There is so much more to branding than pretty colours.
Your brand, whether it’s a Business Brand or Personal Brand should reflect who you are and the experience you will offer or how people FEEL when they are with you (or think about you).
If I gave no thought to my brand at all, I suspect people would think of me wearing Crocs, loving dogs and my favourite colour being teal, followed closely by red and orange. All of these are totally spot on, but not enough.
Have you ever considered your own personal brand message? What people think and feel about you? It’s intimidating. As much as I would love to have people think of me as totally classy and polished and always dressed nicely with awesome accessories…that’s not really who I am. I do love Crocs…sorry Esther. I have few accessories that I love but don’t wear very often and Jeans and T-shirt or sweater is my favourite outfit. Dress it up with a scarf and maybe my UGG knit boots (in teal), and I am ready to conquer the world.
What matters more to me than what I wear, is how people perceive me on the inside.
My personal mantra for years (although I didn’t really clue into this until a few months ago), is I strive to Lead, Teach, Coach and Inspire.
Probably 10 years ago I did a Strengths Finder Assessment, and those four words dominated my natural strengths. Again, it’s been a part of my LinkedIn Profile for many years, but didn’t start thinking of it as a Personal Mantra until the last few months.
If I keep Lead, Teach, Coach and Inspire at the forefront of every decision I make, I will be true to myself and that’s HUGE! Why does it take us SO LONG to really know what it is that lights us up inside? I am at my happiest and most fulfilled when I am helping others, so these four words all live inside the heart of who I am.
Starting a Business, isn’t about creating an impersonal space where you can be anything you want to be. You will always be you…and if you are pretending and trying to build a business without authenticity, don’t bother. Your clients, customers and colleagues will see right through it.
So will I consider my footwear choice while I am working on my Branding….probably not. Will I wear Crocs to my Photo Sessions…probably, LOL. Will Teal (and likely orange and red and neutrals) make it into my branding? Heck yes! Will I share too many pics of my dogs? Maybe.
I love to create experiences where I can Lead, Teach, Coach and Inspire.
My goal (and this isn’t my final mission statement), is to create a Photography Experience that Inspires confidence and gratitude and heck yes…SELF LOVE and APPRECIATION.
I will LEAD the experience with planning, and brainstorming and then also LEAD the session with posing, expression and movement for genuine portraits that are true to you.
I may even TEACH you how to rock your next selfie or family gathering where Uncle Jim is taking the photo.
I will be your COACH. Your Cheerleader. Your Photographer. I will show you how amazing you are.
I promise.
leave a comment