Branding. It’s one of those words that gives many business owners pause. It conjures questions like:

• What is our brand, exactly?
• How can we effectively showcase our brand?
• What can we do to strengthen our brand?

Here are a few things to think about as you take a closer look at your brand and how to incorporate it into your life and business so you can feel it in your bones. Because as the leader of your company, if you can’t feel it and live it yourself, you don’t stand a chance of anyone else “getting it” either.

Look the Part

Logo? Check. Business cards? Web site? Check. Brochure? Check.

These branding and marketing pieces are the work of a traditional branding company. And yes, we do these things too. It’s all good and necessary work, because if you don’t look like you care about your business, nobody else will care either. All of your marketing materials have to tell your compelling story and give a strategic branded call to action. But in my humble opinion, there is so much more to branding than your marketing materials. Looking the part is just one step.

Feel the Part

What I have found in working with clients over the years is when they actually feel that they can “own” their brand, they have a completely different outlook on themselves and their business. It may start by feeling comfortable, or at least less awkward, when you network online or in person. It quickly moves into feeling confident when you state your fees or send out a proposal. This is closely followed by the fact that following up with leads may actually become fun! You get really excited for clients and customers because you know that they are in for a great experience with you, and you can’t help but get a bit giddy with excitement for them. And maybe you channel Stacey London from TLC’s “What Not To Wear” and get a new hair color or ask the personal shopper at Macy’s to help you select a new outfit.

Be the Part

Once you can feel the shift in your thinking and you have the supporting materials and personal image you want, you can finally be the part. This is about taking your business to a whole new level. You are the part when what you do, say and feel just fits like a glove. It may show up as your reputation preceding you. Or perhaps you actively do things to like public speaking or writing a book to showcase the special way you do what you do and how you think. Or maybe clients and customers start to seek you out or you become a magnet for amazing partnership opportunities. Or people say things like, “I’ll have what she’s having!”

So that is what living your Stand Out Brand is all about – feeling and being “on target” or “in the flow.” Here’s an added benefit to living your Stand Out Brand: you tend not to get your panties in wad as much! When you can really stand in your power and own your expertise, it’s much easier let things roll off your back. Because you know that the Negative Nelly’s are saying way more about themselves than they are about you.

That is the ultimate in self-confidence. And it looks good on you if I do say so myself!

Action Step:

If you are reading this and realizing that you want take a closer look at your brand, contact me directly and we’ll set up a time to talk.

© 2012 Meredith Liepelt, Rich Life Marketing

Meredith Liepelt, CEO of Rich Life Marketing, offers a free report called “101 Ways to Attract Ideal Clients, Build Your List and Raise Your Profile,” which can be downloaded immediately at www.RisingStarPublicity.com.

This article may be reprinted when the copyright and author bio are included.