🎬 Welcome to the captivating world of YouTube branding, where we transform your channel into a consistent and recognizable brand!  As your friendly guide,  I’ve spent over a decade mastering the art of branding and have cracked the code for building a magnetic brand that attracts your ideal clients. 

Now, get ready for a step-by-step journey as we dissect the secrets of creating a well-branded presence that truly shines on YouTube. ✨ 

So, grab your popcorn and let’s delve into the essential ingredients that will make your YouTube brand unforgettable. From crafting eye-catching logo stings to selecting the perfect colors, fonts, music, and visuals, we’ll leave no stone unturned in ensuring your videos pop! 🎉🎥 

Prepare to unleash your creativity, my friend, as we embark on this exciting journey of YouTube branding mastery. Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button and give it a thumbs up – your support means the world to us! 👍😍

Purpose

The very first step in setting up your YouTube channel and crafting your brand is to define your purpose. 

Your brand isn’t just a logo or design – it’s the perception that lives in the minds of your ideal clients. So, what do you want them to think of when they hear your name? Do you aspire to be widely famous or establish authority in a specific niche? 🔍

For many budding YouTubers, businesses, and content creators, focusing on a niche can lead to quicker growth. So, narrow your focus and define your niche and purpose for building a YouTube channel. 🎯

As an entrepreneur, my purpose on this channel is to educate and empower people in brand strategy. I’m here to give back and showcase my authority. I know I won’t be the next YouTube sensation, and that’s totally fine because it’s not my intention. My goal is to reach fellow entrepreneurs and help them succeed in their online ventures. 

So, let’s start with you. What’s your purpose, and who are you creating content for? Let’s build your brand on YouTube with purpose and passion! 

Content Strategy

Time to get strategic with your content. Let’s define your content strategy on a fundamental level. What kind of content do you want to be known for?

Imagine owning a set of keywords or a specific topic area. What would those be?  When you tune in to my videos, you’ll often hear me mention branding, psychology, and entrepreneurship – and that’s no accident! These are the topics I create content around and want people to associate with me. 

This is especially helpful for my multi-passionate content creators and entrepreneurs. It gives you focus!  So, if you had to pick three topics to start with, what would they be? Remember, this doesn’t mean you can’t explore other areas later, but these three content pillars will serve as your foundation. 🏛️

Filter your choices through the purpose and target audience we’ve already identified. 

Think about what makes you light up with excitement. What can you talk about endlessly without getting tired? What are you obsessed with, or what unique knowledge or advantage do you bring to the table? Perhaps there’s an intriguing aspect of your lifestyle that people find fascinating, or you have a specific expertise you’d love to share. 

So, let’s find those magical words – those content pillars that perfectly describe your chosen topics. Let’s build a content strategy that’s both engaging and true to your passions! 🔥🎉

Design & Identity

✨ Alright, let’s have some fun with part three: defining your channel design and brand identity!

First things first, we need to decide on our position in the market and how we want people to feel when they encounter our brand.  If you’re unsure about this, I have an incredible resource on my website – a brand archetype quiz that helps you uncover your brand personality. It’s a great starting point if you’re feeling lost!

Next up, let’s create a mood board to visually define our brand identity. 🖼️ We want to pinpoint our brand colors (check out my video on identifying brand colors if you need guidance). It’s essential to establish a unique visual identity that remains consistent across all touchpoints on your YouTube channel.

And what about fonts? 🖋️ We recommend sticking to a maximum of three to four fonts. Typically, it’s helpful to have a headline font, a sub-headline font, a body font, and if you’re feeling adventurous, an accent font. Make these decisions in advance so you can build your YouTube channel assets accordingly.

When you take a peek at my channel, you’ll see these elements in action. My brand colors shine in the background, and you’ll notice images that align with my brand standards. My fonts take center stage in the title graphics, and my logo makes an appearance in the video intro. Even the thumbnails sport my brand fonts, colors, and logos.

To create professional-looking thumbnails and cover banners, check out Creative Market. You can find editable templates for Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva (Canva is super user-friendly!). If you’re using Canva, you can access your brand colors and upload your exact brand fonts if you have Canva for work. Otherwise, choose fonts available in Canva to maintain consistency.

Remember, you don’t have to create a plethora of different assets for your YouTube channel. You have the top banner where you can direct attention to your desired destinations, like my brand quiz. Add context, credibility, and specificity at the top, showcasing your channel’s purpose and content focus. And of course, let’s not forget the eye-catching, on-brand thumbnails that will grab people’s attention! 🎯👀

So, let’s unleash your creativity and create a visually stunning YouTube channel that stands out from the crowd! Remember, it’s all about that beautiful cohesion and consistency. Let’s make your brand shine on YouTube! 🎥✨

Video Style

 Now, let’s talk about the visual assets in your videos! It’s time to decide what’s happening on screen and create a consistent video style. 

Consider the background or setting of your videos. Will it be a casual day-in-the-life vlog or a curated backdrop that reflects your brand? This will add visual cohesion and help viewers recognize your content. Some creators even use specific filters or color grading in their editing to maintain a consistent look.

For those feeling fancy, you can design a logo sting, a short clip that showcases your logo. This advanced strategy adds a professional touch. You can find royalty-free music online and collaborate with a video editor to create your logo sting based on your brand standards.

If you’re up for the challenge, you can even animate your logo using PowerPoint or Keynote and export it as a video clip. Add some music and voila! Your own logo sting. ((Let me know if you’d like a tutorial on this by commenting below. 📽️🎵))

Production

Let’s talk about the fourth element of building your YouTube brand: production value. It’s all about the technology and equipment you use to create your videos. 📸🎙️

Consider your camera, lights, and audio setup. Are you using high-quality equipment or more beginner-friendly options? Upgrading your recording equipment can create a “halo effect” where viewers perceive higher-quality content based on production value alone.

While you may not start with top-notch gear, it’s always good to have an upgrade plan. Let me quickly show you my behind-the-scenes setup using my phone:

🎙️ I use an Audio Technica microphone for fantastic audio quality.
💡 Two softboxes provide great lighting for my videos.
📝 My video notes are right here for easy reference.
📷 And I use a Lumix camera to capture high-quality video.

I’ll include links to the equipment I use below, so you can explore options for upgrading your production value if you’re interested. 

🌟✨ And that’s a wrap! You now have a step-by-step guide to upgrading and defining your YouTube brand. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below. 👇

Pssst… You can pin this vlog post to reference later! 📌

Pin this vlog post to reference later! 📌

What Are You Selling?

If you want your launch to be a success, it’s important to pick something that is either in high demand or has the biggest strategic benefit for your business.

You should also make sure that whatever you are launching has already been proven to sell and there is desire in the market 💰. By doing this, you can maximize your momentum and get lots of sales 📈!

Ideal Client

Launching a product or service requires careful planning and understanding of your target audience. 🤔 Before you begin, it’s important to consider who is most likely to benefit from your offer, what knowledge gap exists that needs to be closed for them to take action, and what objections they might have. 🤷‍♂️ Once you have answers to these questions, you can create effective launch content that speaks directly to their needs.

If you don’t know the answers yet, it may be best to hit the pause button until you do! 🛑

Backward Planning

Backward planning a launch can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! 🤩

Psst: If you want the nitty gritty details about how I use my Notion calendar to help create a launch timeline, check out the video. ☝️☝️

With the right strategy and timeline in place, you can make sure your launch is successful and profitable. 😎 To start off, create an open and close date for when people will be able to purchase your product or service. This creates urgency and scarcity and encourages people to act quickly. 💨Then consider adding additional value during the live launch event that isn’t available at other times. 

To create more opportunities, offer a downsell offer. 

Finally, plan out time afterwards to rest after all of the hard work has been done – let yourself enjoy the success of your launch! 🥳

Promotional Messages

Promotional messages are a great way to reach the right people and get them to take action. 

A successful launch sequence requires multiple emails: invitation to event, the event itself, selling into offer, and downsell. 📅 To maximize the effectiveness of a launch sequence, it’s also important to use ads and other promotional messages to draw attention and get people excited about the event. 📢

With a bit of planning, you can create an effective launch sequence that gets results. 🎯

To-Do List

It’s important to create a schedule/calendar of all the emails and other promotional messages that you will be sending during the launch. 📅 This includes promo emails, sales emails, downsell emails, live event messages and advertising creatives. 🎨

You can also include daily prizes for the event and worksheets or other engagement pieces to make it fun for your audience. 🤩 Organization is key when launching a product or service- creating an actionable plan ahead of time will help ensure your launch is a success! 

Launch in Action

You’ve made it this far. YAY!

Want to experience a *live* launch with me?

Well. Shameless Plug…

Are you looking to unlock your brand potential and create a magnetic presence?  Join me for my LIVE, four-day event. We’ll be exploring the science of emotion, the magic of story, the perspective shift to enable success and more. Each day will feature engaging exercises that will help you unlock your brand potential.

Sign up now for this FREE event today! 🎉🎊✨

Link to sign-up: https://www.kayeputnam.com/catalyst-event/

I hope to see you there! 🤗😊

Pssst… You can pin this vlog post to reference later! 📌

Pin this vlog post to reference later! 📌

Know the Needs of Your Audience

When it comes to creating a marketing campaign, the first and most important step is, to begin with a strong understanding of your target audiences’ needs.

This can spark creative ideas and help you create more effective messaging that resonates with your potential customers. Take the time to know your audience in-depth, what problems they face, and how your product or service can help them.

With this understanding and vision, you’re ready to motivate and encourage your customers – to buy💸 your product or services.

Deciding What to Launch

When deciding on the best event to center your launch around, allow yourself to tap into your imagination, and don’t let any limitations hold you back. You could host a..

✅  Free call
✅  Masterclass
✅ Engaging challenge

Get creative and create something that will not only help others in achieving their goals but also something that you’ll love to participate in if you were in their shoes.

Think of ways you can support your community in the most empowering way—it’s an opportunity for everyone involved to grow, learn, and share incredible experiences together.

