Brand-Building Goals to Set for 2025

Welcome back to Branded: your comprehensive guide to creative branding. In this episode, we are not declaring our New Year's Resolutions. We are, however, setting goals for the coming months and wanted to share some of them with you. So, we're talking about the importance of finding the right organizational systems to boost efficiency and support business growth. We also explore various tools and techniques for building affordable, professional websites and discuss effective networking strategies to enhance media exposure. We'll share our personal experiences and struggles with organizational tools and task management systems. Sara discusses her past aversion to platforms like Salesforce, leading us to discover the necessity of a good system like Monday (not sponsored) to streamline our workflow. Larry emphasizes the significance of gaining earned media exposure and maintaining a professional website to leave lasting impressions on potential clients. Throughout our conversation, we highlight the importance of setting realistic, tangible goals over lofty New Year's resolutions. Plus, we dive into the innovative use of Elementor for website building and how even novice users can create stunning sites without advanced coding skills. We also touch on networking tips, stressing the importance of impactful engagements and the need for regular follow-ups to maintain meaningful connections. Let’s dive in! Key takeaways:

1. Finding the Right Organizational System: Organizational platforms need regular maintenance, and finding the right system tailored to individual or team needs is crucial. Using a platform like Monday can significantly reduce the need for constant check-ins and miscommunication, thereby streamlining project management.
2. Affordable and Professional Website Creation: Building a good-looking, functional website doesn't have to break the bank. With tools like Elementor, users can create professional websites for a fraction of the cost typically quoted by agencies. Ensuring a polished online presence is vital for leaving positive impressions on clients, particularly after initial social media interactions.
3. The Power of Earned Media and Networking: Networking isn't just about making connections; it's about building relationships that convert to media opportunities and paid gigs. We stress the importance of having 12 to 15 touch points with potential clients using varied methods such as texts, emails, and DMs to express genuine interest and establish trust.
4. Overcoming Follow-Up Fears: Consistent follow-up is essential for closing deals and maintaining business relationships, though it's often hindered by the fear of being annoying. We advocate for overcoming this negative self-talk and remind listeners that many messages might be missed, hence multiple touch points are necessary.
5. SEO and Branding Photography: Enhancing your website's SEO is crucial for better visibility and credibility. Additionally, using creative, affordable branding photos from venues like selfie museums can greatly enrich your brand's visual content without the heavy costs associated with high-end photography services.

We hope this episode inspires you to set practical goals for your business and implement the changes necessary for growth. As always, don’t forget to like and subscribe to our podcast for more insights and tips on creative branding. This episode is not sponsored, but we do have affiliate links for some of the products mentioned: Elementor Monday [embed]https://youtu.be/Nigi2Ni6kzI[/embed]