Brandmerry Blog Archives
Your Voice Matters: How to Impact Your Audience by Showing Up Online as a Business Owner
In today’s online world, authenticity has become a buzzword, especially as it relates to branding and online marketing. Last week, on the podcast, we dove deep into the importance of showing up authentically online, and today, we’re continuing the conversation by shifting our focus to another crucial aspect: "Being Seen Online."
Showing up online brings up the topic of vulnerability – a word that, rightfully so, can strike fear into the hearts of many when it comes to their online presence. It's a challenge that even the most seasoned entrepreneurs face.
But it's a challenge that, when embraced, can lead to building trust with your audience. For those of you who resonate with this struggle, you're not alone. If you’re looking for resources, Brené Brown's work on vulnerability has been a guiding light for me on my journey.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
Why showing up online, and embracing your vulnerability no matter how uncomfortable it can be can be life-changing for you and your audience.
What vulnerability and being seen really entails - hint it’s not about sharing everything online.
My top tips for sharing your story online via your content, and how this practice alone can lead to a more consistent presence for your business online.
For the full content, and all the insider tips, listen to Episode 94 now.
Shifting Your Mindset Around Being Seen
One of the most beautiful aspects of having an online business is the opportunity to make an impact, even if it's just on one person.
Remember, your purpose is not solely about reaching millions or achieving high sales numbers. It's about touching someone's life with your unique experiences and insights.
Knowing that even one person is positively impacted by your content can be a powerful motivator to keep showing up. This of course leads to more consistency which is a cornerstone of a successful online presence. Over time, this consistency builds trust with your audience and community, leading to growth and sales.
Get Crystal Clear on Your Ideal Customer
Ideal customer work may seem time-consuming, but it's essential. It truly plays a role in everything you will create via your marketing moving forward.
By defining your ideal customer, you can better empathize with their needs and tailor your content to resonate with them. It also helps you understand what types of stories can be shared online to make the greatest impact. This approach makes it easier to show up authentically and provide value.
Balancing Vulnerability and Privacy in Brand Storytelling
Brand storytelling is an amazing tool for building connections with your audience. However, the challenge often lies in finding the right balance between vulnerability and privacy. It's essential to determine what feels right for you, aligns with your brand, and respects your boundaries.
You absolutely do not need to share everything about your personal life online. If you don’t feel comfortable, it’s ok to keep some things sacred. I’ve found from my experience, that you’re able to provide the best experience for your audience when you’re on the other side and can provide value.
Value and Benefit: The Two Pillars to Great Brand Storytelling
Before sharing any piece of content, ask yourself, "What value and benefit does this offer my audience?"
If you can't articulate this clearly, reconsider sharing it at this moment. It doesn’t mean it’s not a great story or piece of content, but it might be better to share it at a later date. Providing value is the foundation of trust and connection, ultimately leading to business success, so we always need to keep this in mind when choosing our stories.
Intentionality in Your Content
Instead of aiming for viral fame or massive likes, focus on creating intentional content that serves your ideal customer.
Being deliberate in what you share ensures that you attract the right audience and, more importantly, the right customers.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, remember that there's someone, somewhere who needs to hear your message.
By embracing authenticity, consistency, and value-driven content, you're not just doing your business a great service; you're making a difference in the world.
Your story has the potential to inspire, educate, and motivate others. Don't hide behind your brand; let your voice be heard. Embrace vulnerability, find your balance, and share your unique journey.
Your impact may be more significant than you can imagine, but you’ll never know if you don’t put yourself out there (even if small steps at first).
Remember, your story is worth sharing.
Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Podcasts to hear the full episode and all the tips.
P.S. Ready to build a revenue-generating brand? One that not only stands out online but also makes it easier than ever to create high-value content? Tune in to my free brand class and learn my Build a Better Brand Method. Watch now at brandmerry.com/class.
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU
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FREE GIFTS FOR YOU --
DISCOVER YOUR BRAND STORY IN UNDER 5 MINUTES
LEARN HOW TO WRITE AN ‘ABOUT ME’ PAGE THAT CONVERTS
MAP OUT 30 DAYS OF CONTENT IN UNDER AN HOUR
Hey there, I’m Michelle Knight!
I’m an online branding and marketing consultant for female entrepreneurs.
I believe in the power of storytelling and using that superpower to brand and market yourself online...oh and to set yourself free.
I'm obsessed with living a life of freedom, so much so, that my family and I travel the world (sometimes in an RV) while running my business.
This blog serves as a home base for all things branding, marketing, content creation, productivity, and more.
