I became a success coach after creating a popular healthy lifestyle blog in Australia, and on my blog, making everything beautiful had been part of my business model.
That wasn’t particularly unique to my blog, although it certainly had my personal touch. I did what everyone else did within the blog world.
Not so in the larger entrepreneurial world, as I soon found out. In fact, many business experts and coaches will actually tell their fans that ugly sells, “salesy” jargon gets more clicks, and not to worry about making it look good.
I could not disagree more.
So, I made it my mission to prove them wrong.
Not just with my own business, but alongside brand savvy entrepreneurs who are choosing beautiful and personal over conventional wisdom. As it turns out, there is a strong hunger out there among entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs, who yearn to create their own businesses that reflect their unique style, point of view, and personality.
If you are one of them, here are 5 things to think about as you create your dream brand:
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Find a graphic designer who can express your taste and aesthetic.
Be prepared to make an investment to get this right, even if it means saving on other things. Your website and visual branding are the face of your business, so launching a poorly designed website is like going to a party with last night’s makeup on. When you’re lucky enough to find a designer who knows your style exactly, invest and stick with them.
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Incorporate your interests as you build your brand.
I’ve done this with travel, which has always been my passion. The more I’ve included travel in my business, the more clients who also love travel have found me and the more opportunities to travel have come up. You never know how what you love could become a part of your business – whether it’s fashion, yoga, or photography – unless you try it out and see how people respond.
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Surround yourself with people who have great brand style.
One of the things I’m most proud of as a coach is bringing together so many women who want their businesses to reflect their personal style. It helps to have a community you can turn to for advice, opinions, and support.
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Get really clear on your personal style.
When I first started coaching, I did a disastrous photo shoot in Paris (at least I had a good view!). Upon seeing the pictures, it was so clear to me that this photographer just didn’t represent my taste. If I had trusted my instinct from the beginning, I could have prevented the whole thing and enjoyed a free day in Paris.
Your style is the cornerstone of your brand – it sets the tone for everything. It’s amazing how much clarity your personal style can give you.
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While you should not compromise, let your style evolve.
Even as you use your style to set the tone for your business, it does not have to be completely set in stone. Your desires and tastes change and even expand over time. You can’t and won’t get it perfect the first time out. That’s an opportunity to get started, and keep moving, knowing that you can make changes later.
This article has been edited and condensed.
Jessica Nazarali is a success coach for new coaches and specializes in helping new coaches standout and find clients. She is the creator of Find Your First Paying Coaching Clients and The Next It Girl Coach. Her advice has been featured in Cleo, Marie Claire, Sunday Style, Content Magazine and Madison and her book Leaping from the Ladder was launched in September 2014. When she’s not coaching, you can find her unfurling her yoga mat, making banana smoothies and googling her next travel destination. Connect with @JessNazarali on Twitter.
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