Branding’s Post

As an executive or leader, leveraging your personal branding, authenticity and credibility in service of your company can take your corporate reputation and brand affinity to the next level. It's that "We Not I" stance that has given our executives in the US an increase of 108% YoY on total # of impressions for executives and an increase of 134% total engagements At Real Chemistry, my amazing colleague Valeria Shvak and I work with clients every day to help employees unlock the power of their unique voices. Why? Because when people share their authentic stories, it’s not just about creating connections and driving conversation, it’s about lifting the entire brand and sharing content with the audiences who matter most.    The collective impact of empowered voices can’t be overstated—it’s how brands and people build something truly extraordinary:  https://bit.ly/4j9aAS8 Check out more from V below!

🚀 Why Are You Emotionally Attached to a Brand? In my PR career, I've observed a unique form of emotional attachment—not from consumers, but from those who work for the brand. I call this the "emotional trailer of the brand." 🔍 Why Does This Happen? Personal Investment: We see our efforts reflected in the brand, creating a sense of ownership. Values Alignment: Working for brands that align with our beliefs fosters deeper connections. Positive Culture: A supportive organizational culture strengthens loyalty and attachment. 💡 The Risks of Emotional Attachment: Lack of Objectivity: Decisions may be driven by emotion, overlooking data and rational analysis. Resistance to Change: Emotional investment can hinder acceptance of necessary changes. Overconfidence: Believing too strongly in the brand's values can lead to underestimating competition and market shifts. Short-Term Focus: Emotional decisions often prioritize immediate rewards over long-term benefits. 🔧 Balancing Passion and Pragmatism: Data-Driven Decisions: Ground your choices in data and insights. Diverse Perspectives: Listen to consumers, clients, and industry experts to identify blind spots. Reflection and Reevaluation: Regularly reassess strategies, celebrate successes, and identify areas for improvement. In PR, balancing passion with reason is like the perfect mix of caffeine and calm—essential for brand success. Think of it like this: just as "an apple a day keeps the doctor away," a good dose of balance keeps the PR chaos at bay! 🍏✨ #BrandLoyalty #PRInsights #EmotionalAttachment #BrandSuccess #ProfessionalGrowth

The Myth: Ever thought, ‘I’m too introverted to put myself out there’? Many believe that building a personal brand requires being outgoing and constantly in the spotlight. The Truth Introverts make incredible personal brands because they’re naturally great at listening and forming deep, meaningful connections. You don’t need to be loud—you just need to be authentic. Look at authors or thought leaders who quietly share their insights through blogs, newsletters, or one-on-one conversations. They build trust without ever stepping on a stage. Whether you’re introverted or extroverted, your brand thrives on authenticity, not volume. Strengthen your brand for 2025 here: https://lnkd.in/gBRDwQKt #brandingforintroverts #angedove

The Myth: Ever thought, ‘I’m too introverted to put myself out there’? Many believe that building a personal brand requires being outgoing and constantly in the spotlight. The Truth Introverts make incredible personal brands because they’re naturally great at listening and forming deep, meaningful connections. You don’t need to be loud—you just need to be authentic. Look at authors or thought leaders who quietly share their insights through blogs, newsletters, or one-on-one conversations. They build trust without ever stepping on a stage. Whether you’re introverted or extroverted, your brand thrives on authenticity, not volume. Strengthen your brand for 2025 here: https://lnkd.in/gdH2z5en #brandingforintroverts #angedove

Conquer Insecurities: Build Your Brand! ⭐ Ever felt your heart+stomach doing cartwheels even from the thought about something? Public speaking was that thing for me. It usually is sooo scary but it can be crucial for personal branding. Imagine wowing industry leaders with your insights under the big lights... Here’s how I tried to turn my insecurities into something positive on stage: 👉Prep Like a Pro: Know your material inside and out. Confidence loves preparation. 👉Practice Makes Perfect: Rehearse until it feels second nature. Familiarity breeds confidence. I presented my slides to my wife a gazillion times imagining that my living room TV is the big stage screen. 👉Positive Vibes Only: Visualize a successful outcome. A positive mindset works wonders. Try to hear those cheers in your head before the actual ones come, and surround yourself with chill people. Overcoming insecurities is about embracing your unique voice and recognizing that everyone has valuable perspectives. Each time you speak, you're boosting your brand and showcasing your brilliance. Don’t let fear steal your spotlight. 🗣️ #personalbranding #influencermarketing

Consistently providing genuine value is the cornerstone of turning fleeting attention into enduring loyalty. By deeply understanding your audience's needs and interests, you can tailor your content and offerings to resonate meaningfully with them. Each interaction becomes an opportunity to build trust and demonstrate your commitment to their satisfaction. When you prioritize being useful and relevant, you encourage deeper engagement and foster a sense of community among your followers. Over time, these positive experiences transform passive observers into passionate advocates who actively support and promote your brand. This strategic approach not only leverages attention effectively but also establishes a strong foundation for long-term business success.

