Building a Brand

There’s so much to discuss when it comes to building a brand. But first, it might make sense to define the term ‘Branding’. My understanding is the way we identify as a business, service or event. It’s a company’s identity, their tone, voice, values, beliefs, styling. If the company was a person, it would have an ora, a feeling, plus the ability to differentiate it from other businesses.

Let’s take my brand for example. Hamlet and Fields. I am my brand as I’m a small business owner, I have had a couple of re-brands (name changes to reflect growth and change) yet I have always remained with the same principle and tone. My brand is earthy, it reflects country living, it’s classic yet screams quality. It’s in my style, what I wear, how I lay out my Instagram grid, the way I designed my logo, the tone I have when I speak to you, just even right now, friendly, approachable, knowledgeable yet happy to help you. Hamlet and Fields and I marry as we share the same old school, traditional values, and just so happens so do my audience. My audience, or customer avatar as we call it in the marketing world, resonate with me. It’s the reason we connect. We are likeminded in interests, goals and beliefs.

I could ramble alll day my lovelies, but I thought I best keep this short and sweet as I have a newsletter to write yet, a business award application to submit and clients to get back too. So much exciting things in the pipeline at the moment, despite me moving to a new town. In fact, I have had to stop and re-strategize my branding as I have had to recognize I am in a new location and no one really knows me here yet. They don’t know how passionate I am, what i’ve achieved in the past, how willing I am and how much I love what I do. I am working to build trust with my target audience and to grow potential clients. So, these are the five things I have revisited, to help grow my business in a new area:

1. Know Your Audience:

Once you have figured out who your people are, your tribe, your community, you then will feel so much better in marketing your product or service. If you know your audience, fair chance your message will resonate with them. You will know what content to deliver, what images they would love to see, what words would make their day better, or what would educate them? What could inspire them or pain point could you solve? Remember. People like people. So be authentic, real and true to yourself, and you can never loose. Oh, and also a good one to keep in mind is we aren’t for everyone. Our ‘why’ or belief system isn’t going to suit everyone out there, but as i’ve said, it will resonate with the people in your corner. And that is who you need to concentrate on. Your peeps.

2. Consistency:

This also builds trust and also helps us to know your brand is reliable. It’s like when you were a child, if you know what’s to happen next, you feel safe and relaxed. Whereby if we didn’t know what was to occur in the next minute, it could make us fear the unknown and wonder if what was about to jump out at us will help or hinder. Consistency is key with most things, obviously, but when it comes to branding this can be seen in your logo, colours used in our marketing material, our subject matter, our tone, even the times we schedule our socials and story.

3. Point of Difference:

As I have touched on, a brand represents who we are and what makes us stand out. Take my brand for example. There are photographers everywhere these days. Even a good amount of rural photographers, which I also am. But are there rural photographers who have had the experience I have had founding two Agricultural businesses from the ground up, have invested almost $20,000 in educating myself in all areas of what I do; Education, business skills, mentoring sessions, Agriculture, bookkeeping, and more? Are there many photographers out there who are willing to drive to a farm in their work boots with a big smile, willing to capture you and your business, rain hail or shine and then want to spend the time getting to know how your business works, to then educate and inspire others? Probably not many around. But this is what makes me stand out. There are so many things that make us different to those in what seems like a flooded market, but we just need to choose the amazing things that sets us apart, and then tell people about it. If you believe in what you have to offer, why shouldn’t they. I say that with love x.

4. Give people a Visual:

People want to know everything about everyone these days, I guess they always have haha. People want to know about their influencers, who is running that gorgeous homewares store, what they have for lunch, and what inspires them. People also are interested in seeing what is included in the B&B package, or what stallholders will be at the upcoming local farmers’ market. Do this through visuals or better yet video content. Either or are so valuable it’s ridiculous. It’s how we gain interest these days. Really, think about it. So much of us have a mini computer in our pocket on the daily, and when we get bored, are brain dead (my bad habit) or when we are vibing for a little inspiration, we turn to said mini computers, aka, our phones! We begin scrolling, whether that be on socials, the internet, the Menu log App, but what ever we are opening on our phones, it is guaranteed, more times than not we will want to see an image. This my friends, is a very engaging way to give people your message. And even better with a caption or if you’re like me, alongside a little diddy. I love to write, have I mentioned that lol.

5. Your Vision:

Ohhh, I love this bit (just as much as writing) and that’s one’s vision for their brand. This is the exciting stuff as it’s the part where you get to visualize anything for your business. Anything is really possible. You can be as ambitious as you want, you can include the amount of money you’d like to make, the lifestyle your business will allow you, what your team looks like, the size of your business, what offerings you will deliver, your purpose, how slow or fast you’d like to grow and your business’ legacy. From here you can then make a plan, or roadmap how to achieve your big vision in small increments; in achievable, realistic goals.

You’ll find me regularly travelling the trail from regional New South Wales down to country Victoria. I am based in Bathurst but no matter where I am, you’ll find me busy supporting rural business, mentoring clients, delivering photoshoots as a Rural Business and Family Photographer. I love to travel and meet people to learn their stories. As I learn more about them, I am finding I am learning more about myself. Funny that haha.

Know you can always connect with me via socials, the phone, zoom or in person. I can’t wait to work with you x

Fee May

Hamlet and Fields

Rural Travelling Photographer