In the past year and a half working as creative business coaches, Shelly and I (Co- Founders of Lightbox SF) have noticed that no matter what stage of business our client is in, we always work on the same issues. This lead us to develop our business philosophy and guides the lessons we lead each of our clients through. More recently it lead us to create a series of e-courses that will allow greater access to our knowledge.
So what is this philosophy of ours?
First Principle: Find Your Story
Each one of you is unique and brings something different to the table. This is key to
remember in what often seems a crowded handmade market. We believe that your
personality, passions, values, and strengths are what make you stand out. Focusing
on them is what allows you to create a brand that feels authentic and really speaks to
customers.
Finding your story also helps you define your ideal customer. Being clear on what
sets you apart is the first step identifying a customer who cares. When you know your
strengths and benefits you can clearly communicate the value of what you do to the
market segment who wants exactly what you’re selling, understands what you do and
appreciates the differences that set you apart from the others.
Second Principle: Tell Your Story
Once you’ve nailed down those strengths and benefits and can answer the
question “Why You?”, you need to communicate this message in every way possible.
Your brand story should serve as a guide in developing your online presence,
communicating with your market, and creating social media and marketing campaigns.
This story should show through in your blog posts, Twitter updates, the font you use for
your business cards, and the colors you choose for your website.
With a clear brand story you have the ability to control how people think of and
remember your business. You leave them with an image, feeling or experience that they
want to return to and share with their friends.
Third Principle: Community
We believe strongly in building community both in your customer base and in your peer
group. Building a relationship with your customers and making them feel like they are
a part of something keeps them engaged and talking both with you and about you.
Gathering a group of peers and complimentary businesses around you expands your
reach and broadens the benefits that you can bring to your customers, not to mention
the support you have when things get tough.
Your community can be a source of inspiration for new product lines or services, it can
spark collaborations or open up countless new opportunities, and most importantly it
supports you every step of the way.
Embracing each of these principles and building a business based on passion and
strength allows you to connect and engage fostering a relationship beyond a single
transaction. You are seen as a person not just a business, someone to trust and rely
upon.
Ink Yourself: Using Story to Make a Bold Impression is a 5-week guided e-course designed to help you with the first principle, crafting your brand story and defining your target market. We’ll guide you in discovering your strengths and the benefits only you can bring to the customer, get inside knowledge of your ideal customer’s interests and where they get their information, and bring it all together into a business identity that stands out in the marketplace. Ink Yourself allows you to work on the lessons in your own time, but still have access to direct feedback from your peers as well as Shelly and I. Registration is currently open for this 20-spot e-course, which begins May 21st.
Recent Comments