Your employees are your best marketers But are they telling the right story? Your team’s experience and enthusiasm are powerful. They can shape how your brand is perceived by the world. But are they sharing the story you want to tell? When your employees are aligned with your brand’s message: - Authenticity - They provide genuine insights about your company. - Consistency - They reinforce your brand’s values and vision. - Engagement - They actively promote your company’s strengths. Ensure your employees understand and embrace your brand’s story. Train them to communicate your values clearly. Encourage them to share their positive experiences and successes. To harness their marketing power: → Communicate your brand’s message clearly and often. → Provide training on how to represent your brand. → Encourage them to share their experiences on social media and with their networks. Your employees can be your strongest advocates. When they tell the right story, it amplifies your brand’s impact. Make sure they’re aligned with your vision and watch your brand thrive. #employees #experience #value #vision #brand

Welcome to #MindfulMonday with Focus7! Today, we spotlight the importance of aligning your brand values with your actions. 🧘♂️💼 It's about embodying the principles you stand for, ensuring your business practices reflect your brand's heart and soul. Take Ben & Jerry's as a shining example: their commitment to social justice isn't just talk. They actively engage in advocacy, supporting various causes through their business practices and messaging. This authenticity strengthens their brand, forging a deeper connection with their audience. Here’s how you can ensure your brand’s actions mirror its values: ➡️ Audit Your Practices: Regularly review your business operations, partnerships, and marketing to ensure they align with your brand values. ➡️ Lead with Transparency: Be open about your goals, challenges, and successes in embodying your values. Transparency breeds trust. ➡️ Engage and Listen: Engage with your community and listen to their feedback. This two-way communication can guide you in aligning your actions more closely with your values. ➡️ Commit to Continuous Improvement: Aligning your brand values with your actions is an ongoing journey. Commit to learning and evolving. By ensuring your brand lives by its values, you create a brand that resonates on a deeper level, building loyalty and trust. Let’s reflect: How do your brand's actions reflect its values? Share your stories with us! #BrandValues #AuthenticBranding #SocialResponsibility #Focus7

Many people lean heavily on the strategy of ignoring negativity online, hoping it will fade away. The allure of this approach is clear: less conflict, less stress. However, it often leaves unresolved issues simmering, potentially damaging your brand reputation. On the other hand, some prefer to jump into discussions, addressing negative comments head-on. This tactic showcases transparency and engagement. Yet, it can spiral into exhausting debates, attracting even more negativity. How about a blended approach? Start by monitoring comments closely, addressing only those that truly require engagement. When you respond, focus on demonstrating empathy, correcting misinformation, and providing solutions. For example, if a customer complains about a product, thank them for their feedback, share your commitment to improvement, and invite them to discuss further in private. Embrace a balance: respond strategically and turn challenges into opportunities for connection. Your audience will appreciate your efforts and will often champion your brand in return.

Mid July means it's '𝘞𝘛𝘍 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘏2 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘵' bingo time. Score 1 ouch point for each of the following... A revamped brand story that only sits on your website so far, just waiting for people 𝘯𝘰𝘵 to come and read it An agenda item for building a new brand story, that is still sitting on the next agenda. And the one after that, pushed '𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦' Internal comms energy that hasn't yet found its voice or format Internal research where cultural findings havent yet been actioned Leadership opinions and punchy ambitious thoughts that are stuck in pre-opinion limbo mode Organic growth planning that has been sacrificed at the altar of chasing shiny new long shots. A business content plan that you know needs to be more customer focused 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 but that still defaults to brand ego messaging Crisis planning that isn't yet planned. Story telling missing the telling. Visibility with added 'in-'. Count the ouches and let's talk. In September i have some time to help crack the inertia, break down barriers and kill off the reasons not to act on these. Unless you want to keep it on that agenda for 'next month', until, you know,  you have time?