To make sure your launch plan is successful, think of it like a roadmap 🚗🗺️: you have to map out each step so that you end up in the right place when all is said and done.

Goal Setting

Start by setting a goal – what do you want to accomplish with this launch? Then break down that big goal into smaller milestones or tasks that will help you move forward. Make sure these are realistic and attainable, otherwise, you’ll be setting yourself up for disappointment. Know that some of your ‘wish list’ of tasks will likely get thrown out at the last minute if you run out of time or energy.

✨ Know which tasks are ‘must-do’s’ and which are ‘awesome if I have time.’

Timelines 

Next, create an effective timeline for your launch. I like to use the metaphor of planting a garden – if you want vegetables in two months, you have to plant the seeds and water them now. Put deadlines in place for each stage of your launch plan, from idea to execution. Plan ⏮️backward⏮️ from your launch start date, and make sure you have enough time (given your other commitments & energy levels) to complete everything you need to launch. This might include things like landing pages, event content, promotional content, emails, and more.

Excite Your Audience

As you gear up for this big launch, get your audience excited from the beginning. Use your pre-launch content to tantalize them and get them wanting more. It’s like a 🔥sexy movie trailer for an upcoming cinematic blockbuster: get creative, draw out anticipation and curiosity, and use visuals and stories to bring your message home.

Encourage fans to follow along on this journey with you – provide insights about what’s coming soon and how it will help improve their lives or businesses. Most importantly, give them a taste of the incredible journey that awaits them when you finally launch!

💪 It’s an empowering feeling knowing that excitement is building far before the actual launch date, so make sure to prime your audience properly! 💜

Pivoting

Make sure you are prepared to handle unexpected obstacles. Have Plan B’s ready – if something isn’t working, what will you do? Make sure everyone on your team is informed so they can help as needed. This might include having ideas for increasing the energy mid-launch if you see sales slowing, or being willing to add additional content to answer FAQ you’re getting from your audience about your offer. Also be sure to test, test, and test all of your key technology – landing pages, links, webinar software, etc.

Who to Invite

When inviting people to participate, it’s essential to consider both warm and cold audiences. This means utilizing your existing mailing list, social media followers, and any other established relationships, as well as investing in some cold promotion such as advertising or paid reach. Reach out and invite everyone; from those you already have a relationship with to strangers who may be hearing about your product for the first time – take this incredible opportunity to spread the word and empower as many people as possible!

Post-Launch

After you launch, it’s important to remember to give yourself a rest period. You have worked hard and devoted so much energy to this launch process – it’s only normal that you are feeling tired and stretched thin. This makes it even more necessary for you to take the time to replenish your energy levels and take care of yourself.

Use the rest period that you have allocated yourself to reflect on all of your hard work, 🙌🎉celebrate your successes, and look ahead with excitement about what comes next: serving your new students or clients. Make sure that no matter how hard you’ve worked, you always make time for yourself. Your wellness is essential in accomplishing big goals like a successful launch!

Pssst… You can pin this blog post to reference later! 📌

Pin this blog post to reference later! 📌

These simple steps will set you up for success when launching your business. So let go of the overwhelm and get ready for takeoff – because it’s time to make an impact! 🚀

Are you working on your next launch? What will it be? I would love to know!

1. Course Structure #1: The “How To” Course ❓ 

This is where you take your students on a traditional A-B journey.

Tip: Don’t try to stuff every bit of knowledge that you have into your online course – rather, start with the end result in mind.

Let student success stories inspire you by starting with what achievements are possible after taking your class… then work backward from there. – – You know, ◀️ backward ◀️ engineer the process!

You can give learners exactly what they need. With this structure set up correctly – voilà: a powerful learning experience awaits.🔮

Kaye & Co. Examples
Brand New Brand
Convert with a Quiz 

2. Course Structure #2: The “Toolbox” Course 🛠️

For those looking to help their students get results quickly, a “toolbox course” is the perfect solution.

Filled with resources such as templates, checklists and swipe files – all of which can be immediately applied in life or business – these courses provide users with essential assets developed by experienced service providers who understand what it takes for success.

💭 Dream up your own Notion templates
🎨 Create social media marketing kits that are unmistakably stylish
👨‍🍳 Whip together tasty recipes for budding chefs
~The possibilities are e-n-d-l-e-s-s!

With these tools at hand, learning becomes a straightforward process that gets straight to the point! (& these are *easy-to-sell* solutions!)

Kaye & Co. Example
Brandfluency 

3. Course Structure #3: The “Challenge” Course 💪🏽

Take your students on a transformative adventure with a challenge course !

In this type of course, you can provide personalized guidance within an inspiring timeframe—anywhere from five days to two weeks. Every day brings in new challenges and accomplishments as participants receive daily emails outlining their tasks for that day. When seen through, these challenge courses give tons of value with their built-in accountability system guaranteed to get people moving toward success!

👉 👉 Popular examples are seen within the health and wellness community.

Kaye & Co. Example
Brand Clarity Collective (Brand Advantage)  

Teachable

Let me tell you, I *absolutely* LOVE Teachable as a tool to deliver and sell all of my online courses. It takes a lot of the guesswork out. Make sure you watch the Vlog to get a behind-the-scenes look at all of the features that Teachable has to offer, like…

– Beautiful online interface
– You can add videos, files, text quizzes, and codes to your lecture
– Pricing for your course is determined by you and Teachable collects sales & VAT tax

Check out Teachable for yourself! Let me know what you think!

Pssst… You can pin this vlog post to reference later! 📌

Pin this vlog post to reference later! 📌

When you first set out to build a brand – or if you hear that it’s important to have a brand, it can be quite confusing at first. 🤷🏻‍♀️

What does “a brand” mean, anyway? 

For most entrepreneurs, their minds automatically go to the visuals – you know… logos and colors, et al. 

And while these “pretty” elements are just the tip of the branding iceberg (There’s soooooooo much you need to establish first* – your brand personality, values, voice, etc…), the visuals are important. 

So in this week’s blog post, I’m going to break down the visual side of branding: your brand identity system. I’ll outline the six different elements that you should consider assembling, so you can show up consistently and impactfully in this world! 

Read (or watch the video below!) to get a picture of what your brand visuals actually are – on a very practical, tangible level. 

Ready? 

Ahhhhhhh… wait! I have to underscore this, first! 👇 (Then, I promise we’ll get to the pretty stuff! 😉) 

*Keep in, as you read and learn… The design process really shouldn’t be completed until after you know what your brand stands for. Be sure to do the important foundational work first – or you may fall into the trap of having a pretty brand that doesn’t match who you are on the inside. 

(And when that happens, it’s actually damaging… because you’ll quickly outgrow it – and confuse people in your market! Eeeek! 😬) 

Okay, phew… Now that I got THAT off my chest, let’s assume that you’ve already done that foundational work. Let’s dive right into the six visual branding identity elements you will likely need as an entrepreneur… 

Read on for the full details, or press play if you prefer to watch the video version:

Branding Element 1: Your Logo

If there is one element that wins the “brand popularity contest,” it’s the logo! 😉 Every new entrepreneur seems to yearn for a logo. I think it’s because there’s something about one that just helps us feel legit when we’re just getting started!  (I get it!) 

So what would make for a great logo – for your brand? One that looks good but is also functional? I have three tips to help you discern juuuuust that…

My number one tip with logos is this: Keep it simple. 

Remember, your logo doesn’t have to communicate everything in your brand and your business. It simply needs to be a very clean, in-alignment design that you can use in many, many, different situations. We want a distinguishable mark that people will recognize – and one that works. 

(It doesn’t have to be like a series of twelve icons or twelve symbols that represent every. last. thing. about your brand! I pinky-promise it doesn’t. If you were thinking in that vein, don’t doooooooooo it! Something complex will actually be so hard to use.) 

When your logo is simple, it’s more likely that it will work well for you in many applications. 

• It needs to look good on the web. 
• It needs to look good in color – in black and white. 
• It needs to look great when it’s very small (think: on a mobile phone or as the symbol for your app, for example). 
• It needs to look good when very tall. (Think: On a sign or a billboard!) 
• It needs to look good on a house, it needs to look good on a mouse. 

Oops, sorry. Ignore that last one. That’s a different story! 🤣 I got carried away. But you get the point. 

Second tip: Ideally, your logo will have some symbolism built in. The shapes used, the text style, the colors… we want them to be intentionally aligned with your brand values and personality – in addition to communicating what your business name is. 

So if you are modern and future focused, then perhaps the typeface you’re using represents that. Likewise, if you are a more traditional, timeless feeling business and brand, then the typeface you use should convey that. 

Third tip: There are different types of logos. Consider which might work best for you. (Pssst… It might be a text-only logo!) 

Even though it may initially seem appealing to have a logo that is more complex and incorporates some type of objects (Of text-only logos, I often hear from entrepreneurs: “This isn’t a logo! It’s just text!”) …

… Sometimes a simple, text-only logo can be wildly effective. (I’m a fan, for sure!) Think about it… many of the biggest brands in the world have text as their logo. Canon. Fedex. Kleenex. Google, for goodness sake! It’s a completely 100% viable and effective way to go! So, don’t discount it. 

Branding Element 2: Your Alternate Logos (aka “Alt Marks”) 

Alt marks – or alt logos – are basically variations on your main logo. Having a couple of them gives you greater flexibility, as you can choose to use them when you’re not using your primary logo. (“Alt” is short for “alternative!”)

Here a few common ways that alt marks can be conceived and created:

Some can be similar to your logo – with the elements rearranged. For example, if you have a generally horizontal logo, you might want a version that is mostly vertical. So you can achieve that by stacking the elements in a different way – or maybe by re-sizing some of them to fit a bit differently. 

Sometimes an alt mark is a small symbol – or a favicon. (That’s the little symbol that we see in tabs in our browsers when we’re on the internet!). So think… what could your little symbol be? Perhaps it’s just one *part* of your full logo – like the first initial? Or a recognizable shape? 

