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Be creative while building your personal brand!
Be creative while building your personal brand! Make your content catchy and appealing. Raise curiosity about your message. Then, make it enjoyable with a professional photo shoot, video or audio.
Once you understand what to say and who are you talking to, make your message attractive.
When your audience stops scrolling because your image or headline is captivating enough to grab attention, it’s your first win.
Professional journalists make headlines a key to attention. Then they pack the first paragraph with the essential information that continues to attract the reader. Then build the rest of the article to allow people to explore the subject deeper.
In professional marketing, the rules are approximately the same. You get your chance to sell once you can catch your customer’s attention.
Your audience needs from seven to twenty interactions before deciding that your brand is trustworthy and can buy from you. At least, that is what statistics say. Yet, the key is not the number of connections but the meaning behind each exchange.
Many marketers recommend “disruptive marketing” techniques as the only way to get sales. However, disruption is closely related to fear or stress. In addition, these techniques are not necessarily build trust even if they bring a lot of attention to your brand.
The key to a successful brand connection is trust. So how creativity can build trust?
If your creative message looks and sounds professional, your viewers may associate your brand with quality. Subconsciously they will put your brand in the segment “other quality products in my life”. Quality is a definition or a range of characteristics your customers already have in their minds. These characteristics might be very individual. In some cases, Burberry, Apple, and Tesla mean quality. For others, it will be individually tailored outfits, Bentley and a custom-made workstation instead of a laptop. And in some situations, just well-built high-level brands will represent quality. As your brand gets into the segment “quality” in your customer’s mind, it allows having higher prices and minimal resistance to sale. That means comfort for your sales team.
For example, I love to use a luxury-friendly approach for my programs. This approach was inspired by fashion brands. I’m enhancing it with more artistic and profound concepts. It attracts intelligent, creative and purpose-driven entrepreneurs who want to create authentic brands.
Creativity also means thinking outside of the box.
That means innovative solutions, extra care about your customers, new tech, and new ideas. This approach works very well for the early-adopters market. Innovative and exquisite products dictate the need and set up the trend. However, it often means an expensive method, and it’s not suitable for everyone. The excellent news, creativity doesn’t mean luxury; you can be effectively creative in a mass market too!
Here is an example of the brand we build for young professionals and students. Our approach was creative, tech-inspired and innovative.
We were talking about attention. Creativity allows you to think differently and overcome your competition.
For the mass market or a medium price segment, it’s even more critical. In my experience, the mass market often requires a “less is more” approach. This way, creativity dictates more straightforward, more effective and more business convenient ideas. This helps to save thousands of dollars for business yet attract clients.
Here is an example of the cardboard branded package; we created it for the delivery restaurant. It minimised the cost of production and made the brand stand out in the market.
Your creativity will filter your audience. It will attract the right people and repel the wrong people from your brand and your content. What does it mean for your business? Your personal and business brand will attract more buyers. You will hear YES more often on the discovery calls. More people will purchase without hesitation.
Creativity is not manipulative marketing that forces people to buy things and services they don’t need. Instead, creativity allows you to be innovative and change the world. When you listen to what people need, know their pain, and create an innovative solution for their needs, it gives you and your business better results.
And if you like to build a personal or business brand that works, let me know. Check other brands in my portfolio. Let’s have a discovery call. Send me a message on LinkedIn to set up the call. Let’s find out how I can help you Brand Your Dream.
15 Powerful steps to start your personal brand mastery
1. Define why you need a personal brand!
2. To build your Personal Brand, you need to know your values!
3. When you build your personal brand, decide what you want to be known for?
4. Find your story. Build your personal brand with storytelling.
5. To build your personal brand, you need to define your purpose.
6. To build your personal brand you need to know your WHY!
7. To build your personal brand, you need a vision!
8. Build your personal brand and become memorable with a consistent message.
9. To build an authentic personal brand, you must be honest.
10. Be creative while building your personal brand!
To build an authentic personal brand, you must be honest.
Do you want to have an original personal brand? Be genuine and authentic. People can sense a lie. Don’t risk losing your reputation for a pretty picture. You need to know your customers, but first, find yourself, accept yourself, and align with your core values. Your story is worthy of being known and recognised.
A common dilemma between real and made-up personal brands can be described as “unprepared vs fake”. So I’d like to discuss authentic branding and the “real you” in this post.
But let’s talk about Fake brands first!
What defines a fake brand, and how to recognise them?
By the way, we can’t call them brands, but as they can themselves brands, it’s essential to know how to see through it.
How do genuine brands behave?
