I'm Val! Coach for creatives
like you who are ready to be healthier, happier and more empowered women who love the business you run, the people you serve and the life you live!
How to Put Yourself into Your Brand & Why it Matters
Who really actually cares about my life? About who I am as a person? About my crazy rambunctious dog or my morning cup of coffee? How on earth can showing my everyday life on Instagram help my business anyway? Shouldn’t it be the opposite? Don’t I need to look professional?
All questions I’ve heard a million times. All insecurities that I myself have felt a thousand ways. But honestly? People do care. And they want to see the real you. It’s kind of weird. But it’s also kind of beautiful. The internet and the connectivity we’ve gained from the digital access it brings has opened the door for relationships across miles and across borders.
When I first thought about this topic, I immediately thought about my friend, Rachel of Rachel Allene, because she has mastered the art of building a personal and relational brand. Her Instagram (which you should definitely be following, by the way!) is such a beautiful blend of her products, her life and her heart. It has created a loyal tribe of followers AND paying customers who watch her pour her cup of coffee on her stories literally every day. I’m serious people, somehow it never gets old!
So swipe over to Instagram quick, watch her pour her perfectly foamy joe on Instagram stories, grab your own cup of coffee and have a read, because Rachel is dishing the details of her strategy behind putting yourself into your brand with us and it’s more than worth a read! <3
Something I notice all too often in the creative entrepreneurship world is business owners shying away from their personality, personal experiences, and their story. I see sanitized brands that are pretty and poised, but lacking in personality and in some ways, vulnerability. Now, you might be rolling your eyes right now and thinking that I am ridiculous and have no idea what I am talking about. But hang with me for a minute.
I have built a business and a brand centered around me as a person. And it has catapulted me into a position where my business is constantly growing and expanding, my tribe is robust, and my sales grow every month. This didn’t happen by accident. From the genesis of my business, I knew I wanted my personality to be infused with my business and be a central part of my brand. This didn’t come from a selfish place, it came from my desire to truly connect with people.
And I’m guessing that if you’re reading this, you’re probably wanting to connect with your audience too.
I’d argue that putting yourself into your brand is way easier than creating a brand that isn’t about you as a person. You’ve lived with yourself your entire life, so you are familiar with what you’re about, what you like, and what your voice is. So “finding your brand voice” isn’t as hard as it may seem to be! Does this make you feel a little less stressed? I sure hope so.
Let’s break this down a little bit more.
The first step to creating a brand that screams “your name here” is to pick themes of content you want to share about. Ideally, you’d want to pick themes that come naturally to you and your personality. This will help you have some limits and guide you to write content and marketing that is 100% you. You get to pick what you write about and share. And you want these themes to be things that are present and relevant in your life. So, for example: if you’re a new mom, motherhood will most likely be one of your themes. This theme easily and seamlessly fits into your life. Content for this theme will be natural, easy to come by, and relatable to you. When you have 5 themes of content that relate to you and your life, it’s impossible for your personality to NOT infuse with your brand.
This is probably one of the most important steps! And one of the hardest. But allow me to step onto my soapbox real quick. *adjusts skirt and checks microphone* Your story matters. Let me say it again for the people in the back: Your. Story. Matters. It’s important and one-of-a-kind and valuable. There is NO ONE ELSE who can write your story. There is NO ONE ELSE who can live your life better than you can. There is NO ONE ELSE who can share what you can share. There is NO ONE ELSE who can do what you’re capable of. It’s time to own your story, your experiences, your strengths, and share them with the world. When you can confidently step into your story and your purpose, you will be able to infuse yourself and your personality into your brand and business. But how do you do this? Let’s move to the next step.
This might not seem simple to you. And it’s not always simple. But it’s powerful and it’s magnetic. When you can take your story and your own idiosyncrasies and turn them into your message and mission, you’ve got the golden ticket. This doesn’t mean that you have to share and indulge every single secret. In fact, I recommend having some boundaries. But here’s the deal: humans crave connection and honesty. So, if you can build a brand that is honest and unique, you will draw people to you. And guess what makes a brand unique? When it has a one-of-a-kind story. And guess who has a one-of-a-kind story? YOU DO. So, share your story. Share your fears and your worries. Share about what makes you YOU. What about you is exciting and wonderful and weird? Talk about those things. Connect with others. Share your wins and your losses. It will build a brand and a following that lasts. And converts.
All of these steps take a certain level of bravery and confidence. And take it from me, it can be scary. But if you’re wanting to grow a business, I would hope that you’re also hoping to grow and expand your impact. If you’re looking to expand your impact, then you need to be willing to step outside of the box and share your life with others. If you’re reading this, I can bet that you care about people and you want to connect with them. You want to use your voice to grow an audience, while also booking more clients and getting more sales. There’s nothing wrong with that! I am all about that. If you’re going to work hard, you should be paid for it.
So, now it’s time to take the leap and be confident enough to know that your voice, story, and mission matters. Own it and go change the world. I believe in you.
I'm Val! Coach for creatives
like you who are ready to be healthier, happier and more empowered women who love the business you run, the people you serve and the life you live!
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