Building your brand
Aligning who you are with what you do.
As a Virtual Psychology Assistant, I support a range of businesses who are from different industries and are at different stages, whether they have been long established or are just setting up. Regardless of what business stage a client is at, branding and marketing appears to be a frequent discussion and in particular, topics often focus on how our clients want to align who they are with what they want to do and achieve. By providing business support, ExecutiveVA's aim is for business owners and professionals to follow their passion and here we have jotted down a few steps we think are important in building a compelling brand in your marketplace!
Branding
A brand is unique to you, it is an aligning who you are with what you do. It identifies your product or service and differentiates it from your competitors. Your brand becomes associated with a level of credibility, quality and satisfaction in your client’s mind.
Ask yourself:
1. Understand your brand. Know what it stands for.
Sit down with a pen and paper or have a discussion with someone you trust and value their input with and answer the following:
As an example, when I explored my own “super power” and passion, I wanted to combine my love of psychology with my planning and organising nature, skills and experience. I had a passion for continuing what I enjoyed from my career and experiences and to be able to share this and work with other busy professionals and organisations. It was a perfect fit to become a Virtual Assistant and specialise in providing business support for psychology and coaching professionals. This is where I wanted to focus myself.
Be authentic and true to yourself. If you have trouble with this, ask for feedback from others around you. Ask them for words they would use to describe you.
Think about the words and metaphors you would use to describe your brand.
Your passion and "super power" is where you want to focus your brand and will be what moves it forward. Remember that your brand can’t be everything to everyone.
Brand for where you want to be and not where you are now!
2. Demonstrate your brand. Communicate it to others.
What is your packaging? Decide your logo, business name, fonts and colours and use them consistently. This creates recognition to your audience. Colours and fonts convey a feeling for a person so keep in mind the connotations of your package.
Always be visible to your target audience. Demonstrate to your audience what makes you great! Decide on the tools you want to use to tell everyone about you! Make sure your message connects with others. Tell them something of value.
Remember to alter your pitch depending on your target and keep it relevant.
3. Develop your brand. Cultivate it and make it flourish!
Create and build relationships with your target client base. Get to know and trust them first and then let them know how you can support them.
Understand that you will never have 100% control over people’s perception of your brand. You can encourage them in the right direction, manage your reputation and make a great impression but they’ll always have their unique perceptions. All you can do is show yourself in the best and positive way and try to resonate with your target audience.
Continue to adapt and evolve. Shape your brand as you expose more clients to it and learn more about who they are and how you engage with them.
E: leyla@executiveva.co.uk
M: 07511 534051
