Brand Your Business
Hey folks,
Today was a much better day lol! Seems like everything is back to normal and the loving flow that is generally the vibe in our home has returned! Feeling so positive today. Got the rest of the unpacking done and our house is truly starting to feel like a home.
Now that I have some mind space to focus on my business again, I can't stop thinking about branding. I think that is why I haven't moved forward yet. I asked someone in the community for help with branding and he asked me some very probing questions.
I did not have the answers! In the past, my focus was very clear, I knew who my potential clients were and I had a very clear vision of my brand and what it meant. Switching focuses has thrown me for a loop.
I need to get in touch with what my brand looks like. When I am trying to focus on this level, I usually create a vision board. So that is my intention for this weekend. I haven't gotten my desk set up yet, so I need to get that done.
Once I can sit down at my desk in my new home and complete a vision board, I think it will all come together. According to Forbes:
"Looking out into the world today, it’s easy to see why brands are more important now than at any time in the past 100 years. Brands are psychology and science brought together as a promise mark as opposed to a trademark. Products have life cycles. Brands outlive products. Brands convey a uniform quality, credibility and experience. Brands are valuable. Many companies put the value of their brand on their balance sheet."
Clearly I can no longer avoid focusing on brand development. By getting in touch with what my brand looks like and what the focus of my brand is, I will have more clarity. I am curious how others in our community develop their brand. How important do you feel it is to understand your brand? What's your brand persona?
In community,
Joy
Recent Comments
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For my business, my brand is all about getting women to be more adventurous by wearing handmade accessories. To be bold and stand out with style. To be individual and strong yet feminine at the same time.
Cheers!
Daniel is correct, Great topic.
When I hear branding I hear multiple things.
Know your audience. Use the always on camera ideals. I contradict Daniel, I tend to start with a broader audience, and let the consumer narrow it down from there depending on the niche of course.
Obviously content plays to your eventual targeted audience.
Sorry, when I hear branding I think logo. Think of the big companies of the world. Their logo is cemented in the brain of the consumer. An audience is visual, give them something to revel over in that regard.
Just a few thoughts...
Hi Joy, great topic this.
I think approaching your niche with a brand development mentality is the surest way to sustain your business position.
Being able to adapt to changes in consumer preferences as the products/services within your niche evolve should be a key part of your strategy.
Being stuck in a corner of a niche without being able to capitalise on other avenues as your niche and the products around it evolves will likely result in a short lived cycle, or at least limit your potential.
Whilst during these early stage of developing my business, I would naturally want to focus on a targeted segment of my niche. As I work through these early stages I most definitely have plans to expand my information/product/services offering into other opportunities that are highly relevant and connected to my main niche.
By offering diversified options that branch off from and are relevant to your main niche, you improve the chances of making repeat sales over extended periods.
Naturally the work load involved in the execution of this is intensive, takes time and planning in order to gain authority and brand recognition.
It's a long road ahead....
I'm glad you got settled into your new house more! I enjoyed your post keep up the good work! You got this!
Barbara
Thank you for sharing this, and yes, I've been thinking a good deal about branding. Just received a new logo from fiverr, now to figure how to position it on my site!
I want to come up with a logo but have not gotten to that yet. I have not clearly defined my "brand" I guess. My general brand would be linked to the title of my website though, "Thriving Cat" and represent all aspects of cat health and behavior using natural supplements and other non-pharmaceutical products.
The supplements are made for dogs as well as cats but I thought is was best to focus on cats as that is a more narrow niche market and it is not nearly as saturated as the dog market. My husband and I grew up with dog teams so we really know dogs but we only have cats now so it seemed more genuine to focus on cats as they are the ones we are using the supplements on.
I have not really tackled branding however.
Jessica
Hi Jessica,
I LOVE your focus! I use holistic remedies and care for my animals, though my dogs seem to be getting into something recently that is making them sick (we moved to an acreage and I think they are finding dead animals :(
I agree that sticking with animals/niches that you are actively involved with in your life is an excellent idea. I too think it makes it feel more authentic. I am an animal lover. We have many rescues and foster animals on a regular basis so please share as you develop!
In community,
Joy
Thanks Joy! I just wish I had known about these products when my family had dogs too! They help so much with common health problems like tooth and gum disease. That was what prompted me to start the website as they helped our kitties so much! Now my veterinarian recommends them to her other clients too! I just want to spread this information regardless of making money.
I think that helps keep me going when things are slow as I truly believe in this!
I believe in it to and in you! Even though I just met you lol. But for real, I feel in intuitively. You've got this! ~ Joy
Thank you. I feel the same about you! I am sure your passion will make you successful!
I wanted to tackle human health through nutrition and supplements to overcome nutrient deficiencies as I have a lot of experience in this, but I thought I could "get my feet wet" with pet health first!
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I've certainly thought about it. But it is not me telling the story. So can it really be me who is the brand itself
Yes, you are your own brand. If you are a lifestyle blogger or offer services such as personal coaching, marketing, etc, you are representing yourself.
So ask yourself these questions:
1. Who am I?
2. What value do I offer my audience / clients?
3. What are my mission and vision?
Cheers!
if it is a product that one might well write the third person and create a brand that way. But it is a more personal blog then it's very clear that it is the author who will be branded
Most definitely!