IS YOUR BRAND TURNING PEOPLE OFF?
Why being authentic will inspire & help grow your business
Firstly, let‘s be honest. People will judge your brand based on visuals – as it‘s the first thing we see. So, we know first impressions are critical. Consumers are savvy; they will dig deeper into you, what you stand for and what you offer. So, it‘s super important to make the first impression memorable and align all brand elements with intention and meaning to convert your audience into buyers, not fence–sitters.
So, where am I going with all of this? When getting started with branding or business, we are often inspired by other people or something material. That feeling of inspiration is what moves us to act, build a business, travel, change a colour, redesign a living room – you get my drift.
Therefore, please… avoid the temptation to copycat or imitate. I know, I know, when you see someone do something different and it works, it’s oh so very tempting to copy. The good news? It works for a little while. BUT it will crack because it’s not authentic. Eventually, you will burn out, your branding will constantly change, your ability to show up will dwindle – you‘ll be present one month and not the next, eroding trust. Or what‘s worse? You will blend in as you will have nothing original to inspire your audience with. And, in our digital world, it’s the individuals that stand out.
So, avoid creating designs based on ‘the standard‘ and what is considered trendy, regular, or well–received. Remember, brands that stand out have a fan base that feels connected to it and loyal. Replication is dull and only works for a limited time. Show them who you are, give them a piece of you.
Authenticity is your superpower
So, now we know your brand will be original, consistent, and connected, a good idea is to plan out what action you want to inspire. Do you want to make your audience feel empowered? Take the first step? Get organised? Feel confident? Take a stand? Give something a go? Try something out? Start a new routine? Challenge themselves?
For example, if you sell skincare products, you want to inspire them to start a skincare routine and form a habit of caring for their skin. Sounds easy, right? Well, there are thousands of skincare products on the market; what will make your fans want yours?
Before we go, ask yourself do you feel like you’re inspiring or drawing blanks? If your mindset is holding you back from expressing your true self, this can lead to branding misalignment. My suggestion – hire a professional that lets YOU shine through! One that inspires you to be confident, unique, true to yourself and your business and most importantly, holds you to your values. This will help your branding longevity as it will serve your business as it grows and inspires you to keep growing, and best of all, it will be original and authentic.
Remember, it’s ok to get started by a little bit of imitation; borrowing from others is how things evolve, but if you get caught up in the imitation cycle, it’s time to find your voice and forge your own path.
So, if there’s someone out there you feel is doing it better, perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate your brand.
Ps. Not sure where to start but know you need to create a meaningful brand? We all want stunning attractive aesthetic brands, but if there is no purpose or reason behind why you chose your brand elements, it is empty and meaningless. Your brand needs to be relevant and tell a story that connects with the audience you want to attract. So, if you’re going to create a meaningful brand, start with the BRAND CHEMISTRY WORKBOOK.
