BrandMe! Issue 2 March 2019

BRANDME!

March 2019 / Issue 2

PERSONAL BRANDING FOR PROFESSIONAL WOMEN

INTRODUCING VANESSA VALLELY, OBE MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, AUTHOR AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF WEARETHECITY.COM

FEATURE INTERVIEW

JESSICA KILLINGLEY

LAURA SANDS

STYLE

FOCUS

Vanessa Vallely OBE, Wearethecity.com

Feel the fear & be visible anyway

Write your way to better visibility

What you wear is important for your brand visibility

Improving your personal brand visibility

IN THIS

issue

MARCH 2019

EDITOR'S NOTE

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FEEL THE FEAR AND BE VISIBLE ANYWAY

04

COVER INTERVIEW: VANESSA VALLELY

06

WRITE YOUR WAY TO BETTER VISIBILITY

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3 TOPS TIPS TO PERSONAL BRAND SUCCESS ON LINKEDIN

12

WHAT YOU WEAR IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR BRAND VISIBILITY

13

USE PHOTOGRAPHY TO BOOST YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

Photo: Emma Marshall

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10 STEPS TO BUILDING CREDIBILITY WITH YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE

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INTRODUCING: NO BRAINER SOLUTIONS

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BRANDME!

contributors

2

lead editor

Dionne Smith

social visibility

Jennifer Corcoran

photography

Emma Marshall

styling

Shyla Hassan

design

Bernita Shaw

FROM THE EDITOR Starting as we mean to go on In all honesty, when the idea for the magazine came up I had no clue that it would turn out as it has so far. I was working with the mindset of sharing interesting and valuable personal brand tips and guidance for women who needed support in developing themselves and their career.

What happened after our first issue launch was phenomenal, but also a very humbling response to the new magazine on the block with a reach of over 3500! There were hundreds of requests to contribute and lots of praise for focusing on a subject that women are crying out for!

For someone who’s only ever worked on newsletters, BrandMe! Magazine has turned out to be a whole different beast and baptism of fire in magazine design, content development, production management and publishing deadlines - albeit in a good way.

We now have the whole year sewn up with content and contributors and I’m looking forward to building on the momentum. With your support, we will be driving the ambitions of women to the forefront with inspiring and motivational topics.

This is an exciting experience and having a team on board who are as committed as I am to delivering articles and interviews that are focused on helping you succeed, makes everything so much easier.

In this issue, we are focusing on a theme of visibility as this is a key concern for entrepreneurs and working professionals alike. We all naturally have our insecurities and it takes courage to ‘be the face of your brand and your business.' Luckily you don't have to reinvent the wheel - we have experts on hand to share some useful tips.

Our personal brand feature interview with Vanessa Vallely, OBE is one not to be missed and guest contributors Jessica Killingley and Laura Sands give you their take on visibility from their professional perspectives as a publishing consultant and copywriter respectively. With personal brand visibility advice and guidance from myself, Emma, Jennifer and Shyla, there is a lot to learn from this issue.

Dionne x

founder & lead editor

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JESSICA

Killingley

Jessica Killingley is a publishing consultant and literary agent who helps entrepreneurs write and publish game-changing books that grow their business, create lasting impact and establish them as the go-to expert in their niche.

feel the fear and be visible anyway by jeSSICA killingley

Sadly, we are not handed a manual on our first day of ‘my grown-up entrepreneurial adventure’.

But if we were; chapter 1 of ‘The Dummies’ Guide to Starting A Business Without doing Ugly Crying Whilst Eating All the Biscuits’ would almost certainly be all about VISIBILITY. In shouty capital letters.

Because if it weren’t all hard enough just getting the moving parts working, you quickly realise that you have to do it whilst everyone is looking at you.

We are constantly bombarded with reminders from all quarters that if we want to be found by our unicorn clients then we have to be VISIBLE. Again, with the shouty capital letters. Which, for those of us that started a business so we could spend most of our days sitting in our back bedroom being left alone, is a bit of a blow.

Visibility so often goes hand-in-hand with vulnerability. Even the most benign bit of social media can feel excruciatingly exposing when you’re first starting out. It is a rite of passage we all go through; being quietly sick into your home office bin shortly before and after your first Facebook live.

