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I've coined a new phrase, "High Branding" because finding
your high branding position makes everything fall into place. Let me explain. As
an entrepreneur I can do a lot of things, just like you. As an entrepreneur I
have a hard time narrowing my niche to a small enough target audience to be effective.
Just like you. I had all sorts of names within the
structure of my business because I wanted people to know all that I did and I
didn't want to miss any income opportunities. Does this sound familiar? I had
different names for my internet marketing coaching, for my copy writing services,
for my web content strategy and design, for marketing strategy development and
for signature product development. My services page on my web site was a mess.
But it was still only me doing my thing - my things, if you will. But
less is more. I knew that but I couldn't find it. Look
without I began to notice two things: what my clients
were asking me to do for them, and what skills and talents I was using to answer
their needs. I wanted my niche to find me. For years
I have kept an Acknowledgement List. It helps me see myself as others see me.
I began to look over testimonials and acknowledgements people had sent me. I began
to see what they saw in me that I might not be seeing in myself. But it was the
conscious look within that helped me find my High Brand. Look
within I have been gifted with the ability to cut
to the core of a concept-to distill from a conversation what is at the heart of
the sharing. I found I was distilling people's visions. I began to label myself
"The Vision Distiller." And all that I was doing began to fall easily
under that umbrella. It didn't matter if we were creating web sites, or learning
to write articles, or creating products, it was all about helping people bring
their vision to life and take it out into the world. What
a relief! All my efforting fell away. All need to explain the details of what
I do disappeared. My high intention, my overall purpose is to help people express
their vision -whatever form it takes. I created a new
web site, changed my tag lines, and came to rest under the umbrella of a High
Brand. How can you find your High Brand? How can you
get to the core of what you offer? Be
Patient It took me three years to arrive at this
new awareness, so first of all be patient. And allow it to emerge organically
as you go about placing yourself in deep service. Keep
an Acknowledgement List What started as an Acknowledgement
List years ago is now my testimonial collection, but it also contains complimentary
emails that people have sent me along the way. It's in my computer and I use it
regularly to find copy phrases to use for promoting my products and services.
And they usually make me feel good too. Redo
your business plan on a regular basis Every time
I redo my business plan and have to define my target audience and describe the
problem I solve and the benefits I offer them, my brand gets stronger. I discover
new words and phrases as I express how I am currently feeling about my work. Redo
your business plan at least once a year as a checkup. Notice how far you have
come, be aware of how you have changed, see if you can you narrow your target
audience, identify what your clients are asking for. Then pay attention to what
you find and see how you can adjust your business to give you greater fulfillment
and prosperity. Write a Resource
Box We only need a resource box when we submit articles,
but finding the words to capture the essence of your business in three lines or
so is very revealing. I have about ten that I have used along the line. They are
all in one place and I keep rearranging phrases as my own awareness grows. Keep
honing and polishing the words and phrases you use to attract people to your offerings. Look
for the Umbrella What title can you give yourself
that says it all? I helped one of my clients brand herself as The Unstoppable
Confidence Coach and another has become The Marketing Mentor. Look for the core
service you give, what others continually ask you to provide, the highest benefit
others receive and see what emerges. That's how you discover your own High Branding. ©
Cara Lumen 2007 Feel free to reprint this article if you include
the following: Cara
Lumen, MA, Your Idea Optimizer helps you turn your ideas into steady profit.
As a business developer, content developer and educator, Cara helps you make money
from what you already know. You can learn more about how to put your wisdom to
work through her radio show www.blogtalkradio.com/passioantelyonpurpose
and her Passionately On Purpose emagazine at www.caralumen.com
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