I don’t have to convince you about the need to have a personal brand as a writer. It’s obvious. You know that having a strong personal brand as a writer is essential in today’s competitive job market. More so, as we navigate the transition into the artificial intelligence and automation age. What’s keeping you from activating the power of personal branding?
Your ability to stand out from the crowd is more important than ever.
It’s not enough to simply have a resume and a few social media profiles. You need a powerful personal brand that sets you apart and shows the world what you’re all about.
But what does it take to create a brand that resonates in the AI age?
A flashy website?
Catchy tagline?
My friend, that doesn’t cut it.
Why should that make you stand out when the people in charge are estimating 30-70% job losses as a result? That’s a huge figure, that will change the job market in terms of
- Defining the meaning of work
- Finding your purpose
Of course, this only matters if you believe that the deployment of Ai agents and robots doesn’t mean the end of everything.
The dystopian view is a valid narrative since no one can predict the future. It could be that capitalism will become so optimized that it doesn’t need workers and by extension consumers.
This will result in the end of the consumer economy of capitalism. Mass starvation, violence and death would follow.
This is the outcome that scares a lot of people.
There is a more optimistic view that says the hype will fade away and a clearer picture will emerge.
We can be cautious but remain optimistic.
In uncertain times how do you move forward? The truth is you’ll need a framework that will help you stay stable in choppy waters.
This is a strategy used by startups, entrepreneurs and many businesses. The great thing is you can use the same strategy to retain a semblance of control.
What is this strategy called?
Agile Methodology!
But before we go in-depth into agile methodology, lets define terms:
A personal brand is the unique combination of skills, experiences, and values that make an individual stand out from others. It is the image or reputation that a person builds and maintains through their actions, behaviors, and communication online and offline. A strong image can help individuals achieve their career goals, build credibility, and create opportunities for growth and collaboration.
If there is anything you learn in life is that we are all salespeople. We are always trying to sell our value to people whether it’s business, family and friends.
What is Agile Methodology and Why It Matters To Your Business
So what’s this Agile methodology?
It’s an iterative and incremental approach that emphasizes adaptability, flexibility, and continuous improvement throughout the development process.
In a nutshell, Agile methodologies will help you navigate your writing journey even though every consideration says you’re doomed.
Let’s have a look at some of the key principles of agile thinking in detail:
1. Iterative Development:
- Going forward accept that nothing is set in stone
- Regularly review and update your brand strategy based on environmental feedback. This doesn’t mean that you won’t lose your job. However, you might be better able to see opportunities that open up in your industry. Writing has undergone many innovations through the centuries and this is the next stage
2. Incremental Delivery:
- Deliver tangible results from your branding efforts regularly, do this by building your online presence beyond social media profiles
- Get feedback on your work and make adjustments as needed.
- You’re technically a media company now and writing is just the base of what you should be doing
3. Adaptive Planning:
- Be prepared to adjust your writing business model plans based on changing circumstances.
- This could include changes in the job market, new technologies, or your own personal goals.
- Stay flexible and open to new opportunities.
This is the Agile Thinking that should define Personal Branding Framework.
Agile thinking is preferable to the traditional waterfall methodologies, which are more linear and sequential. The changes are not going to be in a straight line and you need to be ready for this.
This is well suited well-suited for the complex and rapidly changing writing business models.
Remember, building brand recognition is a journey, not a destination. By adopting Agile principles, you can stay flexible, adaptable, and continuously improve over time.
So, buckle up and embrace the Agile mindset and get ready to pivot your way through the transitional period!
- Why Branding is More Important than Ever in the AI Age”
We have a ‘hybridizing’ job marketplace with companies giddy about optimizing productivity and increasing shareholder value. We understand what’s good for a company’s bottom line isn’t the same for the workers.
An adaptive strategy today will help you steer the uncertain path ahead. You have to understand who you are and what value you bring. A flexible approach will help you delineate between your job and yourself.
Most people have placed a premium on their job in such a way that it becomes their identity. The threat that AI has unleashed means that a lot of people are having deep thoughts, especially about how they will survive without an income but also about their identity and purpose.
Whether you’re a job seeker, entrepreneur, or professional, you need to be clear about yourself. Remember you’re a sales person.
I know it’s crude but the truth is most of us are trading time for the dime.
Every technological advancement has meant that the model of trading time for dimes has been evolving as companies optimized for higher productivity with reduced labor hours.
Why should a company choose to employ you to create content for them when they can do so quicker using ai to automate the content workflow?
The answer for this transitional moment in time is that you’ll need to demonstrate innovative thinking capabilities, problem solving and creative nuance that AI won’t be able to replicate. At this moment you are still able to make money from your writing. Therefore, you shouldn’t quit.
You should still focus on showcasing your unique skills, knowledge, and expertise. This is the time you need to unshackle yourself. The job apocalypse will happen but until you’re totally replaced for this particular task. Why should you give up?
