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Okay. So you want to talk branding?

Let's do it.

It's like, everyone's got something to say about it, right? Everyone and their cat's a brand these days.

Right.

What's it actually mean for, you know, for us normal people. It's not just the big companies. For

sure.

So, this article from 95 Visual, Developing Your Brand.

Okay. Okay.

They actually break it down in a way that, like, I get, you know what I mean? It just clicks. And one of the things that really struck me was how they emphasize this idea that, like, your brand already exists.

It's already there. You're

not creating something totally artificial. I

love that. You're

uncovering what's already there.

Uncovering those unique qualities that make you valuable.

Yes. Yeah. And they have this whole thing about, like, identifying your core value. Uh huh. They use the example of education, which, I don't know, that doesn't like totally resonate with me. But I get the idea, like, for you listening, it could be anything.

It could be.

Maybe it's, like, creativity or It's

creativity. building

connections. Yeah. Like, what is it that gets you fired up?

Totally. And they don't stop there.

Okay.

They go on to connect this core value to your passions. Okay. And not just, like, your current passions. That's what you mean. Like, they even go back to your childhood. Oh, interesting. Yeah, because these early interests Yeah. often reveal these innate passions. Talents and inclinations that can be so valuable when you're thinking about your brand. I

mean, that's kind of eerie.

Right. Because

I think back to Like when I was a kid, I would spend hours organizing my bookshelves, color coded, alphabetized the whole deal.

Wow.

And now I help people wrangle information overload.

No way. That's amazing. It's like

weirdly connected. It's all connected. So how do we, so how do we pull all this together?

So the article suggests Leaving all these things together.

Okay.

Your passions, your talents, your core value.

Uh huh.

Into like a concise statement.

Like a little elevator pitch?

Kinda. Okay. It's like a mission statement for your career.

I like that.

Defining your specialty and what you bring to the table. Which makes sense.

Because it's about

you,

but it's more, it's not just the words, it's how those qualities manifest in your actions.

Yes, and that's where things get really interesting, which we'll dig into after the break.

So we talked about, like, your brand DNA. Right. All those core values and stuff that make you who you are.

Totally.

But, like, how do you actually put that into practice?

Right.

And this is where I thought, the article got, you know, Like, really interesting. Yeah. Super actionable.

It is. Which

I love.

Yeah. It's like, okay. Yeah. I can actually do something with this.

Exactly. It's not

just theory.

Yeah. And one of the first things they talked about.

Okay.

Was public speaking.

Yes.

Which I know for some people.

Well, yeah.

That's like.

It's scary. The worst. Yeah.

But they actually reframed it.

Okay. In

a way that I found really helpful. Well, they were saying like. Yeah.

Yeah.

It's not about.

Yeah.

Being Tony Robbins.

Right.

You know. You

don't have to be like this big. Yeah. Super charismatic. Like over the top.

Exactly. Yeah. It's more about like.

It's about connecting with your audience.

Yes.

Authentically.

And like sharing your expertise. Right. But in a way that resonates.

Yeah. Like you were saying.

Yes. With

your core values.

It reminded me of something I read about Steve Jobs.

Oh. Yeah.

You know how he was super into calligraphy?

I did not know that.

Yeah, like, obsessed.

Wow.

And then it turns out

Okay. that,

like, fed into Yeah. the design of Apple products.

How so?

Because it made them not just, like

Yeah.

functional

Right.

But beautiful.

So it's like those seemingly unrelated interests can actually like infuse your work

with

something unique.

Okay, so public speaking is one thing.

Yeah.

What else did they talk about?

Well, they talked about online presence.

Which, obviously.

Yeah, huge.

Huge these days.

Especially.

But they didn't just mean

They didn't just mean like, have a website.

Right, because everyone's got a website.

Right. It's more than that.

So what did they say?

It was about being strategic with social media, engaging in online communities.

Okay, so like actually being a part of the conversation.

Yes. Not just like, Not just broadcasting. Throwing

something out there. Exactly. And like hoping for the best.

Which I think ties into this idea of thought leadership. Oh

yeah, tell me more about that.

So it's not necessarily about being a leader. Like, the world's leading expert on something, but it's about being willing to share your unique perspective.

Oh, I like that.

Right, like you have something to say. You

don't have to know everything to have a thought. Exactly,

and that really resonated with me because I think sometimes we can get caught up

in

feeling like we need to be the expert before we can share anything.

Oh, 100%.

And that's just not true.

No.

You know? And I think that the more we can kind of let go of that, and just share our unique perspectives and insights, the more we can all learn from each other. I love that. And then the last thing they talked about was lifelong learning.

Oh, interesting. Okay. Yeah.

Which I thought was a really good point, because it's like, You're never done.

Right.

You know, you're always learning. You're always growing. So it's

like building a tool kit.

Exactly. For

your career.

Yes.

And like constantly adding to it.

Yes.

Okay. So we've got public speaking. Yeah. Online presence, thought leadership, lifelong learning.

It's a lot.

It's a lot. Yeah. Where do we even begin? There's so much to think about.

Yeah.

Where do you even start?

Right.

Like if you had to pick one thing.

Okay. Yeah. Okay.

From this whole like building your brand thing, what's the most important?

I think it comes back to authenticity.

Okay.

Like we've been saying, identify your core values, hone your skills, put yourself out there, but none of it really matters. Unless it's genuine. You

gotta be yourself.

Exactly. Like it has to reflect who you really are.

Not trying to be someone you're not.

Right.

Like, remember that thing about Steve Jobs and calligraphy?

Yeah.

Imagine if he was like,

What if

No, I gotta fit in with all the other tech bros.

Trying to be all serious.

Yeah. Yeah. Apple products would be so different. Totally. Right.

Yeah, it's those unique things about you. Okay, that make you memorable

not about being perfect. Just be yeah,

it's like when you embrace that Authenticity.

Yeah,

it gives you this confidence and people can tell it's not arrogance, right? It's owning it

Yes,

you know

owning your expertise

exactly. This has

been great.

It's really got me thinking

It really changes how I think about branding

me too because

it's not just for Right. Like Nike or whatever. It's for anyone. It's for anyone who wants to like.

Anyone who wants to share their passion with the world.

Yes, exactly.

Yeah.

So if you're listening.

Yeah.

And you're feeling like.

What's one small step?

Yeah. What's one little thing you can do today?

To tap into that. Yeah. That authentic brand.

Maybe it's like dusting off an old interest.

Oh, yeah. Yeah. Or like,

writing down your core values.

Totally. Or even just sharing your perspective online.

Just get started.

Exactly. The world needs what you have to offer.

Love that.

Yeah.

So good. Thanks

for having me.

This was great. We'll see you all next time.

Thanks for tuning into the Business Ignite podcast, where we fuel your business growth and marketing success. If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to rate and review us. It does help others find the show. Don't forget to follow us on social media at Business Ignite podcast and share this episode with a friend. Keep the fire burning and remember, your success is just one strategy away. Until next time, stay ignited.