Check Out the Latest Posts
Must-Reads on the Blog
Reflections and Takeaways from an Entrepreneur's Summer Break
At Brandmerry, our belief in the power of storytelling drives our mission to empower entrepreneurs in owning and monetizing their stories through personal branding and advanced marketing strategies. In this episode of the Brandmerry Podcast, we delve into the behind-the-scenes of my recent Summer Break.
The transition from summer to fall is marked by a significant energetic shift, especially for business owners. After a rejuvenating summer break, I’m feeling the energy start to simmer as consumer buying behavior ramps up.
The shift from a more relaxed schedule to a period of increased business activity is exciting, and I find that I’m more eager and ready to take on this season after I’ve taken some time away.
In this episode you’ll discover:
How I've shifted my business over the past two months to support my future business goals better.
A big personal change that happened and the impact it's had on my business.
How I generated over $30k cash without selling on social media or launching!
What I'm looking forward to next in the business as I reflect on the past seven years.
A Strategic Use of Time During the Entrepreneur Summer Break
Instead of the typical need for a content creation hiatus, this summer break was about intentional recalibration.
Prior to the Summer Break, numerous shifts occurred in my personal life, creating a ripple effect in my business approach. Our family dynamics evolved, with my husband deciding to return to working outside the home after four years, changes in homeschooling routines, and adjustments stemming from our new home purchase.
I wanted to take this opportunity to reevaluate Brandmerry's trajectory. These personal changes prompted me to further dive into a more tailored business structure that would align with my evolving life priorities.
Balancing Business and Personal Shifts as a Business Owner
My approach, and everything we teach at Brandmerry, prioritizes putting your personal life front and center.
As a result, I decided to work an average of three to four hours per day, leveraging my business's evergreen systems (think free Google traffic thanks to SEO, YouTube content that perform from years ago, and consistent Pinterest traffic) and consistent email marketing efforts.
These strategies were not only rooted in data but also in my dedication to email communication and authentic connection, which allowed me to continue growing the business without the pressure of creating new content or constantly promoting it on social media.
The Power of Evergreen Content for Marketers
My decision to step away from social media for a period highlights the significance of evergreen content, something I encourage all my clients to focus on as a core pillar of their marketing strategy.
My business continued to generate leads and revenue from my evergreen platforms, such as Pinterest and Google, even in my absence from social media promotion. The focus on long-term content creation and SEO paid off, proving the effectiveness of organic growth strategies.
This was such a great experience because it further allowed me to see that this is where we experience the greatest ROI as a business.
Shifting Program Structure and Client Relations
This summer, I embarked on a new venture: Brandmerry's Summer Shop. While offering pre-existing courses and trainings, this endeavor marked a departure from our traditional model.
The shop provided an opportunity for direct sales to my email subscribers, offering courses that resonated with their needs. While this experiment yielded valuable insights, it also affirmed the importance of live program components in my offerings as something I not only love to offer, but that I also see a need for.
Honoring these personal changes led to crucial decisions in reshaping my business. I chose to modify the enrollment process for Brandmerry Academy, making it exclusive to clients who had previously engaged with our services.
This decision was made to better cultivate a community of aligned entrepreneurs who could benefit from my expertise and personalized support throughout the year. Additionally, I made the decision to shift my focus from taking on more one-on-one clients to launching my signature group program Roadmap to Freedom, allowing me to provide comprehensive support to a wider audience.
Reaffirming the Mission and Upcoming Endeavors of the Business
My summer of reflection solidified my commitment to my mission as an entrepreneur and business owner: ensuring my business complements my life and priorities.
I’m excited about the upcoming launch of Roadmap to Freedom, a group program that embodies Brandmerry's values. Furthermore, I revealed my plans for writing a book on authentic branding and a new course to support entrepreneurs in their journeys.
The summer break at Brandmerry offered a space for reflection, experimentation, and growth.
My intentional decisions to realign my business with my evolving personal life, leverage evergreen content, and evolve my offerings highlight the importance of strategic business choices.
My goal is to help more entrepreneurs create this freedom and space within their businesses and truly craft a business that complements their lives. I know that it is not only possible but essential for long-term success and fulfillment.
Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Podcasts to hear the full episode and all the tips.
P.S. Ready to build a revenue-generating brand? One that not only stands out online but also makes it easier than ever to create high-value content? Tune in to my free brand class and learn my Build a Better Brand Method. Watch now at brandmerry.com/class.
