My failure as a recording and performing artist, along with my dream of becoming a renowned journalist who would hold power mongers accountable (which never saw the light of day), and many other aspirations that slipped away, all contributed to my evolution as the writer and modern marketing expert I am today.
I didn’t become a lover of art simply because I enjoy writing or marketing. I became one because all my failed ventures were rooted in art.
In 2012, I started recording music, but even before then, I had always written poetic lines that never got published. However, in the environment I grew up in, young people saw music as the surest way to escape poverty, support aging parents, gain influence, and be known outside the hood.
It was easy to see potential doctors, engineers, and other professionals falling in love with the studio’s chaos, embracing the rascality of music-making. You know what that is if you’ve been around music enthusiasts.
I kept pushing my music until I realized I was terrible at voicing and singing my own lyrics. It was so bad that I couldn’t find my unique voice. All I did was mimic the industry’s dormant voices—I wasn’t myself.
Want to hear my discography? Maybe someday. I’ll remake them and share with just my community which you are a part of. (Hold me to this for the near future if it’s taking too long! 😆😆)
My craving for fame led me to join a dancing group with my giant friend. We failed miserably before even making our first public appearance. I was shy, but peer pressure in my neighborhood kept pushing me toward my weaknesses.
I sang, danced, choreographed, and performed. But all of it failed.
If you examine those pursuits, they are deeply embedded in entertainment, an industry that thrives on public approval before gaining acceptance. You have to be out there—known, famous, and popular to break through.
And we’ve all seen the headlines about how celebrities cope with depression in the entertainment world. The popular escape is “getting high,” at least to numb feelings and keep the crowd entertained.
Had I continued on that path without taming in my thoughts, I might have ended up a junkie—or worse, dead.
My Escape Route To Freedom (New Definition of Freedom)
If there’s anything you’re doing where you need a “yes” from certain forces—be it your audience, sponsors, or employers—before you can move forward, you’re in jail.
It’s a creative jail that limits your freedom, presenting options, but not true creative liberty.
In 2013, Facebook was the biggest cat in Nigeria’s social media scene. People began using it to create impact, shape culture, and share value just by posting, far beyond the platform’s original intention of keeping in touch with friends and family.
People started writing short-form content, articles, tweets about their struggles, wins, and businesses. This brought them traction, and they were unconsciously building trust. Their vulnerability, shared through thoughts, won them attention—far more than just beautiful pictures and videos.
It dawned on me that if these people could build trust by sharing their thoughts, I could do the same with my writing.
- I had no idea how to find my audience—I ignored all those lectures about audience targeting.
- I wrote for myself, I was my own audience. I didn’t care who read it.
- I was just glad to have a platform to share my writing, instead of storing them like sacred texts.
- My classmates called me “Professor”—a demoralizing name to bear as a teenager among your peers.
- Then, out of nowhere, I started getting comments, likes, shares—which confirmed that people who liked your content would share it. This was back before you had to pay for promotion no matter the quality of your content.
That’s when I began honing my writing skills. The more I wrote, the clearer my thinking became, and the more feedback I received, the more I realized I needed to reach beyond my immediate circle.
Building a Brand Without Becoming a Public Figure
Here’s the truth: breaking through in the digital space is tough if you don’t put your name on the line.
But there are ways to build a relatable brand without constantly putting your face out there. You can turn yourself and your platform into a multimedia company of one.
If your livelihood is offline, the internet can serve as the accelerator for your growth, using it to gain trust and create value. It’s about letting people experience your authenticity, not your appearance.
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You don’t need to do all of that by posting pictures of your home, telling the world what you ate last night, showing the thickness of the thigh of your one night stand customer, or going live on social media when you are about to make love with your partner. All of these are the ways of the regular “influencers” which earn them unnecessary eyeballs.
Do you still have interest in working a job, but the ever increasing pool of applicants keeps shrinking your chances of getting your befitting one? Your presence alone on the internet can change the tide of your destiny by simply writing about your interests and sharing your perspectives on happenings or trends in your industry.
| “Personality will build stronger connections with people than any amount of professional knowledge or expertise.” |
| — Krista Neher |
Look!
No one wakes up and turns social media to a source of income overnight without giving themselves to the world first. You show your vulnerability by offering access to people to feel your world and understand your world view… I hope you do that with some intentionality and not being random with it.
How do you build a relatable brand without littering the internet with your face?
Learn The Fundamentals of Digital Writing
Building a relatable brand starts with mastering the art of digital writing. Think back to my journey. when I shared my thoughts on Facebook, I didn’t write for likes or shares; I wrote for me.
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It’s essential to understand that writing digitally isn’t about being polished or perfect. It’s about writing with intent and clarity. The internet is full of noise, and your words need to cut through that by expressing authenticity.
People resonate with stories, ideas, and emotions, not jargon or flashy phrases. Learn to write in a way that people feel you understand them.
Start Talking About Interests
I remember when I first posted about my music struggles. It wasn’t to boast or look for sympathy, but to share my genuine interest in artistic expression.
If you want people to connect with your brand, start by talking about what fascinates you. Share your struggles, insights, and passions.
You don’t need to show your face every time you talk—let your interests do the talking. People will connect with your sincerity, not how often they see you.
The beauty of digital creation is that your ideas are what make you memorable, not your appearance.
Build a Closed Community of People Who Understand or Want to Understand Your Worldview
Just like my journey led me to write for a small circle before expanding, you can build your brand by fostering connections in a more intimate setting. Whether it’s a newsletter, a private forum, or a closed group, bring together people who align with your message.
A community that shares or wants to understand your worldview will champion your brand in ways fame never can. People crave spaces where they feel heard—offer that, and your brand will grow organically.
Remember, you are going into a new year, but now is the best time to start building a brand of your own.
It is going to be your own launchpad. The only hedge you have over any contenders when bidding for contracts, competing for jobs or turning your skills or expertise to business models…
That’s it for this week.
Keep redeeming your time…
