How to Create a Meaningful Brand for Your Business
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Email | RSS | More
Create a Meaningful Brand for Your Business
How to Create a Meaningful Brand for Your Business
In this episode of My Biz Dream Team: Opportunity Wednesday Training Series we explore more deeply how to create a meaningful brand for your business. Remember that your brand creates the foundation for the relationship that you will build with your clients. As an entrepreneur, consultant, speaker, or author you want your brand to represent the value that you offer and the promises that you will keep.
1. Three Key Questions to Answer to Create a Meaningful Brand for Your Business
We begin this episode by sharing with you three key questions that you need to consider that will help you to create a meaningful brand for your business. We call this concept of creating a meaningful business brand, “personal branding for entrepreneurs” because you are the personal representative for your business.
The three key questions to ask and answer are:
(1) What does your business do and how do you do it better than anyone else?
(2) What images and words do you want your audience to think about when they hear your name?
(3) What are the advantages and benefits of doing business with you?
Take time to carefully consider these questions. Write down your answers in a notebook. These questions and answers are essential to helping you create a meaningful brand for your business.
2. The Importance of Telling Meaningful Stories
The next part of the podcast discusses the importance of telling stories. Telling meaningful stories is fundamental to help you create a meaningful brand for your business. Remember that your clients and potential clients relate much easier to stories rather than facts and data.
If you want your story to be meaningful make sure that it is: relevant, timely, and motivating!
For more information on branding check out:
Be Different: Increase Your Perceived Value
Conclusion/Call to Action
Listen in to this episode of My Biz Dream Team: Opportunity Wednesday Training Series as we help you learn how to create a meaningful brand for your business. Tune in next time to My Biz Dream Team: Opportunity Wednesday Training Series as we continue our discussion of personal branding for entrepreneurs!
You can download our Free Focus Guide on Personal Branding for Entrepreneurs by going to our website: http://mybizdreamteams.com
At My Biz Dream Team, we show you how to develop an internet lifestyle business that can help you reach your money goals. Check out The Podcasting Power Playbook, to help you increase your visibility, credibility, and authority status. Let us show you how to reach your goal of creating a lifestyle and a business that you love! Act today.
Pamela Montgomery
I am Pamela Montgomery, attorney, author, entrepreneur, and speaker, providing you results-oriented strategies that help you achieve uncommon results in your business and in your life!
Comments Off on How to Create a Meaningful Brand for Your Business
Unlocking the Door to Personal Branding for Entrepreneurs
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Email | RSS | More
Unlocking the Door to Personal Branding for Entrepreneurs
Unlocking the Door to Personal Branding for Entrepreneurs
Wouldn’t you love to learn the secrets to unlocking the door to personal branding for entrepreneurs? Branding seems shrouded in mystery and intrigue. You know that big companies have brands. You see them all the time in ads on television, social media, and magazines. But, what you may not realize is that your small company can be branded also. We will help you learn the secrets to unlocking the door to personal branding for entrepreneurs.
This episode of My Biz Dream Team: Opportunity Wednesday Training Series is the first part of a series on “Personal Branding for Entrepreneurs.” In this episode we answer the follow questions for you:
- What is Branding?
- Why is branding important for your business?
- How to determine your brand?
1. What is branding?
You have probably heard that you should brand your business. But, maybe you are not sure about what that means.
Some people believe that a logo is all you need to brand a business. While a logo plays a role in your brand, it is not your brand. A logo is merely a visual representation of your brand. Just like a map is not the world, merely a visual representation of the world.
So, if your logo is not your brand. What is branding?
Branding has been defined as the process of creating a unique name, message and image in the consumer’s mind. The goal of branding is to differentiate yourself from others in the market. You want to use your brand to both attract and retain clients.
As you can tell, branding is not a simple task.
2. Why is branding important for your business?
Your brand is communicated through every single action your business takes. It is an essential element of your marketing success.
For more information on this topic see the following blog posts:
3 Secret Branding Tips for Successful Entrepreneurs
3. How to Determine your Brand
Ultimately your brand is a combination of what people think of when they envision your business and the message that you want to convey. Think about the benefits and advantages to using your goods and services. Then ask yourself the following the questions:
What do people say about my business?
What do I want people to say about my business?
