Brandmerry Blog Archives
Summer Break Strategies for Entrepreneurs: 4 Habits That Allow You to Work Less While Still Growing Your Business
As a business owner and entrepreneur, I frequently preach the benefits of taking time off. I truly believe that taking not only a week off every quarter, but also an extended period of time where you’re working less can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Over the past three years, I’ve prioritized taking the summer off of creating new content and have implemented four key habits that have helped me ground myself and prepare for the busy season of fall and winter. I’m able to due this because I focus on sharing my content on evergreen, search engine platforms which means my content is still working even when I’m not!
If you’re considering taking some time off this summer or restructuring your schedule to allow more time for other things, this post will give you some summer habits I swear by.
Inside today’s episode of the Authentic Brand Builders podcast, we’ll dive into:
Why analysis is so important as a business owner, and my top platforms and tools I use to take a deeper dive.
What I do with my time when I’m not over here creating new content, and how these habits help me sustain revenue and prepare for the busy season.
The type of content I prioritze throughout the year to make this break possible and take some time to work less, and truly ground myself.
**I’ve included the main points below, but I encourage you to dive into the full episode via audio or video!
For the full content, and all the insider tips, listen to Episode 119 now.
Summer Habit #1: Analyzing Your Business Performance
One of the key habits I have created during my summer breaks is the practice of a deeper analysis of my business data and metrics.
Since I’m not creating new content, I have the capacity to dive deeper into tools like Google Search Console, Google Analytics, and email marketing analytics. While I typically glance at these every 30 days, the summer offers an opportunity to truly analyze and see what the data is telling me on a bigger scale and for a longer period of time.
With this information, I’m better able to identify trends, spot opportunities for improvement, and make informed strategic decisions based on the data.
My favorite data points to explore are:
Google Search Console - Gives me amazing data on the keywords I’m ranking for, and how people are finding my site and content.
Google Analytics - Google Analytics (GA4) is not my favorite place to hang out, I much prefer to view my analytics through Squarespace for a simplified view. However, I will use this time to see which pages are getting the most traffic, and where it’s coming from to get a deeper understanding of my website traffic.
YouTube Analytics - One of the reasons I love YouTube is because the content just keeps performing for years. Because of this I love to look at my data to see if an older video is showing up in search, what keywords might be driving that, and use this information to optimize past content or plan for newer content.
Pinterest Analytics - Similar to YouTube, I love to see how my evergreen content is doing. I’m pretty deep in my Pinterest analytics throughout the year because I follow trends to get my content seen, but I use this time to deeper understand my boards, keywords, and pin design to make necessary changes.
Email Marketing (Convertkit) Analytics - This not only includes the types of emails and scheduled times my emails get the most engagement but also includes analyzing various steps of my email funnels as well.
Summer Habit #2: Updating and Organizing Content
During my summer content hiatus, I focus on updating and organizing my existing content to better optimize it and increase its relevancy. This habit is highly reliant on what I discovered in my previous analysis.
If I notice a Pinterest pin is trending upward and traffic has increased, I’ll go in an update the blog content.
If a blog post is gaining visibility on Google, I’ll go in and update the content to make it more
By revisiting older blog posts, videos, and podcasts, I can optimize them for SEO, update information, and enhance their value to my audience. This practice not only improves the quality of my content but also helps in elevating my content for search engines.
Summer Habit #3: Creating Limited-Time Offers and Special Series
Introducing limited-time offers and special series can add excitement and engagement to your business during the summer break. I love testing out new things that I might have been considering during this time.
By launching exclusive promotions or unique content series, you can create a sense of urgency and value for your audience. Last summer I launched the “Summer Shop” which included some of my top courses, typically only available in Brandmerry Academy, for individual purchase. It was a great opportunity for my audience and brought in additional revenue.
I also experimented with "Summer Sunday Letters" in 2022, which were focused on sharing more personal stories and anecdotes with my audience as I navigated my summer. I loved this so much because it reconnected me to my roots in storytelling, but also provided a more personal way for my audience to get to know me. I’ve continued this every year sense.
Summer Habit #4: Prioritizing My Well-Being and Self-Care
Perhaps the most important aspect of my summer break routine, and the purpose of it all, is the primary focus on self-care and well-being.
