How to Uncover Your Story for an Authentic Brand

I learned early on that branding HAS got to be more than just design, it has to be about purpose, and good quality storytelling. That's why I created a signature course Your Brand New Adventure, where I give you the tools to take your story and turn it into a brand that is a true reflection of you.

Your amazing business idea means nothing if your messaging and brand sound and look like everyone else, and the ONLY way to truly stand out is to share your personal story. No two people share the same story or lessons learned and when you begin here, when you truly allow yourself to become vulnerable and share the chapters that have completely transformed you, and build a brand on that - then you're already twenty steps ahead of everyone else.

I'm sharing exactly what you can do to start uncovering your story and how this contributes to your authentic brand!

I work with my clients to become clear on their chapters and find the key pieces from their story. Then and only then, can you really create messaging that attracts your ideal client and community.

What is Personal Branding and Why is Personal Branding Important?

What is Branding and
Why is Branding Important
for Female Entrepreneurs?

**The post was updated on October 2019

I absolutely love personal branding, but as much as I LOVE it, it didn't come easy to me early on in my business.

In fact, the very first website I made took almost five months to make and the end result was NOTHING like what I imagined. Sure I had done it myself, but I got so wrapped up in what everyone else was doing and what their brands looked like that I lost myself in the process.

When I became a personal branding coach and consultant female entrepreneurs I knew I wanted to share my discoveries and knowledge around branding with as many women as possible.

Why is Personal Branding Important?

Because when you start thinking about branding as so much more than just aesthetic, you are able to create a truly authentic personal brand that stands out in your industry.

And, yes when I say personal branding, I mean you!

In fact, no matter what you sell online you need to be focused on the person behind the business. It is the personal connection that attracts your dream clients and keeps them engaged.

4 Pieces for your Personal Brand

This 7-minute video will give you a look inside personal branding and the 4 pieces needed for a strong personal brand online.

When you take the time to lay the foundational pieces of your personal brand, you create a brand that is so on-point to who you are and your purpose and clearly connects with your audience.

This is how you create a brand that attracts fans, not just followers.

Leave your biggest takeaway from today’s video below.

P.S. If you’re ready to create a strong personal brand on social media, then be sure to check out my FREE masterclass where I’m sharing my Build a Better Brand Method. You’ll learn the exact framework I teach my clients to create a brand that stands out on social media, attracts their dream clients and creates a revenue-generating business. Sign up here!

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Effectively Plan for 2017 (and how not to lose momentum)

I absolutely love this time of year. The time between Christmas and New Years when you just dream of the year ahead. I spend so much time during this week every year just reflecting on the past year and planning for the future.

Are you planning this week? It's such an amazing time of possibility! However, I've seen time and time again people who create goals and within 90, sometimes 30 days, stop making progress. I don't want that for you and I promise you there is another way. 

Last year I set out with a pretty big goal - launch my business, leave my 9 to 5 and make enough money on my own to support my family. It was scary, but it was a dream I couldn't ignore. I followed the exact process I'm laying out for you below to make it all my reality.

I truly believe anything you desire can become your reality. That is why I follow this approach when mapping out my year ahead. I've said time and time again it helps you keep momentum in your life throughout the whole year, but it also allows you to achieve your wildest dreams! If you start with the end goal in site, and don't worry about the how, you get into a place of anything is possible, and with that mindset it truly is.

Here is the exact process I use to map out my year ahead. It totally worked for me in 2016 and I know it will work for you and I this coming year!

Three step process:

1. Write out your goals for the year: Dream big baby! Don't hold back here, the main goal is to just write down every major goal you have for 2017. Don't worry about the how, just imagine yourself this time next year and imagine how different your life is. What were the major accomplishments that led to that moment?

2. Break your goals down quarterly: Take those big goals and break them down into seasons. If your goal is to make $100K in your business then how much do you need to make every quarter? If you want to have 12 clients, how many feels good to take on each quarter? Again we aren't worrying about the how, just breaking it down into smaller, more manageable goals. 