You can also use alt marks that are like watermarks or stamps. These can literally look like a stamp… a circle or in a square just like a stamp would be – with similar elements like text or symbols inside. I personally really like having these – as they can easily be used as a design accent. They really add more variety and interest into your brand. And they are so versatile.

Branding Element 3: Your Brand Colors

The third element in your brand identity system is your brand’s color palette – and OhMyLanta!… 

The process of choosing brand colors seem to elicit strong reactions from entrepreneurs. Some loooooove playing with colors. Some get *very* freaked out by this (seemingly-complex) choice.  

(In fact, because I get soooo many questions and messages about colors, I have an entire vlog post and Youtube video training – aaaalllll about choosing them strategically. Check it out for the deep dive.) 

But it IS really important to choose brand colors wisely, because they become a symbolic representation of our brands. Our subconscious minds do make associations when they encounter colors – so they say a LOT about who we are. And they ARE powerful. 

Want some evidence? Think the “Golden Arches” or “Tiffany Blue,” for example! When we see those colors, we immediately associate them with those big brands, right?

(To be fair, as small business owners, we may never patent our colors like Tiffany did… but it definitely doesn’t hurt to create repetition by having a signature brand color palette! 😉) 

In Brand New Brand (my signature course; more on that below), I teach entrepreneurs to start with a palette of five colors. (And this is what I’ve been doing with my 1:1 clients for years, as well.) 

These two are used generally for text colors or backgrounds: 

• a dark neutral – maybe it’s black or nearly black; and 
• a light neutral – generally white or nearly white. 

And then you also add… 

• a primary brand color;
• an accent brand color; and
• a call to action color – which is going to contrast the rest of the palette, so that it visually jumps out.* 💥 

Pro Tip: Be sure not to skip the accent color – even if you gravitate toward a palette that is more neutral or monochromatic. You’ll definitely need a color for buttons, links, and other things that you really want people to pay attention to! 🤓

And again, for more brand color tips and best practices (I KNOW you want ‘em!), head to this vlog post!  

Okay, now on to elements 4 – 6! 

Want to save this article for reference? Pin it to your business or branding boards!📌

Pin this article to reference later! 📌

Branding Element 4: Your Fonts 

Okay, on to fonts! I generally recommend a suite of no more than three fonts for entrepreneur brands – to keep things simple and consistent. You’ll need… 

• a headline font, 
• a body font; and 
• a accent font (optional) 

Note: Not everybody needs an accent font! It’s actually kind of trendy, and may go out of style at some point. But I use an accent font in my brand. It’s helpful for calling out specific words – and just to add a little bit more visual interest. 

So, how do you choose the right font combo for your brand? Well, if you want to full 411 on fonts (and you don’t mind getting a liiiitttttle nerdy with me 🤓, check out this more full analysis of fonts and font psychology. 

But, in terms of assembling your basic brand elements, keep these guidelines in mind: 

Your body font will be used for the main blocks of text on your website, and in any other areas where sentences and paragraphs are called for. For this reason, it should be the most simple and readable of the suite. 

Generally you’ll want to stick with a body font that is sans-serif, but that isn’t a hard and fast rule. There are websites that use serif fonts, but overwhelmingly people tend to like to read sans-serif fonts in longer paragraphs of text. 

(Examples of sans serif fonts would be Arial, Montserrat, Open Sans, but head to the full fonts blog post if you want to learn more about these versatile, workhorse fonts – and about their fancy cousins, the Serif fonts! 😉) 

With your headline font and your accent font, you have a bit more creative license to express yourself, since they won’t be used for large blocks of text. But they still need to be *very* easy to read. 

(Word to the Wise: Be discerning here. If you love a font, but you’re not certain that it’s easy to read, just move on! You’ll find one that is both on-brand and legible – I promise!) 

And for all of your typeface selections, you want them to be in alignment with who you are as a brand. 

For example, you wouldn’t want to use a childish, round, soft-looking font – if you’re a high-powered attorney in New York City. (Obvious example, yes – but you’d be surprised how people make these types of branding faux pas on the regular!) 

Likewise, if you are a Caregiver brand… a bold, in-your-face typeface would probably be out of alignment. 

And if you are an Innocent brand… a fancy accent font with lots of twists and unique lettering would probably go against what you’re trying to convey. 

(Pssst… New to the idea of the twelve brand archetypes like the Caregiver, Innocent, Royal, Hero, etc… ? You can learn about them – and take my brand personality quiz to determine yours – right here!)  

Branding Element 5: Your Stylish “Extra Details”

Here’s where we start to get a little more advanced. Once you have the basics in place, you can broaden your scope a bit. You can incorporate signature textures, patterns, shapes, and / or other extra details. 

I’ll use my own brand’s “extras” to illustrate. 

I have two signature textures in my brand – a white marble texture and a copper metallic texture for accents. I use them quite often, and this creates that helpful and reassuring repetition. People know my work when they see it. Whether I’m creating a new product… a slidedeck… a new blog post or a new video… You’ll often see these textures used throughout – and my audience now associates them with me. 

So think about your brand. Are there some signature textures or patterns that you can use in different places to help increase that recognition? 

I also use some specific shapes in my brand – including metallic lines and squares. I’ve intentionally chosen those (instead of circles or more rounded elements, for example) to represent the stability of my Sage archetype. I want to evoke and reinforce the feelings of certainty and clarity that I’m helping my students and clients to achieve.

Other examples of “extra details” that you could incorporate include styled call-to-action buttons, image borders, illustrations, or icons. (So many possibilities here!) 

By intentionally selecting these extras, you just make the decisions when defining your brand – and you don’t have to think about it anymore. (Nice, right? 😉)  

No more hunting for the right little touches for whatever you’re creating at the moment. Instead, you just grab what you need from your “brand kit” and use ‘em! 

Last thing about the “extras”… One of the best parts of having a clear, well-defined brand is that you can delegate creation to others when you’re ready – and things will still be consistent. 

So, all of the brand identity system elements in this article fit into that equation. 

But in my own brand, I think these “extras” really take this to the next level. I can easily work with multiple designers – and I’m not tied to one specific human that can help me be my brand. Equipped with all of the pre-selected pieces, any talented designer can simply put them together in new ways. And whatever they create still looks like me! (#winning!)

Branding Element 6: Your Photography & Images 

The last main element of your brand identity system is photography and images. And there are really two categories of photos here – based on the source. 

1. Ideally, you’ll have some professional brand photos taken. If you’re an entrepreneur or you’re leveraging a personal brand, those may be shots of you. If you’re a product seller or retail business, the subject matter might be your products. (Many entrepreneurs do both – maker and products!) 

I invest in pro shoots quite often – typically at least once per year. Custom brand photography is really accessible at all budgets, and becomes an Incredibly valuable asset that you can use again and again. 

For all my best tips and strategies for getting the best results from your brand photo shoot, head to this comprehensive blog post! 

2. Alternately – or in addition – you can also curate a batch of on-brand stock images. I recommend taking some time to cull through and select a biiiiiig ol’ batch of them – before you need them! 🤓

By coralling them in one place, you’ll save loads of time later. Whenever you need an image for a presentation or for social media (or for anything!), you can shortcut that lengthy search process and simply mine your curated collection. 

Plus, doing this ensures that you’re staying on brand with your images. You want to make sure that yours have similar tones, similar brightness, similar color themes showing up – so choosing them ahead of time keeps your choices more intentional. 

But… What do you actually search for, to find the right images for you? 

When considering the content of the photos, look for:

• people that look like they could be your ideal clients;
• situations that your ideal client aspires to or desires; and
• metaphors or symbolism that you want to incorporate into your brand. 

For example, if you’re a personal stylist who specializes in working with urban women in their 40’s and 50’s, look for women in the right age range, and look for city settings. Look for photos of them looking confident and well-dressed, perhaps out enjoying life and work – and looking and feeling great. 

And symbols to look for? You can include some literal ones – like stacks of high-quality garments and accessories. 

You can also incorporate some more metaphorical ones*. For example, if you’re a Royal brand, perhaps you use images of Paris (synonymous with luxury and aspiration) or red carpets and velvet ropes (to evoke exclusivity).

(*Pssst… This is one of those places where having a deeeeeep understanding of those foundational pieces – like brand personality – really helps guide you. Remember to check out my Brand Personality Quiz to uncover your archetypes.)  

Okay. Last thing about stock images… I want to share some of my favorite places to find stock images! A couple of my favorite free sites are… 

• Pexels.com 
• Unsplash.com   

If you want to find images that are less frequently used (so yours will feel more unique), and you can invest some money in your stock photo collection, try these faves of mine: 

• Stocksy.com
• Istock.com
• Death to Stock Photo (These are very stylized, but awesome!)
• Creative Market (You can search on your own, or check out my curated photo collections. I have one for each of the 12 brand archetypes!) 

Oh, and… (Ooops, sorry… THIS is the last thing about stock images!)… I also have a more in-depth Youtube video aaaaaall about how to get the best stock images for your brand. Check that out here!

So there you have them! … The six primary elements you’ll want to gather – for a complete and robust brand identity system.

It is really beautiful to see brands come together as you carefully select and curate all of these assets. But (You knew that ‘but’ was coming, right??? 😉) just remember not to skip the oh-so-critical foundational work first. 

If you jump right to the end and just choose your visuals based on a hunch… you’ll probably be redoing this process again in a couple months. 

Womp-womp. 

And your brand just won’t be as good and as powerful as it could be.

If you want help with BOTH the foundational pieces AND the development of your on-brand visual identity – my Brand New Brand course could be just the ticket! 

It’s my flagship course, and walks you through the process of building your brand from A to Z. Roughly one-fourth of the course is focused on exactly what I outlined in this article – your visual identity system. (Of course, the other three-quarters helps you define the foundational pieces first.)

Through Brand New Brand, you’ll gain *crystal brand clarity* as you build your brand from the ground up – defining, identifying, and creating all the pieces you need. 

And (this is the best part!) you’ll also be documenting all of those decisions into a full-fledged brand book (template provided!). That’s the asset that allows you to then hand tasks off to your team, and/or to outside creatives like designers and copywriters – who can help you be your brand in the world. 

