The number one struggle I see clients have when they start the process of branding a business is figuring out how to write their story. They look at me with a deer in the headlights look and tell me the following statements.. 1. “I hate talking about myself and don’t know how to do it without coming across fake and/or conceited. ” and 2. “I don’t know what to say.” Believe me, I know exactly how you feel!
Writing your story helps you find your voice and your brand position.
It is important to write your story, especially when it comes to branding yourself and branding your business. Writing your story helps you find your voice, and articulate your passion and your ‘why.’ It helps you figure out what makes you unique and what gifts you have to offer the world. The unique perspective that only you can give. Writing your story will help you develop your voice and refine your message. You discover what you want to be known for and what your zone of genius is. This branding position will thread through all of your content, your marketing materials, and your online platforms.
Your brand is your name, your face, and how people feel when they hear your name.
You can impact that third aspect so much by writing your story and learning how to share it with the world. A great story creates strong connections, which allows your clients to connect with you. You build that trust factor. You know by now from listening to me that people do business with people they know, like and trust.
I would love to help you write your story and begin to weave your story into your brand.
My own journey took some time. I had to learn how to become authentic, how to share my heart and show up and have a little emotion in both my work and in my writing and let the world see less than the perfect version of myself. That was really challenging for a girl that comes from a German background that prides himself on guarding their emotions and always presents the most perfect, ideal version of themselves to the world. Being vulnerable, authentic, and showing my struggles was something I couldn’t even get my head around. However, I am proof that if I can do it, anyone can learn to share their journey.
Once I started to put my journey into words and write my story, the ideas began to flow. I opened up the floodgate of ideas and dreams that I wanted to share with my clients and the world. My heart began to swell with the idea of connecting with my clients, showing up, and serving them.
The tools to help us write your story and your brand positioning statement.
As part of your branding journey, you receive two questionnaires. One; all about you. We go into what makes you tick, what is your vision, what is your voice, and your why. The second questionnaire is all about your ideal client. This is the story that we tell where we map your client’s journey and we really go into their buying process and where you fit in to help them along. These two questionnaires are key to helping us write your story and create the brand imagery that is on point for you during your session.
I realize it can be hard to know how to present yourself both on and offline. I also know that some days you just don’t know what to say. Once we write your story, the whole process of showing up authentically online will become so much easier, I promise. I promise you will begin to share your beautiful voice with the world, create those connections with future clients and nurture those relationships that will help you shine online.
BRANDING | HEADSHOTS| BUSINESS COACHING
Shelly Niehaus Photography is a Boise, ID-based branding and headshot photographer. Shelly specializes in professional headshot photography, personal branding photography, and lifestyle photography. Shelly serves the greater Treasure Valley area including Boise, Meridian, Eagle, and Nampa.
