THE END OF THE ROAD

The story between Manchester United and Ronaldo is an old one. It’s one filled with success and also not devoid of controversy and heartbreak. The Ronaldo and United love story is impressive — the two of them are two of the most successful brands in the sporting world. You would remember how Ronaldo broke the record for the highest sales of jerseys when he rejoined United in 2021. Many have posited that the decision to resign Ronaldo was purely commercial, and can we really blame United? 

Who wouldn’t want one of the most successful people in the world in their ranks? Especially one whose football skills and aspiration are topnotch. But beyond the storm, and the controversy that has always hovered over the head of one of, if not, the greatest athlete of his generation is a brand and marketing genius.

So what can we learn from one of football’s greatest on branding and marketing as business owners? Well…we can learn alot. Are you ready? Let’s go.

THE RONALDO STRATEGIES

Ronaldo is a prime example of turning one’s personal strengths into a successful brand. His rigorous work ethic, unparalleled athleticism, and dedication to self-improvement are all part of what makes him one of the most iconic athletes in history.

But it’s not just Ronaldo’s on-the-field prowess that has earned him global recognition. He has also built an extremely successful off-the-field brand. This is largely due to his willingness to be himself—an unapologetic showman who isn’t afraid to poke fun at himself or celebrate his successes.

If you’re looking to create a successful brand, take a page from Ronaldo’s playbook and embrace your unique qualities. Be authentic, put in the hard work, and have some fun along the way! Let’s take a look at what makes his brand very successful. 

1. Ronaldo’s Social Media Presence

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most successful athletes in the world, and he has also become one of the most successful brands. His secret? A powerful social media presence.

Ronaldo uses social media to connect with his fans on a personal level. He posts photos and videos that show his everyday life, and he takes the time to respond to comments. This level of engagement helps create a connection with his fans that they simply can’t get from other athletes. He is unarguably the most followed human on earth on Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. That’s ridiculous! We can also say he is probably the most famous person on earth. But how has he built this overwhelming successful brand?

The answer is this: social media hype and frenzy! Believe it or not, social media hype is a real thing. Celebrities exploit social media, with emotional and subtle promotions of their services and personalities. For Ronaldo, he doesn’t just use social media to connect with his fans. He also uses it to build hype around his brand. For example, before a big game, Ronaldo will often post a video of himself training. This creates a sense of anticipation among his fans, and it helps build excitement for the game.

This is how Ronaldo optimises social media for success. As an entrepreneur you do the same by first, making sure that you’re using social media to connect with your fans on a personal level. Second, use social media to build hype around your brand. Make positive posts about your business. Hype it. Speak about it. Great aesthetically pleasing videos and graphics that showcase your business or service. In essence, create a virtually pleasing brand. 

2. Ronaldo Partners and Sponsorships

Ronaldo’s brand partnerships are another reason for his success. He has a number of sponsorships with some of the biggest brands in the world, including Nike, Tag Heuer, Herbalife and more.

But what’s really impressive is how well-aligned his partnerships are. For example, Nike is not just his sponsor for sportswear but also for his personal fragrance line. This type of synergy is key to building a successful brand.

Ronaldo also understands the importance of giving his sponsors exposure. He regularly posts about them on social media, wearing their products and using their hashtags. This helps to create a sense of loyalty among his fans and drives sales for his sponsors.

You can also follow Ronaldo’s approach by first making sure your partnerships are well-aligned and offer something unique to both brands involved. Secondly, make sure you’re giving your sponsors plenty of exposure across all channels, including social media, events and your own website.

3. Ronaldo Philanthropy and Causes

You’re probably familiar with Ronaldo’s philanthropy and causes by now. He’s extremely vocal about them and has even established his own foundation to support children in need.

What can we learn from Ronaldo’s philanthropic efforts? First and foremost, it’s important to be authentic in your giving. Ronaldo doesn’t just slap his name on a charity and call it a day—he’s actually involved in the work that his foundation does. He meets with the children, it helps, and he makes sure that they know that he’s there for them.

Second, it’s important to be consistent in your giving. Ronaldo has been supporting children for years, and he shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, he’s planning to open his own hospital soon.

Finally, it’s important to be strategic in your giving. Ronaldo doesn’t just give blindly—he targets specific causes that are important to him and that he knows he can make a difference in. By focusing on child welfare, health, and education, Ronaldo is making a real impact in the world.

4. Ronaldo Unique Selling Points

Think about what makes you, YOU. What sets you apart from the competition? Ronaldo’s unique selling points are his skill, drive and work ethic.

He’s not the biggest guy on the pitch, but he’s one of the most skilled. His speed, agility and pinpoint accuracy are unrivalled, and he’s able to change direction quickly and effortlessly.

Ronaldo also has an insatiable appetite for success. He’s constantly striving to be better and is always looking for new ways to improve his game. His work ethic is undeniable, and it’s something that we can all learn from.

Finally, Ronaldo is a master of self-promotion. He understands the power of social media and uses it to his advantage. He has over 500 million followers on Instagram, and he knows how to use that platform to grow his brand.

5. How He Promotes Himself

So how does Ronaldo keep himself relevant? For one, he’s very active on social media, with over 500 million followers across all platforms. And he’s not just some celebrity who hires someone to post for him—he actually posts a lot of content himself, whether it’s pictures of him training, spending time with his family, or doing sponsored posts.

Ronaldo also understands the power of personal branding and has his own logo, which appears on everything from his social media accounts to his clothing line. And he’s not afraid to use his name and face to promote products—he’s the global ambassador for Nike, Jaguar, and Herbalife, among others.

But Ronaldo doesn’t just stick to traditional advertising methods—he’s also very strategic about how he uses his image. For example, he was one of the first athletes to team up with a video game company, and his face is featured prominently on the cover of the popular FIFA game franchise. He also has a statue of himself in front of the Real Madrid stadium, which was unveiled when he signed a contract extension with the team in 2017.

Clearly, Ronaldo knows a thing or two about self-promotion, and there’s a lot we can learn from him when it comes to marketing ourselves and our brands.

What We Can Learn From Ronaldo’s Success

You don’t have to be a genius to figure out that Ronaldo’s success didn’t come overnight. It took years of hard work, dedication, and determination to get to where he is today. Some in the football community often say if pure football talent were considered Ronaldo wouldn’t necessarily be ranked as high as he does now. But through persistent commitment to growth and building himself, he has risen to the pinnacle of football and global greatness.

And while you may not be able to achieve the level of success that Ronaldo has, there are certainly lessons that we can all learn from him.

For one, Ronaldo is a master of self-promotion. He knows how to get his name and face out there, and he’s not afraid to do whatever it takes to get attention.

Whether it’s wearing flashy clothes, doing outrageous things, or simply posting on social media, Ronaldo knows how to get people talking about him. And as a result, he’s one of the most recognizable faces in the world.

If you want your brand to be successful, you need to learn how to self-promote. Get creative and find ways to get people talking about you and your business. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s definitely worth it in the long run.

Conclusion

Ronaldo is the blueprint for success because he has tapped into all the necessary channels to create a personal brand that is now worth billions. He has a clear understanding of what his audience wants and needs, and he provides content that not only entertains but also educates and inspires. There is no one-size-fits-all blueprint for success, but Ronaldo’s story is a great example of how to create a personal brand that resonates with people on a global scale.