Listen, just because it looks easy doesn’t mean it is. Branding is more than a logo or pretty colors. It’s more than catchy phrases and nice stock photos. Building a brand takes lots of time, crazy commitment, proper planning and an insane amount of hustle. If you feel you know all there is to know about branding, you can stop reading right now. But if you’re like me and know that a fresh perspective is golden, keep reading.
So, let’s dive right in with starting tips.
1. Discover who you are what you have to offer.
A huge part of branding is connecting with others, after all, your personal brand has little to do with you and much to do with what others perceive of you.
Ask yourself: Who am I when no one else is watching (character)? What do I want people to know about me (reputation)? What do I desire to do as a brand (goals)? What resources do I bring to my audience (value)? What do I bring to the table that sets me apart from the rest (the “it” factor)?
Until you are crystal clear on your identity as a person, and then as a brand, those you desire to get in front of will continue to appear blurry.
The key word here is PERSONAL. People have to like you before they love you and they have to trust you before they invest in you. WHO is it that you are showing them? And WHAT is it that you are offering them?
If you don’t know, now is a good time to find out.
2. Know your target audience, then get niche specific.
I learned a while ago that if you master your target audience, your target customer or client will gravitate to you. Why? Because everyone in your audience isn’t for you, but they know someone who is! Word of mouth is the ultimate advertising and marketing tactic. It’s a real-time referral system! So, get clear on who your ideal customer or client is.
Ask yourself questions like these: What does he/she do as a profession/career? Are the satisfied with what they do? Where do they live? How much money do they make? Do they have children? Are the single or married? What are their spending/shopping habits like? Are they impulsive or analytical decision makers? What issues do they have based on their lifestyle? What solution do you have that will solve their issue?
There is a specific group of women (or men) that need what you have to offer. You don’t have to chase them down because when you have what they need, they will find you.
3. Stop looking at what everyone else is doing.
I’ve said it before and I will continue to say it, never give the public the opportunity to say “everybody is doing that,” when it comes to your brand. One of the best things you can do is to get laser-focused on you and let everyone else take the background.
Perception is no longer the ultimate reality. People are getting smarter! Receipts are what people want nowadays. They need papers, not false promises. They crave results not fluff.
When you realize your own greatness, comparison becomes the least of your worries. Get out the rat race and get in the game.
Seriously, exposure comes when you do what you do and you do it better than the rest. And you’d better be ready when the right type of exposure finds you. Stop wanting to fit in and create a brand that stands out. If you are true to you, the people will know it.