Scaling Your Business with Brand Reputation
When we think about up-leveling or scaling our business we tend to make a giant list of things we want to improve. We might consider our branding and question if it's time to rebrand, but most business owners don't consider that at all. They jump into the measurable things like growing their social media followers, you tube subscribers, or email list and I truly wish it was just that easy. We absolutely CAN wake up one day, decide we're not satisfied with where we are in our business, and take the drastic and necessary steps to make it start pouring in more money, but it should always come with a plan. If you've ever tried to rebrand or scale your business on your own you probably know what I'm talking about. There's a lot of blood, sweat, and tears (oh, the tears) and it's not something to just decide and start doing on a whim. That's not to say that scaling doesn't work. Of course it does, but you have to have a plan. If you haven't yet decided how to scale or improve your business so that it converts more traffic into dollars you should know what the rest of us have all experienced; it ain't easy. More importantly there's no formula for getting it right for every business, but the experts don't often tell you that. There is however, a way to go about scaling that is most efficient and less likely to result in a nervous breakdown, and that's what I want to share with you today!
The top things people say they want to improve besides the few I mentioned above (social media followers, and email subscribers) are: SEO, marketing and Facebook ads, creating content, copy, and building a 6 figure business. Now, let's explore WHY people want those things. Well, first because they want to earn more money, and next because they want to get the word out about their business, and marketing your business online is the fastest way to reach a lot of people in a short amount of time. It's a numbers game for sure because logically if you're business comes in contact with 100 more people at least 10 of them will take a look at your site. The problem is we're not targeting "people", we're targeting YOUR PEOPLE and we don't just want to drive them to your site and say good day. You need them to become a client or customer. You need them to purchase and come back again so you can get to that other goal of 5, 6, or 7 figures.
Here is where your reputation comes in: If you want to build buzz around your business you have to develop and effectively memorable brand experience by catering to the needs, wants and emotional state of your audience; making their day brighter and more enjoyable in some way will most certainly encourage them to transition from a looker to a buyer. BUT you should know: it doesn't happen overnight. Next, you have to build up your brand identity and know what you stand for.
What are the three things you want your business to be known for? If you need some examples peep my Instagram story about the 3 things I want my business to be known for and why. You can find it in my stories highlights under Strategy. After you have that all considered and outlined, you have to know where you're going. What goals do you have in mind? Both long term and short term?
GET SPECIFIC! The goals I listed above are much too vague and essentially set you up to fail from the start. How many followers do you want? How many more email subscribers? How much more money per week, per month, etc. Not to mention that when you have a fantastic brand experience that makes people feel amazing (informed, motivated, confident) the followers, the opt-ins and the money will come anyway! Specific mini goals are essential to tracking progress and reworking a game plan if you're not hitting those smaller goals, and your branding ties everything together, works for you even when you're not actively online, and maintains consistency!
So now that we're clear that you can't build a reputation without starting with a defined brand experience and a memorable business identity lets move on to BUILDING BUZZ!
You have to show up. Far too many people are trying to automate their business much too soon. You have to be present to cultivate loyalty, earn trust, and nurture the community you're building. Mass emails, funnels, opt-in pop ups all have a cold and impersonal feel to them that blatantly shouts "I'm more interested in the dollars than the connection", and when you make your audience feel like nothing but a number that can backfire.
Next, you have to SHARE YOUR VISION! I've said this before. If it doesn't sound familiar just take a look at my last blog post. If you have goals, and you're relying on your audience to help get you there, you have to take them along. You have to let them know what they're helping you to accomplish. Building a following that totally supports and encourages you comes from being transparent, genuine and from offering those same things back!
If you're still unsure of where to start, download this simple worksheet that will help you outline your reputation and message!
Once you're super clear on all of the above you can really start planning products and services. I always like to plan 3 at a time. One small offer, one medium offer, and one large offer. Take a look at all that you want to accomplish, the value you're currently offering your audience, and what they need most from you and brain storm offers that will meet everything on your list! Then it's time to get into creation mode! Scaling and up leveling certainly isn't easy or fast, but it's fun and so doable with the right plan.
Once you have a widely respected reputation you can start collaborating, outsourcing, trading services, influencing, and getting featured which all brings those eyes you want on your business!
Join me back on Instagram to continue this weekly topic on building a reputation, and how that reputation helps you grow your business!