Let’s Get Down to Business…Branding & Success 101 for Blogs, Brands and Life

I am SO excited about this post because YOU GUYS asked for it! A week ago I attended a branding event with Lauryn Evarts from The Skinny Confidential and her husband, fellow entrepreneur, Michael Bosstick. I posted a few of my fav takeaways from the event on my Insta Stories and asked if you wanted to hear more; the response was AWESOME!

Even though I knew you guys really wanted it, when I first thought about doing a branding post I questioned, does this relate to the message of Lost Luxe? My mission for LL is to help you create a beautiful life that is AUTHENTIC TO YOU by sharing my truth and what resonates with me, in hopes that it then resonates with you.

I realized YES these are great branding tips for bloggers or business owners, but really these are tips for a real deal, successful and purposeful life. So whatever it is you apply it to, your blog, your business, your job, the biggest tip of all is:

Build it around yourself and what is genuine to YOU. Speak YOUR TRUTH.

I think we can all agree that if you are doing everything in your life, business or otherwise, coming from your place of truth, you will not only be more successful but you will be much, much happier.

So without further ado…

1) Reiterated for the billionth time: BE TRUE TO YOU

Don’t try to emulate those who have come before you, or give people what you think they want to hear {hello, people pleasing. #guilty} Be you, well. Build trust through authenticity. Put on blinders to what everyone else is doing and just obsess over your vision. Your truth should be your branding.

2) WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT?

Now that you’re being true to you, what about YOU is different? Go super deep with this. Niche down. It is better to have 10 people whom your message really resonates with because they will tell their friends with similar interests how great you are vs 100,000 people who only get what you’re about some of the time.  This is what helps you stand out from the crowd blogging, selling, job interviewing or even dating. If it doesn’t resonate with the person on the other end, it wasn’t meant for you.

3) PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS

Where should you be sharing yourself? Are you great on camera? Start a Youtube Channel and speak to your audience directly on Insta Stories or Snapchat. More shy? Focus on creating great content for Instagram where you can plan out your thoughts and caption. For life, are you better in person than on the phone/ in writing? Head into potential job ops to drop your resume versus just sending an email, focus on in-person networking for work or dating, etc. and vice versa.

4)PROVIDE VALUE

I’m currently obsessed with the podcast “Startup School” by Seth Godin. It is a must listen for all bloggers and entrepreneurs IMO and is so key for branding tips. In one episode he explains that people are always looking for what something or someone does for them or makes them feel. Even if they like you, they like you for how you make them feel about themselves.

The question we should ALWAYS be asking to capitalize on this is, “How am I adding value?” In a reciprocal relationship, business or personal, if you expect to receive something {trust from readers, advice from an established source, friendship or love} you should be adding value to the other party.

Wondering what value to provide?

Let your audience lead the way and listen. {Within the scope of staying true to yourself, obvs}. Lauryn loves Snapchat for this because you can see what people screenshot which clearly shows what content resonates most with them. I used my Insta Stories and listened to you guys when you said you wanted this!

In a personal relationship, notice what lights the other person up and give more of that, cooking, cuddles, words of encouragement, whatever. {SIDE NOTE: Obvs DO NOT give value to anyone in a relationship that you are not getting the same from. You’re worth the world!}

In a 9-5 job: if you notice your boss really stresses over project timelines be sure to get your stuff in early and help her to streamline workflows in other areas to guarantee they come in on time. Etc, etc.

5) CREATE A STRATEGIC FUTURE

Instead of coming up with goals to hit, work BACKWARDS.

Envision your highest, grandest vision for yourself and your biz/life, then work backwards to lay out the steps that will enable you to achieve that vision. This way, every goal you achieve keeps you on track for this vision.

PLUS Visualization of your endgame is a HUGE key to success. Professional athletes, the top business people and more all agree that visualizing a success as though it’s the here and now and replaying that over and over in your mind helps condition your subconscious to be open to opportunities around to you that will allow you to achieve that vision. Once you have your action steps in place…

6) SCHEDULE IT

Lauryn is a big fan of calendaring and time blocking. Don’t be vague. Instead of “In the next three months I’m going to do X” say, “Thursday from 3:30p-4:45p I’m going to do X” Stick to your schedule. Re-evaluate regularly to be sure you’re on track for your strategic vision.

As Seth Godin says in his Startup School podcast, If you have something for everyone, what you’re really saying is you don’t have anything for anyone. Be true to yourself, nice down and share your truth via the method that plays to your strengths and you’re good to go.

I hope you found this post helpful! These tips definitely helped me wrangle my thoughts a bit. Let me know what you think or any question you may have in the comments!

Xx,

C