Sound amazing? It truly is! >>> Check out Brand New Brand right here!  <<<

“Kaye, can I ask for your advice?”

I nodded and she drew in an excited breath. I sensed her pulse quicken. There was an unmistakable fire in her eye. 

And I knew that look, because I had seen it before. 

It was the look of an entrepreneur with a reeeeaaalllly exciting new idea. 

I got stoked too, because – truthfully – I live for this moment. 🙌🏽  Entrepreneurs around the world hire me and my team to define and build their brands. So I’m no stranger to the buzzy, heady energy that swirls around a new business idea. 

My friend (We’ll call her Maria.) explained that she was ready to start something new. 

She has a huuuuge talent and passion for makeup, and it was time to turn that hobby into a business. She’d do makeup for weddings, events, brand photo shoots… just on weekends at first, and then she’d see where it would take her. 

So, she breathlessly asked for my advice about starting out. 

A bunch of thoughts flew around in my head…

💬  I thought about my 1:1 clients, who are typically advanced stage entrepreneurs. (Since working 1:1 with me is a significant investment, entrepreneurs with revenue in the mid-6 to 7 figure range are the ones for whom my 1:1 services make the most sense – and deliver the best ROI.) 

💬  I thought about my course students – entrepreneurs who invest in my Brand New Brand and Brand Advantage courses – or my VIP days. Some are more advanced, but many are at the beginning like Maria.

💬  Then my thoughts turned back to Maria. I wanted to meet her where she was at. I wanted to give her the best advice for her start-up status – and for starting as a side hustle.  

And then it was like a bolt of lightning hit me. (in a good way 🤣).

Instantly, I knew what I wanted to tell her. It was this:

“I think you should build a Minimum Viable Brand –  to start. Because there are only three things you need to be in business.”  

Now, Dear Reader, if you are just starting your business, you are soooooo going to want to read on – for more about what I told Maria. 

And, also (THIS IS BIG! —–>)  If you’re NOT new – even if you’ve been at this entrepreneur thing for months or years – this could be a game-changer for you, too. 

Because if you’re ever feeling overwhelmed and you need to get back to the basics (and who among us hasn’t been there???), what follows will help you focus on the essentials. Because everything you do when you’re at an advanced level should still tie back to these three things. 

K, ready? 

Let’s hone in on the (only) 3 things you need when starting your brand from zero. 

🎥 As always, I’d love for you to read on for aaaaalll the goodness that’s in the details. And if you prefer video, you can opt to watch 👀 this content below.

To be in business, you need (only) three things. 

As you dive in and start learning all about your new business, your industry, your competitors… it’s So. Freaking. Easy. to fall into the trap of thinking that you need everything right now. 

Business cards. Facebook ads. Instagram. An LLC. Three tiers of offers. Chatbots. An email list. A trademark. Seventeen types of software. A Youtube channel. Professional photos… The list could go on and on, and it’s enough to make your head spin. 😵

Thankfully, you really don’t need to worry about so many little things when building your brand in the beginning. You really just have to get three basics down first. 

So, with no further ado, here they are: 

1. You need something to sell. 

Now for some, this may seem a little… ummm… obvious? But, stick with me. 😀

You have to have something to sell. The traditional “things you sell” might be services or products. Many of my students and clients are providing services – like design, coaching, organizing, etc. Others are product sellers – offering things like printables, jewelry, art, or household products. 

But, even if you happen to be building a brand that does something else, you are still selling something. 

Maybe you are getting people to donate to a non-profit. (You’re selling the opportunity to give to something meaningful.) Or maybe you are driving people to your blog – which you monetize with ads or affiliate links. (You’re selling the content you create.)

Point being… The whole purpose of a brand is to connect with people and then influence them to buy or otherwise take action… In other words, to sell (with more ease, I might add. 😉). 

So, it’s critical to get clear on what you are selling – because that’s a primary piece of the branding puzzle. 

2. You need access to an audience.

The second element of your minimum viable brand is an audience. 

(“Cause you know… If a tree falls in the woods and all… 🤣) 

The great news here? There are as many different ways to get in front of people as there are things to sell! 

So. Many. Options! #yay! But they basically fall into two categories – paid and organic. Let’s look at both. 

You can pay for access to an audience. 

For example, you can run ads on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google, or other platforms. If you’re targeting people in a certain geographic area, you could purchase placement with more traditional media – like a billboard on the highway, newspaper ads, or direct mail, for example.  

Other examples of paid strategies: 

• Buying or renting a space at a festival, an expo, or a conference where you sell directly – or promote what you sell
• Paying to join a local chamber of commerce or professional organization to gain access to its events and members
• Sharing your earnings with others who promote your offers to their audiences (i.e. affiliates). 

You can go the organic route to get in front of an audience. 

Examples include building an audience of people that visit your website. This works best when you have a conversion-friendly website, of course – one that is designed to effectively capture leads. 

And if this 👆🏻sounds a bit jargon-y, “capturing leads” just means that you’re giving your website visitors an incentive to share their contact info with you. This can be accomplished with a contact form, or with a piece of free content that you offer to them in exchange for their email. (The latter is commonly called a “lead magnet” or “opt-in offer”.)

Other examples of organic strategies: 

• SEO (search engine optimization), which essentially means you are using words, images, technology, and content on your web pages that help google show your website to people who are searching for things you help with. 
• Pinning your content to Pinterest. 
• Starting a YouTube channel, a podcast, or a Facebook group (or the like) and attracting people to your value-based content there. 
• Speaking (for free; although this could also be a paid strategy) in front of groups of people who would benefit from learning about your area(s) of expertise. 

Again, there are un-ending possibilities here. (More #yay! It’s one of the things that makes business so exciting, IMHO!) 

However you choose to accomplish it, you need access to people…. And ideally people who are going to be interested in that thing that you’re going to sell! So you need to be mindful about who it is that you’re attracting – and you need a place to access the right people. 

And, that leads me to the third element of your minimum viable brand, which is up next…

Pin this article to reference later! 📌

Pin this article to reference later! 📌

3. You need a sales mechanism.

First things first here. —–> A sales mechanism does NOT need to be complicated. 

(Or it can be, and that’s okay too. But, it’s up to YOU how complicated you want to make it. And there are plenty of simple ways to sell.)

But, really… don’t let the word “mechanism” fool you! If you find an uncomplicated way to sell – and you do it repeatedly and consistently, you’ve got yourself a mechanism. 😉

You just need a way to make offers to people. This can be as simple as sitting down with somebody over coffee or on the phone – and just asking them to buy something, or to do something, or to read something. Or, it could mean opening an account on Etsy – or renting a table for every Saturday in the season at a local craft fair. 

Or maybe you’re more advanced, and you do want to incorporate more automation and systems for selling into your brand. This could look like writing sales pages, teaching webinars, creating full sales funnels, or building and developing your own online e-commerce store. 

Bottom line on this one: You need to have a place where somebody can easily take action on whatever it is that you’re selling – and a way for them to pay. 

So, are they reading your blog? If so, you’ll want to make an offer in the post (via a CTA; a call to action). Are they pressing a ‘donate’ button to contribute to your non-profit? Are they seeing your product listings in a shop and deciding to buy?

In all of these examples, you’ll need a way to process monetary transactions. Will you collect credit cards over the phone at the conclusion of a phone consultation? Are you going to have a sales page with a ‘buy’ button at the bottom that connects to your Paypal account? Will you need to invoice customers – and if so, how will you do this?

(Psssst… I use and love Freshbooks for invoicing clients. It’s like a simpler – and prettier – version of Quickbooks. You can try it out by using my #affiliate link. If you end up purchasing, I get a small credit, but I only recommend it because I really like it!) 

You do NOT need #allthethings. 

Remember back up toward the top 👆🏻 when I made that semi-mind-numbing 😵 list of all the things you might think you need….?

Here’s the deal: You do need SOME of them to get started. But not all of them. 

Procure the things you need for YOUR brand’s unique version of the 3 Elements of Your Minimum Viable Brand.

Get what you need to have:

✅ Something to sell;

✅ Regular access to an audience; and

✅ A way to sell and process money. 

And then, as your brand advances, you can sub things in and out – as you learn about what works. 

And (if you desire) you can layer in more strategies – plus the software, visibility platforms, collateral, ads, team members, etc that make those strategies work. 

But for now, start with the basics.  ⬅️

Speaking of basics, let’s get back to them. 

Now… a note for my veteran entrepreneur readers… those who are already running those multi-faceted brands like bosses… 😎

Mr. or Ms. Rockstar business owner, heeeyyyy! If there’s a little part of you that feels j-e-a-l-o-u-s 😯 of the sheer simplicity that the business newbies can enjoy… 

And if you ever feel… 

… overwhelmed by all the moving parts

… unsure which actions and investments will truly move the needle

… like it’s time to get a little leaner or choosier about how you spend time

… then you, too, may want to audit your brand against the 3 Elements of a Minimum Viable Brand. 

Look at each of your expenditures, systems, and how you (and your team) spend your time. Consider which of the “three elements” each action or investment supports. And (you saw this coming, ‘cause you’re a genius…) if something’s not aligned with at least ONE of the three? Consider eliminating or changing it. Because everything you do should roll up to:

✅  Improving and fulfilling on what you sell; 

✅  Building your audience, and creating opportunities to expand that audience; or

✅  Selling. 

And now, back to Maria…

So back to my friend, Maria the makeup artist. Want to hear how her brand-building is going? 

1. She’s already clear on what she’s selling.

Her makeup services will be for brides, bridal parties, and entrepreneurs who are getting brand photos taken.  

2. Her first decision was to decide how to get in front of an audience.

Her initial thought was to focus on building her Instagram account. She will be doing that, but it is kiiiiiinnnnnd of the slow route. (#TrueStory, right?) So, I suggested to her that she systematically tap into collaborations with people that have existing audiences. 

