MISTAKE #1: UNDERSTANDING THE POWER OF YOUR BRAND
Branding is one of the most powerful tools you have to show your target audience who you really are. Use your skills, talents, and calling to help the people you want to support but don’t yet serve. Your story is so powerful, and with the right brand, you can bring your off-the-mat ideas and passions to life.
People follow their favorite athletes on social media to connect with their stories and personalities. Just think of your favorite cheer or athlete influencer. You’re drawn to them because you’re curious about who they are off the mat too, right? Powerful stuff!
MISTAKE #2: VAGUENESS
Let’s be clear about it. Don’t keep it a secret. Try asking your best friends and family to describe you or your brand in three words. If they can’t or get it totally wrong, keep reading this post.
Emotions play a significant role in everything we do, from buying to making decisions. We typically buy because of the emotional benefit attached to a product or service. We either want to move towards or away from something. That’s why as creatives and entrepreneurs (and future entrepreneurs), we should build emotional connections and think about what our audience wants vs what we think they need. Branding lets you do just that!
Branding lets you create an experience, so people remember you. Your brand can’t create meaningful experiences or emotional connections if people can’t figure out what it’s about. Make sure you nail that brand style. Stay consistent and show them what you’re all about! (See the connection here?)
MISTAKE #3: IGNORING YOUR BRAND GUIDELINES
Be consistent after you’ve developed your brand’s mission, purpose, style, and colors. If you’re in love with a particular style template or really feeling a specific filter for your photos, keep using it. You can mix it up from time to time, but just be thoughtful and intentional when doing so. You’ll stand out and become recognizable this way.
MISTAKE #4: CHASING TRENDS
Don’t get sucked into the shiny object syndrome. You won’t offer lasting value when you’re always looking for the latest, trendiest, and newest. If you really want to make an impact and add value to your audience, you need to know WHO YOU ARE, WHAT YOU STAND FOR, and why your brand exists. Having a clear purpose, vision, and mission will help you continue to serve from a place of value that people will enjoy. It’ll also give you a better idea of which trends to embrace and which ones to avoid!
MISTAKE #5: HIDING OUT
Brand yourself, but don’t hide behind it. There’s more to you than cheer. Tell your story in a way that only you can. You’ll quickly turn your fans into superfans if you stay true to yourself, show up as the authentic you, and provide valuable content.
Everyone wants to feel like they’re part of something. People connect with other people, not with businesses. That’s what makes us human.
Branding is all about you, the person behind it. When you show up for people, they’ll show up for you, and building a following is all about creating those meaningful connections.
MISTAKE #6: THINKING BRANDING = LOGO + COOL COLORS + WEBSITE
Uhhh, nope. Think again! These are definitely important but branding goes beyond the visual elements which is one small part of a very large pie. Branding should include each of these 7 Brand Elements:
- Brand Purpose
- Brand Mission
- Brand Vision
- Brand Story
- Brand Positioning
- Brand Values
- Brand Personality (& Voice)
Your brand guidelines are made up of these seven brand elements. To avoid overwhelm, we’ll dive more into this topic later, but for now, let’s just say that knowing your brand guidelines is super crucial. They will help you stay focused, serve more creatively, and connect with people on a deeper level.
TURN FANS INTO SUPERFANS
Want even more exclusive insight on creating a magnetic online brand and turning your fans into superfans? Stay tuned here for more soon and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us at @LevelUpCheer for daily tips on social media.
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**Please note that the content on Level Up Cheer is not intended to replace professional medical advice. For any questions you may have, you should always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional.
