IN this era, anyone can take to social media and become famous, even when they have not achieved anything of substance. The danger, however, is that becoming famous does not necessarily mean they are making any difference. An influencer should go beyond what the social media paints; we need to be people of impact.
Your niche
Purpose should drive what you accomplish. What is your zone? What is your area of interest? What gets you fulfilled? What is your area of expertise? Identify a specific area of interest or expertise that you are passionate about and where you can provide value to your other people. Never live a lie. Some people are famous online, but they are living a wretched and miserable life in private. This life is too short to spend on a fake script. Find your true script and live your dream.
Create a legacy
Everyone is born with something special inside them. The moment you discover that spark, it becomes easy to live a legacy. When you discover your unique talents, abilities, attributes, endowments, gifts or your innate potential, it become clear as to what you can pursue in this life. When your purpose is clear, you should then invest time and effort in creating high-quality content that resonates with your calling. What is that thing you want to live on earth? What do you want to be remembered for? Or what will you be remembered for when you die?
Build your brand
Plan around your personal brand and build it. Be intentional in defining your personal brand by showcasing your unique personality, values and expertise. Consistency is key here, so make sure your brand messaging and visual aesthetics are in line with your purpose and cohesive across all your social media platforms.
Know your platforms
- Ex-Q, Winky D, Baba Harare head for Odyssey
- Music teacher celebrates African heritage
- Ex-Q, Winky D, Baba Harare head for Odyssey
- Byo singer elated at playing on African music charts
Keep Reading
Your uniqueness will not be celebrated everywhere and by everyone. Your personal purpose becomes relevant and important with a specific audience. Identify those places where both online and offline, where you are relevant. For example, you can use social media platforms where your target audience is most active and focus your efforts on building a presence there. This could be Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter or a combination of several platforms.
Collaborate with others
If you are to become great, you must collaborate with likeminded people. Find people in your area who might help you build your brand. As you build your brand, collaborate with other influencers, brands and content creators in your niche to expand your reach and tap into new audiences.
Be authentic
We are in a generation were its easy to be fake than authentic. Be genuine and transparent in your pursuit for greatness and interactions with people. Being fake can damage your brand, credibility and trustworthiness.
Growth mindset
The simplest way to stay competitive and relevant is growing you. Endeavour to be better every day and stay ahead of the competition. Again, things are changing pretty fast and the best way out is through learning or improving your mind. Stay informed about trends and changes in your industry and adapt your content and strategies accordingly. Continuously seek opportunities to grow and improve in the area of your purpose. This can be done through learning new skills and expanding into new niches.
Parting point: Remember, becoming an influencer takes time, dedication and perseverance and comes at a cost. Stay patient, stay consistent and stay true to yourself and other people. The best influence is the one who is aligned to their God-given purpose.
Jonah Nyoni is an author, speaker, and leadership trainer. He can be contacted on Twitter @jonahnyoni. WhatsApp: +263 772 581 918
