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We have arrived at a point in time where everyone's building something for themselves-- which is rad, don't get me wrong. But, let me ask you, what is going to make what you're building any different? Everyone's passionate, everyone's creative, everyone's got soul, so that kind of leaves everyone at a plateau, right?
Wrong. That won't be me.
That won't be us.
I've been around the block in terms of trying to cultivate a brand, whether it be jewelry or a blog, at the end of the day, it's a art form. A brand is who you are, who you want to be, and who you want to inspire, so creating *****the look***** doesn't happen over night and doesn't stay the same for long.
I mean, just look how I started out:
All the way from a Word Document to this bad ass logo I had created and recreated custom for me by @LittleLiasArt
This photos trip is such an accurate representation of me finding who I wanted to be as a creator and the type of audience I wanted to attract.
Getting a little taste of what I'm getting at here? Cool, let's begin.
Step 1 | Envision
Make a vision board for your brand.
I did this for my class; we made a 1-5 year plan vision board and honestly lit such a fire under my butt.
Here's mine:
It may sound silly, but it gives you a tangible item that motivates you! You can insert pictures and take them off until you find just the right vibe that suits you.
Step 2 | Everyone Has a Beginning, Even you.
Don't be so hard on yourself in the beginning. You'll get a creative block or you feel like no one understands your vision-- I know, it totally sucks. But at the end of the day, you're the only one you have to please. You're going to grow professionally and personally. It may seem like it, but nothing happens over night.
Do y'all remember my first blog I made almost two years ago? My travel blog when I thought I was freakin' Amelia Earhart or Alexis Ren. I'm clearly neither of those girls-- but I'm me, which can be just as cool when I'm nicer to myself.
Step 3 | Lips are Locked
only tell a select few, IF THAT, what you vision is. People are nosy-- they will play it off like they don't care and then turn around and turn your idea into his/hers. RUDE. we don't have time for that. Just keep hustlin'
Step 4 | What's Wrong With Being Confident?
Somebody asked me the other day if I enjoyed blogging and my major. If you would have told me this is what I'd be doing in my free time freshman year, i'd be mortified. I'd never let anybody read my work; I wasn't confident enough in my own skin to thrive just be being me. As I grew up, I slowly got a taste of what it was like rearranging the alphabet, creating a reaction, and learned how to embrace the compliments about it.
If you don't believe in yourself or your brand, nobody will. Keep your head up and everything you need will follow.
Step 5 | Narrow Your Target Audience
Things will get very messy, very quickly if you try to reach all audiences and please all your consumers. There are THOUSANDS of bands, TV shows, sports, etc., that all compete in the realm of entertainment but are all independently successful because they generate different audiences per genre. Remember that when making your brand. If your content is too broad, you will never reach a loyal, growing following.
Step 6 | Teamwork Makes The Dream Work You should consider collaborating any chance you get. I know working and relying on other people when it comes to your brand is uneasy; most of us only like to depend on ourselves so we know things get done. I'm oftentimes the same way. But I found such a community in people who are cultivating themselves and their brand-- it's so empowering and comforting.
Step 7 | Imitation is the Best Form Of Flattery... Ugh I Guess
When you do something really awesome and begin getting public feedback, people come out of the woodwork and all of a sudden think they've found their calling just by seeing YOUR brand/product. It's annoying, but what are you gonna do? Laugh about it, support it, whatever. Just let it motivate you and solidify all the reasons why you're here to stay
