​

Hey Bootstrapper,

Each week, I deliver a fresh, feminist-inspired, creative marketing email to your inbox...let's dive in!

Prefer to listen to this podcast style? You're in luck! Check it out here!

We've all been in a meeting where someoneeeee dominates the conversation. They talk over everyone else. They interrupt people. They don't seem to care about what others have to say because they literally have no self-awareness!
​
It makes me cringe just thinking about it.

I used to think I was just shy, but honestly? It was more about fearing what people thought. We all do it, right? That's why "fitting in" (or masking) feels so safe.

But what I've realized is that I am actually quite extroverted around people who make me feel at peace with myself.

A lot of us have a fear of being seen, but being seen by the RIGHT people is so freeing.

It's actually okay not to be everyone's cup of tea. Or coffee. Or pop (...that's soda for my American friends)!

I guess this is why I'm drawn to the quieter, more private conversations that are happening away from these more dominant voices.

Standing out isn't about being the loudest in the room.

It's about being the most YOU in a room full of people trying to fit in. Because your most powerful brand asset is your authentic self, whatever volume that comes in.
​
The marketing world pushes this idea that successful brands need to have big, bold personalities. But being big and bold isn't necessarily about being outspoken or flashy. It's about being true to yourself!

You don't need gimmicks in your branding, and you don't need to copy others to be successful (that's actually a hinderance). What you need is to bring pieces of yourself into your branding.

And that's where having a brand strategy can be especially important!

Before doing any visual branding for clients, I always develop a brand strategy that's infused with you – your values, your passions, your personality – combined with solid market research.

And here's the best part...you get to decide how much and what parts of yourself you want to share with your audience.

Your brand personality isn't just about whether you're introverted or extroverted, serious or playful. It's also deeply tied to what you stand for.

You can get as deep as sharing political views and personal values, or you can just choose to share things like your favourite drink or snack!

It's not just what you share, but how you share it that matters. And that's where strategy comes in. Weaving your unique quirks into your brand's purpose, mission, personality, and messaging is what will create those genuine connections.

Whether you want to be known for your love of cake, language that's as salty as your potato chips or smashing the patriarch (hi, it's me!) your audience will remember you when you are unapologetically YOURSELF.

Think about it: If you’re a therapist whose obsessed with memes, break down the tough stuff with the funniest memes in your content.

If you're a virtual assistant obsessed with vintage typewriters, let that vibe spill into your website design and welcome packets by using a vintage font and typewriter icons.

Or maybe you're a closet organizer who loves dad jokes and always includes one in your monthly newsletter.

Even just adding your favorite slang on your website’s “about” page can make a huge difference.

Freshly Baked ​Studio Verde: I finished the website build for Studio Verde last year, but my client decided she wanted to add a page to feature some preferred vendors (including herself). I always love to see how clients evolve and adapt their businesses to better serve their audience. And it's especially rewarding to be asked back to design more website pages to help them achieve that growth. Check it out here!