As entrepreneurs, we often overlook our own needs in the pursuit of business success, and that’s never been an option for me. However, taking this time to open my schedule, work less, and prioritize self-care, whether it's spending time outdoors, pursuing hobbies, or simply resting and rejuvenating, is essential for my long-term sustainability and creativity.
By honoring my physical, emotional, and mental well-being, I am able to return to work recharged and inspired, ready to tackle new challenges and opportunities.
Want to dive into some additional resources I have on taking scheduled breaks?
Here’s some content just for you:
CONCLUSION
I hope this post encourages you to priortize yourself this summer and make adjustments to your schedule, content, workflow, client load, etc… for a little self-care and well-being focus.
If you’re not quite in a place where you can step away from content creation, and are building your content and marketing efforts on social media, then this summer might be an excellent time to build more evergreen content.
Taking this break truly is possible because my content performs for me even when I’m not posting something new. To learn more about this strategy sign up for my free marketing class at brandmerry.com/marketing.
Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Podcasts to hear the full episode and all the tips.
P.S. Ready to build a revenue-generating brand? One that not only stands out online but also makes it easier than ever to create high-value content? Tune in to my free brand class and learn my Build a Better Brand Method. Watch now at brandmerry.com/class.
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU
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FREE GIFTS FOR YOU --
DISCOVER YOUR BRAND STORY IN UNDER 5 MINUTES
LEARN HOW TO WRITE AN ‘ABOUT ME’ PAGE THAT CONVERTS
MAP OUT 30 DAYS OF CONTENT IN UNDER AN HOUR
Hey there, I’m Michelle Knight!
I’m an online branding and marketing consultant for female entrepreneurs.
I believe in the power of storytelling and using that superpower to brand and market yourself online...oh and to set yourself free.
I'm obsessed with living a life of freedom, so much so, that my family and I travel the world (sometimes in an RV) while running my business.
This blog serves as a home base for all things branding, marketing, content creation, productivity, and more.
Check Out the Latest Posts
Must-Reads on the Blog
How to Authentically Sell Online: Tips and Strategies from a Brand Strategist and Coach
As an entrepreneur for over eight years, I have come to understand first-hand the challenges and also amazing successes that come with selling authentically online.
When I first started my business, I remember feeling so ICK with myself when I would try to sell online. Something about it felt robotic, inauthentic, and insensitive. It wasn’t out of intention it was simply because I hadn’t made the connection to what selling my services truly was.
Turns out selling is a BIG part of running any business so I quickly began to adjust the way I sold and marketed online because I knew it was necessary and if it didn’t feel good to me, I knew I wouldn’t do it. Now, I get to support my clients and community members in finding their authentic voice when it comes to selling their services.
Today, I’m excited to share some of my top discoveries and tips with you because I know this is a main concern and struggle for a lot of authentic brand builders.
Inside today’s episode of the Authentic Brand Builders podcast, we’ll dive into:
Two selling trends that need to disappear because of their push strategy.
Two of my favorite selling strategies that focus on pulling your audience in and making them feel seen, heard, and understood.
The simple mindset shift I made that resulted in more consistent, feel-good sales as an online business owner.
**I’ve included the main points below, but I encourage you to dive into the full episode via audio or video!
For the full content, and all the insider tips, listen to Episode 118 now.
OUT: Stop Cold DMing as a Sales Strategy
My friend, the days of cold DMing and aggressive sales tactics are out, but apparently, not everyone has gotten the memo. It is doing zero service to you and your business to spend your time sending a complete stranger on the internet a sales pitch, or a message with the intent to sell quickly.
Instead, the focus should be on building genuine relationships with your audience by offering value through stellar content and engaging storytelling. When you create a relationship, then and only then do I feel it’s acceptable to send someone a DM with the intent to sell.
Let them get to know you first! All the time you spent sending out cold DM’s you could have been creating a valuable piece of content on YouTube or pitched yourself as a guest on a podcast - both of which will pay off more in the end.
IN: Benefit-Driven Selling Strategies
People want to know why they should invest in something, and how that directly applies to them. One of the best ways to authentically sell online is to truly understand your audience and then communicate that you hear them, see them, and understand them through your messaging.
This is why I’m such a big fan of market research and actively engaging with your audience - it just makes you a better marketer.
By not only painting a picture of what’s possible for your audience but also showing them through client stories and social proof you’ll build a deeper level of trust which is key to selling online.
If you’re gearing up to promote your products or services, focus your content on showcasing the amazing benefits of your offer and let the “sale” naturally flow as the next step.
