6 Steps To Build A Brand That Transcends Beyond Borders

If you have one follower you have a brand because you have convinced one person that you are worth following and connecting with. We often complicate building brands and have made it all about fame when in simple terms a brand that is known is a brand that communicates, connects and delivers in what it is known for. To build a successful brand that transcends beyond it's country origin is making the goal about creating a meaningful impact that transcends culturally, geographically, and through linguistic barriers.

A borderless brand is built on authenticity, adaptability, and relevance. It communicates universal values and ideas while respecting cultural nuances. The brand is able to also leverage on global platforms and technologies to reach a worldwide audience. You may wonder why would it be important to build a borderless brand, because we live in a world where social media allows us to transport ourselves to different countries without a passport but by simply through a click of button and overtime connect with their cultures which could also lead us to adopt some of their traditions as our own. We can also sell products across countries and continents, we are no longer just limited to our town, our city and our country.

There are great benefits that come with creating a global personal brand this include:

• Access to a larger audience, collaborations, and increased career opportunities.
• The ability to influence and inspire people across different cultures.
• The brand has a higher resilience to local market changes and/or economic shifts.

I have identified six steps that have helped me spread my wings into a more global stage and I hope you deem them useful as you transform your brand and even that of your own personal brand.

Step 1: Define Your Core Message and Values

Identify your core message which is the foundation of your brand. It is important that it is universal enough to resonate globally but specific enough to reflect the brand's unique perspective.

Step 2: Understand and Respect Cultural Nuances

A borderless brand must be culturally sensitive and inclusive. So take time to research the cultural norms and values and as you expand into certain countries be willing to amend your messaging to be inclusive and complimentary to the culture of the environment and audiences of that country. It is important that you avoid stereotypes or assumptions; Instead, focus on shared human experiences.

Step 3: Leverage Global Platforms and Technologies

Technology has made it easier than ever to reach a global audience. Most social media platforms are free to use, so I urge you to maximise on using them to promote and share your story, services and products. Where you can explore creating your content in multiple languages or use subtitles to make it accessible. Also consider the option of partnering and collaborating with local influencers or thought leaders from different regions to expand your reach.

Step 4: Tell Stories That Transcend Borders

Stories are universal and they help you and your brand connect with people on an emotional level. For instance you can share personal experiences that highlight universal themes like resilience, growth, or community. Also explore using visuals, metaphors, and analogies that resonate across cultures. Lastly highlight how your work or ideas can be applied to help solve global challenges or inspire change. It is also recommendable to test out digital campaigns that are linked to a call of action that leads you to identify if people are connecting with your brand on a local level. These insights will help you improve on the connectivity with your brand at a global level.

Step 5: Build a Diverse Network

A global brand thrives on diverse perspectives and collaborations. Try your best to connect with professionals, creators, and leaders from different countries and industries. in addition you can seek mentorship or partnerships that can help you navigate global markets.

Step 6: Stay Consistent and Authentic

Consistency builds trust, and authenticity makes your brand relatable. Aim to maintain a consistent tone, style, and message across all platforms. Be transparent about your journey, including challenges and failures and most importantly show up regularly and engage with your audience to build lasting relationships.

This article is designed to inspire and equip you with the tools to help you build a brand or even personal brand that resonates globally. I will be using my own personal journey to help those who wish to build their personal brands using their social media, so be on the look out for one to one brand building sessions.

However I would love to hear from you, so I encourage you to please leave a comment below sharing the step/s you plan on incorporating to help your brand become global. Feel free to also share any other steps that I haven't shared that are working for you!