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU
--
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU --
DISCOVER YOUR BRAND STORY IN UNDER 5 MINUTES
LEARN HOW TO WRITE AN ‘ABOUT ME’ PAGE THAT CONVERTS
MAP OUT 30 DAYS OF CONTENT IN UNDER AN HOUR
Hey there, I’m Michelle Knight!
I’m an online branding and marketing consultant for female entrepreneurs.
I believe in the power of storytelling and using that superpower to brand and market yourself online...oh and to set yourself free.
I'm obsessed with living a life of freedom, so much so, that my family and I travel the world (sometimes in an RV) while running my business.
This blog serves as a home base for all things branding, marketing, content creation, productivity, and more.
Check Out the Latest Posts
Must-Reads on the Blog
Video Marketing Guide for Entrepreneurs, and Small Business Owners: Enhance Your Brand Strategy
What if I told you there's a single tool that can skyrocket your online business, create a devoted community of fans, and boost your sales?
It's not magic, but it's pretty close. My friend, it is the incredible possibility of video content.
Video marketing has transformed the online space over the past few years and it's not slowing down. With short-form video content, live videos, and of course, my good friend SEO pre-recorded content (think Google), there are so many possibilities for you to incorporate videos into your content strategy.
Video marketing is not just a trend, it's a necessity for online entrepreneurs and this episode will help you approach video marketing in a strategic and sustainable way.
It's not enough to just focus on viral or trendy content, we have to keep in mind how our videos lead our ideal customer to the sale.
I’ve been marketing online for over eight years, and video marketing has gone through quite a transformation. But, video marketing still stands as an incredibly effective brand-building tool.
Video helps create a powerful connection with your audience, making your brand more relatable and engaging. When consumers see and hear you, they get a feel for who you are, which builds trust faster than other mediums.
I started my video marketing journey just months after launching my business, using the platform Periscope. Shortly after that Facebook Live was released and I never looked back.
Being a baby brand at the time, I can attest to the amazing results and power of video marketing. It not only made content creation quicker but also significantly boosted audience engagement.
Over the years, I’ve used live videos, pre-recorded videos on YouTube, and short-form videos on social media. So, let's explore why video marketing is essential and how you can leverage different types of video content to elevate your business.
Inside today’s episode of the Authentic Brand Builders podcast, we’ll dive into:
How videos can captivate your audience, tell your brand's story, and help you build an engaged community that expands your online business.
The four types of video every business owner should be using online to lead their ideal customer through the buying journey with ease.
My favorite tool for repurposing video content to multiple platforms, ultimately expanding your reach with one single video.
**I’ve included the main points below, but I encourage you to dive into the full episode via audio or video!
For the full content, and all the insider tips, listen to Episode 89 now. Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the video on YouTube to hear the full episode and all the tips.
Types of Video Content to Create
1. Live Video
Live video involves going live on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and even YouTube to engage your audience in real time. Although it's the scariest form of video marketing for a lot of people because of its unpredictability, it's also the most time-efficient.
There’s no complex editing—just hit "Go Live," share your insights, and you're done. This format works great for ongoing series, similar to the weekly live series I did from 2018-2021 called "Mondays with Michelle."
2. Pre-recorded Video
For pre-recorded content, you record your video, edit it as needed, and then upload it to various platforms like YouTube.
While editing can be time-consuming, it allows you to ensure the content is easy to consume, and digest, and has more of a structure. You can keep it light on the editing if you don’t have a large budget, but you will be spending more time on pre-recorded content than on live video. Editing of course is an option if your budget or resources allow it.
3. Short-form Video
The hottest content type right now—short-form videos includes reels, TikToks, YouTube Short, and even videos for Pinterest. These are quick, engaging snippets designed to hold the viewer's attention.
While they may not always result in viral success, short-form videos effectively keep your audience engaged and are excellent for repurposing existing content to multiple platforms.
How to Use Various Video Content Strategies in Your Marketing
Every brand can benefit from incorporating one or more forms of video content into their marketing strategy. And, as we previously discussed video works on most marketing platforms, so you don’t have to feel trapped by social media.
The key is to find what works best for you, given your comfort level, resources, and marketing priorities.
Here are some tried-and-true strategies to get you started:
Text Overlay and B-roll
If being on camera isn't your thing, consider using text overlay with B-roll footage. Capture lifestyle shots or use pre-recorded videos from resources like Canva, then add text to convey your message. Pair this with trending audio to get better reach!
These can be excellent for every phase of the consumer buying process. They can showcase educational content, share a point of view for brand building, tell a story, and more.
