I want to make one thing clear. Your brand is not just your social media, or website, or pretty pictures. It is SO much more than that.

It is a holistic experience that represents your values, your strengths, and your purpose. Through your brand, you can connect with your audience as deep as you are willing to go. And the more vulnerable you are willing to be, the deeper the connection.

As human beings, we all have an innate desire to connect. So when you show up as your truest self through your brand, this will act as a powerful magnet for your ideal audience. People can sense this authenticity instantly, and they will feel drawn to you to see what you do or say next.

Here are three reasons why having a standout brand can make all of the difference in your life and business:

1. Having a standout brand allows you to position yourself as an expert in your industry.

Through your brand, you have the complete freedom to curate what people associate you with. In other words, YOU get to decide what comes to mind when people first think of you.

So if you want to tell the world that you are a photographer, for example, you have complete freedom to curate this image for yourself through your aesthetics, messaging, and your commitment to showing up in that way.

How exciting is that?!

WHEN BUILDING YOUR BRAND, TAKE SOME TIME TO DECIDE:

What do you want to be known for in this world?
What do you stand for? What’s most important to you?
What specific words and images do you want people to associate with you when they interact with your brand?
What impact do you want your words and actions to have on others? For example, do you want to inspire others to go for their dreams? Do you want to help people feel braver? Do you want people to relax and have more fun in life?
After you determine impact, what are you doing to make these desires a reality in your own life? In other words, you have to practice what you preach in order to show up as an expert. If you want to inspire others to travel more, for example, then show up as a LEADER and lead by example. Travel often and talk about it all across your brand. Don’t just tell, but SHOW.

2. Your standout brand helps you find amazing clients & get hired!

When you have taken the time to intentionally craft how people see you and what they associate you with, you pave the way to getting recognized in the way you want to be seen. You are telling the world your story: WHO you are, WHAT you want, and WHY it’s important. When you do that, people can’t help but notice and remember!

Taking ownership of your brand in this way will act as a magnetic force. It is human nature to want to connect to others, which means people naturally want to share information and experiences.

By intentionally developing the WHO, WHAT, and WHY of your story and sharing it with the world, you are inviting people into your story and encouraging them to share it along the way with anyone who may align with it. Shared interests make for INSTANT connections.

And this is networking, in the most natural way. And the more you connect, the more you increase your visibility and potential to get hired. Allow your connections to be your greatest advocate for your brand, and watch that momentum build into getting clients.

3. You can use your brand as a platform to tell the world your story and use it as a powerful vehicle for change.

Because think about it, the world is absolutely obsessed with stories. How many of us are addicted to our Netlix, HBO, or Hulu accounts inhaling an endless stream of entertaining stories? Human beings have been passing down stories for as long as we can remember.

IT IS THROUGH STORY THAT WE CONNECT TO OTHERS BY RELATING TO THEIR STRUGGLES AND VICTORIES. IT IS THROUGH STORY THAT WE IDENTIFY OURSELVES, DEEP DOWN. AND WHEN YOU HAVE A STORY THAT PEOPLE IDENTIFY WITH, YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAPTIVATE AND LEAD OTHERS ALONG YOUR MISSION.

So here’s to you and building your own standout brand. Because it’s so much more than just a website, social media, good photography, or design. It’s an entire EXPERIENCE for your audience, intentionally created by you. Best of all, your brand is a long-term investment to attract the right connections and opportunities into your life and business.

And hopefully, over time, your brand will change your entire life.