So, she’s working on identifying local influencers – those who have a larger Instagram following than she does. She’ll offer specific, well-thought-out collaborations. (She’ll make it an easy “yes” for them – not just throw out a vague suggestion of a collab. 🤓)  

Similarly, she’s also reaching out to related industry pros – like wedding photographers, florists, venue managers, and others who already have access to brides. And, she’s scoping out conferences and expos where her ideal clients will be.  

3. Finally, she’s putting a sales mechanism in place. 

She’s committed to posting content and offers on two visibility platforms, and starting an email list and sending monthly newsletters. And, she’s investing in Dubsado, which is a system that can organize her lead collection, lead follow up, and invoicing. (If someone wants to just write her a check, that’s cool, too. She’s not going to make things harder than they need to be.) 

And that’s it. For now. 😎  And it all feels super-manageable for her, which is especially important since she has about 10 hours per week max to devote to her brand – for now. 

Minimum Viable Brand, Baby! 

Oh, one last thing…

Maybe now you’re thinking, “Well this was fun and useful, but what do these 3 Elements of a Minimum Viable Brand  have to do with branding, Kaye?” 🧐

Well, everything of course! Because…

Everything that you do to build a compelling brand makes one of these three things work better. 

Much of the branding work that my clients and students do is about Step 1 – having something to sell. If you can position your product or service as radically different or better from other options in the market… if you can make it more special, more desired, more in-demand than other options… then more people are going to want it. 

Getting in front of an audience regularly in Step 2? And the right audience, at that? Again, brand clarity – which includes a solid and deep understanding of your ideal customer – is key here. By knowing your ideal client more intimately… by understanding his pains, desires, and aspirations, you’ll improve your targeting.

And (this is crucial) doing the work means you can build your own audience – using your clear, magnetic brand. Then you have the ultimate influence over and access to that audience. Because when you can send an email to your list or post on your accounts – and get an access to thousands of people who are interested in what you have to say? #YouveArrived, Genius! 😎

Lastly, knowing your strongest, most compelling brand sets you up to improve your sales messages in Steps 3. Those “conversations” that you’re having – in which you’re making offers and collecting money? They get easier (and more frequent!) when your brand is in demand. 

Want to take the next steps? 

My new course – The Brand Advantage (Part course! Part experience!) is designed to facilitate your breakthrough to sharp brand clarity – FAST. 

In this action-oriented 30-day program, our first order of business will be to create the conditions that make it inevitable for you to succeed.

Then, we’ll dive in and: 

✅ Develop the habits… publishing, making offers, and making upgrades… that actually generate sales. (I’ll teach you how to incorporate all three into your schedule.)

✅ Do the work together to get *crystal clear* on your unique brand identity (so you can finally stand out!). 

✅ Learn how to sneak right inside the brains of your ideal clients (and structure offers that they simply can’t resist.) 

✅ Master the four types of content you need to draw them in to your orbit. (We’ll craft your content strategy and story vault.) 

✅ Build your visibility machine – so you can stay consistent with content – even if it’s just you. (…and especially if you’d like your content to work hard for you when you’re not working.)

✅ Create the lasting memory triggers your brand needs to hit to be memorable and top-of-mind.

✅ Template-ize the process, document your brand standards, and cement your growth plan. 

Are you in? Ready for game-changing clarity? To finally break out of your confusion rut, make progress in your business, and – frankly, to make bank? 

Let’s get into action together, shall we?

➡️  Click here to sign up for The Brand Advantage!   ⬅️

Quick survey: Which do you DREAD most? 😳

1. Going to the dentist.

2. Doing your taxes. 

3. Writing your website’s ‘About Me’ page.

It’s the About Page, right? …. I knew it! 

Yep. When it comes to building your brand platform, the asset that is universally known to be the hardest – and most uncomfortable? It’s the About page. 

Why is it so dang hard? Well, it’s a perfect storm of pressure, really.   🌊🌊🌊 ⛵️ 😳  

Here’s what I mean: 

Pressure factor 1: You’re emotionally wrapped up in writing it. 

When crafting this page, you’re in this vulnerable-feeling mental headspace where you want to be liked. You want to connect with the right people. You want those people to see you as knowledgeable, expert, and the singular choice for them. 

And, by gosh… you just want them to want to spend time with you! (It’s like the 8th grade cafeteria table all over again. Ugh.)

BUT… you don’t want to sound like a self-absorbed nincompoop. Or a “blah” corporate robot. Or an unapproachable ruler on a pedestal. (Unless that’s your thing! 😉)

And meanwhile, there’s…

Pressure Factor 2: The stakes are high!

The About Page is one of the most important pages on your website. If you haven’t done so recently – can I ask you to go check your website analytics?

(I’ll wait… go ahead. Cue the elevator music… Let’s go with “Girl from Ipanema…”)

You’re back? Cool… I bet that you found your About Page is one of the most trafficked pages on your entire site. How did I know? Well, it’s like that for most small business owners. 

Website visitors are checking out your About page. A lot. 

Remember, people want to buy from other people. They want to connect with the people behind the business. They want to see if they like you, and if they trust you – and if they want to work with (or buy from) you. The About Page gives that personal context that people are craving from businesses. 

So if you do yours really well, it can mean that you convert many more visitors to paying clients. But if you don’t do it well…  you’re missing out on a key opportunity to connect and earn. 

So, yeah. 

Big high-PRESSURE perfect storm! 🌊 😨

So, what’s an entrepreneur to do? 🤷🏾‍♂️

Well, dear Reader… if you know me, you know I don’t introduce a quandry, without also introducing the formula to solve it. And today is no different! 

So, in this article, I’m sharing my 5-step framework for writing your About Page. It’s my 5 C’s framework – the one I use with VIP clients. And it not only connects with your ideal audience – but converts them into clients and customers. 

If you’d like to watch a video with this content, it’s embedded below. If you’re more of a reader, then onward! 

Okay, ready? Without further ado… The 5 C’s for Writing Your Website’s About Page… 

High-pressure system moving out. Clear C’s   🌊  ahead!  😉

Step 1:  Context 

Okay, it’s sort of a trick question… 

Technically, yes – it’s about you. But, an effective About Page is really about you in relation to them (the visitor). It’s about you – in the context of the visitor’s life and experience. 

The very first thing that she’s wondering when she lands there is this: 

Am I in the right place? 

Is this for me? Is this person going to help me? Does this person have the solution that I need? – to the problem I have? 

And you need to answer that question immediately – before she will continue reading. So you first need to focus on connecting with your ideal client, and on showing her that you know who she is, you understand her, and you can help her. 

This might be as simple as something like this: 

I’m a brand strategist for entrepreneurs who want to build more human brands that connect with ideal clients on an emotional level. And I can help you do that, so you can shorten the sales cycle and make more impact – and more money. 

(Paraphrasing here! If you want to visit my actual About Page, it’s here.)

Or like something like this super-simple About Page headline, from jewelry brand Gorjana:

Jewelry with intention. 

Gorjana offers jewelry that you’ll live in, love always and layer every day.

Notice how they are telling you what they create – but in the context of how, why, and when you would enjoy it. 

Or, it might be on-brand for you to dive a little deeper – first – into your ideal client’s lived experience, describing her problems and desires in more intricate detail. And, then (only then!) you’d move on to an introduction of what you do to solve and serve. 

(Karen Gruber of the Inspired Mama has a killer about page that follows this model. Check it out here.

Jami Kirkbride, a student of my Brand New Brand course, also uses this method with grace and impact. Check hers out here.)  

However you approach this first C – Context – the goal here is to open your About Page by tapping in to your reader’s self-interest.

Pin this article to reference later! 📌

Pin this article to reference later! 📌

Step 2:  Credo

This is where you get to shine! 🌟🌟🌟

And, it’s where you get to segment your ideal clients. You’ll help them self-identify as people who are the right fit – and repel the ones that you don’t want to work with.

So what’s your credo? Simply put, it’s what you believe. It’s those opinions and points of view that make you human, compelling, and the singular choice for those with whom those opinions resonate. (Doesn’t mean they agree – just that they resonate!) 

Your credo is your opportunity to connect your brand to something that goes waaaaaay deeper than just the product or service that you’re selling. Leveraging it connects on a very human, emotional, and psychological level – so this is a very powerful tactic to use toward the top of your page. 

Other words for “credo” (although they don’t start with ‘c’… but I’ll let them be here in this article… 🤣)? You might call this your “I believe” statements. You might use the term “manifesto.” Regardless of the diction here, this is your unique point of view in the market. 

To develop and articulate your credo, I recommend starting with two exercises:

1) The “I Believe…” exercise, in which you list many statements that describe your unique beliefs about the world. This exercise is deceptively simple… but so impactful; and

2) The “Change that you want to see in the world” exercise, in which you reflect upon and document those aspects of the world you’ve been called to improve. (Again, sounds simple, but packs a punch!) 

Want some help? Detailed instructions for these two exercises – and three others! – are available to Y-O-U in this article!

Step 3:  Credibility

So the third C is Credibility. Because the next thing he’s thinking is… “Okay, do I believe this person? Is this actually believable?”

He might even be shifting into a “This sounds way too good to be true” frame of mind. As humans, we’re wired to protect ourselves, and to be a liiiiiiiiiiiiiittle skeptical – especially when we’re considering an investment. 

And that’s where credibility comes in. This is where you call in the more tangible qualifications – and your results. I know for some people, it’s not natural or totally comfortable to list all of the reasons why you’re awesome… but you are awesome. And it’s so, so, so, SO important at this point that you do. 😉

Here are some ideas about how to weave that credibility factor into your About Me page: 

(Note: You do NOT need to incorporate all of these! They are just some ideas to consider! And this list is by no means exhaustive.)

Highlight your formal credentials. Certifications, licenses, degrees, trainings you’ve successfully completed… This is where you can include those. 

List or spotlight publications you’ve appeared in or written for. It’s very effective to use logos on this page – to represent when you were published in any mainstream (think Forbes, HuffPost, Psychology Today)  or industry pubs (think trade journals, niche magazines or websites, etc.). 

Include logos of past clients. Brag a little about other clients you’ve worked with – ideally those to whom your ideal client can relate.

