Want to Stand Out With Your Business or Personal Brand? Do This Right Now.

When I first started off in my career, it was expected that, among other more 'traditional' professions, lawyers, bankers, and financial advisors (like me) dressed in suits and professional attire when they wanted to be seen or recognized as an expert or authority.

Today's business game, however, has changed. From Instagram Reels to Tiktok dance-offs, to Facebook Lives, and now LinkedIn Audio, leaders are evolving what it looks and sounds like to be a respected authority and expert in their industries. The lines between personal and professional 'brand' are now blurred, with more and more expecting to see more of 'you', not just what you do or your area of expertise.

For many, this new 'uber-personal' brand might feel like an awkward transition. Most of you reading are likely not ok with getting on the 'Gram' and dancing like there's no tomorrow. (If you are, then I salute you!)

For us regular folks, though, what do we do? How do we find our own way, and show off our authenticity, expertise, and uniqueness as a coach, consultant, service provider, or entrepreneur? Here are three ideas on how to stand out, so that we can get noticed, liked, and become the best choice as businesses.

#1 - Go Backstage With Your Content

Want to stand out? Show some action! Share something that's unique about your process, and showcase images from 'backstage' or 'behind-the-scenes' with your followers or clients.

It could be that you're setting up for a virtual or in-person event, or just brainstorming a business problem. If you're a chef cooking in the kitchen, can you show yourself in action or performing prep work?

If you're a designer, you could share an overhead shot of a sketch in progress, or a checklist of what should be in a branding or logo package, or assembling a product. A financial advisor could share a Reel with common misconceptions, or mistakes that customers frequently make, with tips on what to do instead.

No matter how you frame it, customers want to go backstage to see the real you and your team.

#2 - Show Your Struggles

Sometimes it's ok to not be perfect. Let customers see you're a human by admitting the things you’ve struggled with in the past, but now have overcome as a business professional. For me, I long feared the idea of niching down our business to serve a specific audience. But when I let go of that fear, our core messaging started to connect at much deeper level with our ideal audience, enabling us to make more impact and increase our fees, with customers happily paying the bill because of what we were able to do inside their organizations.

Try being a little bit vulnerable and raw, and share those experiences in your customer-facing content. You might be surprised by how positively they react!

#3 - Storytell About Your Life or Experiences

It's a fact: stories sell. Try to think of a story that your audience might want to hear about that they can also relate to, and do it without trying to 'sell'. It can be something personal from your life, something funny with a business colleague or a provider or vendor that you purchased from. It could even just be where you're from, your backstory, or something you're passionate about.

For example, the header image was taken by a local photographer on the St. John's River near Blue Springs State Park, a place we visit frequently when we're out boating. I chose it because, as a Florida native, it speaks to where I'm from, as well as a bit of my family history.

You see, growing up, my grandmother-also a Florida native-felt I should learn about local bird species. I wasn't the best student, but I do recall her quizzing me from her books, both on visual identification as well as bird calls when we were outdoors, usually by the water. Because both prioritizing our family and caring for the planet is part of our business core values, it's a small piece of information that might appeal to a right-fit client that also cares about putting family first and sustainability. (and if you're a bird nerd like me, that's a Great Blue Heron)

The point is this. The more you can leverage that story application to something they can appreciate or relate to, the more likable you will become.

Want to learn how to leverage 'brand story' to attract more customers? Schedule a call with our team on the link at the bottom of this page.

It's a known fact that people want to do business with people-other human beings to whom they can relate. It is often referred to as an 'approachability' or 'trust' factor, and now more than ever, it's how business owners and consumers are choosing whom they purchase from, trust, and look to as thought leaders and coaches. And it can make a HUGE difference in the success of your business or brand.

"The more someone gets to know you, like, you, and trust you, the more likely they will be to want to do business with you."

And the more they know, like, and trust you, the less you'll have to do to convince them you're the right-and better-choice. The results: easier sales, less high-ticket advertising costs, and your brand begins to organically rise to the top.

Your Action Plan

So, what can you do to get more 'real', likable, and human within your business? Does your story deeply align with what your customers want, need, and truly care about? Which one of these three elements will you incorporate, so that your brand stands out above your competition?

Need a better brand story that attracts more prospective customers and simplifies sales? Want to retain more profits and increase sales without spending hundreds of thousands on ads? Then schedule a complimentary 1-on-1 discovery call with our team to learn how we can help.

Florida nature photos: Mick Haupt