OUT: Fear-Based Marketing Strategies
Fear-based marketing is now, thank goodness, losing its effectiveness when it comes to selling online.
Shifting the focus from instilling fear in consumers to highlighting the benefits and desired outcomes of your products can lead to more authentic and sustainable sales. This idea of scaring someone into taking action often attracts a less-than-desirable client. Because they are acting out of a place of fear and not inspiration, I’ve found that they are less likely to do the work, make the payments, and get the results.
Instead when we lead with empathy, compassion, and a focus on solutions, you can create a positive buying experience for your customers which of course leads to a larger customer lifetime value for the business.
In the episode, I also dive into the outdated strategy of pushing for the sale on calls and via conversations. Tune in to the full episode for all the details.
IN: The Power of Storytelling in Selling
My secret weapon for selling authentically online? Utilizing the power of storytelling in the selling process.
By weaving storytelling into my marketing strategy, I have found that storytelling engages the audience and creates a deeper connection with potential customers. Sharing personal experiences, client testimonials, and hypothetical stories has been instrumental in authentically selling my products and services.
I also think it makes the pitch of your product or service 100x easier to make. When you lead with a story, you’re pulling your audience in naturally. They are captivated by what you’re saying and more likely to stick with you until the actual pitch which naturally flows as the story concludes.
In my course, Storytelling Made Simple, I teach an entire lesson on using storytelling to authentically sell online.
The Ultimate Selling Hack: Prioritizing Marketing Strategy
One of the main discoveries in my entrepreneurial journey has been the realization that effective selling is not just about that one pivotal moment of pitching your product or service. It's about the entire marketing strategy leading up to that moment.
By prioritizing value, nurturing relationships, and providing solutions through your marketing efforts, you are selling your products and services.
Realizing this takes the pressure off of making the “official” ask or pitch. Knowing that every piece of content is part of the selling process helps you more authentically and strategically show up online.
CONCLUSION
By embracing authenticity, storytelling, and empathy in your selling approach, you will be able to connect with your audience on a deeper level and drive revenue in your business.
Selling online doesn’t have to be complicated, and in fact, true authentic selling comes down to mastering your marketing strategy as a whole. When you master your marketing, sending that email about your products or services, a sale, or a limited-time offer doesn’t feel so stressful.
Remember, selling authentically is not just about making a sale; it's about building long-lasting relationships and creating a positive impact through your business.
If you’re ready to take the next step and master one of my favorite ways to authentically sell online, then check out Storytelling Made Simple here.
Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Podcasts to hear the full episode and all the tips.
P.S. Ready to build a revenue-generating brand? One that not only stands out online but also makes it easier than ever to create high-value content? Tune in to my free brand class and learn my Build a Better Brand Method. Watch now at brandmerry.com/class.
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU
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FREE GIFTS FOR YOU --
DISCOVER YOUR BRAND STORY IN UNDER 5 MINUTES
LEARN HOW TO WRITE AN ‘ABOUT ME’ PAGE THAT CONVERTS
MAP OUT 30 DAYS OF CONTENT IN UNDER AN HOUR
Hey there, I’m Michelle Knight!
I’m an online branding and marketing consultant for female entrepreneurs.
I believe in the power of storytelling and using that superpower to brand and market yourself online...oh and to set yourself free.
I'm obsessed with living a life of freedom, so much so, that my family and I travel the world (sometimes in an RV) while running my business.
This blog serves as a home base for all things branding, marketing, content creation, productivity, and more.
Check Out the Latest Posts
Must-Reads on the Blog
How to Plan Social Media Content in an Authentic Way with Blair Mlotek
As a firm believer in the power of authentic brand building, I've always been on the lookout for new perspectives and strategies to enhance my approach to social media. Although it's not my go-to marketing strategy, and I’ve had a bit of a love-hate relationship with it over the years, I recognize its potential in building your brand attraction and connection.
Today on the podcast, I’m excited to share a recent conversation I had with Blair Mlotek, the co-founder of Cleo Social, where we talked more about her love of social media and how she supports her clients.
This was such a fascinating conversation and I felt like Blair was speaking my language on topics of authenticity, repurposing, and building connections.
Inside today’s episode of the Authentic Brand Builders podcast, we’ll dive into:
The 2024 social media trends that Blair and I are most excited about and how you can use them to your benefit as an online marketer.
