A lifestyle-based business is creating a personal brand that supports the way you choose to live your life, which in turn is magnetic to your followers, customers, clients and base.
It’s going a step further by infusing your personality into a personal lifestyle brand that authentically aligns with not only who you are, but how you choose to spend your hours.
You are the face of your brand, who is both aspirational and relatable to your target audience.
As a part of a series called “5 Things You Need To Know To Create A Very Successful Lifestyle Brand ” I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Chef Vicky Colas.
Vicky is a contributor to Authority Magazine and Thrive Global, where you can read the full interview.
Watch the video below for the top 5 things you need to know to build a lifestyle brand that you’ll love…
Here is the summary…
1 . Get out of your own way to be seen — Humanize yourself!
This was a hard one for me. My entire career, particularly my 15 years as a photography stylist, was “behind the scenes” and that was my comfort zone.
I was so brainwashed by an industry that was so celebrity and model focused that I was hiding behind my own worth when there were bloggers and influencers out there who were full-on creating their own fame.
It took me well over a decade to put my face above the logo even though I was doing all the work. Once I freed myself from being “private” to being the face of my brand the shift happened.
2. Make it personal and take them along for the ride.
One of the most engaging things you can do is take your audience along for the ride. Show them your surroundings, let them in on the behind the scenes, the cool spots you travel to, and even the drab ones.
I started doing Quick Tips videos from wherever I was. Anywhere from the dog park to a vacation place to where I went for business.
I honestly started this because I was too lazy to set up lights, but quickly realized that being anywhere was more engaging than being stagnant on the same set. It’s an incredible way to show your lifestyle and pretty darn easy, too.
If location freedom is what you’re after, even for just a little bit, this type of real time connection is it.
Doing these “on the go” videos is very similar to a FaceTime video except you’re providing value. There are definite frameworks that keep you on point and I share them at VideoQuickStarter.com.
3. Understand what your target market needs before they even want it.
It’s critical to keep an authentic conversation going to be engaged with your target market. The best way to predict what your target market wants is to simply listen to them.
Be aware of the questions they raise in programs, read their comments. Simply listen and watch as they verbalize their needs and demonstrate their visual storytelling before they even express it to themselves.
If you want to change markets or are just starting out and don’t have your own audience, borrow others. Read comments on social media, join Facebook groups, look at photos they post, be the fly on the wall.
Collecting data is critical to helping you pivot and allows you to make the small tweaks to meet your audience’s needs.
4. Visualize your perfect workday and create a business that honors it.
It is way too easy to come up with a million ideas, hire business coaches for support and oversimplify the process. Ideas come fast, yet proper execution can take a substantially longer amount of time.
As an entrepreneur, it’s a given that you will work longer hours than if you work for someone else, particularly in the starting years.
However, if you’re pivoting to create a brand that supports your lifestyle, you don’t want to weigh your life down.
Do due diligence to every aspect from inception to fulfillment. Honestly look at what is involved and see how you can tweak to simplify and honor your lifestyle.
Hire the right people before you need them and if you’re doing it all yourself, don’t bite off more than you can chew.
Look at every turn that could be simplified. Your hours may not be “normal’ (long or short), but they should suit you.
5. Be nimble and flexible to stay relevant and charged.
There are going to be the unexpected twists, turns, and disappointments. The digital world changes faster than what happens in brick and mortar.
So, do you best to remain attuned to your audience, shifts in your industry, what your competition is up to, etc. By investing in yourself as a continual student of your business you will always be ahead of the pack.
It’s so easy to rest on your laurels and be afraid to change yet not only does that chip away at your relevance in the market it also robs you of the charge and excitement of one of the greatest marketing and personal development mechanisms, what’s “new.”
Commit to continuous learning and you will always be able to bounce back from whatever is thrown your way. As an entrepreneur, personal development and mindset work is also crucial to maintaining the energy and drive you’ll need to succeed at every level.
To catch up on my full interview with Chef Vicky Colas, hop on over to Authority Magazine or Thrive Global and snag some more Lifestyle Brand nuggets and my backstory!
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