Your personal brand represents you in any case. But unfortunately, when people try to show up as authentic, they often believe that “no makeup & no dress-up” means natural. This approach doesn’t mean real; it means unprepared. So what is real then?
The authentic brand is a leader.
When you know your “Why” and learn a lot about yourself, you start getting ideas about where you are heading in life. Then, as you’ve passed through a few powerful transformations that changed your way of thinking, your lifestyle, your mindset, and your belief system, you’ve got the experience. Finally, when you set your vision and are on the way to building your own individual path to success, this is when you learn how to lead.
You become a personal brand that leads when you “walk your talk”. You know what you stand for; you have planned where you are going and are ready to take your followers on a journey.
Why is it important to understand that a personal brand, or any brand, is a leader?
Because if you take this idea into consideration, the “no makeup” or “no dressed-up” view no longer matters. What matters is that you know where you are going and can show your audience a path. There are many instruments of a leading brand: storytelling, values, purpose, why, vision, mission, tone of voice, and strategy. All of these tools will help the audience to find an exemplary leader for them.
Authentic brands give “brand promise” to their audience. They do everything possible to deliver and fulfil it. The authentic brands are living, breathing examples of transformations they have experienced. They lead people confidently because they have been in the shoes of their audience. They constantly adjust and work on their methods, inspired by their audience outcomes.
Would you like to build an authentic personal brand that reflects your true personality? If so, you may like to join my program “Find Your Brilliance“. Let’s chat on LinkedIn and see if this program is the best fit for you :)
15 Powerful steps to start your personal brand mastery
1. Define why you need a personal brand!
2. To build your Personal Brand, you need to know your values!
3. When you build your personal brand, decide what you want to be known for?
4. Find your story. Build your personal brand with storytelling.
5. To build your personal brand, you need to define your purpose.
6. To build your personal brand you need to know your WHY!
7. To build your personal brand, you need a vision!
8. Build your personal brand and become memorable with a consistent message.
9. To build an authentic personal brand, you must be honest.
10. Be creative while building your personal brand!
Build your personal brand and become memorable with a consistent message.
Keeping your message focused on your target demographic will make creating content around your personal brand easier and allow viewers and readers to define what you do. Your message should be a glue within a holistic brand strategy across all the platforms. It will also include an impression that you make during the personal contact.
To achieve the consistency of your Personal Branding message, you need to consider three aspects: timing, brand message clarity, and branding approach.
Timing of Your Personal Brand Content.
Do you remember how you were glued to your favourite TV show? It has changed with the invention of Netflix, yet you love to set up the time for your “watch time”. The key reason for this behaviour is comfort and habit. Predictability is attractive as your brain doesn’t need to spend energy wondering about timing and planning. And as the brain consumes 20% of your body’s energy, your body feels safe with predictable planned situations. When you use this science and deliver your content at a specific time, you build trust with your audience. You become a reliable source of information and good content for your tribe. That’s why timing is one of the foundational elements of the relationships between the audience and the brand.
Consistency of Your Brand Message
In the modern world, we are habitual in spreading information across many platforms and media. For example, suppose you have a business or a career. In that case, you are most likely exposed to social media, dealing with people online and offline, having your site or blog, maybe you’ve written a book or even speaking publicly.
You need to define your brand message. Then, get back to what you want to be known for, check the keywords, see what you can deliver to your audience, what is your expertise, and a cheesy part, “your secret sauce”.
To brand your message, you must also set the tone of voice. It will add the recognisable emotional component to your copy. As a passionate person, you can’t add all your emotions to your posts. Instead, you can deliver more recognisable and memorable content with a clarified message style.
Building Branding Consistency and recognition.
Apart from the style, the visual component is essential. You may choose a recognisable image style, branded colours, logo or in case of personal branding your selfy, to make your posts more consistent.
When you build your personal brand, I often say your face is your logo on social media. But I would recommend you include many other types of images too. When your story is illustrated with relevant photos, it builds an environment around your message. This inviting visual idea makes people feel connected to your brand and life. They will think that you know you because they saw you in your day-to-day activity, followed your trip or had a similar breakfast with you.
To build a holistic idea around your brand, you should use all available instruments: timing, message, and visuals. It will make your posts memorable and recognisable and give your audience a reason to return. And as you need to get in touch with your prospect at least 15 times to sell them something, well, you need to have more returning readers and viewers.
