I’ve been busy putting the finishing touches (and more) on a new project and before that continues and I hop on a flight to Miami, I wanted to share some thoughts inspired by one of my clients at a VIP day recently.

I thought it would help to define and defend, really, how important it is to take time to create THE brand you really know you are (if you’re not creating from this purposeful place, you’re creating a “default” brand that’s hard to turn around. Be mindful now and create with purpose!).

Because, the truth is, you need a BRAND to support your six, multiple six and seven-figure goals. If you're a part of the MGI community, I know you have these goals…(if you're moving from five to six figures, this message is absolutely for you too, of course).
 
DO THIS: EXPAND
During one of my four-hour VIP days recently, my client stopped and said: “I feel like you’re helping to EXPAND my business…and me!“
 
I loved it because it beautifully described what branding is all about…
 
Branding IS about creating the BIGGEST version of you! Think about that for a second – what IS the BIGGEST version of you? Are you expressing it? Is your BRAND in alignment with your truth…with who you really are?
 
Where could you share with others more of who you are?
 
Where you could share with others ALL that you are? (the BIGGEST expression of authentic you)
 
Where could the YOU, as expressed throughout your business (and “branding”), better match or be in more full and gorgeous alignment with the quality and value you bring to your clients and customers? (You may know it all inside but we, your ideal clients, need to know!)
 
Where could the YOU inside be expressed externally and throughout all your touch points?
 
Great, authentic branding is all about creating the BIGGEST version of you to support all of the above AND, as said earlier, to support your six, multiple-six and seven figure goals!  
 
Because being self-expressed AND creating a “container” that also supports our financial goals in business is what it’s about. It’s about making happiness our business and making our business profitable (it’s not a business if it’s not, can we agree on that?).
 
So, today and all your tomorrow’s consistently ask yourself:
 
• Where can I create the BIGGEST (and most authentic) version of me in this moment? On my website? In my next talk? Interview? Social media post? Blog post? In my logo? In my photography?
 
As Jennifer so wisely described it, this (brand) "expansion" you create in your business will, at the same time, be created inside of you. SO well-worth it. For more on what I mean, stay tuned on more great content (value) coming your way!

Husband, son and I cheers'ing with bubbly & juice the other night

[In love with being human] Today is my sixth piece of 12, in the name of celebrating 12 years in business, sharing part of my story through entrepreneurship and book writing, especially as it pertains to life, motherhood, love, growth and gratitude.

“This is so bringing my entire life into focus,” she said to me today.

In love with being human…

The snow was falling outside but true, human connection, and the connecting of dots creates a spark that lights a fire…

We all know what happens when a woman feels that fire.

In love with being human…

When a woman feels her fire she’s fueled to —->make her business an opportunity for personal growth<— and the whole world changes. I'm convinced this is where 'business is personal' comes from.

I like shortcuts so I have two for you (two that merge into one).

If you’re having a hard time figuring something out in your life:

1-    stop talking about it (the problem, the block) and instead
2-    go…run to work on your book, your art, your craft, your passion, what some of us call our “business” and get a trusted observer if that feels good to you. Immerse yourself in making your craft the most gorgeous representation of your worth and gifts.

In working on your “business”, you’ll work out what you need to in other parts of life. Because what you make the opportunity for in business, you create in your life. And what you work towards in your life, you gift yourself in your business.

There’s a reason everyone says starting a business is like birthing a baby.

It’s personal ~ a beloved extension of you ~ and it introduces you to a joy and LIFE inside that blows you away.

You'll blow you awaaay.

So whether you work on your “branding”, your painting, your business model, the title of your book or on the hard yoga pose to finally nail it…go for it with your full flame and trust that so much more will open up for you in all others parts of life and, most definitely, in all of your beloved relationships.

You’ll nail your life.

"How do I get potential clients really caring about what I have to say on social media?"

"Michelle, you talk about branding helping us to create relationships and more meaningful connections which then leads to bigger and bigger success, but how long does that take? In other words, what can I do now that will really start to make a HUGE difference?"

"I don't have time to be ALL OVER social media. If that's what it takes then I'll surely be losing out."

I get asked versions of these questions all the time.

And you want to know the one simple secret to building your brand online and specifically on social media (i.e. facebook)?

Share YOUR own ORIGINAL content.

That's a great first step to your facebook strategy and you can change it around quickly…

Let me repeat that…share YOUR own ORIGINAL content. This is where your most authentic and POWERFUL brand will build from, on any platform. This is also where you have the chance to be most memorable. It may sound simple, however, as we know common sense isn't common practice. 😉 I see this happening ALL over facebook. Women entrepreneurs pulling quotes, graphics and sayings from others WAY more often than they are helping their own brands become most visible…to lead.

Help your own brand succeed and lead.

Make it common practice
Use the 80/20 rule. Share YOUR brilliance 80% of the time and share others' brilliance 20% of the time.

Share your quotables, your truth, your beliefs around the work you do or the transformation you offer. This is what people will remember and be way more connected to.

Sure, they make click LIKE on a mantra or graphic you posted from Gabrielle Bernstein but will they remember you and your brand because of that graphic? Not likely. They'll remember Gabrielle Bernstein. And if you're doing this more often than sharing what YOU believe or feel is the advice to give in that post, you will be helping build her brand, not yours.

But, if they've clicked LIKE on a powerful truth that you've posted and that obviously comes from you there will be a different quality and memory to it. They will remember you.

Your community's perception of your brand and of YOU grows every time they receive/see/feel original content from you!

Here are some additional tips:
In addition to the 80/20 rule, I would suggest and/or detail the following…

Use your own content. What are the things you say to clients most often? What do you believe? What awesome inspired nuggets came from you from that last event you attended?

Make it original. Can you take what most others are talking about in your industry and flip it on its head? Or, can you start the post with something that is bold and eye-catching and end it with the truth or thought you want to share? Can you use a facebook post as a blog entry, maybe?

Think of content not as content, actually, but as value, and when posting on facebook, for example, before pushing "post" make sure that you are providing VALUE to your community ("Does this post provide actual value to my ideal clients and my community?). That will make it come from the most genuine, authentic and most powerful place and also take that sharing to a new level. It works like a charm.

One last tip that works wonders is creating a month's (or even a week's) worth of facebook posts then giving them to an assistant or intern to plan/post for you on hootsuite throughout the month (or week). You don't have to go it alone. And planning out your original content a month or so before pulls the best of the best from you. It's genius!

All of that said, don't be afraid. You are a leader. And you are not just a business but a brand…and a movement. So share from this place. You have so much to say…say it and share it. This will not only lead to more excitement over what you have to offer in your business specifically (that whole "leaning-in" effect) but to others sharing, just as you did with Gabrielle Bernstein's quote, what YOU have to say!

Make yourself and your business shareable.

p.s. If you weren't LIVE with us this Saturda, I'm happy to share the Strategy to Success 2014 Planning Day recording with you (it was an absolute success with over 545 registered to hear the creative and strategic business practices for 2014!): https://michelleghilotti.com/audio/StrategytoSuccessVIPe.mp3 Also, if you would like to grab the 2014 workbook and calendar to fill out while you listen to the training, you can do that by giving us your information here: www.michelleghilotti.com/strategy