BRANDING | IDEAL SCENE
When you think of a brand, do you automatically think of a logo? Most of us do. But a brand is much more than just a symbol that identifies your product or business; a brand is your story and promise - it's what makes you and your business, you.
A well designed and executed brand communicates your mission, your personal style and tells your story. If your mission is to recreate moments of love and strengthen the family bond through beautiful photography then coming up with ways to provide that promise and mission to your clients is part of your brand. That might look like a package that bundles together your photography sessions with prints and your mission statement written on a card (wrapped up beautifully with colors and textures that speak your brand of course).
So how do you identify your brand?
Grab a sheet of paper and dedicate 5-10 uninterrupted, relaxing and quiet minutes because I'm going to share with you 1 of several exercises and questions that I have all of my branding clients ask themselves. This exercise was adapted from this amazing book.
At the top of the sheet of paper write IDEAL SCENE.
Imagine 3 years have passed, you've been incredibly inspired, you've achieved all of your goals, you've worked with brilliant teachers and clients, you've solved problems, you've made it to where you've always wanted to be and everything has gone as well as you could’ve possibly imagined with your business.
- What does your life look like?
- What is your ideal scene?
- What do you do on a typical day?
- What kind of person are you?
- What have you accomplished?
- What have you given to the world?
- What are the most important things in your life and business?
Consider these questions and imagine what your ideal scene looks like and jot it down. It's not permanent and will change as you grow. The most important thing is your taking the time and energy to imagine and write out what your ideal scene looks like.
My ideal scene is living the simple life with a vegetable garden, chickens, honey bees and babies. My husband and I have a cabin in the woods by a lake and a loft in a bustling city. We spend time in the city at art and music shows, speaking at events, hosting workshops and sharing coffee with friends. The other half of our time is spent in the woods at our cabin, with our family, eating amazing food, going on long walks and swims and exploring nature, parenthood and life. I spend my days communicating with all sorts of people, guiding them to connect and manifest their ideas and dreams, inspiring them to grow successfully and finally helping them achieve their creative potential so they can find ultimate fulfillment in their life and in business.
A bit lofty, sure. The truth, yes. Possible, definitely.
So what's your ideal scene? Share in comments below or on my Facebook page.
( PHOTO UNKNOWN )