If you want to work on your values, and your message, discover yourself and write posts that connect to your audience, you may like to join my program “Find Your Brilliance“. Let’s chat on LinkedIn and see if this program is the best fit for you :)
15 Powerful steps to start your personal brand mastery
1. Define why you need a personal brand!
2. To build your Personal Brand, you need to know your values!
3. When you build your personal brand, decide what you want to be known for?
4. Find your story. Build your personal brand with storytelling.
5. To build your personal brand, you need to define your purpose.
6. To build your personal brand you need to know your WHY!
7. To build your personal brand, you need a vision!
8. Build your personal brand and become memorable with a consistent message.
9. To build an authentic personal brand, you must be honest.
10. Be creative while building your personal brand!
To build your personal brand, you need a vision!
When I help my clients set a five-year vision, their lives change. When you know the direction you move, you become unstoppable. Even when circumstances are throwing you out off the road, you can continue to move forward as you have set the lighthouses on your path to success.
A personal brand is always a leader.
It set’s up to standards and shows the direction. Therefore the vision becomes a crucial component of personal branding.
When you have clarity on where you are going, when you know what result you want to achieve, and when you are eager to take action, people see that you can lead.
How can you set up your brand vision?
The previous steps will define your vision: WHY, purpose, what you want to be known for, your story, etc.
You know now: “What you want to be known for, you know what you stand for. So, in this step, you need to define “Where do you want to be in the future?”
For many people, creating a brand vision means setting up strict goals and very clear directions, perhaps a few resolutions. Yet your brand vision is much broader than that.
Set a vision for your personal brand.
Let’s start with your environment in five years.
Describe what you WANT to have in your life, not what you CAN have now. Your vision is not about you now; it’s about a developed version of you.
Describe the place of your dreams and imagine that you are living in it.
Now the most important aspect, how do you feel having this environment and being in this role?
This idea will allow you to set up the lighthouse, leading to a new, more developed version of you.
In my program “Find Your Brilliance”, we work on personal brand vision in detail. Also, we have many more exciting exercises to set up specific steps that will lead to achieving this vision. If you like to know more about the program, the details are here. If you like to chat with me, let’s connect on LinkedIn.
15 Powerful steps to start your personal brand mastery
1. Define why you need a personal brand!
2. To build your Personal Brand, you need to know your values!
3. When you build your personal brand, decide what you want to be known for?
4. Find your story. Build your personal brand with storytelling.
5. To build your personal brand, you need to define your purpose.
6. To build your personal brand you need to know your WHY!
7. To build your personal brand, you need a vision!
8. Build your personal brand and become memorable with a consistent message.
9. To build an authentic personal brand, you must be honest.
10. Be creative while building your personal brand!
To build your personal brand you need to know your WHY!
Personal branding is a long journey, and it’s not always rosy. It would be best to have a solid internal reason to move forward. Your WHY is a powerful idea that works in correlation with your values.
Let’s start with the idea that you will have two ‘WHYs’. I know it sounds unusual, but stay with me. FOr your personal brand One ‘WHY’ will be public, and I call it external.
External ‘WHY’.
It’s mostly related to external factors, concepts, or people. An example of such personal brand WHY can be: “I do it all for my kids”, “I want to save the world”, “I will fight for my country”, and so on. This type of motivation is essential as it expresses your values and shows other people what you stand for.
But here is the catch. Many, not all, people proclaim external WHY in their effort to reach external validation. They often set such ‘WHY’ because society anticipates it. Even though such statements are powerful, they are temporary and rely on external factors; therefore might not work in challenging situations.
You need a stronger ‘ WHY while building your personal brand and establishing your leadership position.
I believe that your ‘WHY’ is a potent instrument that can help you move forward in any crisis. Your leadership calls for action even after the darkest moments. I call such ‘WHY’ internal. No one needs to know it; it’s all yours. It’s good not to share it with everyone.
Internal ‘WHY’.
Your internal ‘WHY’ is related to your reasons. What’s paramount for you? Such internal ‘WHY’ is often related to the feeling you want to prioritise over other emotions. For example: “I want to be free”, “I want to feel safe”, “I want to feel appreciated”, “I want to be seen”, “I want to belong”, “I want to be known”, “I want to enjoy my life”.
If these examples look selfish to you, you need to dive deeper to understand what is your internal ‘WHY’.
Let me show you how it works.
Internal: ‘WHY’ “I want to feel safe”. External: ‘WHY’ “I’ll protect my family and do everything for them no matter what”. Internal: “I want to be known, appreciated or recognised; I want to achieve something important.” External: “I want to make this world a better place.”
How does it help?