Once you can honestly answer these questions, then you can begin to create a solid brand and change your image in the minds of your prospects and clients.
Conclusion/Call to Action
Listen in to this episode of My Biz Dream Team: Opportunity Wednesday Training Series as we help you learn the secrets to unlocking the door to personal branding for entrepreneurs.
At My Biz Dream Team, we show you how to develop an internet lifestyle business that can help you reach your money goals. Check out The Podcasting Power Playbook, to help you increase your visibility, credibility, and authority status. Let us show you how to reach your goal of creating a lifestyle and a business that you love! Act today.
Pamela Montgomery
I am Pamela Montgomery, attorney, author, entrepreneur, and speaker, providing you results-oriented strategies that help you achieve uncommon results in your business and in your life!
Comments Off on Unlocking the Door to Personal Branding for Entrepreneurs
3 Secret Branding Tips for Successful Entrepreneurs
3 Secret Branding Tips for Successful Entrepreneurs
3 Secret Branding Tips for Successful Entrepreneurs
Do you know the secret that successful entrepreneurs know? Clients do not buy a product. They buy you. Yes, that is right! They buy your personality, unique qualities, and experience. You are your brand!
At one time “branding” might have meant a corporate-looking logo and a slick catalog. However, today the real value of branding is not in appearing to be a big company. Rather the real value is in just being you. Your personality shines through in a variety of ways. This articles explores the 3 secret branding tips for successful entrepreneurs.
1. Your Authentic Voice
How you speak and write, act on camera, or in an audio interview has the power to instantly identify you. Therefore, be sure to showcase your authentic voice.
Potential clients can see this in action as they scroll through your Facebook or Twitter feed. It is easy to know who has posted an image or status update, just by recognizing the voice with which they generally speak.
Here is an even more important aspect of your “voice” though: it has the power to attract a specific audience. In recent years, a few high-profile coaches and product sellers have become celebrities of a sort, largely because of their harsh, “don’t hold back” language.
Nastiness and foul language is not the only way to go, though. It is not my style. I have built my brand almost entirely on my ability to provide methodical and strategic advice to help my clients achieve the desired results in their business and in their life. My ability to connect with them on an emotional and intellectual level has proved magnetic.
Whatever your approach or style, if someone were to meet you in person, make sure that you speak or act exactly as you do on-line. Be authentic. Your brand will be stronger for it.
Branding is Essential
2. Your Story
How did you get to where you are today? Your backstory—which to you might seem boring and uneventful—is a powerful tool that can help solidify your brand and attract just the right audience.
My husband and I realized early in our relationship not to rely on paychecks from a job. Within 6 months of getting married, he was laid off from his job. Since that time, more than 30 years later we have always had a side-hustle. I left my full-time job, to work on-line full-time after too many long-commutes, too many overnight trips, and too much office politics. Being an on-line marketing strategist allows me to spend more time with my family, volunteer in the community, and use my knowledge, skills, and abilities to help people looking for a way of the rat race create the means and opportunity to exercise their options. My legal training and experience allows be to take a stand for economic and social justice in a very concrete and meaningful way.
Your story does not have to be dramatic, and you certainly do not have to share more than you are comfortable with, but it does have to be yours. Be your true self, and you never have to worry about attracting the right audience. They will self-select. Your perfect client will find you.
3. Your Mission Statement
At its most basic, your mission statement defines who you are, what you do, and for whom. Potential customers should be able to read your mission statement and immediately know you are a good fit for them. Communicating your mission in a consistent and authentic way across all platforms is the key to long-term success, according to a recent article, “The Secret Ingredients to a Successful Branding Strategy” in Entrepreneur Magazine.
But a well-thought-out mission statement is so much more important than that. It is the point on the horizon that will keep you focused. Your mission statement is a key element in defining your brand. It is the litmus test to which every new idea or strategy must stand up. Your mission statement has everything to do with your unique story.
Conclusion/Call to Action
As an entrepreneur you need to focus on the 3 secret branding tips for successful entrepreneurs to grow and build your business. You want to focus on your authentic voice,your story, and your mission statement.
Your branding should demonstrate just how special and different you are.
For more discussion of this topic:
“What's Your Brand?–Perception is Everything” .
