I am a multi-passionate, feminist creative marketer who helps values driven businesses make money while making the world a better place. As an accomplished brand strategist, web designer and published author, I know a thing or twenty about helping businesses grow their online presence, wealth and impact in the world AND confidently take up space online.
When your brand gets called out...π’
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! A few weeks ago, I found myself in an unexpected situation that made my heart race a little. I spotted a post from someone in my network β a fellow ethical marketer β discussing how messaging about "getting money into women's hands" excludes non-binary and gender-fluid people. As someone whose brand is built around empowering women entrepreneurs, I felt that oh-so-familiar tightness in my chest. You know the one β when you feel called out about something you care deeply about. My first instinct (as a highly sensitive girly) was to get defensive or angry. Instead, I took a breath and reached out directly with a message explaining my perspective β that I use "women" inclusively and that specific messaging helps with both SEO and connecting with my ideal clients. What followed was actually a really thoughtful conversation. She acknowledged the practical challenges, sharing that it truly feels so much easier to say "women", and mentioned how we often use "women" to mean "not men." She suggested alternative phrasing like "getting more money into the hands of people doing good work." This exchange got me thinking about how we navigate criticism or feedback about our brand messaging β something every business owner faces at some point. The truth is that building a brand that stands for something means you'll occasionally face scrutiny. It's part of taking up space and having a distinct voice in your industry. What matters isn't avoiding all criticism β it's how we respond when it does come our way. Do we dismiss it outright? Get defensive? Or can we use it as an opportunity for growth while staying true to our core values? Here's what I took away from this recent experience... 1. Pause before reacting When someone challenges your brand messaging, take a moment before responding. That initial emotional reaction rarely leads to your best thinking. Give yourself time to process your emotions! 2. Look for the valuable feedback Even when criticism feels personal, ask yourself: "Is there something here I should consider?" Not all feedback requires action, but it does deserve reflection. 3. Respond with curiosity Instead of defending, try engaging. My conversation opened up because I approached it with genuine curiosity rather than defensiveness. 4. Make intentional changes (if warranted) After reflection, I decided to add this line to my website footer: "While we focus on women entrepreneurs, everyone is welcome here. We're committed to a safe space that celebrates diversity, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation." This small addition didn't require overhauling my core messaging, but it explicitly communicates my values of inclusion. 5. Remember your brand foundation Your brand can't (and shouldn't) please everyone. Standing for something specific means that some people won't resonate with it β and that's okay. The key is ensuring your messaging aligns with your authentic values. And, if someone directly criticizes your brand online, remember to pause, assess if the feedback is actually coming from your target audience (I totally block and delete any harassing comments from trolls and misogynists), and engage privately when possible (direct messages are more productive than public comments). Being open to improvement builds trust, but don't compromise your core brand just to appease critics! The strongest brands aren't the ones that never face criticism β they're the ones that respond to it with integrity, authenticity, and a willingness to grow. What about you? Have you ever faced criticism about your brand messaging? How did you handle it? I'd love to hear your stories! |
Hey, I'm Emily, and I don't just create stand out brands - I create change.
I am a multi-passionate, feminist creative marketer who helps values driven businesses make money while making the world a better place. As an accomplished brand strategist, web designer and published author, I know a thing or twenty about helping businesses grow their online presence, wealth and impact in the world AND confidently take up space online.
Hey YOU! Tired of business advice that doesn't feel like...YOU? This newsletter is your permission slip to build your business on your own terms...let's dive in! I hope you all enjoyed the Halloween festivities last week and are maybe now shifting into cozy mode, possibly with a few festive twinkle lights already out (no shame here). I used to wait until mid-November, or at least until after Remembrance Day (Canadian holiday) before putting up anything remotely holiday themed. It felt like...
Hey YOU! Tired of business advice that doesn't feel like...YOU? This newsletter is your permission slip to build your business on your own terms...let's dive in! The last few weeks have been so busy in our house, with lots of rep hockey and schedule chaos (but what else is new?!). I feel like I'm finally coming out of a bit of an iffy energy stretch, where everything was feeling like it took more effort than usual. This little bump in the road led me to finally finding a new therapist. YAY!...
Hey YOU! Tired of business advice that doesn't feel like...YOU? This newsletter is your permission slip to build your business on your own terms...let's dive in! First off, can we have a *moment* for my new brand photos by Sisterhood Photography (peep the cute cover photo)! As someone who lives and breathes branding, I love getting a fresh shoot done each year...but this one felt extra special since it was my first session with my new business name. That said... oof, the process is no joke....