3. Step by step plan: This is my favorite part of the puzzle because this is where my creativity and strategy comes into play. Take your quarterly goals and write out exactly how you plan to get there. Again, we aren't really focusing on the how, although we are definietely implementing a little more strategy at this phase. The main focus is laying out the steps you need to take so you have a clear picture of the action steps needed to reach your desires. If you want to make $100K in your business and that comes out to $25K a quarter, then you know you need to take on 5 clients at $5k, or hold a group program with 50 people at $500 a piece. The strategies and techniques are endless, you just have to come up with the methods used to reach your end goal.

This technique seriously works for anything, it doesn't have to be money related! If you want to create a Facebook community, like my group Authentic Brand Builders, and you want X number of people in the group for Q1, then what strategies are you going to use to get there? If you want X number of people on your email list by Q2, how many people do you need a day and how are you going to get there?

By working backwards you really are setting yourself up for success from the very beginning - not to mention you have a step by step action plan that keeps you on track and keeps your momentum going for the whole year.

2017 is your year! It's the year that you launch your business, make your first $10K, $30K or $100K, it's the year you leave your 9 to 5 or the year you take that two week trip to Europe - it is your year! Don't hold back when it comes to planning your 2017 and for goodness sake don't get caught in the how from the very beginning, just picture and feel into the end result.

I promise you it is ALL possible, I set out with a goal at the beginning of 2016 to launch my business, leave my 9 to 5 and make more than enough money to support my family and life of freedom, and I'm doing just that. 

Make a plan.

Take action.

Live your life of freedom.

P.S. Ready to Get Sh*t Done in 2017? I'm hosting a goal setting challenge in Authentic Brand Builders, kicking off on Monday, January 2. Get all the details and sign up here: http://bit.ly/2017getshitdone

How to Host a Live Training

I love webinars! They are such an amazing way to get your message out to your ideal client, offer guidance and connect with so many amazing people. I've been doing webinars since day one in my coaching business, and all though in the beginning no one but my mom was on, I've been able to grow my list and community by continuing to offer content via webinars.

I also have managed to host webinars for completely free (not including Facebook Ad's) by using my existing website platform, free resources to gather opt ins and promoting in groups where my ideal audience hangs out.

To get you started in the wonderful world of online trainings, I've included:

• How to pick your topic and create your webinar content
• Video tutorial to set up your free live stream
• Free checklist and tools to use to prepare for your live stream

GET YOUR FREE CHECKLIST >>

How to pick your topic and create your webinar content

• Survey Your Audience - Come up with a list of 3-5 topics you feel comfortable presenting on, remember to pull from your real life experiences and lessons learned. Now find where your ideal client is hanging out, personally I love Facebook Groups hosted by other experts, as well as my own group. Post a survey and let people vote! Take the topic with the most votes and go with it. This step is so important because it reaffirms that people want the information you are providing.
• Come Up With Bullets - You will want to use these bullets on your opt in page (more about that in your free checklist), but I love to build my whole webinar around my bullets as well. Your bullets will be used to tell your audience exactly what they will be learning and serve as a layout for your training. List out 3-5 bullets and then spend time drafting copy and lessons for each one.
• Create Your Slides - Pull from your bullets to create your slides. Every single bullet should be included in your presentation - I prefer to dedicate 1-2 slides for each bullet. Other slides you will want to include:
  • Welcome 
  • What they will learn 
  • Why it's important
  • Where they are now
  • Introduction - who you are and what you do
  • Bullet 1 - 2 slides
  • Bullet 2  - 2 slides
  • Bullet 3 - 2 slides
  • Special offer
  • Q & A (there is a great free resource for this in the download)
• Write Your Script - This last step is my favorite and takes no time at all, if you follow the steps above. Block off a section of time and go through each of your slides. I like to write out word for word exactly what I want to say about each slide, what questions I want to ask and when and any additional information I want to provide. If nerves get the better of you, you can use this script word for word and not worry about sounding like a robot. I tend to deviate from the script, but it is nice to use as a reference point throughout the training.

