

Entrepreneurs chasing the limelight often believe that a moment in the spotlight will open doors, bring in clients, and change their business trajectory. But media visibility alone is not enough,this is the hard lesson Nigerian brand strategist Kehinde Ajose learned after an appearance on a major TV show. The buzz was instant, the applause gratifying, but when the noise faded, the expected flood of business inquiries never arrived.
Kehinde Ajose, now an authority on personal branding and media strategy, argues that attention without strategy is a wasted opportunity. In the digital age, visibility must be monetised, not just celebrated.
“Media attention is currency,” Kehinde Ajose says. “But if you don’t know how to spend it, it’s just another fleeting moment.”
His experience mirrors that of many professionals who get featured in the press, only to find their moment in the sun doesn’t translate into tangible gains. The missing piece, he insists, it is positioning, turning visibility into value.
Kehinde Ajose points to experts who have mastered this art, like Lara Kudayisi, a family life therapist who leveraged a podcast feature into a full-fledged engagement campaign. Instead of merely sharing the interview link, she dissected key insights across social media, sparked discussions, and hosted live sessions to deepen her authority.
“You must own your narrative,” Kehinde Ajose emphasises. “Don’t just let the media tell your story, use it to reinforce what you want to be known for.”
Beyond storytelling, Kehinde Ajose insists that visibility must have a purpose. Every feature should drive the audience towards an action, whether it’s booking a consultation, downloading an e-book, or subscribing to a newsletter. Without a clear call to action, media exposure remains just that exposure, with no impact on business growth.
Kehinde Ajose reflects on his early mistakes, recognising how his initial approach to media appearances was passive. He basked in the glow of recognition but failed to channel it towards a business goal. It took him years to refine his approach, eventually realising that every media feature must serve as a launchpad for something bigger.
His own journey in decoding media monetisation led him to author Media Money, a blueprint for transforming media buzz into revenue streams. In the book, he outlines how experts can package their insights into paid services, online courses, and premium consulting offers. “People already see you as an authority,” Kehinde Ajose notes. “Now, give them something to invest in.”
But Kehinde Ajose warns that one-off features won’t sustain long-term relevance. “The goal isn’t just to be seenit’s to stay seen.” The strategy? Relentless visibility across multiple platforms. The more consistent the exposure, the more entrenched the authority.
He highlights the importance of building relationships, not just audiences. Engaging with new followers, responding to messages, and nurturing connections with journalists and media professionals can open unexpected doors. Many of his biggest opportunities, he reveals, came not from viral moments but from sustained relationships with media figures who valued his expertise.
“People won’t go along with you until you get along with them,” Kehinde Ajose says.
Kehinde Ajose believes that media exposure is a seed, but like any seed, it requires nurturing. Without strategic follow-ups, content repurposing, and ongoing engagement, even the most high-profile media features can fade into irrelevance. He advises professionals to pitch themselves repeatedly, seek out new angles, and tell their stories in fresh ways to different audiences.
As the digital landscape evolves, the competition for attention has never been fiercer. But as Kehinde Ajose asserts, visibility without a plan is merely noise. Those who learn to turn the spotlight into lasting influence are the ones who thrive.
“The spotlight isn’t the destination,it’s just the beginning.”