One of the biggest mistakes I see Creative Entrepreneurs making is in not understanding where they are in the Brand Evolution journey.
Getting clear on where your Brand is right now is key in making strategic decisions around your Message, marketing, Ideal Clients, how your work shows up, and much more.
The Excitement Stage
At this stage you are just starting out and are so excited about the idea of having your own business and being paid for work you love doing. You may have been doing your entrepreneurial gig as a side hustle while continuing in a full time job and now you have decided it’s now or never to make your dream come true.
You are obsessed with looking at other people’s websites, palettes, offers, and thinking about your tagline, your logo, and all the pretty stuff that goes with having a Brand. You may have spent a lot of money of a website, getting a video trailer, and all manner of ‘shoulds’ that you’ve read about. You tend to be resistant about clarifying your Right People because you can help everyone amiright?
You’re signing up for freebies left and right and your email box is overflowing to all of the lists you’ve subscribed to.
This Stage may last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years…yes, 2 years.
Next up is
The Incubation Stage
I also call this the Exhaustion Stage, because you now realize that there is more to this Brand and Branding thing, and you’re wearing multiple hats in your business.
Now things are starting to clarify; you realize that you need to focus on a specific Audience and you need to let your unique Brand Voice be heard.
You are starting to look at how you want to offer your work out in the world and your focus is on working in your business rather than on it. As you are working with more clients, you are getting more clarity around who you really enjoy working with and what the scope of that work is.
Typically this is where you think about major ‘rebranding’ as you realize that your website doesn’t reflect your Brand Vibe and you are getting more clear on your Brand Voice. Much like an onion, this Stage is about peeling back a lot of layers.
Rebranding is not to be confused with ‘moving the furniture’ around on your website as a way of avoiding doing the work (didn’t think I would see that did you?)
The third Stage is
The Aligned Stage
Oh Sweet Relief! Things are really starting to come together, and you have a very clear idea on who you are and who you want to show up. You have gained massive confidence in your business and your influence is growing.
You have developed systems and processes for your business and have made significant investments in order to grow and uplevel your business.
There’s a feeling of settling in and connection with both your work and being of service. You have probably added team members and actively pursuing expanding how money comes into your business.
And finally,
The Established Stage
This is it. You have arrived! You are seen as a Leader in your field and are often asked to collaborate and partner with other Entrepreneurs.
At this Stage legacy becomes very important to you and your focus is on how to leverage everything you have put into place and build ‘baby Brands’ under your Main Brand. Expansion and impact are the primary focus here and you may feel that you can let up on the gas pedal for a bit and enjoy what you have worked so hard to achieve. Leverage at this Stage becomes extremely important to your business.
When you know what Stage your Brand is in, it’s much easier to make decisions on what you and your business need at that particular Stage.
Why is this important? Because everyone wants to start at the Established Stage and that is impossible without going through the other Stages first. Knowing what Stage you are in allows you to clearly focus on what you and your business need to move on to the next Stage.
Remember that this is a journey and your path is unique to you and your Brand.
What Stage are you in? Not sure?
Schedule a Discovery Session and find out!
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