“Be Different: Increase Your Perceived Value”
Pamela Montgomery
I am Pamela Montgomery, attorney, author, entrepreneur, and speaker, helping you create the life of your dreams as you achieve uncommon results in your business and in your life!
Comments Off on 3 Secret Branding Tips for Successful Entrepreneurs
How to Dramatically Increase Your Chance for Outstanding Success
How to Dramatically Increase Your Chance for Outstanding Success
How to Dramatically Increase Your Chance for Outstanding Success
Imagine if you knew the one extra ingredient that would dramatically increase your chance for outstanding success? What a difference it would make in your business, career, and life! I have discovered from years of experience that the real secret to success lies in your willingness to go the extra mile. It is the extra effort…the extra work that will make the difference.
Wisdom from My 8th Grade English Teacher
I learned this secret many years ago. My 8th grade English teacher, Mrs. Young, told us to always “Go beyond the call of duty.” Her words of admonishment and encouragement have stayed with me over the years.
There are many influencers and gurus who often toot short-cuts and get rich quick schemes. Do not believe them.
Wisdom from Zig Ziglar
Nothing beats “Under promise, over deliver.” As the great salesman Zig Ziglar said, “If you are always willing to do more than what you get paid for, eventually you will be paid for more than you actually do.”
“The Law of Reciprocity”
Robert Cialdini, in his seminal book, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion explains how when you do something for someone, it sets the stage for them to do something for you in return. Cialdini calls this “The Law of Reciprocity.”
When you go the extra mile for your client, you have set the stage for “The Law of Reciprocity” to start working. “The Law of Reciprocity” does not work for “normal,” “average,” or even “special” service or products. It takes much more to trigger “The Law of Reciprocity.” You must do something “extraordinary” in today’s highly competitive market to gain an advantage.
Look at What Your Competitors are Doing
Look at what your competitors are doing. Then do something different. Your clients want and deserve something better than what everyone else is doing. Start doing what your competitors cannot do or are not willing to do.
Get a new perspective on your business and then go the extra mile for your clients. Only then will “The Law of Reciprocity,” create a compelling reason for your client to want to reciprocate. Dare to be different!
Conclusion/Call to Action
Contrary to what the experts say, there is no short cut to success. If you want to dramatically increase your chance for outstanding success, you must be willing to go the extra mile. It is lonely on that extra mile, but is where you will find the outstanding success that you dreamed of achieving.
At My Biz Dream Team, we can show you how to develop an internet lifestyle business that can help you reach your money goals. Check out The Strategic Pathway to Success Program™. Let us show you how to reach your goal of creating a lifestyle and a business that you love!
I am Pamela Montgomery, attorney, author, entrepreneur, and speaker, helping you create the life of your dreams as you achieve uncommon results in your business and in your life!
How to Quickly Identify Your Ideal Client
How to Quickly Identify Your Ideal Client
How to Quickly Identify Your Ideal Client
How to quickly identify your ideal client is a crucial starting point for a new entrepreneur. Many new entrepreneurs skip this step. Failing to develop a vision of your ideal client can curtail your success before you get started. In this post, I will discuss three key questions that will help you to quickly identify your ideal client.
1. Is Your Product or Service for Everyone?
Too often you may think our service or product is “for everyone.” I thought so at first. I knew that my system, experience, and expertise would help everyone who would just take time to try what I offered. Does that sound familiar to you? But after a few months of trying to appeal to everyone, I realized that I was appealing to no one. I needed to focus on working people who wanted to get out of the rat-race and create an online business.
While it might be true that everyone could use my help, it is simply not possible for me and my brand to appeal to everyone. The same is true for you. Your prices might not be in line with what some can afford. Your branding might not resonate with others. Your story may not touch everyone with the same sense of urgency.
While both men and women might read and enjoy your content, you will find that your market is skewed heavily one way. Men and women are affected by stories and branding differently. What will appeal to a man may not generally appeal to a woman. Look around at some of the brands you buy. You will quickly see how they design their messages to appeal to either men or woman. They do not try to appeal to both.
It was only after I narrowed my focus to my true ideal client, did my perfect client find me.
