I learned somewhere that the best way to remember and learn something is through a story.
So instead of using bullet points, I would like to share with you how I built up one of my recent client's personal branding photography stories.
She was very empathetic and seemed extremely organised from the first phone call.
She was also one of those clients of mine who hasn’t asked for my packages or prices.
She wanted to work with me, because of the way those images captured her friend’s true personality.
As a photographer and honestly as any other serviced based business owner we want to be the go to persons for our ideal clients not because we are the cheapest, but because we are the best for the thing they need.
And I truly think that I am one of the best personal branding photographers Dee could find.
Not because I am such an awesome award winning portrait photographer, but because I know what exactly I need to capture of her in order to grow her business. We can call these her STORIES.
In other words I can ask questions that can help her know who she wants to do business with the most and how to resonate with those people.
Once we know who her ideal clients are, we can create her stories accordingly.
Dee and her husband have been running a builder company together, and Dee is also a leader in a network marketing business, called DoTerra that is heavily focusing on using essential oils and other chemical free products for healthy living.
Dee’s ideal client is a female who is doing great in her corporate business world but needs some help with her and her family’s health and personal life in order to achieve a better work-life balance.
STORY OF THE BUSINEWOMAN
Who is Dee as a business woman?
What’s her work environment look like?
What does she normally wear when she is on the job?
What specific activities does she do in her businesses?
STORY OF DEE IN HER PERSONAL LIFE
Dee also lives a healthy lifestyle, eating clean, exercising regularly.
Cycling with her husband is a huge part of her life.
Including these elements in her imagery is crucial, because that gives her authority, being a wellness advocate.
Talking about hobby.
Dee also enjoys life, she is a coffee lover, that is something I wanted to capture because when we can show little things that describe what she is like will humanise her brand and make her more relatable.
I mean relatable like ‘oh yeah, she is the coffee snob with her hubby who stops at the local cafe daily with their bikes.’
‘I actually love myself a good coffee and those moments when my partner and I have a delicious long black and a nice chat in our favourite hipster cafe.’
‘I wish I could become as fit as Dee is, getting my workout done before my morning coffee.’
Think about with a client’s mind.
If I am about to hire someone or buy from someone I want that person to be good at what she does, but I also want to feel comfortable in her presence or on the phone with her.
We can mention the family if the person is comfortable with that.
I always ask my clients if they have pets.
But when we only take images of her as a business woman and not as a whole person these values would not necessarily be seen as much.
As a small business owner humanising your brand will make you more approachable and allow your audience to get to know you better.
Having a strong personal brand helps your future clients decide if you are a good fit. If they feel comfortable with buying from you and supporting your business instead of your competitors.