Amplify the aspects that show you being able to navigate complexity.
Why,you ask?
As difficult as it might be to believe, your personality matters. It will help you open doors. AI writing tools are still being perfected so there is still a window of opportunity even though its narrowing.
To help you get started, let’s take a look at some examples. These individuals have built powerful trademarks that have helped them stand out in their industries.
First up, we have Elon Musk (I know some people don’t like him, but this is not about being liked but about learning). Known for his visionary ideas and entrepreneurial spirit, Musk has built an identity that’s synonymous with innovation and disruption. From his work at SpaceX to his ambitious plans for colonizing Mars, Musk’s label is all about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. In other words he positions himself as a problem solver.
Next, we have Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. A Nigerian author and feminist icon, Adichie has built a brand that’s centered around her passion for social justice and gender equality. Through her writing and public speaking engagements, Adichie has become a powerful voice for marginalized communities around the world.
These are just a few examples of how emblems can help you stand out in the AI age. So, whether you’re an entrepreneur, job seeker, or professional, it’s time to focus on the importance of your trade today. Just in case it’s not clear enough you need to channel your personality into your brand.
I believe that it’s not just the job market that will fragment but capitalism’s business model will be upended by the changes. So maybe, just maybe, creatives will not become obsolete in the promised technological utopia.
II. How to Build a Strong Trademark
What are the nuts and bolts of creating an agile thinking framework that helps you stand out?
Here are some actionable tips to get started: Tell us where you live, what your training routine looks like and what matters to you. We'll shape a practical guide around focus and learning.Your gluten-free life isn't generic. Your guide shouldn't be.
Identify Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP):
You know this, it’s been hammered into you over and over in different writing seminars and programs you’ve attended.
‘Highlight the points that immediately sets you apart from the rest of the crowd?’ Is it your years of experience, your exceptional skills, or your passion for what you do? Be sure to make them dovetail to the needs of the company or the audience you’re targeting.
However, that might not be enough. Adaptability is going to be a key factor for the worker of the future. At the moment the slight advantage that you have is your ability to channel emotion into your writing. This is the defining difference between human writers (It’s weird typing that).
The writing model is evolving, today there are more self publishers than ever.Different platforms are being setup and a lot of experimentation is being done on these platforms
AI might be able to mimic human emotion in writing but is it able to do nuance.As you deep dive into your skills, values, and accomplishments to determine your USP, at the back of your mind be thinking about how these will dovetail with what your employer wants.
A good number of artists are introverted, are purists (they despise the commercialization of their work) They consider responding to the market as selling out their craft. For these creatives who are not motivated by getting rewarded for their work through money. However, for those who think differently the question is there any opportunity that ai writing agents won’t be able to handle.
For example, humans desire connection, therefore, there will be a market for authenticity. Technology has had the effect of increasing loneliness. AI and automation will accelerate this. Therefore, authentic relationships and experiences will become premium.
Establish Yourself as a Thought Leader:
This is a long term play.
You shouldn’t give up because at the end of the day no one knows what opportunities will open up when we move from transition to stability.
The day by day approach is a good way to go. As long as there are still opportunities at the moment it doesn’t serve a point to worry about ten years out.
This only results in paralysis.
It’s highly probable that there will be a chaotic period before some semblance of stability returns. However, does it serve you to think about what could happen, instead of doing the work you need to do now.
You might think it’s pointless.
Yes, AI makes this revolution different from the ones that came before. It’s mimicking human intellect and surpassing it in some instances.
Your lived experience is your superpower. How do you showcase it. You position yourself as a thought leader.
You do this through blog or a podcast and share your knowledge with your audience.
For all the hype you need to heavily edit AI generated first drafts. You still have work.
As it improves, you adapt. The writer of the new economy has multiple roles and platforms to utilize. Once you accept that, the better for you.
Network with Other Professionals:
Networking is another key component to help you negotiate the transitional period. Don’t be an isolated writer. Engage with other writers so that you get multiple perspectives on what’s happening in the industry.
As a writer who is used to isolation as they work, it can feel like the walls are closing in as your demise is sealed already.
This doesn’t have to be the outcome. You still have agency. It’s time to come out of your shell and participate in online communities, and connect with other professionals in your field.
There is a high probability that interacting with others will result in possible solutions.
The alternative is to give up.
- Mastering Social Media: The Key to Showcasing Your Writer Brand
How can you use social media platforms to build a strong writing business that stands out from the competitionI?
Social media is an integral part of building and showcasing your writer brand. With over 4.2 billion active social media users globally, platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn provide an opportunity to reach a wider audience and showcase your unique value proposition.
Your mobile phone has turned you into a media company.
I can see the protestations of Media professionals who balk at the very idea of untrained upstarts doing any kind of reporting.
However, the era of other people being the voice of the voiceless is gone, most people are generating, sharing and repurposing content and that makes them a media company.
