Clarity is the Ticket to Brand Success

I see it all the time — a new, bright-eyed entrepreneur bursts onto the scene without first investing any time into the building blocks of her brand. 

She wants to attract dream clients. She longs to stand out in the crowded marketplace and be recognized for her skills and approach. She wants a brand that stands for something of value, something that has depth and story. But she’s so eager to build that dream business, she skips over the most important part — the foundation!

In her rush to the top, this entrepreneur usually ends up mimicking the competition or creating a brand that is more fluff than substance. She comes across confused and unsure of who she is and isn’t clear on the message she needs to share with her audience.

We’ve all felt desperate enough to use these strategies from time to time, but I hope this post can stop you in your tracks before you’re tempted to go down that road again! I want to help you avoid the BIG branding blunders I see too often, such as looking like a clone or launching a brand that fails to connect with clients.

My Copycat Story

When I started my photography business many years ago, I spent a lot of time looking around at what everyone else was doing in the photography space instead of looking within to see how I could stand out and be different. I confess, I tried to copy what others were doing in their messaging and even their visual look. I was sadly a clone (and constantly second guessed myself).

And you know what? I didn’t get a lot of traction. People didn’t understand what my area of expertise was because I never committed. People didn’t know if they were the right customer for me because I kept speaking to everyone. 

During that time, I struggled to maintain a constant stream of clients. While I was working really hard, I didn’t see a big return on my investment. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of sameness with zero visibility on ME.

That all finally changed when I woke up and made the commitment to do the work on myself by asking the important brand-building questions. I had to put the blinders on, focus on my skills and strengths, and learn what my own brand story was.

I asked myself how I could curate my expertise and experiences and leverage them into a brand that solves a clear problem for a specific client.

After many years and pivots in business, I got clarity on my own narrative, I developed the courage to specialize in brand strategy and mentorship for female entrepreneurs. I learned how to share my message that inspires women to uncover their story and strengths.

This didn’t happen overnight, it was an active effort of revealing my many layers and experiences and finding a way to link the important pieces into a well-crafted brand. This brand strategy development helped me build my confidence and develop a compelling brand.

Today, I help my clients do that same type of work to define their own brand message and bravely tell their brand story. I act as their mentor who guides them to create a brand that becomes the leader in their industry with a clear message, core offer and specialized niche.

The process of getting true clarity on your zone of genius, your ideal customer, your point of difference, your passions, your systems and your offer, will help you elevate your brand and grow your business faster. 

Are YOU ready to get started building your clarity and your powerful brand? 

Ask These Four Brand-Defining Questions to Gain Clarity & Confidence

1) What do you believe in?

Think about your core philosophies and beliefs. What does your brand stand for? What is most important to you in life and business? What do you believe in? What are you putting a stake in the ground for when it comes to your business? 

When expressed to your audience, these core ideas will be the spark that attracts them to you. People like to buy from people who inspire them, and your values can be the key to connection. 

2) Who do you serve?

Understanding who your ideal client is may be the single most important way to build a brand. 

You have to know who you’re serving like they’re your best friend. It’s crucial to understand their needs and wants, their dreams and desires, and their challenges and frustrations. 

If you can answer these questions, you can speak directly to them in your messaging. You cannot serve everyone. (If you try to, you’ll only water down your message.) Instead, define your specific audience and create a brand with content and products just for them.

3) What transformation do you offer? 

We are all really in the business of changing lives. No matter the industry, our goal should be to leave our clients better than when they came to us. When clarifying your brand, it’s important to ask yourself what transformation you can deliver your clients. How do you change their lives for the better? Build your products to be the ultimate solution to their problems. 

4) How are you different?

To draw attention to your business and draw in customers, you must figure out that THING that makes you stand out from the rest. What do you do really well that is different from your competition? What do people refer you for?

Don’t try to blend in with everyone else or be the carbon copy of another entrepreneur. Find your specific niche, specialization, signature product, service, or special process and own it! Put your stamp out there and stand for something that is uniquely YOU.

The good news is that you already have your brand story within yourself, and it’s ready to be revealed. You just may need some help finding the common threads and patterns to nail your message!

If you’re struggling with brand clarity, I would love to invite you to consider my NEW mastermind launching in September called Brand Breakthrough.

This is an intimate business accelerator for a small group of women entrepreneurs. Direct access to me, your branding expert and mentor to push you out of your comfort zone and make big brand progress. Plus, an in-person, 2-day workation in October in my Maine studio for meaningful in-person connection, actionable brand planning, and a bonus group photo session! (new headshots, anyone?)

Together we will define, craft, and deliver your brand with confidence so you can finally grow your business, attract the right customers, and build a community of raving fans. 

Get on the waitlist NOW!