Blair’s top tips for planning your social media content efficiently and effectively.
The importance of building community on social media and how Blair suggests getting started.
**I’ve included the main points below, but I encourage you to dive into the full episode via audio or video!
For the full content, and all the insider tips, listen to Episode 117 now.
The Art of Repurposing Content
Repurposing content isn't just a strategy; it's a philosophy that we have at Brandmerry. Blair and I geeked out over the creative ways to refresh and distribute content across platforms, emphasizing the importance of mcaintaining your brand's voice while sharing different aspects of your brand and personality.
Remember, repurposing is not merely recycling old content; it's about breathing new life into it and adjusting its purpose.
Blair shared how her agency masters this art, ensuring that every piece of content, whether a tweet, post, or video, aligns with the brand's voice and goals.
Building Meaningful Connections on Social Media
Both Blair and I agree that creating a space where your audience feels seen and heard can dramatically amplify your brand's impact. We chatted about strategies such as creating dedicated groups or channels on social media, encouraging authentic interactions, and creating a sense of belonging among your audience.
Blair shared a major emphasis on building genuine connections on social media in 2024, and her perspective of using social media not just as broadcasting channels but as forums for real, meaningful interactions reminded me of the true essence of "social" media.
I struggle with it too, since I don’t want to spend a lot of time on the platforms myself, but I loved Blair’s emphasis on this.
Strategic Content Planning for Social Media Content
Blair let us in on the goods and outlined her approach to content planning for social media.
She really stressed a balanced approach to planning that includes both meticulously planned content and room for spontaneous, trend-driven posts. This method ensures your social media feeds remain fresh, relevant, and engaging without becoming overwhelming.
Tune into the full episode to hear the step-by-step process Blair follows with her clients.
Embrace the Changes in Social Media Marketing
We also touched on the importance of understanding and adapting to the frequent changes of each social media platform. This includes making sure that each platform has its very own strategy since each social media platform requires different levels of frequency and engagement.
It’s important to remember that each platform holds its own purpose in your bigger content strategy and marketing plan. Inside Brandmerry Academy, we teach how to master individual platforms like YouTube, blogging, Google, Pinterest, and Podcasting, but it’s also so important to not lump every social media platform together into one strategy if you want to find success.
Remember not only is every platform different, but there is no one-size-fits-all in social media marketing and it’s important to find the planning process and system that works best for you.
CONCLUSION
My goal this year was to change the way I view and approach social media marketing. While I’m still not going to use it as my main marketing strategy to create brand awareness (SEO Girl through and through), I am excited to use it in a more intentional way for community building.
Our conversation reminded me that it’s 100% possible to create authentic connections on social media, while also amplifying my brand’s voice.
Remember, whatever your approach to social media, the core of your strategy should always be authenticity. It's not just about being present on every platform but about choosing the right spaces to express your brand's values and connect with your audience in a meaningful way.
I can’t wait for you to dive into the full episode for all the key takeaways and tips.
Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Podcasts to hear the full episode and all the tips.
CONNECT WITH BLAIR:
Visit Cleo Social at https://www.cleosocial.com/
Connect with Blair on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairmlotek/
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU
--
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU --
DISCOVER YOUR BRAND STORY IN UNDER 5 MINUTES
LEARN HOW TO WRITE AN ‘ABOUT ME’ PAGE THAT CONVERTS
MAP OUT 30 DAYS OF CONTENT IN UNDER AN HOUR
Hey there, I’m Michelle Knight!
I’m an online branding and marketing consultant for female entrepreneurs.
I believe in the power of storytelling and using that superpower to brand and market yourself online...oh and to set yourself free.
I'm obsessed with living a life of freedom, so much so, that my family and I travel the world (sometimes in an RV) while running my business.
This blog serves as a home base for all things branding, marketing, content creation, productivity, and more.
Check Out the Latest Posts
Must-Reads on the Blog
Top Tips for Optimizing Your Website and Increasing Conversions from a Brand Coach and Strategist
After last week’s episode, I had to expand a bit more on all things website optimization. I’m a big advocate, as you’ll see in today’s post, of having a Home Base for your brand (aka your website).
Your website is a powerful tool that allows you to control your narrative, support your audience as they move through the consumer buying journey, and drive conversions. It’s a crucial component in sustaining a business in the long run. Every month, I’m getting anywhere from 5,000 to 10,0000 visitors to my website. This tool allows me to create consistency in my marketing funnel, and make sure that those that land on my website are supported.