When you understand what emotions and feelings drive your decisions, you can better understand your actions and motivations. For example, you can work with your fears or negative narratives when you know what inspires you in your life.
I remember witnessing the AHA moment when my client realised that her ‘WHY’ is Joy, and she wants her kids to enjoy their lives no matter what. Her kids are her external ‘WHY; the Joy is internal.
If you want to work on your values, your ‘WHY’, discover yourself and write posts that connect to your audience, you may like to join my program “Find Your Brilliance“. Let’s chat on LinkedIn and see if this program is the best fit for you :)
15 Powerful steps to start your personal brand mastery
1. Define why you need a personal brand!
2. To build your Personal Brand, you need to know your values!
3. When you build your personal brand, decide what you want to be known for?
4. Find your story. Build your personal brand with storytelling.
5. To build your personal brand, you need to define your purpose.
6. To build your personal brand you need to know your WHY!
7. To build your personal brand, you need a vision!
8. Build your personal brand and become memorable with a consistent message.
9. To build an authentic personal brand, you must be honest.
10. Be creative while building your personal brand!
To build your personal brand, you need to define your purpose.
How can people benefit from a connection with you?
What were you paid for? What do you love to do? Which of your skills are on demand? Did you experience a powerful transformation? Can your story help someone?
Finding your personal brand purpose is important. We don’t really have business Ikigai, it’s usually personal, yet we can define it for our personal brand.
The Japanese concept of IKIGAI is trendy in marketing.
It allows you to find your purpose and understand where to move forward in your career or personal brand.
Brands are leaders; they know where they are going and curate a journey for their tribe. A personal brand is also a responsibility. We lead people in the direction we’ve chosen; we know what we want to achieve. We must know ourselves, face inner demons and acknowledge our light and dark sides.
IKIGAI allows defining “the reason to get up in the morning”.
That means knowing four things and where they overlap.
These four overlaps to create another four areas.
Finding you IKIGAI means seeing where these four areas crossed.
You can create a list of ideas by asking yourself these questions and finding the overlaps. For example:
As you answer these questions, you will see the overlaps.
To me, it was easy. I have always enjoyed design, art, psychology, photography, video and branding. I’ve turned all of these skills into business or profession. The problem was that I couldn’t find why the world needed these skills. Creativity is a way to express yourself. But the word required food, water, shelter, and relationships. Creativity is not necessary — it’s optional. Therefore it took me some time to find my brand purpose. Eventually, I realised what my brand brings to the table. I analysed my clients’ results and saw the common denominator — confidence. So I help women entrepreneurs to find themselves, brand themselves and show up confidently. And I’m sure the world needs more confident women to shine their talents and show an example to the new generation.
In my personal branding program, I have a few tools that help define your Why, Ikigai, Vision, and Values. We have one-to-one calls for each topic, many video lessons and workbooks—all to build your story and create content that speaks to your customers’ hearts. So let me know if you like to join this program. The places are limited!
15 Powerful steps to start your personal brand mastery
1. Define why you need a personal brand!
2. To build your Personal Brand, you need to know your values!
3. When you build your personal brand, decide what you want to be known for?
4. Find your story. Build your personal brand with storytelling.
5. To build your personal brand, you need to define your purpose.
6. To build your personal brand you need to know your WHY!
7. To build your personal brand, you need a vision!
8. Build your personal brand and become memorable with a consistent message.
9. To build an authentic personal brand, you must be honest.
10. Be creative while building your personal brand!
Find your story. Build your personal brand with storytelling.
NOT EVERY STORY WORKS!!!
The transformational story is not always the most dramatic one. But it resonates with your clients and builds an emotional bridge between you and your audience. Create to win people’s hearts, not pockets.
One of the most significant sagas of twenty centuries, “Star Wars”, was heavily impacted by Joseph Campbell’s monomyth theory, described in “The Hero with a Thousand Faces”, first published in 1949. Joseph Campbell studied mythologies and fairy tales worldwide and created “The Hero’s Journey” narrative cycle.
After the success of George Lucas’s film, “The Hero’s Journey” has become a primary guide for many filmmakers, storytellers, authors and marketers.
The idea is simple: your brand story has to resonate with your customer’s story!
Your readers and potential customers want the same thing you wanted and have the same fear, pain and desire to overcome. So they can relate to your story, and your experience makes them feel something.
Your brand story must be relatable, not dramatic!
Here are the three rules of a good story:
Your transformational idea will form many stories you’ll share across different mediums. This idea will be your personal brand story. It will signal your prospects that you are their guide, the one they have been looking for for a very long time.