Quote or Tweet Videos
You can easily turn your insightful quotes or tweets into video content. These are easy to create using tools like Canva and work well on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. Add a video background, overlay your quote, and you're good to go.
I like to pair these with a “Read the caption” text on the video and then expand more in the caption to provide your audience with more insight or tips.
Trends in Video Content
Every platform loves trending content. Even my tired and true marketing platform Pinterest, is built on trending and seasonal content. Participating in trending challenges, or finding trending audio and making it your own is a great way to hop on a trend, while still showcasing your authenticity.
As with all trends, it’s essential that you make sure they are aligned with your brand identity and values to attract the right viewers. Remember, one of the downfalls of trends is they can go viral, and this is often paired with attracting people outside your ideal customer scope which can skew your data.
Talking Head Videos
By far my favorite type of video content to encourage my clients to create are talking head videos. This is where you deliver valuable content face-to-face with the camera.
While these might not go viral, they are highly effective in building a deeper connection with your audience. You can record a simple video, much like an Instagram Story, or you can repurpose longer videos into smaller clips using tools like Descript and Opus Clip Pro to reach a wider audience on various platforms.
How to Implement a Video Marketing Strategy
Start by determining how video fits into your content strategy. You can either create fresh content centered on video or repurpose existing content into video formats.
Here’s a framework you can follow:
Decide Your Format: Choose whether to go live, pre-record, create short-form videos or a mix of all three.
Plan Your Content: Lay out a strategy that aligns with your overall marketing goals and which platforms you want to focus on. Remember, different platforms have different criteria for video content so understanding your resources and availability is huge!
This diversity in resources is why inside Brandmerry Academy we teach video marketing for live, pre-recorded, and short-form videos for multiple platforms including social media, Pinterest, and YouTube.Create and Edit: Use tools like Descript for editing, Opus Clip Pro for creating smaller clips, and Canva for creating engaging visuals.
Publish and Promote: Share your videos on relevant platforms. Remember, with all things marketing it’s important that you don’t try to be everywhere out of the gate. Choose one platform to focus on for 30 days, then add to your workflow from there.
CONCLUSION
Incorporating video into your marketing strategy isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessary tool for brand building.
Each format—live, pre-recorded, or short-form—offers unique benefits that can help your brand stand out. Start small, experiment with different types of video content, and watch as your brand starts to attract and engage more viewers.
As with all things marketing, consistency is key!
If you’re ready to dive deeper into embracing a more sustainable, and simplified marketing strategy, then the Academy might be the right next step for you.
Learn more about Brandmerry Academy at brandmerry.com/academy.
P.S. Ready to build a revenue-generating brand? One that not only stands out online but also makes it easier than ever to create high-value content? Tune in to my free brand class and learn my Build a Better Brand Method. Watch now at brandmerry.com/class.
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU
--
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU --
DISCOVER YOUR BRAND STORY IN UNDER 5 MINUTES
LEARN HOW TO WRITE AN ‘ABOUT ME’ PAGE THAT CONVERTS
MAP OUT 30 DAYS OF CONTENT IN UNDER AN HOUR
Hey there, I’m Michelle Knight!
I’m an online branding and marketing consultant for female entrepreneurs.
I believe in the power of storytelling and using that superpower to brand and market yourself online...oh and to set yourself free.
I'm obsessed with living a life of freedom, so much so, that my family and I travel the world (sometimes in an RV) while running my business.
This blog serves as a home base for all things branding, marketing, content creation, productivity, and more.
Check Out the Latest Posts
Must-Reads on the Blog
A Simple Process to Come Up With Content Writing Topics to Market Your Online Business
Coming up with content ideas for your brand is an essential piece of a great marketing strategy.
When you can easily generate content ideas, it makes it a heck of a lot easier to show up consistently online. Which you've probably realized is essential in sharing your brand with the world.
But, coming up with content ideas can feel daunting, not to mention it can be hard to determine what is going to work best for your brand and draw in your ideal customers.
Over the past seven years I've created hundreds of blog posts, posted YouTube videos, and podcasts, and shown up on social media regularly because coming up with content ideas feels like a breeze.
That's because I approach generating content ideas in one of two ways: inspiration or data. The latter is the most beneficial because it involves creating content that your ideal customer is searching for.
In today's podcast episode, I'm breaking down these two approaches to coming up with content ideas and sharing my top strategies and tools for doing so.
I feel confident that after today's episode, you'll see clearly that coming up with 90 days of content ideas doesn't have to be overly complicated, and these strategies will help you streamline the process and start showing up consistently online!