Leverage testimonials and social proof. You can format testimonial excerpts and add headshots. You can embed testimonial videos. (Sooo impactful!) You can also screenshot praise you receive on social media or in your messages. (This last one can be especially convincing and trust-building!)

Share statistics and / or specific results. Talk about the number of clients you’ve helped, how many years’ experience you have, the size of your book of business, or the like. If you have case studies with impressive numbers, use ‘em! 

The goal here – after you’ve connected with your visitor on the emotional level – is to back it up with logic. Make it easy for your ideal client to silence the natural skepticism – and feel great about buying.

Step 4:  Call to action

It’s so important that I’m going to go ahead and say this:

If you don’t take anything else away from this article, make sure that you implement this.  👇👇

Your About Page needs to have a call to action.

Yes, you need to tell people what to do next. After you’ve done all this work of connecting with your visitor, conveying your uniqueness, demonstrating your genius… tell her what to do next! 

So, should she now grab a free resources and sign up for your email list? Should she go check out your services page? 

Should she book a discovery call with you? 

What do you want her to do next? 

And, Pro Tip —–> It’s critical that you make it just one thing. A confused mind doesn’t buy – and, similarly, a confused mind doesn’t act. (She’ll just navigate away.) So, don’t offer several different paths. This is NOT a choose your own adventure book! Serve up the call to action that is the most high-priority or high-converting – at this time – for you and your business. Just one! 

(Don’t try to sneak in two! I’m watching you. 👀.) 

Step 5:  Charm 

It’s Charm – and you now (finally!) get to sprinkle in some humanizing elements. These are those non-work-related details that make you interesting. Yay! 

It’s finally time to tell your visitor where you live… about your addiction to green tea and twix bars… how much your world revolves around your chihuahua Carlotta… because now your visitor cares and thinks it’s cute, interesting, or memorable. 

Because you’ve done the heavy lifting. You’ve connected with your visitor emotionally, you’ve made it about him and how you can help him, you’ve demonstrated you are credible, and you’ve been clear about next steps. 

So go ahead. (And, yes, you can include a glamour shot of Carlotta.) 

But don’t go crazy. So many people get this one wrong – in the sense that they include some charm, but they include it waaaaayyyyy too early – at or toward the top of the page. 

Imagine if you landed on my About Page, and it basically says, 

Hi, I’m Kaye, I’m a brand strategist living in North Carolina, I have two kids, I love to travel, and I love to eat food. Spaghetti and pizza, in particular, because I used to live in Italy. And gelato.  

Womp womp.  Because, truly… None of that matters until the first four C’s have been established, right? 

(Mark my words! If you start with this stuff out of the gate, you’ll be seeing a bounce rate that’s reallllllly high. As in, a bad bounce rate. Where people come to your page and immediately leave. You know what I mean. 🤪)

So think of the charm as icing on the cake – not the cake itself. 

So, my Genius reader, there you have it – my 5 C’s framework for writing an About Page that connects and converts. You now have a sure-fire blueprint to follow for this (previously arduous) task! 

I’ll go let your dentist and your tax preparer know that they’ve been promoted to the top of your “I don’t wanna” list. 😉

You go get started on writing – or revising – your About Page! 😍 

When you have your first draft, jump into my Facebook community to share it and ask for feedback from our ranks. The In Demand Brand Mastermind is a group chock-full of other genius entrepreneurs like you who are building amazing brands. See you there! 

Oh, one more thing… If you’re looking for some more “About Me” page inspiration, check out those of some genius entrepreneurs who we REALLY LIKE:

Here are some we’ve had a hand in creating and inspiring… 

About Karen Gruber, the Inspired Mama: https://theinspiredmama.com/about/ 

About Angela Durant of the Be Brilliant Movement: http://bebrilliantmovement.com/about/

About Jami Kirkbride of Parenting with Personality: http://parentingwithpersonality.com/jami/

About Alexander Cosmetic Surgery: https://alexandersurgery.com/our-story/ 

About Dr. Katie Henry: https://drkatiehenry.com/about/ 

About Scott Oldford of The R.O.I. Method and the 6 Pillar Framework: https://scottoldford.com/about/

About Conroy Creative Counsel: https://conroycreativecounsel.com/about/

And here are some that we just noticed are awesome: 

About Sunny Lenarduzzi, Social Media Rockstar and Youtube expert: https://sunnylenarduzzi.com/about-me/ 

About Lexi D’Angelo, Founder of the Integrative AlchemyTM: https://lexidangelo.com/about

About Cinthia Pacheco of Digital Bloom IQ: https://digitalbloomiq.com/about

About Kelsey of Pinegate Road: https://pinegateroad.com/about/ 

When I launched my Brand New Brand program for the first time back in 2015, my main goal was to help more ambitious brand builders at a lower price point, in a supportive group environment. It’s my program for those getting started and whose businesses have revenue than $100K. Often the students of the program need to build their brand from scratch.

Since then, I’ve helped more than 100 ambitious entrepreneurs build meaningful, cohesive brands that align with their core personality.

I’ve been completely floored by the incredible results and feedback I’ve gotten from my students. This brand incubation program has made such a huge difference for so many hardworking entrepreneurs, and I’m forever grateful that I get to be part of their brand-building process.

Proud is an understatement; I’m in complete AWE of my students every day. They are dedicated, talented, focused, persistent, and driven. I love carving out some of my professional time to dedicate to these amazing souls who join the BNB journey!

So I wanted to take a moment to brag on some Brand New Brand students who deserve alllll the brags. No being humble, no sitting down!

Check out these inspiring success stories from Brand New Brand!

Sarah Samuelson: Founder of Solid Ground Creative

Before enrolling in Brand New Brand, Sarah’s brand was non-existent. While she had plenty of great ideas, she struggled to build a cohesive offering and lacked the confidence to put herself out there as a professional. She hoped that BNB would help her find clarity around her brand and attract her best audience… and that’s exactly what happened!

Sarah described incorporating her brand archetype into her business as “a relief.“

“I was given permission to let my brand be exactly what it was with no judgement. The need to compare now felt silly – those other brands weren’t my archetype anyway. Now, that I was no longer comparing, there was this energy that allowed my to focus and actually get stuff done.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​”

(Gorgeous, right?!)

Speaking of getting things done… Sarah found the Brand New Brand Facebook Group to be a key source of accountability and support as she reigned in her brand.

“I need accountability to keep taking those small steps forward in the process of uncovering my brand.​​​​​​​ We were all united in a common goal of clarity and that made the process feel less lonely.”

Small steps?! Not for this hustler…

In the six months since completing the Brand New Brand course, Sarah has:

• Launched a website
• Mastered Instagram
• Taken on new design clients
• AND published an ebook about creating using your menstrual cycle as a guide

“Six months ago, I had no presence. I was hiding… For someone who was hiding from the world, I would say it doesn’t get a lot more intimate than an ebook on that subject.​​​​​​​”

(Let me tell you, one eBook creator to another – it’s a thoughtful, time-consuming process. Major kudos to Sarah on launching her first of what I hope will be MANY incredible guides!)

Sarah’s advice to future BNB students?

“Get whatever support you need to clear some time and dig it – so worth it.”

Learn more about Solid Ground Creative:
Solid Ground Creative
Solid Ground Creative Instagram

(Pin for later!)

Elizabeth Barber, Owner of Devon’s Doggie Delights

While Elizabeth started with a pre-existing business, her brand lacked a clear identity. She felt that her brand messaging and aesthetic didn’t flow well, and came into the course feeling less than confident.

Luckily, an “aha moment” came quickly for Elizabeth as she learned more about her brand archetype.

“It made me realize I’m not a baker, I am a creator, and that made a huge difference. It allowed me to take great pride in my creations.”

Before long, Devon’s Doggie Delights began to take shape. Feedback and encouragement from her fellow BNB classmates upped Elizabeth’s confidence – in herself, her brand, and her work… and success followed!

Just 3 months after completing the course, her revenue has doubled! She’s also managed to significantly grow her customer base and average order amount without needing to offer specials. Just check out this recent post about her holiday sales!

These days, Elizabeth is getting lots of reviews and social media recommendations without needing to ask for them, and has even been approached by popular dog-themed Facebook groups to promote her handmade treats!

If that doesn’t blow you away, take a look at these stats…

In the 3 months since completing Brand New Brand:

• Facebook likes have increased by 225
• Visits to her online store are up 233%
• Orders have doubled
• AND revenue is up 268%

“We have grown enough that now we are able to do fundraisers and monthly donations to dog rescues around the country.”

Want to follow in Elizabeth’s footsteps? Here’s her advice for incoming BNB students…

“Give it your full effort. The effort will pay off, and you will get so much more from the course. Put in the work, really think about the assignments, and don’t just complete them to say you did.”

It certainly worked for her!

Learn more about Devon’s Doggie Delights:
Devon’s Doggie Delights
Devon’s Doggie Delights Facebook 

Coleen Stanley, Founder of CourseCoder

Before joining Brand New Brand, Coleen was an independent contractor working for university and government clients to build online courses and programs. Although she had a website, logo, and brand colors, she wasn’t confident in these choices and felt that her brand as a whole was inconsistent.

One of the most active participants in the Brand New Brand Facebook Group, Coleen truly made the most of the experience.

“I am so happy that I took the time to be active in the group because it allowed the other participants to really get familiar with my brand, so that they were able to give more valuable feedback. Also, I think you feel more obligated to give feedback to those who give feedback to you, so it pays off. And as a bonus, I also had quite a few BNB students that supported my product launches after the course.”

After completing the course, Coleen was able to make confident decisions faster – allowing her to produce incredible, consistent work that she’s proud of.

Within just a few short months, she’s made major strides with her brand, including:

• Consistently live streaming to her Facebook group
• Publishing a weekly newsletter
• Launching a 4-day “Plan Your Course” challenge
• Creating 3 lead magnets
• AND picking up new, exciting clients!

Coleen just goes to show you that confidence and clarity can go a loooong way in your biz!

