How To Build Your Brand Online: Creating Your Brand

Do you presently have a ‘brand’? If someone drops by one of your online sites or shops, do they instantly recognize it as yours?

Last time we talked about what branding is. Today let’s start creating your brand.

To begin with, who are you and what do you do? That may seem a bit obvious but it’s actually a key component in building your brand online. Keep in mind that everyone uses words and phrases to search on the internet. So when I ask who are you and what do you do, I really mean, what words or phrases would people use to find you online.

Think of it this way. You’re in an elevator with another person and you have less than two minutes to tell them who you are and what you do. Not just your name and “I paint furniture”. Let’s get a little more creative.

Who you are and what you do is a good starting point. But what sets you aside from everyone else in your field? Do you create a product that’s unique? Do you specialize in one medium? Or do you have a diverse collection?

Another thing to consider here is your target audience. You don’t have to do a full demographic market survey right now, although at some point it’ll be beneficial. Identifying your target market will assist you in knowing how, and where, to build your online presence.

Take a few minutes now and write your “elevator introduction”.

This doesn’t have to be perfect, but taking some time to actually write words down on a page will bring some clarity about the brand you’re creating.

Now we have a starting point to work from. As we move along, you’ll change, enhance, add to, and then subtract from your brand description. But we need to start somewhere.

Next time we’ll move from your “elevator introduction” towards creating your Mission Statement, a vital component of your business and, therefore, your brand.

If you’d like, how about writing your “elevator intro” here in the comments. That way we can all get to know each other!

I’ll start – My name is Colleen and I’m a self-taught artist. I’ve painted murals and paintings for over 17 years. I specialize in kids’ rooms and pet portraits and my artwork is known for its realistic quality. Besides self-licensing my paintings in various reproductions, I now offer tips and tutorials on my blog, Mural Maker & More.

Your turn!

Colleen Jorgensen is a self-taught artist and blogs at Mural Maker & More. She has multiple websites, besides her blog, that need branding. She has given up trying to create 28 hours in a day and is now trying to work smarter, not harder.