Storytelling marketing strategy is one of the soft selling methods. It helps your brand to thrive without direct sales calls but through authentic connections with the right audience.
In my Personal Brand Program, my clients tell me their stories, then we work with their client profiles, and then together, we build powerful selling stories. So if you like to know about the “Find Your Brilliance” program, let’s chat on LinkedIn.
15 Powerful steps to start your personal brand mastery
1. Define why you need a personal brand!
2. To build your Personal Brand, you need to know your values!
3. When you build your personal brand, decide what you want to be known for?
4. Find your story. Build your personal brand with storytelling.
5. To build your personal brand, you need to define your purpose.
6. To build your personal brand you need to know your WHY!
7. To build your personal brand, you need a vision!
8. Build your personal brand and become memorable with a consistent message.
9. To build an authentic personal brand, you must be honest.
10. Be creative while building your personal brand!
When you build your personal brand decide — what do you want to be known for?
One day someone tells a friend that they know you, and you are excellent at ………………….. (feel the blank). The clarity of this message is where you start. You can add flavours later!
I experimented with the company name when I decided to build a learning platform and advertising agency. I’ve been repeating my optional business names loudly, recording them, and listening to them back. I knew I’d be known for it. It took me one and a half years to finalise BrandYourDream.
Approach to a personal brand is different from a business brand
People need to connect and memorise your name, personality, story, skills, values, and vision with your personal brand. Building it requires discipline and a holistic approach to the content and experience you deliver to your audience.
You need to be known for specific skills, knowledge, and service for business purposes. When people are looking for a particular solution, your name has to pop up in their memory or come from a recommendation.
More importantly, it would be best if you felt confident with this personal brand definition. But, more than that, you need to be inspired. So, say it loudly: “I’m ………………….. (add what you want to be known for)” or “She is amazing ………………….. (add what you want to be known for)” How does it feel to be known for it?
Your mindset is necessary!
If the definition feels small, rethink it. If “what you want to be known for” is “too big”, try to figure out why it feels too much for you. Work on your confidence and try it again. Your brand’s idea must be clear and fit like a glove. It would be best to feel proud and excited about this identification as you will work with it for many years.
If you are ready to build your personal brand, discover yourself, structure your story and create content that resonates with your prospects, let’s chat on LinkedIn. You can check details about the Personal Brand program Find Your Brilliance here and see if it’s the right fit for you. We will set the discovery call after chat on LinkedIn if it is. If not, networking is always a good idea. Win-win :)
15 Powerful steps to start your personal brand mastery
1. Define why you need a personal brand!
2. To build your Personal Brand, you need to know your values!
3. When you build your personal brand, decide what you want to be known for?
4. Find your story. Build your personal brand with storytelling.
5. To build your personal brand, you need to define your purpose.
6. To build your personal brand you need to know your WHY!
7. To build your personal brand, you need a vision!
8. Build your personal brand and become memorable with a consistent message.
9. To build an authentic personal brand, you must be honest.
10. Be creative while building your personal brand!
To build your Personal Brand you need to know your values!
The critical element of your Personal Brand is to stand for your values. Your values will define your actions and content. Your values will guide you to walk your talk and be authentic. Your values will help you build boundaries and a work ethic which will tell more than words.
Once you define your values, you will know what you will do and what you will reject. When you fully accept your values, you build your boundaries and no longer try to please or work with everyone. You will instantly know how to “Hold your ground”.
Your values are closely related to maturity and self-respect. You become more disciplined when you respect your boundaries, path, and body. This self-respect and discipline allow you to become a natural leader. This quality magnetises your audience to you.
Discovering your Values
It would be best if you had other instruments to filter out people who will never benefit from working with you as you start attracting your people. The following posts will describe tools that will help you refine your message.
And if you like to build your personal brand and are ready to take a leap, check my Personal Branding Program and let’s chat.
15 Powerful steps to start your personal brand mastery
1. Define why you need a personal brand!
2. To build your Personal Brand, you need to know your values!
3. When you build your personal brand, decide what you want to be known for?
4. Find your story. Build your personal brand with storytelling.
5. To build your personal brand, you need to define your purpose.
6. To build your personal brand you need to know your WHY!
7. To build your personal brand, you need a vision!
8. Build your personal brand and become memorable with a consistent message.
9. To build an authentic personal brand, you must be honest.
10. Be creative while building your personal brand!
Define why you need to build your personal brand!
Building a personal brand is a lifelong journey. It’s the most flexible brand as it’s changing along with you. Your Personal Brand is a code of ethics that defines your actions, words, and legacy.