All I can say is, it does get easier. And, of course, the beauty of those early days when you’re putting yourself out there, and you can’t actually remember your own name, is that there isn’t really anyone watching anyway. So, mess up to your heart’s content!

Most of the clients I work with tend to have got to the point where they can take the whole visibility thing in their stride.

They’ve honed their message, they know what medium works best and they’ve found their tribe. Easy, right? Ha. Now it’s time to throw a book-shaped spanner into the works.

Suddenly being visible is one thing but being visible because you’ve written a book sends even the most experienced entrepreneur to run and hide behind a big rock marked ‘imposter syndrome’. All those original fears come flooding back - What if it’s terrible? What if I sound stupid? What if people laugh at me? What if my old English teacher leaves a review on Amazon saying ‘See? I knew you’d never amount to anything and this terrible book is proof that I was right. Mwahaha’, etc.’.

There’s no question that writing a book is one of the most exposing things you can do. And you know who else agrees with me?

Every single author since the dawn of the printing press. Maybe earlier. Maybe there were monk’s fretting about their illuminated letters because they were really bad at doing the ’S’.

So, here’s what I tell them. The clients. Not the monks. But I’d have told the monks this too: You have a message to share. And you have a unique voice with which to share it. You might be the perfect messenger at just the right time for someone. They need to hear what you have to say and they need to hear it right now, in just the way you’ve expressed it. So, if you don’t put yourself out there, if you don’t push past the vulnerability, if you don’t make yourself and your book visible (see? doesn’t have to be shouty capital letters) then that person is going to lose out. You’re not going to change their game. (And if you don’t change their game, then you’re not going to change YOUR game).

Because when it really matters most visibility is not just about being seen. It is about seeing. Seeing those around you that you can impact, that need your help. Those that need you to find the courage to push past what makes you want to hide out in your back bedroom and get out there where they can see you.

Find Jessica online at www.JessicaKillingley.com or sitting quietly in her back bedroom where she can usually be tempted out by coffee or a very dirty martini.

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vanessa

Photo: Emma Marshall

Vallely

Vanessa talks candidly in her interview about her business, her influences growing up and her personal brand style.

vanessa vallely is MD and Founder of WeAreTheCity, Gender Networks, the Rising Star Awards, WeAreTechWomen, TechWomen100 Awards and a Global Speaker, and was recently awarded an OBE for her services to women and the economy.

Vanessa's corporate experience stems from a 25-year career in banking, holding roles such as head of governance, business management & COO. WeAreTheCity has 120k professional female members in the UK (40k in India). WATC also works with over 120 corporate clients enabling them to attract, retain and develop their female talent.

on personal development Please start with telling us more about what you do?

I'm managing director of the leading women’s website, WeAreTheCity.com. WeAreTheCity is a free resource portal used by women who want to accelerate their careers. We cover interest stories for working women alongside promoting what everyone else is doing in the world of gender progression, eg events, training, networks, returnships etc. We also run our own inspirational Rising Star and TechWomen100 awards and two skills-based conferences, WeAreTechWomen and WeAreFutureLeaders, as well as our job board and a careers club for women. Alongside these activities we also help over 120 corporate organisations to attract, retain and develop their female talent.

Prior to WeAreTheCity I was in banking for 25 years working across nine different banks up to a senior leadership level. I started working in the City when I was 16 after leaving school with a handful of GCSE’s. I have recently received an OBE for my services to women and the economy.

What were the biggest influences in your life that have helped shape who you are and what you do today?

My greatest influence was growing up in Hackney in a fairly socially and economically challenged environment. Despite its difficulties, I wouldn't change it for the world. I learnt life skills in east London that no university or college could have taught me. I also learnt the value of appreciating difference and the importance of being part of a tight knit community.

This has shaped who I am in so many ways. I have seized every opportunity that has ever come my way, I am forever mindful to help others.

I am also eternally grateful to those who helped me when so many had already pre-judged what I would or wouldn't be. I will always pay this support forward.

What are the areas of your personal development that you really had to focus on improving to help you progress in your career?

