Are You Confused With What Your Brand Is As a Service-Based Professional?

Branding is an ultra-hot topic these days and has been for a long time, yet there is still a lot of confusion about what a brand really is. In a recent conversation about branding, I expressed that the easiest and most concise way that I can define it is to say, “A brand is a unique promise of value.”

Let's take a look at this definition, “A brand is a unique promise of value.”

'Value' is defined as the relative assigned worth or importance of something and this can relate to monetary or material worth. So, when we say that a brand is a unique promise of value, we are saying that a brand is a promise of quality; it has an assigned, perceived worth worth and importance. This is one reason why strong, well-known brands can charge a premium for their products and services—their perceived worth is higher than other products and services.

Branding goes back thousands of years. Ranchers branded their cattle and potters branded their pottery and porcelain. As the concept of branding evolved throughout history, people began to associate branded items with certain characteristics and levels of quality, value, security, and honesty.

Today, brands continue to play a fundamental role in expressing these same qualities and much more. And as a entrepreneur, you have a personal brand. You have your own unique promise of value that you provide to clients and contacts.

One reason why branding can be so confusing, especially for service-based professionals, is because you're not always branding tangible products, you're creating your brand around your unique promise of value through the services that you provide and the results your clients receive from those services, so essentially, you represent the product.

What you are doing when you express your personal brand, is you are communicating a particular message to the public so they develop a positive perception of you and your business. Your brand is what gives your business value and credibility in the eyes of the public.

So, what makes up your personal brand? There are many elements that contribute to how you're known as a brand. Below are some key contributors that help define you as a brand:

1. the characteristics, personality, and qualities you bring to your work
2. how you communicate the purpose and vision for your business
3. who you're known to serve through your work (your niche)
4. how you package and provide your services
5. the quality results you're known to provide through your work
6. the visual representation of your business, such as your logo and the colors that you use, so that when people see your logo, they instantly think of you and the quality of service you provide (graphic design)

Everything about you contributes to making up your personal brand and how you're known by and make a connection with your special tribe of clients. 

As a service-based professional, what is your unique promise of value? What do you promise your clients will get when they work with you?

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To learn more about branding your service-based business and start getting better results through your marketing, visit: http://www.brandbreakthroughsecrets.com 

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Known for her creativity, gentle disposition, enthusiasm, and passion, Lisa Hromada is a leading Personal Branding Strategist and Authentic Marketing Coach who specializes in empowering women entrepreneurs to find the clarity and focus they need to create a thriving brand while still having the time and energy to enjoy their other priorities. Find Lisa's FREE gifts and more at: http://www.lisahromada.com/bizsuccess