Here’s her advice for future BNB students:

“Complete the activities within the assigned time frame and participate as much as possible. And have fun discovering yourself!”

Learn more about Course Coder:
Course Coder
Course Coder Facebook

Lisa Robbin Young: Author, Musician, Creative Coach at Creative Freedom

Unlike many of my Brand New Brand students, Lisa came into the experience feeling relatively confident in her brand, Creative Freedom. However, with a rebrand on the horizon, she wanted to learn how to transition elements without alarming her audience – making group feedback extremely important.

For Lisa, Brand New Brand brought clarity to her brand – not only for herself and her audience, but for her entire team.

“Hands down, the Brand Bible is the best thing that comes from the course. You have an at-a-glance guide to everything that makes your business come alive in the hearts and minds of your best audience. Plus, it’s a great training tool for your team. I passed a copy of my completed Brand Bible to my designer and my VA so that they had crystal clarity on the mission, message, and motivations of my company.”

Since completing Brand New Brand, Creative Freedom has rebranded with market clarity. Now, it’s easy for visitors to understand what her brand stands for and if her work is a good fit for them. Ultimately, this has saved her time and helped her hone in on her best clients and customers.

“I wasn’t the fastest moving student in class, but I stuck with it and the reward was a cohesive, compelling brand that I’m proud to share with the world.”

Her advice for incoming students?

“Be patient with yourself and trust the process. Each step is there for a reason, and Kaye does a phenomenal job of moving you from vague concepts and a hodgepodge of images to something that really speaks to who you are and what your business is all about.”

Learn more about Lisa Robbin Young:
Lisa Robbin Young
Lisa Robbin Young Facebook

Isn’t it time you bring your brand into the light?

If you are just getting started, bringing in less than $100K a year with your business, and need to build their brand from the foundation up – this program is for you!  Within you will uncover my step-by-step process – the one that I use with my one-on-one clients.

Brand New Brand is calling you home!

Do you have an idea for a brand that you’re bursting at the seams to start?
Do you want to grow your brand past your first $100K?
Do you need to better identify who you are to your ideal clients?
Do you need more clarity and confidence in your brand?

If the answer is yes, join Brand New Brand and get ready to transform your business! I’d love to welcome to you the family.

Plus, with the been-there-done-that tips from our past students, you’ve got a running start!

I hope to see you there.

Want more? Read about FOUR more rockin’ entrepreneurs and the brands they created in Brand New Brand here.

As an entrepreneur, one of the toughest decisions you’ll make early on is what to name your brand. Even after you’ve given your business the perfect name, you may struggle with coming up for on-brand names for your service packages, programs, newsletters, tribe/followers, and/or other components of your business. Lucky for you, I have a pretty amazing system for BRANDSTORMING (see, I’m brainstorming names already). But before I share my go-to process with you, I want to share a little story with you that will help illuminate the importance of a good business name…

When my best friend got married, I had the privilege of being her Matron of Honor. The ceremony took place in a small town in Michigan called Petusky. The wedding was beautiful; absolutely perfect. The next day, a group of us were exploring Petusky in the miserable cold that is Northern Michigan in the wintertime. We ducked into an art gallery to escape the cold while we scavenged Yelp for a good place to eat… and that’s when we asked local artist and photographer for a recommendation.

Let’s just say our description of what we were looking for was… well, less than articulate. We explained that we were looking for somewhere to eat that was fresh, delicious, and kind of “hipster” or “yuppie” fare. At first, he recommended a diner… then suggested a steak and potatoes joint. Eventually, it clicked and he said, “Oh! I know where you should go… The Twisted Olive.”

In that one name – The Twisted Olive – we knew that it was Mediterranean cuisine, that it was a quirky and interesting, and with the word twisted, that we probably weren’t looking at your standard fare. That alone – just the name – was enough for us to decide that’s where we should eat.

Here’s the thing about a brand name – it’s a first impression. More often than not, the name of your business is what your potential customers will see before they ever lay eyes on your site or before they know anything about you personally. That’s why it’s SO crucial to choose a name for your product, service, or brand that draws in your audience in from the get go.

Naming your business is a lot like naming your baby. Everyone will have their opinions, but ultimately, you’re the one who has to live with and be happy with your brand name. In that sense, I’ll be the first one to tell you – naming your brand is a very personal choice. That’s why it’s so important to carefully review your choices and find the perfect fit.

So, let’s talk about GOALS for a great name:

• It should be meaningful.
  Your business is a serious matter. It’s what you’ve chosen to do with your life and time. It’s how you make money to keep a roof over your head and pizza in your mouth. (Or whatever you eat.) Starting a business is a very personal project, so ideally, your name should hold some importance to you.
• It should be easy to say, spell, and remember.
  You want to leave a lasting impression and get your brand stuck in your customers’ minds. In order for your brand to be on their minds, it needs to be easy enough for them to process and remember.
• It should be unique.
  The name of your business needs to stand out, so it’s crucial to choose something that captivates interest. If your name is too similar to other brands in your same space, it will make you seem run-of-the-mill rather than special.
• It should be AVAILABLE.
  Ideally, your name should be available as a dot-com. But it’s also important to make sure your name (or some version of it) is available on social media sites and is not already trademarked by someone else.
• It should tell viewers something about your brand.
  Consider whether someone would understand, even vaguely, what you do if they only knew your business name (with no other context). This doesn’t need to be super specific, like Jim’s Grocery Store. Even names like U-Haul and Home Depot give a hint at their purpose.
• It shouldn’t limit you to a specific niche.
  You may expand your offerings or services over time, so it’s best to select a name that can grow with you. It’s fine to focus on a certain niche, but leave the limiting language to your website, which can easily be adjusted to reflect changes over time.

With that in mind… you probably won’t find a name that checks all of these boxes.

Compromise isn’t fun, but sometimes it’s necessary.

(Pin for later!)

Now, I know what you’re thinking…

Why am I taking brand name advice from miss first-name-last-name-dot-com over here?

Soooooo original, Kaye!

Allow me to explain…

There are several different types of brand names, and in certain situations (like mine), it makes sense to use your name as an umbrella brand for your programs, services, or products. But more on that in a second!

Here are the various TYPES of brand names:

New, made up, or combined words.

Yahoo! and FedEx are great examples of major brands who use new or combined words. I’ve also used this style for my own brand, resulting in Brandality (the Brand Archetypes Quiz) and Brandfluency (Archetype Courses).

Descriptive.

While these names should describe your business in some way, don’t go too basic or risk being forgotten. Rather than an uninspired name like Joe’s Crab Shack (sorry, Joe), find middle ground like these brands: Land Rover, The Discovery Channel, and Pampers. These are all names that are (even loosely) related to what they do or offer, and are very memorable.

Real words (but seemingly unrelated).

In some cases, companies opt to name their business after a real word that isn’t directly related to what they do or sell. Perfect examples of this would be Apple computers or Caterpillar construction equipment.

Named after people.

For some brands, being named after a founder or public figure makes most sense. Take me, for example! Since what I’m selling is my mind, my genius, my skillset – I am the goods. For that reason, KayePutnam.com works well as my overall brand name, with more interesting names (like In Demand Brand) for my offerings and services. Other examples of this brand name type include Johnson & Johnson and Nordstrom.

IMPORTANT: If your name is difficult to pronounce, spell, or remember, modify it to be simpler. Great examples of this are Regina Anaejionu of ByRegina.com and Sarah Morgan of XOSarah.com. It’s also NOT a good idea to name your business after yourself (or anyone) if you intend to one day sell it.  

Acronyms.

Although several major brands rock an acronym – H&M, BMW, IBM, MTV – I wouldn’t personally recommend this for small businesses. It is often unclear what the acronym stands for and can be easy to jumble or forget.

As a psychology-driven brand strategist, I can’t help but take neuromarketing into consideration when choosing a name. As humans, our brains like patterns. Lots of different patterns.

Here are a few patterns that you’ll begin to notice over and over again in branding…

Alliteration

Alliteration is “the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.” You’ll catch lots of brands using this style.
Coca-Cola. Dunkin Donuts. LuLu Lemon. Best Buy.
I’ve also used this pattern in my naming my “Brand New Brand” course.

Rhyming

While not nearly as prevalent as alliterative names, rhyming brand names are also common. Big brands like StubHub, 7 Eleven, and Piggly Wiggly have turned their sing-songy names into household names.
My podcast (and method for building brands) features a rhyming name – In Demand Brand.

Modified Puns, Clichés, or Common Phrases

We recognize puns, clichés, and common phrases easily because we’ve grown accustomed to hearing and seeing them over time. We remember them! So when brands use elements of these, modified to fit their needs, it sticks with us. Ash Ambirge of The Middle Finger Project created a course on emotional writing called The Six Appeal Process. Her subtle play on sex appeal piqued the interest of her audience!

Word + Word

This simple structure draws the eye and allows for a ton of creativity. You can convey many things with these two words. Take for example, Stop & Shop. In just 3 syllables, you know that it’s a store and that it’ll probably be quick, as implied by the word stop. Then there are brands like Crate and Barrel, who opt for words that create more imagery or subtly suggest their offerings.

Now that you’ve set goals and recognize the different types and patterns of brand names, let’s put this method to the test!

What needs a name? It can be anything from your business itself to an event or conference, webinar, podcast, app, newsletter, or a collective name for your followers. Whatever you choose to name, use the worksheet below to drum up ideas!

Before you TOTALLY get your heart set on one name, I recommend doing a little elimination with your good friend Google. You’ll want to search to be sure it isn’t already in use, unavailable as a site or social media handle, and not yet trademarked. You’ll probably find that some of your favorites are already taken, but with any luck, you’ll still have amazing options to choose from at the end.

Ready to kick-off your brandstorming? Download the *free* worksheet to get started!

I can’t wait to hear how this experiment goes! Come back and leave a comment with your winning name and a bit about your business. I’d love to see what you come up with! (It’s gonna be GENIUS!)

Two years ago, I started developing an idea for a group branding course. I wanted to be able to help entry-level entrepreneurs with revenue less than $100K to launch their brands. I wanted to give them access to my step-by-step process at a lower price point than that of my one-on-one services. 