I believe in continuous learning. We are never done when it comes to self-improvement. There are a few skills that I felt I needed to hone as I climbed my way into senior positions. I had the people skills (again which I attribute to where I grew up), I had the ability to get things done and influence others, however sometimes there were technical aspects to the roles I held that needed to be learnt. I went back to business school aged 38 to complete my corporate education as the scope of my roles had started to shift from being a doer on the ground to being more of a strategic and commercial leader.

What motivates you to keep doing what you do?

I thrive in a creative environment where I can turn an idea into something that creates impact. Leading WeAreTheCity gives me so many opportunities to shine a light on so many phenomenal women through our awards and events. Just being in a room with women who want to achieve more is hugely inspiring and motivating. I also think my momentum has had a huge boost over the past five years given the ever-increasing focus on the progression of women in business. When I started ten years ago, there was just me and a handful of other organisations. This is a massive motivator for me as I feel I am no longer alone in my quest to see parity for women.

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social visibility How has social media helped you in your business / work?

I was petrified of social media back in the day. I honestly didn't see the point, how blinkered was I? I set up my Twitter and LinkedIn accounts within a year or two of their launch, thinking it was a fad albeit a fad that I needed to be part of. These days, from both a business and personal perspective, I couldn't be more of an advocate. Through social media I get to promote the activities of others alongside my own initiatives. I can call for expertise, connect individuals and contribute opinion. My social media channels are a lifeline to both me and my business. The first thing I check in the morning, even before the news, is what is trending on twitter. You have to have your fake news filter on, but by and large it's a good indicator of what is going on in the world.

Are there any ways in which you think social media has held you back or not supported your goals?

Not that I can think of. Social media has only ever supported my endeavours. I did get trolled once for speaking out against a TV programme that I believe lacked diversity. That was interesting and a bit scary! I do think a lot of individuals fear having an opinion on social media due to the trolling incidents. This needs to be better policed by the social media providers.

Which channels do you use the most to improve your online visibility?

LinkedIn for business and connections as it is a more structured environment and one where I can provide multiple pieces of information. Twitter for daily interactions, sharing and connecting. I am not a fan of Instagram and am yet to get my head around Snapchat. The only attraction I see there is fun with filters.

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personal brand image When you think about your personal brand style (fashion, beauty, body image etc), how would you describe yourself?

I am a creature of habit. My dresses are made by the wonderful Maggie Semple in various colours, I wear a variety of Louis Vuitton scarves to match and Louboutin heels. This is my brand style and uniform.

Over the years the heels are getting lower and there is more material in my dresses, definitely a sign of middle age.

On body image as I have got older, and post kids, my shape has definitely changed. I have learnt to embrace my curves and love who I am. I have struggled with my weight for years; however, I am now of the opinion that as long as my clothes fit, I am eating well and getting to the gym a couple of times a week, I am happy and balanced.

How important is social media in connecting you with your audience and building your influence?

Is there anything about your style that you think makes you stand out and if so what would you say that is?

100% important. It is how I communicate with my community on a daily basis. I don’t get up each morning and think how will I expand my influence today, I just have my own methods of social media management which seem to foster interactions. E.g., I retweet/share items that I feel will be of interest to my followers. Occasionally if I have time, or if I feel strongly enough about something, I will add a comment but often I just share.

Most people comment on my shoes. They are an integral part of my brand and even feature prominently on the cover of my book; heels of steel. I am also a lover of capes; I think there is something very classy about a dress with a matching cape (perhaps this is my version of superwoman!). Over the past year I have worked with Maggie Semple to design capes that match my dresses. I absolutely love the way they swing when you walk, an absolute must have for those autumn months.

Do you have any tips for people who are shy about putting themselves ‘out there’ and being the ‘face’ of their brand?

I think it is really important to do what works for you.

A LinkedIn profile is a must have. Take time out to make this the best it can be. Your LinkedIn profile is your shop window! In terms of other socials, pick one channel and do it well. You may just choose to be a sharer, never commenting, and if this is the case, then that is absolutely fine. If you are shy, start with the LinkedIn profile and just watch others on socials until you work out what is going to work in terms of your own profile-raising activities.