2. What Goals Does Your Ideal Client Want to Achieve?
What does your client hope to achieve? How do your products and services help your ideal client to realize those goals? Is she trying to build a profitable crafting blog so she can stay home with her children? Or is he is working to create an online resource for muscle car fans? If you do not know where they are going, you cannot help them get there.
3. Where is Your Ideal Client in the Journey?
Is your ideal client at the beginning or well along on the path? The manner that you speak, write, and market will be determined by your ideal client’s level of sophistication. Are you teaching a beginning podcaster how to set up a hosting account on Blubrry? Are you helping a couch potato train for his first 5k? Her level of commitment (and willingness to spend) is far different than a runner training for a triathlon.
You will not reach your market effectively if you do not know (1) exactly where they are and (2) what they need at this point in their journey.
Conclusion/Call to Action
As you work on how to quickly identify your ideal client, it is crucial to consider the following three questions:
1. Is Your Product or Service for Everyone?
2. What Goals Does Your Ideal Client Want to Achieve?
3. Where is Your Ideal Client in the Journey?
As you conduct this analysis, (a) watch your interactions, (b) study the businesses of those who contact you for help, and (c) look at what the leaders in your niche are doing. Soon you will have a clear idea of your ideal client.
At My Biz Dream Team, we show you how to develop an internet lifestyle business that can help you reach your money goals. Check out The Podcasting Power Playbook, to help you increase your visibility, credibility, and authority status. Let us show you how to reach your goal of creating a lifestyle and a business that you love! Act today.
Pamela Montgomery
I am Pamela Montgomery, attorney, author, online marketing strategist, and speaker, providing you results-oriented strategies that help you achieve uncommon results in your business and in your life!
Comments Off on How to Quickly Identify Your Ideal Client
Be Different: Increase Your Perceived Value
Dare to be different!
Dare to Be Different: Increase Your Perceived Value
As an entrepreneur you want to be different in order to increase your perceived value. Sameness is boring and cheap. It is your differences that make you special to your potential customers and clients. Branding is the means to demonstrate that difference.
In Branding Small Businesses for Dummies, branding has been called the science and art of making something unique in the eye of the customer. A brand stands for something. A great brand is easy to remember!
Branding will set you apart from other entrepreneurs in your area of expertise. For example, when you brand yourself you are no longer “a local marketing specialist” you are “the 24/7 marketer.” In fact, everything you do and say establishes your brand. For example, if you are late completing work for your customers, then your brand is being late.
This post makes three points about how you can use branding to increase your perceived value. First, by being different, second by highlighting how you are special, and third, by recognizing that perception is everything.
Be Different
Do not be afraid of being different. Perhaps as a child you may have tried very hard to fit in. This tendency may have continued when you become an adult. Perhaps you recall a situation that occurred when you did stand out that resulted in you being taunted for being different.
Sometimes the limelight can be frightening and uncomfortable. However, as an entrepreneur you must be different. As an entrepreneur, your mindset must shift to embracing the difference. Fitting in with every other entrepreneur in your specialty does not help you!
Be Special
Do not be afraid to embrace the qualities that make you special. One way to do that is to emphasize your achievements. We are all familiar with great athletes like Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, and Hank Aaron whose brand is based on their athletic achievements.
You don't need to be a world-class athlete to use your own achievements to brand yourself. Take a few minutes to think about your area of expertise and how your achievements relate. Perhaps you are a distance runner. That ability shows grit and determination. Great traits for an entrepreneur!
Perception is Everything
Remember that it is always the customer's perception of you that matters. Your brand rises and falls on that perception. Your brand goes beyond a name and a logo. Think about the other ways that you interact with potential customers and clients.
Your social media posts, websites, and business cards are also important. Make sure that your branding is consistent across all medium. You do not want to confuse potential customers or the clients. The attention that you pay to these matters will make you different from others in your area of specialty who do not.
Final Thoughts
As an entrepreneur you want to focus on what makes you different from others in your area of specialty. Your difference increases your perceived value to potential customers and clients. Your branding should demonstrate just how special and different you are. Remember that perception is everything.
For more discussion of this topic: “The ABC's of Branding”
“What's Your Brand?–Perception is Everything” .
Please leave a comment below about how you have used branding to highlight your differences.
