Did you click this blog post hoping to find some clarity on how to build a brand or business in a way that feels truly authentic to who you are?
Good, I wrote it for that exact reason.
As entrepreneurs, especially those of us doing the bulk of our business online, we spend the beginning stages of our brand adventure learning, consuming and learning some more.
We take courses, we listen to podcasts, we download templates and guides. We find others doing what we do on a larger scale and we ask, how’d they do that?!
In our quest for business success, it’s easy, and very smart, to learn from those that have gone before us. I learned the freelance writing business basics from some absolute masters; writers who have been there, done it and found great success!
And I’m forever grateful for that.
However, I’ve realized something in the last little while that has totally changed the way I go about scaling and growing my business – I don’t want to be a cookie cutter of someone else.
As I’ve launched, built and watched my content writing business evolve, one thing has nagged at me incessantly:
How do I build this brand in a way that feels very ‘me’, serves my clients in the best way possible but isn’t simply following someone else’s blueprint?
(To be clear, I’m not suggesting you throw out the playbook altogether and create a whole new way, ain’t nobody got time for that, but what I am proposing is taking what you know, what you want and growing your business in the most true-to-you way possible.)
I’ve chased that question for a while and after much reflection, journaling and trusted conversation I feel I’m on the path to building my business in the most ‘Katie’ sort of way. This is something that is very important to me and if finding the same sort of clarity is important to you as well, read on.
These are the 4 ways I am building my brand in my way:
Build a Brand Your Way #1 –
Get Out of the Comparison Trap
Everyone is guilty of it – watching someone else do/have/be what we want and then beating ourselves up because we’re not at the same level or finding the same success.
We wonder if we’re doing something wrong and then spend time striving for their version of success. And while we’re busy trying to be them, we forget that our own success is what actually needs that time and attention.
We fall prey to the comparison trap and we’re left listless, floundering and usually pretty frustrated. We end up chasing something that might not be best for us.
So what can you do if you truly want to stop comparing? Stop watching.
Out of sight, out of mind is a powerful tool. Commit to curating your feeds so you’re only seeing bits and pieces, not being inundated daily. Make it a priority to post on your socials only what you need to for your own business and then close the app.
You get to control what you consume, so if what you’re consuming is only leading you further down the comparison rabbit hole, make a better choice.
Don’t let someone else’s shiny objects define what your next steps are. Also, they’re version of shiny might be more aluminum foil than gold, don’t believe everything you see.
Build a Brand Your Way #2 –
Get Clear On How You DON’T Want To Do Business
While I was taking the time to really think about and define what I wanted my own business and brand to be, I ended up making a “Don’t Do” list.
Thanks to all the comparing I’d been doing *cue eye roll* I actually had a pretty decent list of the ways I didn’t want to do business – products I had no interest in launching, services I didn’t want to offer, sales techniques that didn’t feel right.
This was so damn helpful. I was better able to tailor my services, products and plans when I knew all the things I was avoiding.
Build A Brand Your Way #3 –
Decide What Feels Good
Let me ask you a question – Why did you go into business for yourself?
Take a minute and really think about how you would answer. Of course it was to make money but I want you to go deeper than that.
Did you want to feel fulfilled by your work? Did you want to allow your creativity to drive your career? Were you feeling stuck and unfulfilled working for someone else?
If your answer was ‘yes’ to any of those, then you did it simply because it felt good.
Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart and if running your own business every day lights you up and feels so good? You’re in the right place. As you make plans and scale your business, take into account what feels good to you and why it feels good.
Refer back to that “Don’t Do” list.
Build A Brand Your Way #4 –
Commit To Doing Some Deeper Work
Have you noticed a theme so far? All of this business minded planning and work falls back on one thing – YOU.
You have chosen this path, and for good reason, so you should be the driving force behind it.
Trust that you know what’s best for you and, in turn, your business.
Again, much easier said than done.
So if you’re ready to get really clear on how you’re going to build your business your way, commit to doing some deeper work. Use your intuition and allow the wisdom, answers and guidance already inside you to show you the way.
My go-to for all things intuition and guidance is Kaileen Elise. Kaileen is an Intuition Coach and host of one of my favorite podcasts, Celebrate Cultivate. With her wisdom and guidance I have been able to really tap into that inner voice that works as my best guide.
Kaileen also has a fabulous free course at the moment – Strengthen Your Intuition in 21 Days – that gives daily prompts and questions you can use to get a little quiet and see just how much deep wisdom you already possess.
Bottom line?
In this wild and crazy world of online business, it can be so easy to feel stuck running your business their way and losing the true vibe you want to bring to whatever it is you do.
So make a change.
Start really digging deep and deciding how you want your brand/business to run. Define your mission, your ethos, and weave it into the work you do.
If it doesn’t feel good, does resonate, doesn’t sit well with you, don’t do it. Take that sharp entrepreneurial mind of yours, take all the wisdom you’ve gained creating what you already have and find a different way.
What are you going to do today to help you build your business YOUR way?
