What does it take to build an honest brand?

Even though I’m currently in the fashion field (you can see my Mimu Maxi line here), I do have a background in marketing, and I even love marketing more than fashion (but don’t tell anyone!). That’s because marketing has to do with people, and people has to do with communication and sharing your story. People often ask me for advice on marketing, and this is some of what I love sharing, so here we go.

 

“Who am I?” doesn’t have to mean you personally, but who are you as a business? What is your mission? Knowing who you are is going to dictate everything about your marketing, from visuals to communication and beyond. It’s not “What do you sell?” or “What is your product” but “Who are you?” Sometimes people say, “Oh c’mon. I’m selling a product that so many people need.” But there may be many other people who also sell that product, so what makes you unique? The best way to stay on top of competition once you have an amazing product will be your branding.

 

You can’t just put out your marketing and say who you are one time. It has to become your raison d’etre, your driving force, and the biggest, most often communicated aspect of your business. Being consistent about it is what will make people believe your story and know what makes you different from your competition. The more you put it out there, the better and more genuine it will be. 

 

No matter how good your writing is or how amazing your product is, the way you communicate what you do or what your product is needs to be attractive. The people who will become your best loyal customers will be attracted to the visuals you put out there. Put time and energy into making things look good, and if you can’t do it, hire someone to do it.

If you don’t like to use social media, but you want it for your business, hire someone. Or craft a business that will sustain itself without it. You can have a great product and be passionate about it, but if marketing is not your forte, hire someone. When you push yourself to do something you don’t like, and you feel like you don’t have the tools, or it’s not your forte, people will feel that, they will feel your refrain and it won’t be authentic.

With marketing, you’re not staging something, you’re not making up something. You’re pulling from the essence of your business and what you stand for. No matter what your business is, you’re pulling from an inner passion. You can’t fake it. Always remember that no matter how pretty, how consistent, or how well-branded your business is, you need to be genuine.

I hope these tips not only promote your business or brand, but have fun with it and bring it to new heights!

 

This content originally appeared on our Instagram series, Between Minds, where different popular Instagrammers shared tips in their areas of expertise.