Pamela Montgomery
At My Biz Dream Team, we show you how to develop an internet lifestyle business that can help you reach your money goals. Check out The Strategic Pathway to Success Program™. Let us help you accelerate the growth of your business so that you can reach your goal of creating a lifestyle and a business that you love! Act today.
I am Pamela Montgomery, attorney, author, online business strategist, and speaker, providing you result-oriented solutions to help you to achieve uncommon results in your business and in your life!
© Varina And Jay Patel | Dreamstime.com – <a href=”https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photos-dare-to-be-different-image888633#res13432747″>Dare to be Different</a>
What’s Your Brand?—Perception is Everything!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Email | RSS | More
Creative Business Brand
What's Your Brand?
This episode of My Biz Dream Team: Opportunity Wednesday Training Series focuses on how to develop your brand. We discuss the importance of having a brand to making your customer perceive you as: 1) trustworthy; 2) worth more money; and 3) special.
What is your customer's perception of you and your company? Your brand allows you to live in the hearts and minds of your customers. A brand builds up customer loyalty. Listen as we explain why branding is important. We also explain how you can brand yourself and your business.
What is Branding?
In Branding Small Businesses for Dummies, branding has been called the science and art of making something unique in the eye of the customer. Branding makes you different from everyone else. A brand stands for something! A great brand is easy to remember. It is usually represented by a symbol. Perhaps you are familiar with the Nike “swoosh” symbol. Is your business represented by a symbol? Do you have a logo? We are also familiar with the “red” can and the distinctive font on the front of a can of Coca Cola. All of this is branding. Branding is all about the promises that you make and the promises that you keep. You tell your customer all about you and your business with everything you do. Your brand becomes your identity!
Why is Branding Important?
Branding is important because it allows you to stand out in a crowd. It differentiates you from potential competitors. Even if your product is the same as someone else's, branding makes your product special. Remember that is your customer's perception that is the key. How does your customer perceive you, your product or service? That perception becomes your brand. Are you always late in delivering a service? Then your brand is “being late.”
What if You Developed a Brand?
Just think what would happen if you had a powerful brand? You would become memorable! Your past customers would be your greatest sales people. They will absolutely insist on you and only you and your product and services. Your customers will have loyalty to you.
Conclusion
Branding is an important part of your business strategy. It allows you to stand out in a crowd and develops loyalty from your customers. Your branding gives you an identity in the hearts and minds of your customers.
We will continue this discussion on our podcast series and on this blog.
Let us hear from you about how you have branded yourself and your company.
Comments Off on What’s Your Brand?—Perception is Everything!
Branding: The “ABCs” of Branding
Branding is Essential
Branding: The “ABCs” of Branding
Branding is an essential component of your business strategy. Being branded separates you from all the others in your area of expertise. For example, you are no longer “a consultant.” You are now “the 24/7 Consultant.”
As an entrepreneur, it is often difficult to separate yourself from the company. Therefore, everything that you do becomes associated with the company! So be aware of the impressions that you are making even when you are “off-duty.”
Branding sets you apart from others who offer a similar product or similar. Your brand separates you from the crowd. In other words, a brand makes you distinctive! Here are a few basic “ABCs” to help you in developing your distinctive brand.
“A” is for Achievement
Branding by highlighting your achievements is excellent. We are all familiar with the famous athletes like, Cam Newton, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Peyton Manning, who are branded by their achievements. You don't need to be a world-class athlete to use your own achievements for to brand yourself.
Take a few minutes and think about your area of expertise and how your achievements relate. Perhaps you are a marathon runner. That shows grit and determination. Great traits for an entrepreneur. For example, you may have written a book. Many people want to write a book. Most do not. I highlight that I am an author in branding myself. The fact that I have written a book differentiates me. Your brand should highlight your achievements to differentiate you!
“B” is for Benefits
Branding is all about the promises that you make to your customers. So, make sure that your brand highlights the distinctive benefits that you offer. Branding with your unique offering allows you to stand out in the crowd. How do you help your clients and customers achieve better results?
What results can your client expect when working with you? Will they be thinner? Will they become richer? Will they be smarter? Your brand should speak the language of the benefits that you offer.
“C” is for Customer-focused
You should focus on the customer experience in developing your brand. Remember, in branding it is always the customer's perception of you that matters. Your brand rises and falls on that perception. So your brand goes beyond a name and a logo.