(And ‘selfish’ note: I was 20 weeks pregnant, so maternity leave was looming! I needed a way to be of value even when I was sleep-deprived and not sitting at my computer.)

After hours of brainstorming, feedback from potential students, and lots of content creation, my idea transformed into an online course.

In October 2015, I launched this course for the first time. I named it Brand New Brand. It walks students through the process of launching a brand, step-by-step. I provided the structure, content, and advice. But it’s not just me – students share their opinions and feedback. The energy & output of the group was better than I could have imagined.

Now… back to the current day, more than 65+ entrepreneurs have enrolled in my Brand New Brand course.

I am beyond excited for my next round of students to discover their true message and develop their brands during the five-week course. That excitement inspired some course reflection. I’ve been reminiscing about previous students. Entrepreneurs that enrolled in my course and the extraordinary brands they developed. Proud doesn’t begin to express how I feel for all of my Brand New Brand students. They took action. They invested time and money into their transformation. They transformed ideas into brands. These brands show true personalities that speak to their ideal clients’ souls.

So, what better way to show how proud I am… than to dedicate some time to public client love.  

Today, I’m highlighting 4 past Brand New Brand students and their stellar brands. They’ve demonstrated what can be accomplished when you take action and invest in your brand development.

Dr. Shari Miller – Orthopedic Physical Therapist & Founder of Athletity: Physical Therapy + Performance Lab

While everyone has a different starting point and unique journey that leads them to Brand New Brand, some people come into the course with a bit of a head start. In Shari’s case, she had years of experience as a physical therapist and needed to translate that experience into building her practice.

“Before joining BNB, I had the concept of who I wanted to serve, how it would look, and the personality I wanted to convey. I was intimidated by choosing a brand name, colors, logos, and visuals that all communicated the same message. It all felt overwhelming… Kaye’s method helped me expedite the process.”

I often hear that making design decisions for a brand is the most difficult step in brand development. With millions of colors in the world – how do you limit your brand to a few hex codes? And what about a brand name? How do you combine creative, informative, and straightforward? My answer? Archetypes. Identifying your archetype is *so* powerful because it permits you to narrow down your choices. Shari specifically had this revelation in Brand New Brand.

“When it came to incorporating my archetype into my brand message, I was thankful to have a guide of what to include and not to include. Being able to keep everything in the Hero / Girl Next Door archetype kept me on track to project a clear message.”

Speaking of staying “on track”…

Since completing Brand New Brand less than 6 months ago, Shari has:

✓ Launched a website
✓ Created 2 opt-ins
✓ Created 2 landing pages
✓ Launched email marketing campaigns
✓ Launched her Facebook page (and gained more than 80 followers)
✓ Launched her 1st challenge

I get exhausted looking at that list! She was armed for success because she had a clear brand with her mission, vision, and values defined.

“The BNB course made this very easy because I knew what I stood for and how to communicate it. I now feel my brand is clear, defined, and reflects who I am… It is truly my own brand.”

Shari’s Wisdom for New Brand New Brand Students:

Spend extra days before it starts on the foundational work. Watch videos twice on topics you feel are your weak areas….watch once, work through worksheets, walk away for a bit, then watch again to see if there’s anything you can refine.

Learn more about Athletitiy:
Athletity.com
Athletity Facebook

Deborah Woods: National Certified Counselor & Founder at Magnetic Moms

When you’re building a brand, it’s never too soon (or too late) to ask for help. Many entrepreneurs who enroll in my Brand New Brand course have a decent head start in the direction of their brand. But it’s also beneficial to people who are just starting – like Deborah Woods. Before signing up for Brand New Brand, Deborah was the first to admit that she had no idea how to create a brand.

“As a long time therapist, marketing has always been a dirty word in professional circles. Ethical training courses warn of the danger of violating ethics in an attempt to market. As a result, I spent years depending on word of mouth which proved inadequate.”

To say Deborah was active in the BNB Facebook Group would be an understatement. She was an integral member of Brand New Brand – providing insightful and thoughtful advice to her fellow entrepreneurs. Her engagement paid off tenfold. She received similar insightful feedback from others on every step of the way – from her brand position to her logos and colors.

“Participating in the Facebook group allowed me to share my efforts and get the feedback I needed to course correct when I was off track and to celebrate and expand when I was on track. Giving feedback to others allowed me to try out my new found learning and test my thoughts. Participating in the Facebook group was essential to my implementation of the coursework to develop my brand new brand.”

By relying on others in the group, she could workshop her brand with real-time feedback. So what started as a logo she was unhappy with was able to morph into a color scheme, logo, and tagline she was proud of. She used that logic to stay on brand with any content and messaging she published for Magnetic Moms.

“After doing the course I realize that there’s a lot more to do AND I have a clear sense of what is and isn’t My BRAND. That makes all the difference. Now I can eliminate all the clutter and easily see the things I want to reject. I can now focus my efforts and communicate a clear message.”

And design gorgeous website pages as a result…

Since completing Brand New Brand, Deborah has continued to develop  Magnetic Mom’s message. She’s been publishing more on social media (including her first live video!) and she’s been honing her public speaking skills using her inner-brand archetype.

“I returned to Toastmasters to incorporate what I’ve learned in developing my brand into my speaking efforts. I gave my first speech back and hit it out of the park! My hero archetype guided my selection of the story I shared and the message I wanted to convey. It reminded me of my strength and my ability to do hard things. I’m upleveling my speaking skills again and loving it!”

Deborah’s Wisdom for New Brand New Brand Students:

Do the assignments. Let yourself struggle. Don’t be afraid to fail. Every effort counts. Participate. Show up. Ask questions. Share your ideas. Go all in. Don’t hold back. Learn all you can.

Learn more about Magnetic Moms:
MagneticMoms.com
Magnetic Moms Facebook

(Pin to read later!)

Rob Hock of Robert Hock Wedding Photography:

Before enrolling in Brand New Brand, Rob was experiencing something ALL of us have been through at one point or another. He was seconding guessing himself. The BNB course exists for many reasons. One of the main reasons is to give you the experience and confidence to KNOW what your brand is and WHY it exists.

“I felt my brand was not a true reflection of myself. I loved the concept of looking at branding through archetypes and Kaye’s course was the only branding course that focused on it in detail and depth… She is truly an expert in this area of study!”

Rob didn’t think he had a “brand” before he started the course. He had designed his wedding photography website in a way that was visually appealing. But he needed to further his understanding of what branding actually is. As a Lover Archetype, shooting weddings is a natural fit. Through Brand New Brand, he learned how to portray his personality and uniqueness to potential clients.

“People told me my branding could be better but nobody offered me a systematic way to explore how to improve it… Kaye’s course completely changed that.”

Rob discovered his brand’s voice by exploring what he himself sounded like when interacting with his customers. The course taught him to explore the motivations and desires of his Lover Archetype. Rob invested the time and effort to get the most out of the BNB course and it truly paid off!

“Since completing the course, I have received numerous compliments on my new brand and feel it 100% reflects my personality.”

Rob’s Wisdom for New Brand New Brand Students:

It took a significant time commitment for me to do this course properly (10h per week), more than I expected. It was an incredible course though, especially through the Facebook group and conversations we had there.

Learn more about Robert Hock Wedding Photography:
RobertHock.com
Robert Hock Instagram

Mara Spruit: Creator of Mara Spruit Jewelry

Some things are best done alone. Building your brand is not one of them. My Brand New Brand course provides an atmosphere that’s conducive to success. Your brand is your story and if you cannot tell your story, then you cannot explain your brand. By joining a community of likeminded individuals – like Mara – you get to share your ideas and get relevant feedback. You get to discover what your story is. This is what Mara says about her brand before enrolling in Brand New Brand:

“There was no brand… I had only an idea and the need to be creative.”

Mara dove head first into the community. She submerged herself in the program and provided valuable feedback to her classmates. She took full advantage of the private BNB Facebook group. Mara cultivated relationships and grew her network in ways she could have never imagined.

“The BNB course was encouraging. It made me feel like I was doing the right thing. It gave me wonderful feedback and helped me with many difficult decisions but, most of all, it was stimulating. I love that my fellow students and I are still in touch and show our ongoing, growing brands.”

After a mere 30 days, Mara had completed her brand book. She built the foundation of her brand’s story.  She used her Maverick / Creator Archetypes to channel her own voice, tone, and (as Mara says) her “inner Jack Sparrow”. Mara stayed true to herself and her dream while creating her visuals and messaging. Her brand began to represent what she represents. Choosing to see the beauty in life, maintaining open-mindedness, and being one of a kind.

“My brand is a reality now. It’s still in an ongoing process and that’s fine. The foundation (beliefs and ideas) of my brand are clear and strong now. I have my brand book to fall back on and that makes me feel very confident. I LOVE what I do now… this is ALL mine and I know the rest will follow.”

My favorite part of Mara’s story is that she isn’t letting what she doesn’t have hold her back. Mara’s still working on creating her website and her first full jewelry line.  She’s also actively building her community and brand on social media.  She already has a group of interested people to launch to as soon as her line is ready. I’m so proud of her for staying in action!

Mara’s Wisdom for New Brand New Brand Students:

Take your time. Building the foundation to your brand is key and isn’t necessarily something you write down in one night. Sleep on it, buy a black book and keep it close… you never know when the brilliant ideas pop up. Give the BNB course everything you have because it’s so much fun when you see your brand come to life.

Follow Mara’s work:
Mara Spruit Instagram
Mara Spruit Pinterest

It’s your turn.

Brand New Brand live class begins in *four* days.  Is it time for you to take action?

• Do you have an idea for a brand that you’re bursting to start?
• Do you have an established brand that needs a stronger message?
• Do you need to better identify who you are to your ideal clients?
• Do you need more clarity and confidence in your brand?

Yes? Then learn more about Brand New Brand.  I’d love to welcome to you the family.  Plus, you’re already ahead of the game with stellar advice from rockstar students.

Hope to see you on the other side!