The definition of the brand is simple.
The difference between a business brand and a personal brand is tremendous.
When the audience builds relationships with the established brand personality, it’s a stable connection to a clear definition. On the other hand, when your audience builds relationships with you, they deal with a constantly changing and evolving nature. Therefore your personal branding journey is a path to self-awareness and self-responsibility.
Your Personal Brand doesn’t mean restriction, but it requires discipline!
Many believe that a well-defined brand will be restrictive, so they choose not to label or frame anything. However, people will build relationships with you anyway. To minimise the harm and benefit from these relationships, you may use the help of structure and strategy. You don’t need to restrict yourself but rather create a flexible system to deliver a clear message to your audience.
When people know who you are, what you do, and why and how they benefit from working with you, they can make decisions quickly.
In the next chapter, we will talk about values. And if you want to build your personal brand, you may like to know more about my Personal Branding program, Find Your Brilliance.
15 Powerful steps to start your personal brand mastery
1. Define why you need a personal brand!
2. To build your Personal Brand, you need to know your values!
3. When you build your personal brand, decide what you want to be known for?
4. Find your story. Build your personal brand with storytelling.
5. To build your personal brand, you need to define your purpose.
6. To build your personal brand you need to know your WHY!
7. To build your personal brand, you need a vision!
8. Build your personal brand and become memorable with a consistent message.
9. To build an authentic personal brand, you must be honest.
10. Be creative while building your personal brand!
How to speak with the language of style? Brand style exercise!
Improve your brand style, learn visual storytelling tricks that are used by film directors!
Another important skill for creative professionals, designers, art directors, creative directors, advertising experts, photographers, videographers, film directors, is the ability to spot the style. If you want to stand out, build up a brand that shows you differently, you can practice this skill too!
When you know styles in fashion, art, design, when you can spot them, you are, basically, learning a new language. Style is a language where each element is a letter and the overall outlook is the sentence. The brand is created from such sentences and your clients read the book that is you or your business. Their imagination does the work, they do build relationships with your brand subconsciously.
Let’s dive into the Brand style exercise!
I’m collecting interesting images regularly in the secret boards on my Pinterest.
When the final result is matching your initial idea it feels great :)
Bonus step for advanced creators! If you love photography but mostly look at your photos in digital format, start printing. When you will see your photos printed on A3 or A2 paper size you will instantly know what to improve. It will lead you to better equipment and smarter choices.
This process will teach you to spot the style online and offline. It will improve your photo skills and give you a lot of photo material for your social media content. A few selfies in the process is a good idea as well!
How to improve your visual storytelling skills by thinking like a professional photographer or film director?
Colour inspiration for visual storytelling. Colour red.
There are many ways how you can stimulate your creativity simply using your smartphone. One of them is idea or concept hunting.
In this exercise, you are learning to focus and tell your brand story on social media without words. If you work with the premium segment and the audience that prefer a luxury experience, this exercise may give you a few interesting insights on visual storytelling.
You may say: “I’ll delegate this part, I don’t want to do it”, and then this post is not for you. But if you are eager to unleash your creative dragon for personal development and because you are adventurous and curious…let’s play!
Here is how you can improve your creative thinking and stretch your visual storytelling muscles.
Choose the idea. In this case, I was looking for the representation of the red colour. It was inspired by the building of the red University and as it’s an interesting statement colour I started my hunt.
Focus on one idea. I know it can be tempting to do all ideas at one go. (In fact, you will be able to do it when you will be a pro). Yet, if you want to achieve the result dedicate yourself to one idea. Colour is a good vibrant and clear idea to hunt, I’ll share more ideas in the upcoming posts and more colours too.
Add additional parameter. In my case, I wanted to have perspective, and retro (I used this in the postproduction but kept it in mind before the shoot)
How this can help you with your brand?
The method of idea hunting is often used in film, design and photo schools. It can help you to show up on video as well because now you will add the meaning to the colour in your frame and tell the story with visual non-verbal elements.
P.S. If you feel that you need to get some camera confidence and go live like a super pro, reduce your visibility fears, improve your visual storytelling and learn how to enjoy your video, check the Visibility Gym
4 Visual Pillars of a successful brand. Design. Photography. Copy. Video.
An effective brand is successful. A Successful brand is profitable. The Brand has many aspects and visual pillars that play the role of the wrap around the brand core. If the wrapping is empty, your brand will fail. If the core of your brand has a powerful “Why”, it understands its audience, it leads and walks its talk, also, the visual wrapping works as an invitation to your ideal clients.