What areas of your personal brand style do you think works for you the best in terms of your attraction and visibility (i.e., do you get more attention from your images or video or do they both work well for you)?

I don't really use that much video, but I will always include an image in most of my posts (regardless of channels). I believe this captures attention. I am lucky in the respect that I get to speak at a lot of events. Some are paid (a girl has to eat) and some I do because I am passionate about the cause. This is a wonderful way of reaching people en masse. I also get to tweet about those events, connect with people at those events, take photos and build relationships. I also regularly share content on social media; again this provides a number of opportunities to promote discussion which can turn into dialogue and opportunities.

final question When you think about all of the elements that make up your personal brand (mindset, social visibility and image), why is your personal brand important for building an authentic persona with your target audience?

You have to be you, whether that is face to face or on social media. It is pointless building a persona that isn’t a true reflection of who you really are. If you are tempted to create a different personality on social media, be warned. It is impossible to keep up and most importantly people will see through it and then they won’t trust you. I think there is also a really important piece around behaviours in terms of your brand. Those behaviours/characteristics also have been consistent.

Follow Vanessa & We Are The City on Social Media twitter.com/WATC_Updates twitter.com/WATC_girl facebook.com/WeAreTheCity4U/ instagram.com/watc_hq/

Interview:: Dionne Smith Photography: Emma Marshall Styling: Shyla Hassan 9

laura

Sands

The cheerful, practical, top-notch copywriter, Laura Sands helps others express their ideas with clarity, style and impact so they can crack on with the things they do best.

write your way to better visibility by laura sands

Trying to make yourself and your business more visible?

Then you need to put yourself out there and, so far as managing your time goes, writing is an efficient way of making your voice heard; no matter where you are or what time of day it is.

Writing isn’t one-size-fits-all; there are so many ways you can write to build your visibility. I’ve written about a few options here; and the really good news is that you don’t need to do everything. Concentrate on doing a few things really well and get ready to reap the benefits…

Let’s start with a big one. Your website. If you have one, make it work hard. Here’s the key – write for your target clients.

Focusing on these folk and the way they think and search will help you determine your keywords more easily, and write in a language that’s relevant to them. Build your keywords and related terms into your website, with a special focus on headings and links, and you’ll strengthen your SEO performance as well as communicate effectively with your audience.

Along with your website a blog can work wonders for your visibility – well-written, keyword-optimised posts strengthen your SEO performance and can be dynamite in raising your visibility. A blog will highlight your experience, approach and service or product offering. But writing them isn’t enough. You also need to share your posts.

One excellent way to share your lovely content is through emails to your subscriber base. As a proven strategy for relationship marketing and lead nurturing, is this the marketing tool for you?

You don’t need oodles of text in your emails – a few purposeful lines can work magic. Just talk to your readers and direct them towards helpful, interesting and relevant content; both your own, and that of other people.

Another content-sharing option is good-old-fashioned social media. And from the way you construct your posts to the hashtags you choose; your choice of language directly affects your engagement. Write in a way that’s relevant to the platform and your audience. So, be more familiar on Facebook, focused on LinkedIn and (dare I say it?) more… gossipy on Twitter.

Perhaps you don’t go in for written content and prefer the power of a video. But this doesn’t mean you can cast your keyboard aside – subtitles have almost magical properties.

Adding subtitles to your video results in more views and communicates your message more clearly. And what’s more, you’ll also improve your video’s SEO performance – fantastic news for anyone with a number of videos on their website wouldn’t you say?

But what if you’re aiming for credibility as well as visibility? In this case, articles, whitepapers, even a book, could be right up your street. Although they need substantially more planning than some other content types, these pieces have serious longevity and will place you as an expert in your field. They’re also nifty tools that can generate a passive income or work as a sign-up incentive for your email subscriber base.

I could go on… there are many more ways you can use the written word to grow your visibility and boost your business, but you’ve probably already got the picture. Plan, write, share… and you’ll be on your way to achieving great things.