Video tutorial to set up your free live stream

FREE checklist and tools to use to prepare for your training

Go out there and get your message heard!

BE MERRY!

Michelle Knight

The Power of Personal Branding: 7 Tips to Elevate Your Brand with a Professional Photo Shoot

**This content was updated in June 2024

I absolutely adore brand photography.

If I were to credit two key pieces to my business growth, it would be:

1. Quality Content

2. Personal, Authentic Brand Photos

In today's market, building a strong personal brand is more important than ever. As an entrepreneur, having a professional image can make a huge impact on how your brand is perceived in the world. You've heard it before, but the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" holds true when it comes to personal branding. The images you use to market your brand are key in your non-verbal communication strategy. That's why a professional photo shoot can be a game-changer in elevating your brand.

By investing in a professional photo shoot, you not only get high-quality images but also the opportunity to convey your personality and unique selling points in an effective non-verbal way.

Remember, your photos will be the authentic representation of your brand and are just so fun to have on hand when creating your social media posts, updating your website, running ads, creating YouTube thumbnails and so much more.

On a deeper level, brand photos allow you to capture the attention of your audience through the emotions you evoke in your photos. More on emotional branding here.

To make sure you feel prepared for your brand photoshoot, I’ve included my top seven tips to have a successful personal branding photoshoot and start standing out online:

1. Your Brand Board

2. Clear on Your Top Descriptive Words

3. Inspiration Ready

4. Choosing Your Photographer

5. Choosing Your Location

6. Exude Confidence

7. Candid, Baby!

Importance of Personal Branding

In the market today, personal branding is what sets you apart from the competition. There are a lot of people doing and offering something similar to what you do, so how does someone know you're the brand to work with? Your personal brand.

It allows you to establish your unique identity, build trust with your audience, lead with authenticity, and create a lasting impression. Personal branding goes beyond your products or services; it is about showcasing who you are as a person and what you stand for. Your personal brand defines your values, expertise, and overall image in the eyes of your target audience.

A well-crafted personal brand can help you attract the right opportunities, build a loyal following, and position yourself as an authority in your industry. It allows you to connect with your audience on a deeper level and build meaningful relationships that can lead to long-term success. Want to go deeper into building your personal brand and revenue-generating business? Watch my free, on-demand class here.

7 Tips to Prepare for Your Personal Brand Photo Shoot

Prefer to watch your content?

Check out this recent YouTube video I made talking about my recent professional photo shoot and my top tips.

Alright, sticking around? On to the steps.

1. Have a Completed Brand Board Before Your Photo Shoot

You don't want to go into your photoshoot without having a clear picture of your brand, otherwise, you will just be paying more money for another shoot in a few months.

I ALWAYS have my clients create an inspiration board for their brand. I highly recommend you start with Pinterest or Google to collect photos that mirror your branding and pull from those to create a finalized inspiration board. This isn’t just about your brand colors and fonts, it’s a representation of your overall brand feel. A photographer is going to love to have this on hand when choosing locations, outfits, poses, and more.

2. Be Clear on Your Top Descriptive Words for Your Brand

For me, my top three emotional words for my brand are adventure, freedom, and warmth.

Think of your top three words, which should be evident in your inspiration board. You want those top three words to come through in everything you do during your shoot.

Pick outfits that exude your three words, select a location that matches your three words, outfits that match your three words, a photographer that…well you get the idea.

Here are a few photos from my shoots, over the years, so you can see for yourself how my three words come to life in my personal brand photo shoot.

3. Pull Inspiration Online for Your Photo Shoot

You will tell by the end of this blog that I absolutely love Pinterest, it is such a great resource for business owners. I recommend you turn to Pinterest again for inspiration for your personal branding photography.

