Whether you like it or not, you’re being judged every day. Judged by how you present yourself and your brand.By what you say, and even what you don’t say. All it takes is one mistake to destroy your positive momentum. Want to disaster-proof your business? You need to nail your branding.

Yes, YOU!

Too many people overlook branding as something that’s “not for them, doesn’t matter to their business, or isn’t something that will make a difference to the bottom line.”

I’m here to tell you that building a strategy around your brand is the first step towards success. In the latest episode of the Brand Authority Podcast, I share why most businesses get branding wrong – and what you can do about it.

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Highlights from episode 8

No clearly defined brand

Your personal brand is a bridge that connects potential customers to your business. It takes the impersonal and makes it relatable. It transforms the obscure into a clarifying statement. It embodies who you are, what you do, and who you help... conveying your message and sharing why anyone should work with you.

And in today's online world, it's more important than ever that you get your branding right. After all, if your value proposition isn't evident - or worse yet, it's non-existent - no one will take that next step with you. If you want to be memorable (and create a brand that sticks!), infuse your essence into:

Every piece of content you share
Every word you speak
Every action you take

Source: UpCity

A hit or miss social media strategy

A strong and thought-out social media strategy is key to growing your brand. The first step to creating one is defining your end goal. Ask yourself: “What benefits am I looking for?" Is it:

engagement
brand awareness
sales
all of the above

Source: Goals Infinite

Now think about how you can use social media to amplify and create results around that goal. Know exactly what you want to achieve and use that to determine what you can do on a daily basis to reach that goal. But remember: whatever you’re trying to get out of social media, it only makes sense if you have a strategy behind it.

No social media voice

A strong brand is just like a person: it's unique and has a distinct look, feel, and voice. Where most businesses get branding wrong is that they don't realize it's their job is to find that voice.

Know who you are, what your strengths are, and why people should buy from you. Once you know that, you can begin to translate that across all of your social networks in an authentic way.

And no, this isn't a made-up version of who you are in real life. This is a direct reflection of who you are. If it's not - your message will quickly get lost in a sea of noise.

Source: Stephanie Schwab

Self-limiting beliefs

Marketing your business is tied up into your mental and emotional beliefs. These are both, your beliefs about what you deserve and what you don’t deserve. The latter are known as self-limiting beliefs, beliefs that constantly prevent you from reaching your full potential.

And if you don't believe in yourself, it's going to be impossible to create a strong brand. Don’t let the limiting beliefs hold you back. Instead, make a few adjustments in your beliefs.

Turn “I can’t” and “I won’t” into “I can” and “I will.”Look at what’s holding you back and stop with the negative self-talk. Don’t talk about why you shouldn’t and instead, think about why you should!

Source: NerdFitness

Final thoughts

Many businesses fail because they underestimate the importance of getting their branding right. Don't make that mistake. Define your brand, find your voice, build a strong strategy, and engage!

Want to know more about why businesses get branding wrong (and how you can fix it)? Listen to my podcast - it's got all the answers you're looking for. And don't forget to hit "subscribe" so you don't miss a single upcoming episode!

Why Most Businesses Get Branding Wrong (And How to Fix It)