Part 2
3 Mistakes that can stop you from creating a magnetic Signature Brand
My first business venture was a secretarial and bookkeeping service, which I started when my first child was around 18 months of age.
Back then I had no idea about branding and the important steps I needed to take to build a successful service-based business. So after printing out a stack of flyers and placing an advertisement in the local paper – I sat back and waited for the phone to ring.
Boy was I disappointed.
While I managed to pick up a few clients here and there, I certainly wasn’ t creating the strong presence I needed to attract a steady stream of prospects to my door.
And when I did get the occasional enquiry, I would find, more often than not, that I’ d have to justify my price and offer a discount in order to win the job.
So not only was I struggling to get clients – I was also struggling to get paid what I was worth.
Fast forward to today- thank goodness I invested in personal and professional development. The lessons I learned from my business coach and mentor were learning how to build a strong personal brand.
So, if you’ re at a stage in your business where you are branding( or re-branding), here are the top 3 mistakes that you’ ll want to avoid.
Business Branding Mistake 1: You try to emulate what other successful people are doing
I recently tweeted:“ Want to build a strong brand? Authenticity and integrity are vital. Don’ t try to be something you’ re not. It’ ll show.” To put this into context, picture this. One of your competitors has a charismatic, yet controversial style and is known for dropping a few colorful words when voicing her opinion. She’ s all about shaking things up and destroying the status quo. If she doesn’ t like something, she’ ll tell you so in her usual powerful and edgy manner. She has a large following on her social media networks who love her work and her business is thriving. Seeing all of her success and achievements, you try to emulate these qualities and approach in your business. But guess what? It’ s exhausting; it feels awkward; and despite your efforts, you’ re just not attracting anywhere near the results you had hoped for. In fact, you’ re still the world’ s best-kept secret, and you’ re feeling miserable and frustrated. No wonder. Trying to be someone you’ re not takes an enormous amount of energy. And more importantly, it’ s not the‘ real you’ that’ s showing up in your business so of course it feels unnatural and awkward. Nothing speaks louder and more powerful than when you give yourself permission show up as‘ you’ in your business.
72 POWERCULTURE APR2013