Get in touch with me directly on LinkedIn, email me at Laura@Laurasands.co.uk or call me direct at 07762 949581 or visit www.laurasands.co.uk

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3 top tips

to personal branding success on LinkedIn by jennifer corcoran Success on LinkedIn lies in your ability to build trusting and meaningful relationships with your connections and network. In order to build this trust you need to build a solid foundation using your LinkedIn profile AND personal brand.

Did you know that LinkedIn is currently the number one space to grow your personal brand faster than anywhere else online?

With 610+ million professionals currently on the platform this is a fantastic opportunity not to be sniffed at.

Now, you might ask yourself why is a personal brand necessary?

The answer is; your personal brand is everything that makes up you! Your reputation, your personality, your online presence and your energy. Your brand is expressed through all the different ways you communicate. The first way many people will engage with you is online, and the best way to ensure that you’re communicating your brand is to own it, develop it and maintain it.

Most individual LinkedIn profiles appear in search results. If someone searches your name or company in Google, your LinkedIn profile will likely appear within the first few results.

That hit could be the key to your relationship going forward so it needs to be on point, up to date and relevant. You only have a few seconds to make that initial first impression and my top three tips are as follows:-

TIP 1

Invest in a professional profile headshot. Statistics show that LinkedIn members with a profile photo receive far more engagement, in fact 21 times more profile views and 9 times more connection requests. By investing in a professional headshot, you are telling the world that you mean business.

TIP 2

Invest in a branded cover photo. Your cover photo is the space directly above your profile photo. Think of it as your prime advertising space on LinkedIn. Make sure you’re making the most of this space by showing off your logo and tagline in order to raise valuable brand awareness.

TIP 3

Invest some time on your headline. If you get your headline right (along with your profile photo), you can increase your chances of getting clients by 200%. The headline is the biggest mistake I see made on LinkedIn. It is NOT your title. Instead of listing a functional job title, as in ‘Director at ABC’, you should list specific keywords. The formula is simple – what you do, who you help and list the benefits / features.

" Your personal brand is everything that makes up you! Your reputation, your personality, your online presence and your energy. Your brand is expressed through all the different ways you communicate."

We live in a time poor society and you need to have the X-Factor to stand out on LinkedIn and encourage others to click to ‘show more’.

If you want to learn more about how you can fully optimise your profile, raise your visibility and personal brand on LinkedIn please check out my new course ‘LinkedIn Profile Success’ where I share the secrets to my success on LinkedIn.

I would also love to connect with you so please reach out and send me a personalised connection request to: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercorcoran1/

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www.mysuperconnector.co.uk/

what you wear

is important for your brand visibility by shyla hassan We live in a world where we judge a book by its cover and our eyes continuously examining a person when they walk into a room. What we wear is an extension of our personality, a kind of a visual voice that signifies this is who I am.

We’re all individual beings with a unique personality and looks.

Clothes help to shape our identity and create visibility; it’s not something that can easily be replicated from a social influencer.

Look in the mirror and ask yourself, “Who am I and what do I want to project to the world?”

Having worked in the fashion industry for over two decades, I asked myself that very same question. Did owning a wardrobe packed full of clothes create more options and visibility? No! I was just another fashion victim, not able to resist anything eyecatching, and too many choices overloaded my head with decision anxiety.

This left me feeling even more disempowered as the clothes I was buying were sitting in my closet and they fitted neither me nor my brand values well.

So how can you reflect your real identity in your clothes?

By eliminating the noise and focusing on selecting pieces that tell your story. In short, shopping with a conscious purpose.

Buying well-made quality items that last for a few seasons.

Wearing a piece of clothing should feel true to your personality and lift your mood. Wear ill-fitting or cheaply made clothes, and you will lose your sense of authenticity – and this is something that clients and audiences pick up on. It can affect your credibility.

I have spent the last several years working with women and their issues with clothes and the guilt in having to throw clothes away.

We spend time choosing quality over quantity and undoubtedly this contributes to building self-confidence and reducing decision fatigue.

" My advice on investment pieces is this: seek brands with sustainable credentials to get more value for money."

When styling clients I inject some colour and textured pieces to add excitement and then convert the ensemble into outfits.

While I mix and match, I work on re-using discarded items.

