What inspires your brand?
For anyone building a brand, when the going gets tough it can be hard to want to keep...going. When it feels as though your business is just spinning its wheels and not really going somewhere, it’s time to find that second wind. One of the single most powerful forms of momentum at your disposal stems from inspiring yourself with the founding principle of your brand. Reminding yourself of your “why”.
Unless you’re Elon Musk (sorry, not sorry) they “why” for starting your business usually goes beyond simply just to “make money”. Authentic brands have a genuine purpose, a purpose that resurfaces to inspire you as time goes on and you’re caught in the grind. If the gears are turning but your motivation is waning, it’s time to discover (or rediscover) what inspires this movement of yours.
Inspiring Your Brand: What Matters?
First step to look at is what originally inspired you to take this jump. What were the seeds that pushed it from idea to business, or what is currently inspiring you to take the plunge. It often boils down to a personal passion and a conviction that you know you have something sparkly and unique for your dream customer or client.
What’s the driver that keeps you going through the shit times – is it down to helping people? Maybe take a quick survey of the content you’re putting out there. Have you fallen in to the commercial trap of “sales sales sales” and you’re neglecting to share stuff of value.
While we can absolutely look to our idols and even competitors for inspiration from time to time, it’s important to own your personal reasons for doing what you do. Don’t simply look at the big performer in your industry and claim a similar origin-story or inspiration as they had. Authenticity over false-sincerity all day long!
Being inspired by something does not equate to taking it as your own. While you don’t need to reinvent the wheel, you need to make that wheel truly your own. If your brand is built purely for profit, then trust-building will be your biggest uphill battle. It all comes down to purpose, profit will follow.
If you're struggling to find this inspiration then go back to the drawing board. Do some brainstorming. Journal it out. Spend a few strategic hours on Pinterest. Download my free Brand Review Workbook - even if you're not looking to rebrand this may give you the clarity you need around your existing brand.
And as always, if you’re batting your head against the desk trying to figure this out alone, stop 🛑. Your purpose behind why you started this work might be buried into your psyche, underneath mounds of admin and tax returns. Working with a creative expert, maybe even in conjunction with a business coach, could help you to unlock that core memory and remind you why you wanted to be a change maker, however big or small, in the first place!