Northern VA Photographer | Branding & Portrait Art | VSD Photography

Tag: brand voice

  • Personal Branding Basics

    Personal Branding Basics

    Personal Branding Basics

    You’re a business person who wants more of your target audience to know, like, and trust you. How can personal branding help with that — and how much focus should you place on personal branding?

    Personal branding is more than posting your logo or graphics and talking about how great your business is or your products or service are. It dives into you as a person. It shows your audience a deeper level of you — your likes, even your dislikes, your habits, what drives you, etc.

    Woman exercises on exercise ball on a dock in front of a lake in the sun

    Personal branding is crucial for several reasons:

    Builds Trust and Credibility

    Personal branding allows you to showcase your expertise, experience, and values, which in turn builds trust and credibility among your audience. When people can relate to you as a person, they are more likely to trust your business and what you offer.

    Differentiation

    In today’s competitive marketplace, personal branding helps you stand out from the crowd. It allows you to highlight what makes you unique and differentiates you from others in your industry.

    Creates Emotional Connection

    Personal branding enables you to create a more personal and emotional connection with your audience. By sharing your story, values, and passions, you can resonate with people on a deeper level, fostering loyalty and advocacy.

    Increases Visibility And Opportunities

    A strong personal brand increases your visibility both online and offline. It opens up opportunities for collaborations, partnerships, speaking engagements, and media features, which can further elevate your reputation and reach.

    Long-Term Career Investment

    Personal branding is not just about the present; it’s an investment in your long-term career or business success. A well-crafted personal brand can continue to benefit you throughout your professional journey, even if you switch industries or ventures.

    Examples of various personal branding styles:

    Your personal branding should be tailored to align with your values, expertise, and aspirations. Expressing your values, etc through your personal brand will ultimately resonate with and attract your target audience. Here are some examples of impactful personal branding:

    1. Gary Vaynerchuk: Known for his no-nonsense approach to entrepreneurship and marketing, Gary Vaynerchuk has built a personal brand around authenticity, hustle, and social media expertise. He shares his insights through videos, podcasts, books, and speaking engagements, positioning himself as a thought leader in the business world.

    2. Oprah Winfrey: Oprah’s personal brand is synonymous with authenticity, empathy, and empowerment. Through her media empire, she has created a platform to inspire and uplift millions of people worldwide. Her personal brand extends beyond her television show to encompass various philanthropic endeavors and lifestyle products.

    3. Elon Musk: Elon Musk’s personal brand revolves around innovation, ambition, and disruption. As the CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and other ventures, he is known for his bold vision for the future and willingness to take risks. Musk’s personal brand is closely tied to his companies’ missions, making him a polarizing yet influential figure in the tech and automotive industries.

    4. Marie Forleo: Marie Forleo has built a personal brand centered on personal development, entrepreneurship, and female empowerment. Through her online platform, MarieTV, books, and coaching programs, she inspires and educates her audience to create a life and business they love.

    5. Richard Branson: Richard Branson’s personal brand embodies adventure, innovation, and rebellion. As the founder of the Virgin Group, he has leveraged his personality and lifestyle to promote his businesses and causes, from space tourism with Virgin Galactic to environmental sustainability initiatives.

    These examples demonstrate how wide and varied personal branding can and should be. Is it time to take a deeper dive into your personal brand and how you want to show up in the market? How can you change up your social media posts and other marketing to start including or showcasing your personal brand?

    I need to do a deeper dive into my personal brand

    Click the button above and we’ll schedule a time to talk more about how you see yourself and how you want to be seen by your current and future clients and business partners!

  • 5 Ways to Refresh Your Brand

    5 Ways to Refresh Your Brand

    5 Ways to Refresh your Brand

    woman leans forward towards you while sitting in a chair

    YOUR BRAND

    It is your voice without saying a word.

    It is the perception that others have about your business.

    It is your reputation.

    There are times in the life of your business when you feel like a rebrand or at least a refresh of your brand is necessary. We should be re-evaluating our brand message at least yearly. 

    That doesn’t necessarily mean making major changes each year, though. Small tweaks can be all that’s needed to better align with your business’ voice and vision.

     Here are 5 ways to bring new life into your brand.

    1. Consider using new avenues

    There’s a reason you’re wanting to refresh your brand. Are you wanting to reach a new audience, a different sector? You might need to speak to them differently than your original clientele. Do you need to start using more video content? Heaven forbid, but do you need to memorize tiktok dances in order to get in front of your ideal client? Is it time to start using text marketing? Using new avenues to reach your clients is a great way to grow your brand voice and stretch yourself in the process.

    2. Update your Website, LinkedIn, social media profiles

    I don’t just mean the posts you’re uploading. Each social media platform gives you the ability to build your profile. Perhaps your LinkedIn profile still mention that you’re with a former employer? Does your Instagram bio contain links to your other content? Do Facebook and Google have your most current work hours? Set a tasker at least twice a year to check yourself on all the platforms you’re using. This is an easy brand refres

    3. update your Elevator pitch

    Always be ready to talk about your business. If you’ve been using the same pitch for months on end, you may come across as stale or stagnant. Having a key phrase you always use, that people automatically know you by is great. But if they can recite your pitch verbatim,it might be time to shake things up a bit.

    4.update your visuals

    All of these avenues will most likely need to be updated with a refresh — or if you haven’t had them updated in several years.  This is where I come in! I can help you update your headshot, branding images, product photos, print and digital media, etc. Set up a consultation with me so we can discuss if new visuals are needed.

    5. update your logo, fonts, and colors

    This is the biggest and most drastic change. Updating these shouldn’t happen often, otherwise you risk confusing current and potential clients. Tread lightly here. I would recommend talking with a professional like Brand Mirror or C Liston Communications to make sure you’re on the right track with what you’re wanting to change. This tends to lead to more than a brand refresh but a brand rebirth.

    Let’s talk your brand refresh