The Visual Art of Storytelling
You’ve asked your mom. Your bestie. Your networking group and your favorite Facebook thread and that random stranger on the bus. You’ve asked them if your brand is good, if it tells the right story.
They gave feedback. Some good, some bad. But afterwards, you’re still left stumped, and frankly, overwhelmed.
I mean, wouldn’t you love to tell a story that was more along the lines of “Holy cow that’s amazing!” rather than “Oh, that’s what you do?” Insert here – old man with wrinkled brow, asking you why you have holes in your jeans.
The problem with asking all these people about your brand is that they don’t really understand your business like you do. It’s your business, after all. Your brand, your story, your life. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could answer these questions about your brand yourself, since you are the one who is most intimate with it every single day?
Your brand is what people are saying about you behind your back. It’s the silent ambassador of your company. It’s the one thing that you have that nobody else has. It’s your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. And no one except you can write and draw and build and play and dance and have a brand like you.
Let’s take the opportunity to tell a monumental story with your brand. Because, let’s be honest. You are ready to go kick butt in your creative biz, if you aren’t already, and ain’t nobody got time for unconstructive feedback.
Is your brand CLEAR?
Not long ago, I found my grandma’s old wedding journal. In it, she had written down the story of how she met my grandpa. As incredible as this was, I was discouraged by how incredibly HARD it was to read her handwriting and follow her story. Yet, it was the most important story – the backbone of their relationship. But it was so unclear, scattered and hard to understand.
Make sure your story is clear, and easy to understand.
Is your brand WORTHY?
Have you ever paid a high price for a great branded company’s products, and been disappointed with its quality? Did you feel like you were paying for the brand name, rather than the product? Or what about the opposite – paid a high price for a poorly branded product but been pleasantly surprised with its great quality?
Make sure you brand is worthy of the product or service you are selling.
Is your brand PROFESSIONAL?
Unprofessional brands portray unprofessional business. And you, my friend, are anything BUT unprofessional. Treating your brand as an asset can be the first step to you professionalism, the first step from start-up to up-top.
Make sure your brand portrays that you are a professional to reckon with.