“A brand is the set of expectations, memories, stories and relationships that, taken together, account for a consumer’s decision to choose one product or service over another.” (Seth Godin) Creating a brand and/or business isn’t something that happens overnight. A lot of blood, sweat and tears go into creating what is quite often a life-long dream. It’s personal. It’s a part of you. And I get it because I’ve been there. As a Marketing Expert who has worked with and created some of Australia’s leading and most recognised brands for the past 12 years – from ASX listed companies to small and medium businesses, I’ve come to understand that it doesn’t matter if you’re at the helm of a multi-million dollar business or what you might still consider to be a hobby. The same level of effort is required if you wish to break through the noise and clutter of your industry; in fact, more effort is required because generally, small business doesn’t have the big budget many large corporates do!
Feel Empowered and Inspired
to Make Your Mark in the
World and Reach Your
Full Potential…
So how do you do this? How do you ‘Build Your Brand?’ What I’ve found is that those who try to do it on their own with no professional help or guidance can waste precious time and money that is so important – particularly in the early stages of creating a brand. Seek someone who can support you on your journey, who you can bounce ideas off and ask for honest, constructive feedback. It could be a mentor, a business coach, an accountability buddy, or an online group. This will help increase your profitability, efficiency and overall success. It’s imperative to get crystal clear around the following questions:
- What product or service do I offer?
- How is it unique and different from others already in the market?
- How do I wish to be perceived and viewed in my industry?
- How do I help/assist my customers and clients?
- What it is that I want to achieve by running my own business?
- Why do I do what I do? (This is super important!)
These may seem like simple questions but what I’ve found with my clients is that they often find them difficult to answer. It’s a little like painting a large mural. You’re so close and focused on painting a particular area that you need to take quite a few steps back to see the whole picture or scene and allow it to come into focus. If you’re struggling with the above questions it can be useful to keep taking a few steps back and take a look inwards into yourself, into your own identity and understand who it is that you really are and all that you want to be. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What gives me joy and really lights me up and excites me?
- What is holding me back and why?
- If I could do absolutely anything, what would that be, how would it make me feel and what would it look like?
- What is one thing that I can action right now to propel me closer to my dreams?
As you can see, your brand is so much more than just a logo and a style guide with typography and colour palette. It’s the ‘Essence of You.’ Be bold, be brave and be you because the world needs what only you and your business can provide. If you need assistance in Building Your Brand, please reach out.