It's worth the time and effort to learn what works for you and get to know your body type. This way you can make better choices and take pride in your appearance, and this will, in turn, reflect confidence and credibility.

My advice on investment pieces is this: seek brands with sustainable credentials to get more value for money.

If you buy clothes that are cheaply made, it can look messy and will not represent your brand well.

We behave based on how we feel so set the time aside and invest in doing something that will be of great value.

Visit www.stylistinlondon.com and subscribe to my exclusive weekly style edits to help you express your personal brand through what you wear. For a no obligation consultation feel free to email contact@stylistinlondon.com

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use photography to boost your personal brand by emma marshall If you’re the face of your business you need more than a headshot if you want to be visible. Your personal brand is how you show the world who you are and what makes you unique. Authentic photography can help you do that, as well as build the ’know, like and trust’ factor that increases audience engagement and sales.

Why is photography important?

Vision is our dominant sense. We’re constantly told how little internet users actually read, and this is all the more the case now that our audiences are increasingly finding us on their mobiles.

Some stats: Content with relevant images gets 94% more views than that without. Tweets with images receive 150% more retweets than those without; and the brain processes visuals 60,000 times fast than text. (Source: Buffer) According to Adobe, a social media post with an image results in 650% more engagement than one without. So, if you want your audience to engage with your content, you need to be using images.

Not any old pics though. They should be original, relevant and used intentionally - don’t detract from your message by using irrelevant images for sharebait, because audiences pick up on that and they don’t like feeling manipulated.

A Jakob Nielsen study showed that people can easily tell when stock images are fake - not a good way to build trust!

how should you be using photography for your personal brand?

You can use photography to create an instant emotional connection with your clients, build consistency throughout the different platforms where you have a presence and to emphasise your authority in your field.

To create emotional connection share images that show what it’s like to work with you.

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How do you want your clients to feel? When they see you interacting with others they can easily put themselves into the picture.

If you sell products; share images of real customers enjoying your products. To build consistency; maintain a similar style and level of quality. Just as you use a certain voice in your writing, you can be consistent with your visual style throughout your materials and online presence.

To emphasis your position as an authority; use professional quality images as well as photos of yourself at work, teaching and public speaking. Use photos with client testimonials.

be authentic!

It’s possibly an overused buzzword these days but authenticity is a positive thing and is what today’s audiences want. Studies show that 84% of millennials distrust traditional advertising and it’s not just the young ones; your clients want you to be real. The good news is it’s much easier to be yourself than to try to be someone else!

To emphasis authenticity; share behind-the-scenes moments, images of your leisure activities, or time with friends and family. Show your participation in activities that communicate your values and the core values of your business.

Don’t worry; you don’t have to photograph everything throughout your day! All your values, processes, interests, relationships, hobbies and routines can be seen as narrative threads and the combination of them is what makes you unique. The key is to be strategic. Don’t splurge - share the bits that overlap with your target audience’s values and interests and you’ll be onto a winner. If you’re not sharing any of this as part of your personal brand then you’re missing an opportunity to really connect with your tribe.

If you’d like to talk more about using photography in your personal brand, you can book Emma for a no-obligation chat. Book a slot here: www.emmamarshall.com

1o steps

to building credibility with your target audience by dionne smith When it comes to personal branding, maintaining the momentum of visibility is key to becoming a recognisable force within your industry. You also need to consider how you can to keep your audience engaged. Follow these steps to help build your credibility and make the most of your visibility:

your story Focusing on your personal development journey; what you have learned over the years, and the challenges and vulnerabilities you’ve been through will allow you to make an emotional, endearing and empathetic connection with your target audience.

attraction The skills, knowledge, talent and experience that you have gained are unique to you. They’re also ultimately what your audience is going to buy into and how you start to build your credibility.

your message From your story and your experience, develop a message that resonates with your audience and helps them understand the knowledge and skills you have to help them.

authenticity A truly successful personal brand is honest and authentic, so stand up for what you believe in and showcase the best of yourself because this is one of the key attributes that your audience will appreciate about you.

consistency Once you are clear on your message to your audience; being consistent and following through on your mission, vision and values will help to ensure that the perception you create is in alignment with your brand development.

