When "brand you" needs some space

Small business marketing is very different when “you” are the brand you’re building (vs. doing it on behalf of someone else).

Both need a robust strategy.

Both need solid messaging.

And definitely, both need systems in order to go the distance.

This gives you a solid platform.
(And so are all things we do with each person inside my Marketing Me™️ Experience)

There is however one fundamental difference when “you” are the brand.

One big variable.

YOU.

Minimising that reality and treating yourself like a marketing machine won’t work.


Well it will sometimes when you’re full of mojo and feel like you’ve got the Midas touch.

But you’re human.

And there’s no denying there are times when you’ll feel flat, unmotivated,  overwhelmed, hard to see the wood for the trees - especially if you’re the expert or in a place of leading others.

While this occurs fairly frequently for people who are in the early stages of their business journey as a personal brand, the reality is it still happens to people who have been doing this for years, even decades.

World-leading experts, movers & shakers, business influencers who are the top of their game. 

Less frequently, but it still happens. 

Yet over the last week I've noticed it more than probably any other time before. 

Both among my amazing clients, as well as people I look up to around the world. (some of whom I'm privileged to be connected with and hear behind the scenes of what's happening for them too).

I also experience it.

I'll be upfront and say I'm not in that season right now - but was for plenty of last year, and if you've been getting my emails for any length of time you know I'm a pretty open book and will share through some of the more challenging times as well.

So I'm well versed in navigating it myself, and helping others do the same.


Balancing the need to be visible, staying connected with our audiences and moving the business forward, building that brand, with the need to take space for yourself.  


There are two things I say to myself, my clients, and people in my community in those moments.

1. Be Kind to yourself.

Self-compassion is everything. This is a long-term journey not a short-term sprint.

It’s ok to go gently. You've done the work, you're amazing at what you do - the wheels are not going to fall off if you shift up the plan for a little while and gently touch the accelerator every now and then rather than going full-throttle. 

2. Go where the Energy is.

Don’t try and do “all the things”. Don’t hold yourself to impossible standards.

Instead find the “one thing” you love to do right now, and think about HOW you can intersect THAT with your marketing. And leverage the time and love and energy you’re putting there.


Be creative. Think different.

Don’t assume it “has to” look like something other people are doing. There are SO MANY other things could be doing that have ease written all of them. 

This was the essence of an impromptu connection and recalibration session with some of the inspirational people in my Marketing Me™️ community.

Yesterday, in our time together we explored a very, very simple “go where the energy is” adaption of each of their longer-term plans, to get them through a season where more grace is in order.

This email was brought to you off the back of these wonderful humans.

Who make me so glad I get to do what I do, every day of the week.

Seeing them  show up, and lean into that energy was beautiful. Everything else will be there at the right time.

Looking after YOU very intentionally will serve your physical health, mental health, business viability - and yes, even your marketing.

Think about how you can do that too.

If you're not sure what examples of this could be in your situation, hit reply and ask and let me know your situation and I'll give you a few personal pointers and ideas. 

You’ll be amazed at what even comes out of these subtle shifts - not just in what we are “doing” but even “how we think about what we are doing”. 

For those who are the face, heart, soul, hands and feet of your brand…..

Go gently when you need to.

Knowing your impact is being felt by people way beyond you imagine.

And often it’s less about what you “do”.

And more about who you “are”

Nourish and protect that.

And go with grace.

******

 P.S. A final big thank you to all of those who are choosing to work with me in 2023 in my Marketing Me Experience and/or through my 2023 Marketing Activation Series. I know it is going to be such an expansive experience for you, and I can’t wait to do this with you.

******

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nina Christian is a Marketing Futurist & Global Marketing Mentor who helps people do their marketing in a more human way. 

She is a Certified Practicing Marketer (CPM), Life Member and Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute & AMI State Chair (Vic) and for 20 years was director of Braveda (Winner, Best Marketing Agency, Australian Marketing Excellence Awards).

Several years ago Nina saw the world of marketing shifting – this time as people became their own brands.  With this, she created a new business as a thought leader, combining her expertise in brand building with personal positioning, resulting in a breakthrough praxis known as Marketing Me™.

She has a knack for simplifying the complex which comes from being a hands-on mum to five children, and uses this to turn time-sucking activities into easy-to-follow systems and processes that make a lot of sense and get outcomes fast.

There are different ways to work with Nina based on your situation and organisation size - with all of them you'll see rapid transformation and tangible outcomes fast. Book a chat with Nina here.