I chose this image for this post because branding is ultimately about your relationship with your clients/market and that is what this image is about.  During a break in training class this new mom said how much she loved how soft her dog’s ears are, I think her dog enjoyed her touch as well.

Branding is a huge subject that I quickly realized was more difficult to write about and have been putting it off.  This is just a quick summary because there are lots of people more fluent on the subject than I am.

As I’ve taken the leap from hireling to business owner I have been distinctly aware that brand creation is at the top of the task list.  Simply put your brand is what you uniquely offer to the market.  Simple to say not so simple to define.  There are the physical characteristics such as logo, font, color scheme and tag line which you can hire someone to do if you have no graphic creativity.  The more difficult part is the not so tangible side, what makes you unique and what promise you make to your clients.  This is the part no one but you can figure out.  It is defined by your personal vision and values.  It is a soul-searching exercise and I found some help in a book by Dane Sanders called Fasttrack Photographer.

Branding is not a simple task and is something that needs constant vigilance to make sure you are staying true to it.  The most important thing I have learned from my research is that once you discover how you provide a unique solution to a client’s need you can never be out competed.  No one can be better at being you than you are.