In this post, we'll dive into some top tips for optimizing your website and increasing conversions to help you make the most out of your online presence.
Inside today’s episode of the Authentic Brand Builders podcast, we’ll dive into:
How to create a clear website roadmap for your ideal customer that helps them move through the consumer buying journey with ease.
The importance of reiterating or repeating yourself across your website copy, and the three main elements to repeat!
A simple hack that can increase your conversions almost instantly!
**I’ve included the main points below, but I encourage you to dive into the full episode via audio or video!
For the full content, and all the insider tips, listen to Episode 116 now.
Designing a Roadmap for the Consumer Buying Journey
One of the first steps in optimizing your website is designing a roadmap that guides your visitors through the consumer buying journey. From addressing symptoms to making the purchase decision, your website should strategically lead visitors from one stage to the next.
Picture your website as a roadmap guiding your visitors on a journey towards conversion. By aligning your content with the consumer buying process, from initial symptom awareness to the final purchase decision, you create a user experience that resonates and converts like magic.
A simple framework I teach my clients is the H.O.M.E framework for the Home Page of their website. Remember, with proper Site-Wide SEO, as taught inside of Brandmerry Academy, you’ll get the majority of your organic traffic to this page.
HOOK: Start with your Hook Statement which should share demographics of your ideal customers, their struggles, what they desire, and your authority to get them there. You can add additional storytelling elements by addressing their pain points and what they ultimately want.
OPPORTUNITY: Offer your visitors a chance to join your email list/ community by sharing a lead magnet or opt-in.
MEMORABLE: Build trust with your audience by sharing your brand's story. Share a narrative that resonates with your audience on a personal level, making your brand memorable and relatable. Bonus points for tying in your brand mission here as well.
EXPERTISE: Showcase your authority through testimonials, featured work, and articles that position you as the go-to expert in your industry.
Inside Brandmerry Academy, you get instant access to the Home Base Bonus where I’ll teach you what pages to have on your website, how to write converting copy for each page, and ways to improve Brand Affinity.
Create Purposeful Messaging on Your Website
Messaging plays a crucial role in engaging your audience and driving them toward conversion. I know you know this! However, your messaging must be purposeful, ensuring that it aligns with each page's specific purpose in the consumer buying journey.
Whether it's highlighting values, sharing your story, or showcasing testimonials, your messaging should be tailored to resonate with visitors at every stage of their journey on your website.
In addition, your messaging should be authentic and relatable across your website, so you can establish a consistent brand voice that resonates with visitors and creates a sense of connection and trust.
When mapping out your website pages, or changes you’re making, be clear on where each page might fall into the consumer buying journey so you can adjust your messaging to match.
Don’t Be Afraid to Repeat Things on Your Website
Don't be afraid to repeat key elements of your brand throughout your website. This is the number one question I get about testimonials, your bio, and general copy.
By reinforcing your hook statement, testimonials, and bio blurb, you can ensure that visitors across different pages get a consistent and compelling message about your brand. Repetition not only helps build trust and credibility but also reinforces the key selling points of your products or services.
Remember we can’t control how someone lands on our website, so by making sure some of these key elements are on each of the pages, you’ll be sure that you’re sharing brand authority, social proof, and storytelling on each.
Here are the three elements that should always be repeated:
Hook Statement: Your Hook Statement can immediately tell someone if your brand is right for them. So repeating this on every page, as well as your blog posts (maybe in the sidebar or footer) can be beneficial.
Testimonials: Don’t be afraid to repeat testimonials on various pages, especially when starting out. While you might not have them on your blog posts, you should have them on your Home Page, Work With Me Pages, and individual Sales Pages, and yes they can be the same!
Brand Story: Share your journey, values, and mission in a way that resonates with your audience, building trust and credibility. Your full Brand Story should be visible on your About Me page, but having a short Bio Blurb is great for your other pages, including your blog posts.
Understand the Entry Points to Your Website
As your brand grows and you start to get traffic to your website, analyzing how visitors enter your website can help you tailor your content to meet their specific needs.
By understanding which pages are getting traffic you can make sure they are optimized for success by adjusting the copy to the specific purpose, making sure your Brand Bio or storytelling elements are in place, adding links that help them find additional resources or your offers for continued action, and include your opt-in so you’re not losing potential leads.