Use the search bar to find photos that match your brand and style - choose photos that resonate with you personally and that you think will trigger an emotion in your audience.

Some of my favorite search words are family photos, branded photoshoots, lifestyle sessions, or free people (this is clearly very specific to my brand).

Below is a copy of the board I used before my first shoot. You will send this to your photographer before the shoot so they can get an idea of exactly what you are looking for and can come prepared. Trust me they will love you!

4. Research Your Professional Personal Brand Photographer

It is so important to find a photographer that matches your style. This is why I recommend you find your photographer AFTER becoming clear on the pieces above.

When choosing a photographer, look at their past work and make sure their style of photography, lighting, and editing matches your brand.

Be sure to ask for reviews and perhaps a consultation, if you've never worked with them before. Remember this is an investment so do your homework and make sure you feel they will be able to capture and bring your vision to life.

I like to look for documentary photographers because their style matches my vibe, however, you might choose to search for brand photographers, or family photographers in your area.

GRAB YOUR FREE PHOTOSHOOT CHECKLIST

5. Pick a Location That Resonates With You and Your Clients

Your inspiration for this will come from your brand board, but be sure to choose a location that is totally in line with your style.

For me, my first location was a no-brainer, as I'm constantly drawn to the woods and nothing says adventure and freedom, like very large trees! Over the years, as my brand has evolved, I’ve chosen various locations, but have always had an outdoor element because it’s a big part of my brand.

I want my photos to match my lifestyle photos on social media, so think about where you enjoy spending your time and where your personal photos might be from. For me, this is outside so it just makes sense.

Research different locations near you, or perhaps you make a small trip to a city nearby - your photographer should also be able to suggest some locations.

A few of my favorites include a coffee shop, home office, garden, high-rise building, Airbnb rental, park, woods, the beach, or your favorite store (if I was a food blogger I would 100% be in Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods).

6. Get In the Zone - Exude Brand Confidence in Photos

Mentally prepare yourself for the photoshoot. You need to be as relaxed as possible, and taking some time leading up to the shoot is so essential.

Have your wardrobe, makeup, and hair details flushed out at least a week before the shoot is scheduled to take place.

Now spend the next week focusing on your inner beauty and brand coming out. You want to seem natural, approachable, confident, and on top of your sh*t with your photos, so spend some time getting into that mindset, so your photos showcase your most authentic self.

One thing I always do is include my family in the experience. We always make it a fun event, kicking it off with music to get in the vibe. My most recent shoot, which took place in our new home, started with coffee, music, and conversations. There’s something really magical about letting your guard down and just being your most authentic self.

7. Brand Photo Shoot Tip: Candid Photos Are the Way to Go

Yes, I encourage you to go into your shoot with poses in mind, but true masterpieces come from candid moments. This is why all of the above is so important.

Having all of your pieces in place before the shoot, allows you to JUST HAVE FUN with it.

I highly recommend bringing a spouse, your kids, or friends to make you laugh and chat with you during the shoot. The results from these moments are priceless. My husband always makes me laugh and some of my favorite photos have been a result of those moments.

CONCLUSION

All in all, you want your brand photo shoot to be an authentic representation of you. All the groundwork you will complete prior to the shoot will allow you to show up and have fun.

After your photo shoot is complete, I recommend updating your photos on your website, adding your photos to Canva so you can easily incorporate them into your weekly graphics, updating promotional materials, and more.

If you want to learn some additional tricks and tips on executing your brand photo shoot, check out this video here.

P.S. In the process of launching or refreshing your brand? My 45-minute on-demand class will take the mystery out of the entire process by giving you my signature Build a Better Brand Method. This class has helped thousands of entrepreneurs gain brand clarity and confidence and you can sign up to watch it here.

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Meet Michelle

Hey there, I'm Michelle Knight and I 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 now travel full-time while running my business from the road.

This blog serves as a home base for all things branding, marketing, content creation and more.