Entry 07: What You See is What You Get.

Thanks in large part to our current political atmosphere, especially in the U.S., we live in a society that has been trained to be skeptical of people, of brands, of just about everything, really.

📺 The media is owned by those with influence and agendas.

 🌽 A large portion of our food is genetically modified and tainted with chemicals.

👑 People use social media to only show their highlight reels.

The inauthenticity that shrouds our everyday lives creates a lack of trust. 

So how do we become part of the solution?

For starters, create a personal or professional brand that is authentic, and then be true to your awesome, authentic self in everything you do.

Have you ever tried a product or service because the advertising was so effective in making you click that purchase button only to be disappointed by it? 

Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us.

How does that experience change your perception of the company behind the product or service? 

I personally write them off. Walking the walk is really important to me because that is one of my top core values, and I deeply respect that in another person or company.

This is why it is imperative that you are authentic in all your communications and in everything you do because people are watching, assessing, and deciding to be either raving fans or vocal dissenters.

When I develop brand DNAs and visual identities, they are all based on the core truths of a company and, therefore, are 100% authentic to the promise of the product or service.

One thing that really helps to keep your authenticity train on the tracks is to create a simple brand DNA overview sheet, which includes all the elements we have covered so far in my previous articles (vision, mission, core values, brand positioning, and attributes). 

Put it all on one sheet and stick it on your wall so that you don’t forget to use it as your guidelines. 

Writing a post? Creating a keyword campaign? Sending an email to customers or clients? Fulfilling on your products or services? Check it all against your brand DNA and make sure it aligns. All of your efforts, and I mean ALL, should feel like blood siblings, not distant cousins.

Whatever you design your brand to be, as long as that is based on truth, you cannot go wrong.

Dana Sardano and I are both personally and professionally authentic to the core, and we live it out loud in everything we do, both in our personal relationships and in our business dealings. If you want to know just how boldly we live in our authenticity, check out a couple of episodes of Going Commando with Angela & Dana Podcast . We dare you! 

Think of the old adage; what you see is what you get. There’s so much truth to that. If I see inauthenticity, I immediately repel the person or brand because frankly, I am not in the market for lack of trust these days.

To be a part of the solution and foster a truth-based, trust-filled society, simply be unapologetically all of you all the time, even when you think no one is watching…because they are. 

Hi, I'm Angela DiMarco. I specialize in guiding businesses to express their unique brand with authenticity and creativity. With over 30 years of experience in branding, marketing, and advertising, I possess an intuitive knack for uncovering the soul of a company. From shaping your visual brand to connecting with your audience, my goal is to empower you and your organization with a sturdy foundation. Learn more at UniquelyPhenom.com or DM me to set up a call. 

Dana Sardano and I are your super professional and buttoned up 😹co-hosts of Going Commando with Angela & Dana Podcast. Check us out for a good dose of authenticity and wisdom, and the occasional epic burp.

I am also the author of Uniquely U. Update #52: The Birth of a Bright-Eyed Entrepreneur, available at Phenom-Publishing.com or an Amazon near you 😉. In my debut book, I share the tumultuous journey of starting a business.

“Angela reveals herself without inhibition…We can feel her angst and the insecurity of her inner child holding on for dear life as her warrior spirit takes over with fierce determination…a true window into the evolution of Angela’s soul and each update gives us a greater glimpse into her star power and creative genius.” ~ Dana Sardano

#branding #foundation #creative #entrepreneur #creativeservices #entrepreneur #founderstories