Looking at the data every 30 or 60 days can make sure you’re optimizing the appropriate pages and not wasting time on every page of your website.
Include Your Opt-In So You Don’t Lose Potential Customers
Opt-ins are a powerful tool for building relationships with your audience and providing resources, connection points, and more via your email marketing. By offering valuable content or resources in exchange for email addresses, you can continue to engage with visitors who aren’t quite ready to make a purchase decision.
Opt-ins provide a low-barrier entry point for potential customers, allowing you to nurture leads and guide them toward making a purchase decision over time.
Inside Brandmerry Academy, we have our Funnel in a Weekend bonus which helps you set up your lead magnet, write your email funnel, and connect all the tech in as little as three days.
Encourage Action with Clear Call-to-Actions
Last but not least, clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs) are essential for encouraging visitors to take the desired action on your website. By using contrasting buttons and clear language, you can guide visitors towards making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or engaging with your content further.
Small changes like button color can have a significant impact on conversion rates, making it crucial to optimize your CTAs - you want them to stand out!
This is a simple step you can complete today to improve conversions on your website, landing pages, and email marketing.
CONCLUSION
By implementing these top tips for optimizing your website and increasing conversions, you can create a more engaging and effective online presence for your brand.
Your website isn't just a digital presence; it's the heart and soul of your brand's online journey - your Home Base!
By being strategic with your website, and not just making it pretty, you can increase your conversions and create sustainability.
This is important once you’re driving consistent quality traffic to your website, something I teach inside of Brandmerry Academy. With Brandmerry Academy, you can learn how to market your business online in a sustainable way, and drive traffic to your website daily
Learn more at Brandmerry.com/academy.
Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Podcasts to hear the full episode and all the tips.
P.S. Ready to build a revenue-generating brand? One that not only stands out online but also makes it easier than ever to create high-value content? Tune in to my free brand class and learn my Build a Better Brand Method. Watch now at brandmerry.com/class.
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU
--
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU --
DISCOVER YOUR BRAND STORY IN UNDER 5 MINUTES
LEARN HOW TO WRITE AN ‘ABOUT ME’ PAGE THAT CONVERTS
MAP OUT 30 DAYS OF CONTENT IN UNDER AN HOUR
Hey there, I’m Michelle Knight!
I’m an online branding and marketing consultant for female entrepreneurs.
I believe in the power of storytelling and using that superpower to brand and market yourself online...oh and to set yourself free.
I'm obsessed with living a life of freedom, so much so, that my family and I travel the world (sometimes in an RV) while running my business.
This blog serves as a home base for all things branding, marketing, content creation, productivity, and more.
Check Out the Latest Posts
Must-Reads on the Blog
4 Marketing Mistakes That Are Hurting Your Brand Awareness
As an entrepreneur deeply passionate about branding and marketing, I believe that getting your brand seen is a crucial aspect of running a successful business.
However, it always seems to be the hardest part for most entrepreneurs. Over the years, and working with hundreds of clients, I've come across four common mistakes that entrepreneurs often make with their marketing strategies, which impact their brand awareness.
Today, on the podcast, I’m sharing the four marketing mistakes you might be making, and how to ensure you’re getting your brand seen consistently online.
Inside today’s episode of the Authentic Brand Builders podcast, we’ll dive into:
A trend I’m seeing all over social media that is steering entrepreneurs in the wrong direction.
A controversial topic among mentors and marketers, and why I think your website is crucial to marketing success.
A simple tweak you can make to your marketing strategy that will help you feel more confident in your marketing moves.
**I’ve included the main points below, but I encourage you to dive into the full episode via audio or video!
For the full content, and all the insider tips, listen to Episode 114 now.
The Importance of Brand Awareness in Your Marketing
Marketing plays a significant role in ensuring that your brand is recognized and resonates with your target audience.
While developing an authentic brand is essential, it's equally important to focus on making your brand visible to the right people. If you have an amazing brand, but no one knows it exists, then you don’t have a business.
Emphasis on the brand awareness stage of marketing is something hat should be happening every single day, as it is the top of the funnel and where your leads and sales will come from.
Let’s dive into the four mistakes I see entrepreneurs making with their marketing and what to do instead.
Marketing Mistake #1: Dismissing Educational Content
One common misconception I’ve seen everywhere recently is the belief that educational content is no longer valuable in marketing.
I call B.S. on this “trend”. Educational content plays a vital role in building trust, authority, and guiding potential customers through the consumer buying journey.
