Lessons on Branding I bring into 2023
First learn by doing! Clarity on my dot and a mission-driven branding + cool links
👋 Hello brand enthusiast, Happy New Year 2023!
For this first issue of the year I wanted to share some top lessons, I learnt from 2022 that are my reminders and green lights for this new year.
What I have understood about Branding is that it is never too late to be aligned and start the process by sharing better and more.
✅ Learn by doing
I started many different projects last year. Navigating from design to audio, to my first program creation, opening a pop-up and creating new digital tools. It helped me learn so much about my Dot.
I had always struggled to find my Dot (ideal client) for many years. After doing a Dean Graziosi masterclass, I had an aha moment figuring out who my dot was. I was talking to younger versions of myself. Those who have not yet entered the creative force and are trained in creating projects. Those versions struggle to find a way to bring more of them into their work and branding. Those versions discover they could be entrepreneurs and need help to create strategies moving forward confidently. Those versions who want to create a creative ecosystem.
I realized I have overcome many situations in my creative journey and each one of them propelled me into a place where I can spot challenges and bring in solutions.
My ‘‘learning by doing’’ brought me closer to my Dot.
✅ The power of speaking of your journey and process
Last year inspired me to speak more. I did it mostly through writing and it led me to be featured in publications on my creative journey. The act of speaking of challenges and overcoming them helped me gain more confidence in pitching my ideas. Not all of them were well received but what needed to be shared reached the target. I think what I want to improve and tackle is showing more of my processes while I create. Improving communication and clarity are my goals this year!
✅ Consistency is the rule? What consistency in intention taught me
I was not consistent and it’s ok. I did not post every day and I still don’t. I know one of the rules of success is to show up consistently, it is not my forte for now and I refuse to put pressure on my way of sharing because of the rules of social media. I share at the appointed time and for sure I will improve mindful consistency. I reckon, sharing daily and weekly creates a faster momentum, but the other way doesn’t prevent it from happening either. What I keep as a reminder is to share more about the intention and process, slowly but surely.
✅ People buy who you are. People buy what they can relate to.
Progress is the big word and the look-up to word. No matter the ideas and products you create, helping someone get from point A to C is the reason why they buy or hire you. People are looking for betterment.
I have decided to brainstorm and focus on creating more tools towards progress and answering questions I receive or witness. Soley focuses on bringing better concrete solutions they will be willing to invest in.
✅ The Art of Pivot
At the beginning of last year, I was already thinking of the freelance system and its limits and challenges. I knew pivoting my offer to something more educational would take it in the direction of profitability. I did not reach the goal last year, but I have unlocked some keys to making the changes towards that goal.
I ventured into some projects like publishing with mild success, but I gained an understanding of the process of self-publishing. Now I see the potential within my new products. There is so much to do aside from creating and branding. Marketing and advertisement strategies are a whole new world for me.
I also started implementing educational tools such as a program and templates. I believe these shifts are the future of the studio and they do pivot my Branding as well. As I get clarity on my dot, my offer changes so as my evolving positioning.
The branching into education makes more sense.
✅ Confidence and grounding are the fuel
My confidence was hit many times, It raised back many times as well. I guess I found a system to get back on track when the ride is rough. I know as a founder, creative, and business owner about those moments when times are challenging, we tend to speak less, do less or even do too much. I know how it feels, I was there, and I made such choices too.
Even within difficult moments I stood up and shared what I had to share, doing my thing. Surprisingly with joy and ease, It’s quite a paradox! I found a level of strength because of the drive and value to share for myself and others.
We believe sharing is mostly for others, but we forget it first rings in our ears and some truths also appear while we listen. I love what I do! And I see the value in helping others gain confidence and clarity the best I can.
Branding reveals a muscle, a backend story that sustains the building.
✅ Branding for a lot of creatives is a challenge
I had my first mentoring experience last year as a part of the ILN program. I have been helping a graduate illustrator gain more clarity on her goals, projects and branding. It is such an uplifting experience! As a regular mentee, it’s funny to be on the other side. I realized from listening to other creatives that it is a challenge to think as a brand and position oneself in that sense.
Even if the era screams ‘‘personal branding’’ everywhere, I believe there are states to it and alternative ways to promote and speak of what you do. In a nutshell, it is a foundation to build a body of work that speaks as a whole.
Your end goal could be your next position, a new set of clients or collaborations. No matter who you are, you are already Branding. People have a perception of who you are and what you do.
My top 3 articles on the blog in 2022
Road map to Brand(ing) (one of my biggest lessons last year, from a place of challenge I realised there was a possible Road map)
Do you know your Brand archetype? (Hero trait was a surprise)
One of my favourite Brand heroines last year (It seems like an art indeed).
(You can download Speechify and listen to the article while reading, speed learning is great)
To start the year with a vision of where you stand in your Branding and where you are heading to, I created this notion template for you to organise and archive some steps. My consultations are back in the shop as well.
💡 Visual identity spotlight: Browndages
The mission reveals the branding
I discovered this brand while watching one of my favourite shows, Shark Tank. I have seen several products with a mission to diversity and inclusion with founders offering a product as an answer to the lack of representation of a community.
Browndages is a clever, inspiring and nurturing brand. You can sense it in its packaging and visual storytelling. They succeed in shedding light on a common issue: representation and identification. On one hand, they speak to parents about the art of empowering their children. On the other, they show kids possibility, a sense of ownership and belonging. Their mission reveals their branding and expresses creativity in a monopoly market. They position themselves as thought leaders to follow.
Attention goes where your focus goes, a creative response to contrast.
Cool links to click on
How Brands are built (A super school to learn and do)
Branding visual experience (my favourite website, coup de cœur UI&UX)
What Design can do (design for Good)
Denmark’s startup operating system (a possible recipe?)
🎈 Fun brand(ING) prompt / 004
Your Branding's archive, what does that show?
Video, words, illustration, animation… you choose. Short and sweet.
It is refreshing to see a brand grow
Thank you for reading. I would love to read what you think. You can also share this Branding letter if it can be useful to anyone you know.
Yours creatively,
Keva.