The majority of social media influencers have no professional training but they have larger followings than most journalists. They are setting the agenda and are being used by corporations and politicians as surrogates.
An example of someone who has mastered the art of social media is Gary Vaynerchuk. With over 3 million followers on LinkedIn, Gary regularly shares valuable insights and tips on entrepreneurship, marketing, and personal branding. His strategic use of social media platforms has helped him build a loyal following and establish himself as a thought leader in his industry.
Another example is Akin Alabi, a Nigerian entrepreneur and politician. Akin has built a strong trademark on social media through his engaging posts on business and politics, as well as his philanthropic efforts. He currently has over 500,000 followers on Twitter and has used his platform to create awareness and support for various social causes.
To showcase yourself on social media, it’s important to be strategic and consistent with the content you share.
This means identifying your target audience and creating content that resonates with them. You can also use social media to connect with other professionals in your industry and build a network of like-minded individuals.
You might feel like you’re late into the game , however, you can still extract value.
- The Future is Here: How AI Can Help You Build a Viable Writing Business
AI-powered tools will help you optimize and automate your online presence to reach a wider audience. At least for the meantime you can be a beneficiary of the productivity benefits before AGI takes over.
There are AI tools with the ability to personalize advice and data analysis. I think there is a way for you as a writer to use this to create precise content that answers the needs of your community.
For example if you are a personal development writer you can write content that responds to individuals. Also, these tools can also help you respond to emails, messages and inquiries from potential clients, schedule social media posts, send personalized messages, allowing you to focus on other tasks.
The AI can help you repurpose your content across multiple platforms for different audiences to consume.
IWith the help of AI-powered tools, individuals can automate and optimize their online presence, personalize advice and data analysis, and save time and effort.
This will allow you as a writer to focus on the craft of writing and thinking about possible business models to deliver your work to clients and your audience.
As these tools evolve, it’s important to stay ahead of the curve and leverage them for success.
- Unleashing the Power of Authenticity to Build Your Wealth
Earlier we spoke about authenticity.
It can be tempting to try and mold yourself into what you think your audience wants to see,however, the truth is that authenticity is one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal when it comes to creating content that truly resonates with your target audience.
So, how can you tap into the power of authenticity?
First, it’s important to identify your values and beliefs, and to make sure that your brand messaging aligns with those values.
For example, if you’re passionate about environmental sustainability, make sure that your writing reflects that by sharing content and engaging with others who share your values.
Another way to show authenticity is by sharing your personal story. South African entrepreneur Vusi Thembekwayo is a great example of this. He shares his journey of growing up in poverty and how he overcame the odds to become a successful businessman. By sharing his personal story, he is able to connect with his audience on a deeper level.
Also, don’t be afraid to show your flaws and vulnerabilities. An example of someone who has done this successfully is American actress and producer, Viola Davis. By sharing her own struggles and challenges, she comes across as both relatable and inspiring to her fans. Her authenticity and willingness to be vulnerable have helped her connect with audiences on a deeper level and stand out in a competitive industry.
Authenticity is a powerful principle that truly resonates with your target audience. By staying true to your values, sharing your personal story, and showing your flaws and vulnerabilities, you can build a platform that is engaging and inspiring.
It’s a great moment for writers to share their stories because there are many people going through the AI induced anxiety
AI will never replicate your experience.
VI. Examples of Successful Brands to Inspire You
To help inspire your branding efforts, let’s take a look at a few examples of individuals who have successfully established themselves as industry leaders:
Fred Swaniker: As the founder of the African Leadership Group, Fred Swaniker has become a well-known figure in the African business community.
Through his work, he has established a reputation as a thought leader in the field of leadership and education, and has been recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Kenyan entrepreneur Bethlehem Alemu has also made a name for herself with her shoe brand, soleRebels. Alemu founded the company with the goal of creating sustainable and eco-friendly footwear while also providing employment opportunities in her community. Today, soleRebels has grown into a global brand, with its products sold in over 50 countries.
Chude Jideonwo: Chude Jideonwo is a Nigerian media entrepreneur and founder of the media group, RED. Through his work, he has built a reputation as a thought leader in the fields of media, youth development, and social entrepreneurship, and has been recognized by Forbes as one of the top 30 under 30 entrepreneurs in Africa.
The Final Word
The transitional period calls for agility.
You can develop agility through continuous learning, experimentation, and a willingness to embrace change.
They can also seek opportunities to collaborate with others, as this can expose them to new ideas and perspectives. Additionally, staying informed about industry trends and developments is crucial for writers who want to stay ahead of the curve.
Those who do not adapt to the changing landscape of the writing industry may find themselves left behind. By embracing agility, writers can ensure their brands to grow and thrive in the digital age.
With the right strategies and tactics in place, anyone can establish professional success in the digital age.
So take action, showcase your unique skills and values, and watch as you’re elevated above the storms of the in-between age.
The only other choice is to take you ball and go home.
\n