Let’s take some time to reflect on the last year together leveraging new branding strategies and working towards your business goals! This month we’re looking back at months of tips, tricks, and bites of knowledge from 2023’s Hustle & Heart as a reminder to be proud of what you’ve accomplished and excited for what you’re going to implement next in your business! Cheers to a great next year in business! 

#1 Look at your business from the outside in

What if you stopped to see your business the way your customers do? Interact with your brand the way an outsider would! Scroll your own website, follow yourself on social media, fill out your contact forms, go through your consultation or loyalty process. See how your messaging all fits together and the story and overall journey you’re taking potential customers on. What falls short? What opportunities do you see? 

#2 Treat each failure as a data source

Every negative piece of feedback, failed launch, poor sales metric – all of it can be a resource in building success. Perhaps it was the timing of your marketing or the actual offer itself that wasn’t aligned with what your clientele found valuable? Create a poll for your existing email list or social media story to help guide you next time. Locate the weak link to help give you the information you need to avoid it next time and implement better processes. 

#3 Schedule an annual brand audit

Carve out one hour on your calendar with the goal of reviewing key marketing elements and content creation. This will help you cohesively see what your brand voice and messaging really looks like to your customer and begin to understand where there is the biggest opportunity to evolve. Review everywhere your existing messaging lives; your mission statement, social media, swipe files, brand bio, services guide and website copy.

#4 Build a brand reputation that includes comfort

Think about the leather recliners in a movie theater; you don’t think twice about sitting for hours watching a film because you’re comfortable. How can you create a sense of comfort, familiarity and therefore consistency for your audience? Are you showing up to serve your customers with the same level of service and enthusiasm? Does your brand hold the same personality on and offline when customers interact with you? 

#5 Release the pressure of outcome based connections

Let go of the idea “How is this connection going to benefit my business or my bottom line?” and shift into finding your people. Maybe that new connection will lead to a new sales opportunity or maybe it won’t? Maybe that new connection ends up being the difference between feeling lonely in your business and finding a sounding board and confidant you’ve craved? A new friendship, cheerleader or lifelong colleague?

#6 Define what you want to be known for

Even if you offer multiple products or services there is something at the core that you want to shine brighter than anything else. Do you want to be known for your impeccable attention to detail, your ability to juggle multiple tasks flawlessly, or you have a team so well versed on legal matters that the contracts you create are flawless. Define what you want to be known for, and then channel that energy into your content. 

#7  Stop reinventing the content wheel

Don’t waste precious time creating content from scratch for social media posts, blogs, email marketing and more. What’s already working? What has been well received? Do you have previous social media captions you can reshare or flesh out into a long form content piece? Your audience won’t realize they are seeing repurposed content and it will not only save you time but help drive home the message.

#8 Deliver a specific customer journey

If you want to build trust and loyalty, the communication and quality of each interaction throughout your customer’s journey working with you matters. Focus on lead building, your sales strategy, customer experience and brand advocacy as you home in on the journey you’re creating. 

#9 Differentiate Between the Competition with a Personal Brand

Working to overcome oversaturated markets and fighting to be seen? A lot of this is due to the constant visibility we have as consumers to businesses online. Personal branding carves out a unique identity within your industry that others can’t duplicate. Why? Because it’s you. The things that make you special, relatable, human – this is where competitors may be failing to show up. 

#10 Hustle & Heart Challenge

This month hit the pause button to look at everything you’ve accomplished in your business before moving on to the new year. Setting goals for 2024 is important but so is reflecting back on all the ones you’ve already checked off the list. Step into the new year proud of yourself and ready to conquer what’s next!