The consumer buying journey in today’s modern age consists of:
Stage One: Symptoms
Stage Two: Problem Aware
Stage Three: Solution Aware
Stage Four: Product Aware
Stage Five: Purchase Decisions
Educational content is crucial during the first two stages of the consumer buying journey. They are typically what people are searching for on YouTube, Pinterest, and Google. It’s crucial to bring in new people to your brand regularly.
But, educational content can also help people decide that your brand is the one. Educational content can share more about your authority and values, something we consider when making purchase decisions.
By providing valuable and informative content, you can attract and engage with your audience at various stages of their decision-making process.
If you want to expand your knowledge of the consumer buying journey, watch this video.
Marketing Mistake #2: Neglecting the Need for a Website
Your website serves as your digital home base, allowing you to control your brand narrative, showcase your offerings, and provide a seamless experience for visitors.
It’s one of the only places where you can design a roadmap for new potential customers to follow (the other being your email funnel or sequence). In a landscape where platform algorithms and trends constantly evolve, having a website ensures long-term sustainability and visibility for your brand.
Do you need a website to make sales? Absolutely not. You can make sales from a podcast, or video and a simple form or checkout page. You can make sales from social media. However, having a website is the most sustainable practice.
When you’re looking for sustainable marketing (marketing that doesn’t require you to post daily) and long-term results, having a website sets you up for the most success. One of the most popular bonuses inside of Brandmerry Academy is our Home Base Bonus which teaches you what to include on each page, copy secrets, and ways to improve conversions.
Marketing Mistake #3: Not Designing a Content Stack
Content creation is essential for engaging with your audience across multiple channels.
However, merely producing content without a strategic approach can lead to exhaustion, and missed opportunities.
Taking careful consideration of which platforms you’re showing up on, and the purpose in your marketing funnel the better your content stacking will be. You’ll be able to design a content stack tailored to each platform's purpose, making repurposing your content easier, and resulting in a higher ROI for your content creation efforts.
I talk more about content stacking and repurposing in Episode 113 of the podcast.
Marketing Mistake #4: Making Emotional Marketing Decisions
While emotions fuel branding and storytelling, two crucial parts of marketing, relying solely on emotions when making marketing decisions can be one of the biggest mistakes.
When we make emotional decisions about our marketing we might be making changes too soon, or changing the wrong thing. Instead, we need to look at the data to discover what needs to be adjusted or changed.
This is so easy with all the analytic tools integrated into most marketing platforms.
An example of making an emotional vs. data decision relates to leag magnets and email funnels. You might feel like something isn’t working because you’re not getting opt-ins, so you might make a new lead magnet, taking time away from marketing your business.
If you were able to look at the data you might find that the problem wasn’t the lead magnet itself, but the traffic you were driving to it. Or you might discover that people are interested in the lead magnet, but your opt-in page isn’t converting. With this information, you can make better decisions and improve your marketing.
Inside Brandmerry Academy, I support members in analyzing their data and making smart marketing moves on our monthly Q&A calls.
CONCLUSION
Avoiding these common marketing mistakes can significantly enhance your brand awareness and overall marketing effectiveness. And, making sure your marketing faucet is always turned on, bringing in new leads and sales, is important.
You can elevate your brand visibility and engagement with your ideal customer by prioritizing educational content, establishing a strong online presence through your website, strategically crafting your content stack, and leveraging data-driven insights.
If you're eager to enhance your marketing skills, elevate your brand visibility, and receive personalized guidance on building an authentic brand online, I invite you to explore Brandmerry Academy.
With a focus on sustainable marketing strategies and personalized support, the Academy can empower you to navigate the world of marketing with confidence and clarity.
Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Podcasts to hear the full episode and all the tips.
P.S. Ready to build a revenue-generating brand? One that not only stands out online but also makes it easier than ever to create high-value content? Tune in to my free brand class and learn my Build a Better Brand Method. Watch now at brandmerry.com/class.
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Hey there, I’m Michelle Knight!
I’m an online branding and marketing consultant for female entrepreneurs.
I believe in the power of storytelling and using that superpower to brand and market yourself online...oh and to set yourself free.
I'm obsessed with living a life of freedom, so much so, that my family and I travel the world (sometimes in an RV) while running my business.
This blog serves as a home base for all things branding, marketing, content creation, productivity, and more.