Think about the other ways that you interact with customers and clients. For example, branding involves how you answer the phone. Branding is about how you handle customer complaints and customer service. Your brand must be customer-focused.
Conclusion
Branding is essential to building and growing your business. Therefore, it is a key component of your business strategy. In developing your branding remember these “ABCs”:
- “A” is for Achievement based branding
- “B” is for Benefits of your product or service
- “C” is for Customer-focused experiences
By following these “ABCs” of branding you are on your way to establishing a distinctive and sustainable brand. You can work with us to help develop your branding strategy in “The Strategic Pathway to Success Program.” Let us help you make your brand powerful.
We would love to hear about your experiences with branding your business. Is branding part of your business strategy? Leave a comment below.
I am Pamela Montgomery, attorney, author, online business strategist, and speaker, providing you result-oriented solutions to help you to achieve uncommon results in your business and in your life!
Pamela Montgomery
The photo © Alain Lacroix | Dreamstime.com – <a href=”https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photography-company-customer-image17826972#res13432747″>Company and customer</a>
Personal Branding Builds Your Authority
Personal Branding Builds Your Authority!
Personal Branding Builds Your Authority
Personal branding happens with every action that you take as you engage with your audience. Every email, every post, every tweet says something about you as a person. It makes an impression! What impression are you making? If you allow your personality to come through it can help brand you and your business. This article discusses several ways that you can allow your personality to shine and why it is so important to developing your personal brand.
Your Photo is Part of Your Brand
You may not realize it, but your photo is part of your brand. The professional headshot or photograph of you that you use on your website says a lot about your personality. By using your own picture, rather than a carton or icon, people get to connect with you as person and as an authority figure.
Remember to use the same photo or one that is similar in all your marketing. This provides consistency for your brand. You do not want your audience guessing whether it is you or not. We like to use our photo on all our information products. It helps to gain familiarity and to build the authority of our brand. Research has shown that humans respond emotionally to faces. So put a smile on your face and let your audience know that you are an authority.
Use Audio and Video to Build Your Personal Brand
There are so many opportunities available now for your audience to hear your voice and see you in action. The growth of video marketing is astounding. So many people have become famous from YouTube videos that we have stopped counting. So do you have a YouTube channel where you showcase your personality? Video gives you the opportunity to share both your voice and your image with your potential clients. That is very powerful! Live streaming on Periscope and Facebook are also available. A recent newspaper article stated that most Face Book posts will be video in a few years. Currently video posts get the most engagement.
Another outlet for your personality is an audio podcast. While a podcast doesn't allow you the advantage of sharing your authoritative face, you can share your voice. The sound of your voice and its intonations allow your audience to feel more connected to you. How you speak can have a huge impact on how your audience views you. So consider starting a podcast to boost your visibility and authority. Try the Special Report and Training Guide: The Podcasting Power Playbook to help you produce an impactful podcast series.
Personal Branding Helps You to Stand Out in a Crowd
In a world filled with so much information competing for our attention, as an entrepreneur you must look for ways to be different. Personal branding is the difference. There is no one exactly like you! Allow your audience to get to know you and understand how you can be of service. As you brand yourself with your content, pictures, posts, and videos you build up your authority status.
Connie Ragen Green said in a recent post on the topic of personal branding:
“Not only will potential clients remember you better, it’ll also be easier for them to tell others about you. Then you’ll be viewed as an authority in your field, all because you took the time to work on your branding.
But this is only the beginning. As you become more well-known, your ideal clients will become more attracted to you. You won’t have to spend as much time marketing because your customers will naturally flock to you. When this began to happen in my business I was overjoyed and my confidence soared.”
We could not agree more that by using personal branding to build your authority your business will grow. Your ideal clients will find you through word of mouth referrals based on the strength of your authority.
Conclusion
As an entrepreneur building your business, remember that your personality is part of your brand. Whenever you communicate with your prospective clients your personality shows. What does your communication say about you? Make sure that your writing, photos, audios, and videos showcase your personality in the best possible light. Each of these communications can boost your authority and build your business.
I am Pamela Montgomery, attorney, author, online business strategist, and speaker, providing you result-oriented solutions to help you to achieve uncommon results in your business and in your life!
Pamela Montgomery