So what are these 4 pillars?
What is the secret of a good design? Why are photos taken by you don’t work for your design as much, as you would like it? Why is the text that you dictate to your secretary may not be so interesting to your client?
Design is created by designers, photos are shot by photographers and the copy is written by copywriters. Yes, I’m the Captain-obvious now. When the client trusts these professionals that results in fantastic brochures, digital designs, photography, videos and it raises your company to a new level of communication. So delegate what you can’t do and focus on what you love to do. You can’t delegate only public speaking and video speaking in person, the rest doesn’t need to be a burden on your shoulders.
Design.
Let’s start with the brand design. Your design is not just images and text. Effective design is a successful implementation of the idea. The professional layout uses the elegant readable font, an interesting thematic collection of images and other design elements, styles for copy, footers and headers, informative charts and tables. A professional designer will also help you to choose unique professional photos for your project.
Photography is a unique tool.
Professional photography raises your design to another level, the light effectively emphasizes the advantages of your product, the mood communicates the quality of your brand and the dramatic colour schemes entices the buyer to a potential “purchase decision”. Photography is not just a camera and a photographer, this is the result of the usage of complex equipment, expert skills and sophisticated post-production. It’s beneficial if you can invest in a professional photographer!
Copywriting.
No matter how beautiful pictures are your brochure, it’s of no use if it doesn’t convince your client to read your brochure and buy your product or service. An interesting design does not go to the trash-bin or scrolled off. Professional copywriters speak to your customers from their heart; it causes your clients to believe in you. Headlines retain the attention of your customer and they like to re-read the text again and again. A good text is always written for your customers and creates a strong association with the positive qualities of your product and brand in their minds. The interesting text encourages your client to read your next brochure and want to know more about you.
Video.
Now video plays a powerful role for your brand, helping to connect people globally. If you work in a local business you can use video to build trust and attract people to your store. Yet, when you work for a global audience video become a necessary tool. Also, if you are an expert and you feel that presenting on video scares you, I can help you to overcome this fear. The truth is you can’t delegate your presentation in person on stage or video. And as this medium is a big part of your brand you need to learn a few ideas on how to build an emotional connection with your customers. I’ve created the “Visibility Gym” for experts and entrepreneurs who want to improve their relationships with video in 10 days. So if you are curious, check “Visibility Gym”!
So delegate as much as you can. Employ a team of professionals on board or hire an agency who help you with design and brand strategy.
P.S. You can’t delegate your own performance on stage and video. That’s why you need to learn this skill. It takes time and practice so start today! Join “Visibility Gym” to improve your videos!
P.P.S. This article was first created and published in 2009. This is an updated version of the article.
Are you an expert looking for external validation to allow yourself to be successful in business?
Appreciation, attention, validation — You are looking for it ever since you were born. It’s good to be loved, respected, seen. So why some people are desperately looking for external validation and denying themselves the right to make decisions?
External validation starts with family.
Love and respect start from the family. Healthy societies show love for kids by giving them appreciation. Along with critique, such children receive compliments for what was done right. Their teachers and parent believe in them and they often tell them about it. More than that they encourage them to think big and start something, like a lemonade stand or YouTube channel.
Yet in many countries, appreciation is almost prohibited. It’s often shown as a sign of weakness.
Perhaps you know how it feels when everyone from parents to teachers and bosses, are trying to improve your skills by pointing to your mistakes. Generations of people from such countries feel unloved, underappreciated, neglected. They only know how to criticize and are afraid of appreciation. At the same time, they are desperately looking for someone to validate their skills and rarely trust their judgment. They work much harder than others and often become high achievers, except they never enjoy results.
Working with many experts from post-Soviet countries, I’ve noticed how self-criticism doesn’t allow them to achieve the rewards, they deserve. Those under-loved are often suffering from depression and the inability to love. They often can’t identify their true self. They are subconsciously looking for external validation and are enabled to give love because no one ever taught them how.
On the other hand, people who feel confident, supported, loved become successful faster. They believe in their potential. They know that their work will be appreciated and they expect to be rewarded for the job they do. If they don’t receive the reward or it’s not enough, they start looking for better opportunities. They get better jobs because they know their value and are more satisfied with their position and salary. They are requesting promotion confidently and moving faster on the career ladder.
Does seeking external validation affects business?
When underappreciated people become entrepreneurs, they tend to hide. They refuse to show up consistently and sabotage their visibility. They are avoiding leadership and feel uncomfortable in a decision making position. They are always overwhelmed, tired as they are working more than others. As they don’t believe in themselves, they are often reducing their prices and do a lot of work for free.