communication You don’t have to be amazing at everything, pick the channels that you feel comfortable using and which you can maintain regularly to communicate with your audience. Provide them with high quality, valuable content that highlights your leadership and expertise.

collaborate Working with other professionals who match your values can enhance the service you provide to your clients. It offers a clear benefit to building your credibility and allowing you to go the extra mile with your business proposition.

face-to-face Networking or meeting potential clients face-to-face gives a different dynamic to an online relationship. When you can meet face-to-face with your audience, it creates an opportunity to share your story and message with them to make an impact for them to remember you.

innovate We are living and working in very competitive environments where the demand for attention is at an extreme. Stay focused on ways in which you can improve what you do to maintain your leadership and authority.

visibility Lastly, getting your message out to your target audience consistently and building relationships that will help you achieve the success you want. It can take time to get to the level of recognition you want to achieve, but when you do then the hard work you have put in on developing your personal brand and your credibility will speak for itself.

For more advice and support with your personal brand development, visit my website to schedule a free 90 minute brand discovery session.

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introducing no brainer solutions Name Bernita Shaw Company No Brainer Solutions (www.nobrainersolutions.co.uk) Founded 2016 Title Founder What is No Brainer Solutions?

No Brainer Solutions is a social media and business support agency.

How did it start?

No Brainer Solutions began after noticing that many smallmedium sized businesses needed support in day-to-day tasks but didn't necessarily have the need or the expenditure to hire a full/part-time member of staff.

How do you help businesses?

We help businesses by allowing them to outsource their day to day tasks without the need to hire a full-time/part-time employee. No Brainer Solutions offers flexible and cost-effective solutions for businesses by providing virtual support.

What services do you offer?

We offer a wide range of services which include social media management, web design, graphic design, blog posts, marketing support, e-newsletter design, admin support and so much more.

One of the great things about No Brainer Solutions is that it is really tailored to your business and it's needs, we are really hands on and offer a bespoke service to each of our clients.

Do you only work with UK clients?

We are lucky that the services we offer do not impact location, meaning that we can work with clients from any part of the world.

Currently we've worked with clients from Accra, Lagos, Bali and New York. I would definitely love to expand our international client base and find opportunities to take No Brainer Solutions to different parts of the world.

What are your plans for No Brainer Solutions? How would you like to see it grow?

I would love to see No Brainer Solutions become the go-to service for small to medium sized businesses. Whenever businesses need further support we are the first place they come to. I would also love to expand my team so that No Brainer Solutions can offer much more and have team members that are specialised in social media, graphic design and marketing so we have a wider offering.

Lastly, why do you think BrandMe! is so important for women in business?

I think BrandMe! has come at such a perfect time for professional woman and female entrepreneurs. We are witnessing a movement where women are taking charge and not relying on the traditional patriarchal ways to give them opportunities. Instead they are taking things into their own hands and creating their own opportunities and coming together as women. BrandMe! is a result of this and gives women their own platform to discuss how to be a successful woman in business. They focus on relatable and relevant topics that can help women navigate successfully throughout their career.

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To find out more about No Brainer Solutions. Visit www.nobrainersolutions.co.uk or email Bernita at bernita@nobrainersolutions.co.uk

services for your personal & Business brand development

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services for your personal & Business brand development

LinkedIn Profile Success - Online Training This online course has been created for entrepreneurs and professionals who want to polish up their LinkedIn profiles and achieve both business and career success.

The course contains 12 modules and is comprised of video, audio, text, recommended websites and PDF downloads.

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW FROM COURSE CREATOR JENNIFER CORCORAN OF MY SUPER CONNECTOR TO FIND OUT MORE AND GRAB YOUR SPECIAL 20% BRANDME! DISCOUNT BY QUOTING 20OFFLPS

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services for your personal & Business brand development

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BRANDME!

May 2019 / Issue 3

PERSONAL BRANDING FOR PROFESSIONAL WOMEN

INTRODUCING RUTH KUDZI BUSINESS MENTOR & MINDSET COACH

Photo: Emma Marshall

in our next issue feature interview: business mentor and mindset coach, Ruth kudzi focus: developing your confidence