The first article I wrote about “branding” was in 2009. I compared it to snake oil. Since that time, I’ve written 37 articles about branding including this one, from 2011, which I think truly captures the HEART of practical, profitable branding (But don’t read it yet…. please, stay here with me.)
I used to “poo poo” on the entire concept of branding because it was SOOO focused on the superficial B.S…. colors, fonts, logos.
BUT, these are just the VISIBLE aspects of a brand.
What makes your brand PROFITABLE is the intangible…. Example: Your brand should be an extension of the following:
— a look in the mirror. (Where are you right now?)
— an ASPIRATION (Where are you headed?) and
— a PROMISE. (What do people GET from you consistently?)
If you are still wondering what your brand IS…
here on the blog, scroll down to the search bar on the right side of the screen and type in the word “brand.” Anything you need to get started can be found on our blog.
STILL,
in all of the articles I’ve written on this topic, I realize that I never got to the HEART of it…. not really. So here goes:
Your brand is NOTHING if not a living, breathing entity… an extension of you, YES.. but also an entity all it’s own.
YOUR BRAND IS NOTHING…
MEANS NOTHING…
IF IT IS NOT BROUGHT TO LIFE.
Here are the 3 practical ways you need YOUR brand to be ALIVE and WELL, if you are to have a brand that is PREFERRED over any other… a brand that allows you to charge what you want, have a WAITING list of clients, hire / fire clients at will, and live the LIFE you really want to live:
1) In Search Engines. I’m not SEO guru, but I’ve figured a few things out… for myself and for my private clients. When you KNOW your core brand, it is relatively easy to get recognized in the search engines… so that you can be found. I use a combination of MEDIA and CONTENT for this, and if you need help just PM me.
2) In a signature BOOK or PROGRAM. Your brand (your promise) should be brought to life in a consumable product… maybe a book or a digital program. This may not be the cornerstone of your INCOME, but it is the cornerstone of your BRAND.
3) In a DAILY practice. Your brand needs to be fed, fueled, woken up EVERY day. Having a daily PRACTICE, a habit for how you show up and SERVE your chosen market is MISSION CRITICAL for a profitable brand.
In an interview yesterday, I was told that I was the most prolific brand expert this person had ever met. Well, given how I’ve dismissed the entire notion of “traditional branding,” this was QUITE a surprise to me…
But, maybe… JUST maybe
branding
(bringing a brand to live via PRACTICAL habits and PROPER positioning)
is my real super power?
Either way, do you KNOW what you may be missing out on, friend? The Women Who WOW community. Part online community… part business school…. with digital (AND in person) opportunities for an unparalleled entrepreneurial sisterhood. JOIN US. WomenWhoWOW.com.
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