by every possible audience. He got a few gigs here and there, but the returns were modest. In his own words, “the payout was coins.” The visibility was high, but the value wasn’t matching up. Fast forward a few years, and his story completely changed. Today, he trains corporate directors a

How Quiet Brands Dominate in a Noisy World “Being a silent brand doesn’t mean rejecting marketing, technology, or AI—it’s about seeing opportunity where others aren’t looking, in the quiet corners and overlooked communities untouched by the noise.” — Bernard Kelvin Clive Today, I’m continuing the series I began some time ago about the concept of the “silent brand,” a theme I explore in my book The UnGoogleable Brands. I want to introduce what I call the Silent Brands Manifesto. If you resonate with these ideas, you might just be part of a new movement in branding—one that believes the greatest brands being built today are what I call silent brands. Rising of the Silent Brands Let’s get into it. Based on my research, observations, and real-world experiences, it’s clear that while there are many loud brands out there, some are fading, while others, quieter, more understated brands are thriving. I call these the silent brands. Let me take you back to a story from Kumasi. I noticed a local water brand with no bil

During one of my trips, I walked into a mall and noticed a beautifully arranged automobile showroom. Shiny Range Rovers were lined up, polished, and inviting. Out of curiosity, I thought, “Surely, they’ll let me test-drive one.” As I got closer, I realized something interesting: next to the cars was a neatly arranged table with small pastries and chocolates. At first, it didn’t make sense. What do pastries have to do with luxury cars? But curiosity got the better of my kids and me, so we went over for a closer look. The salesperson welcomed us warmly. “Please, have a taste,” they said, but before handing over the treats, they politely asked us to fill out a short form. That was the hook. As we tasted the chocolates — one vanilla, one caramel, one dark- the salesperson explained how each flavor represented a particular Range Rover model. Brilliant. The sweetness and texture of each bite became an associative anchor for the car it represented. Later, whenever I saw one of tho

Not long ago, I was on a long drive. My phone battery was running dangerously low, and I had forgotten my car charger. The previous night, I hadn’t charged the phone fully either, so I was running out of power fast. Along the way, I spotted a shop that looked promising, a bright, well-arranged phone accessories store. From outside, you could see neat displays of chargers, cables, headphones, and other gadgets. I pulled over, walked in, and asked for a charger. The shopkeeper confidently presented a range of options. He assured me that all were “good quality,” and encouraged me to test one. As I looked around the shop more carefully, something caught my eye. Almost everything in that store was an imitation. Ninety-nine percent of the products carried names that looked familiar but were not quite right. A “NOKRI” instead of Nokia. “Samsong” instead of Samsung. A tiny tweak in spelling, logo, or packaging, but the clear intention was to imitate trusted brands. The young

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