It’s a very broad picture, each situation will have a lot of additional factors, such as personality type, the level of expertise, circumstances. Yet, confident active individuals who believe in themselves will attract more clients in business and become more popular by showing up and connecting with people.
And if you recognized yourself, you can change it! You need to know that you deserve love, appreciation and rewards for your job! There are many ways to do it, from mindfulness to affirmations and exercises to professional therapy.
P.S. This post is rather a food for thought concerning the necessity of love and acceptance from society and family. Because people who were loved as kids and teenagers can love back, able to open their hearts and trust.
But what these underappreciated people can do to improve their situation? They can start with self-love and appreciation. Yet, more importantly with the tremendous self-discipline, that stops from falling into negative self-talk and by keeping themselves in the high vibration and good mood consciously. Easy to say? Yes. But it’s the cure and it works long-term, even if sometimes it can be bitter.
Want to build your Personal Brand and be Visible?
We are often hiding without realizing it. We may think that we are just tired of the crowd. Or we tell ourselves the story about our introverted nature or spiritual journey. You may have your excuse.
When you are hiding there is little or no chance to build a personal brand. And in the modern world where people are checked on Social Media before they are hired, you may minimize your chances for a better job or a prospective client.
And don’t take me wrong, I know the struggle is real especially for introverts. Especially for people with the trauma. So let’s talk about it…
If you are hiding, there is something inside you that you are afraid to reveal. And even the smallest idea can make us blame ourselves, judge ourselves, we are afraid of abandonment, rejection, we are feeling guilty or angry or… If you are hiding there is something you are afraid of inside. Often it’s our own shadow.
And though this darkness may seem unacceptable, you true friends will accept it. The people who are truly love you will still love you (knowing you are not an angel with the fluffy pink wings). If you have a real depth of feelings, pain, trauma, depression, those who overcome it will get you without words and will not allow you to drown.
If you are afraid to show up and be true to yourself you are rejecting your power. When you are real your light shines differently. No, not everyone will jump in love with you. Yes, many will turn their back on you.
But…..
The real friends will stay, the real relationships will form, and you will no longer be afraid of the darkness, you will be the beckon of light.
Don’t be afraid to show up. Your story, your example, your personal brand may become an inspiration for those who struggle. And you will help more people to release their pain, to become brave and empowered.
Eve Voyevoda
Business & Brand Creator
21.10.2020
Why I’m always talking about brand foundations and visibility?
When I was in school, I did try to blend in. My parents are artists and I was extremely different than all the other children in the school nearby. I’ve developed this habit and my mind told me it’s a good idea, it’s safe to be invisible, you need to be just like everyone else, so nobody could harm you for your different thinking.
After twenty years in the advertising and branding industry, where I’ve built many unique and powerful brands, I’ve started my own branding business. And that was a pivotal moment because this time I had to brand myself and be visible but I only knew how to blend in.
I needed to build my brand foundations and I was terrified.
I quickly figured out that I have no clue who am I, what is my “BIG WHY”, and who I want to work with. “Luckily” I knew what business model do I want. I said “luckily” because I was wrong. I’ve missed one important thing to make this model sustainable I had to invest a lot. Rather quickly I’ve realised that many of my ideas were wrong and I’ve missed the fundamental aspects of my brand. So having 17 years of experience (then), I had to start from scratch.
I knew that I have to be in alignment with my audience and my business vision. But I didn’t know how to achieve it.
The practice is key!
The only thing that can help you to find all the answers is practice. So I’ve implemented, tried, adjusted and fixed over two years. Until I figured the biggest flow that coaches and experts have online with traditional branding and why they choose the wrong path 70% of the time. They’re choosing an easy way to build an empty wrapping (logo, colours, templates) without building their brand inside out. And they are doing it for a reason.
That’s why i always recommend to use video marketing to brand yourself online.
I was scared to go “go live” so much that I’ve postponed it for 4 years. I’ve faced all my visibility blocks and excuses. But when I did it for the first time and then, again and again, it has changed my understanding of who I really am. The experience was so scary to my clients that they could quickly reveal and overcome their visibility blocks, they became more confident and were able to reach the right prospects faster. That’s why I can say: “if you want to build your personal brand online start with video! Build visibility muscles!” Check out Visibility Gym Challenge, it’s paid but it brings results for those who want to work on their videos. Fear of camera can be bitten in 10 days and your confidence will grow!
Let’s talk about 3 common mistakes entrepreneurs do when they want to add videos in brand communication.