Tune in now to hear:
The two key approaches most entrepreneurs take to come up with content ideas for their marketing strategy.
How to simplify planning your content for the next 90 days, by focusing on the data available at your fingertips (hint: I'm sharing how to gather that data as well).
My favorite strategy and tools for coming up with 90 days' worth of content even when you're not feeling inspired or motivated.
LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE:
Take the free Marketing Quiz: brandmerry.com/market
Tubebuddy: https://www.tubebuddy.com/brandmerry
Pinterest Trends: https://trends.pinterest.com/
Keywords Everywhere: https://keywordseverywhere.com/
Ubersuggest: https://ubersuggest.com/
Answer the Public: https://answerthepublic.com/
Google Trends: https://trends.google.com/trends/
Learn more about Brandmerry Academy: brandmerry.com/academy
Tune in now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to hear the full episode and all the tips.
P.S. Ready to build a revenue-generating brand? One that not only stands out online but also makes it easier than ever to create high-value content? Tune in to my free brand class and learn my Build a Better Brand Method. Watch now at brandmerry.com/class.
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU
--
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU --
DISCOVER YOUR BRAND STORY IN UNDER 5 MINUTES
LEARN HOW TO WRITE AN ‘ABOUT ME’ PAGE THAT CONVERTS
MAP OUT 30 DAYS OF CONTENT IN UNDER AN HOUR
Hey there, I’m Michelle Knight!
I’m an online branding and marketing consultant for female entrepreneurs.
I believe in the power of storytelling and using that superpower to brand and market yourself online...oh and to set yourself free.
I'm obsessed with living a life of freedom, so much so, that my family and I travel the world (sometimes in an RV) while running my business.
This blog serves as a home base for all things branding, marketing, content creation, productivity, and more.
Check Out the Latest Posts
Must-Reads on the Blog
Short-Form Video Content: What you need to know from a Brand Coach
SFV, or short-form video, is all the rage right now in marketing. Consumers want it, and platforms are rushing to meet that demand.
Think videos on TikTok, Instagram Reels, Pinterest Idea Pins, YouTube Shorts, and more. And as this type of content becomes more and more in demand, entrepreneurs and small business owners are trying to discover how they navigate creating this type of content and staying authentic and on-brand.
As a Brand Coach, this was my top priority when starting to experiment with short-form video content for my business. It's also something we desire for our clients, which is why we recently created a new training inside of Brandmerry Academy dedicated to this type of content.
The reality is, despite how you feel about short-form video content, it is here to stay. In fact, we're seeing how this type of content is shaping the future of social media platforms by encouraging more SEO (search engine optimization) and SEO content.
For us at Brandmerry, this is an amazing thing, because we specialize in evergreen search engine optimized content.
In today's episode, of the Brandmerry Podcast, I'm sharing more about Short-Form Video Content: What you need to know!
Tune in now to hear:
What short-form video content is and what it is not, and how to set your brand up for the best ROI and success by choosing your topics.
Why aiming for a viral video should not be your goal as an entrepreneur and a real-life experience I had when one of my IG Reels hit 80k views.
How to handle the trolls and continue to show up and share your voice and expertise with those that need it most.
Tune in now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to hear the full episode and all the tips.
P.S. Planning and creating your content doesn't have to be a constant struggle. There is a better way to research, plan, and create your content as an entrepreneur and it's all inside the Content Planning Blueprint!
The Content Planning Blueprint is perfect for online business owners who know the power of content creation but are tired of spending all of their time coming up with ideas, organizing their content, and wondering what will attract their dream clients.
In just a few hours, you'll have 90 days of content planned, a repeatable workflow to save you hours on creating and distributing your content every week, and content topics that will keep performing for your brand for years to come! Get your blueprint now >>
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DISCOVER YOUR BRAND STORY IN UNDER 5 MINUTES
LEARN HOW TO WRITE AN ‘ABOUT ME’ PAGE THAT CONVERTS
MAP OUT 30 DAYS OF CONTENT IN UNDER AN HOUR
- READ THE LATEST POSTS -
MEET MICHELLE
Hey there, I'm Michelle Knight and I an online branding and marketing consultant for female entrepreneurs.
I believe in the power of storytelling and using that superpower to brand and market yourself online...oh and to set yourself free.
I'm obsessed with living a life of freedom, so much so, that my family and I now travel full-time while running my business from the road.
This blog serves as a home base for all things branding, marketing, content creation and more.