An Inside Look at My Brand Strategy Coaching Program
Over the last several years, I’ve had clients come to me with business strategy questions despite them being enrolled a coaching program.
What tasks should I work on? Where should my focus be? What’s the fastest way to grow an audience? How do I create a marketing plan that works? How do I follow these ideas in a way that sets my brand apart? I have a limited amount of time each week, what strategies are most important for my goals? I’m posting consistently to my social media, but I’m still not getting any traction; what am I missing?
Clearly, something was missing in the instruction they were getting.
While they were getting standard business advice, creative entrepreneurs were often left wondering how to tie it into their own unique business and how to keep their brand consistent.
So I designed my coaching program to help small business owners take their businesses places without all the guesswork. Instead of vague business coaching, I decided to offer something vastly more helpful: one-on-one custom-tailored brand strategy coaching.
I created this service to help creative entrepreneurs work through the hurdles of running a business. There are so many ways to get stuck along the way, and it can feel like a lonely journey at times with new questions rising daily. Let’s take a look.
Brand Strategy Coaching Overview
Think “business coaching” with the added benefit of creativity and brand development.
As a brand and website designer, I bring something different to the table. Instead of the crusty terms and cryptic legalese of a more traditional business approach, I help clients tap into a combination of creativity, branding, and strategy.
When you focus on brand strategy, it’s essentially everything that business strategy encompasses and more. Plain-Jane business strategy often overlooks the important aspects of branding that bring a company to a whole new level. Whereas brand strategy focuses on your entire business in a more creative and dynamic way.
Brand strategy coaching is ideal for creative entrepreneurs.
Since brand strategy takes a more creative approach, it suits small businesses in creative industries. Coaching that ties in clever content, new marketing trends, and all the latest blogging methods makes it perfect for entrepreneurs that don’t quite fit that corporate mold.
Plus, when you work with a coach who also comes from the creative side of things, it sets the stage to make even more progress. In the creative world, we don’t believe in cookie-cutter businesses, crisp collars, or overly formal and boring presentations. This offers an even more beneficial experience to help you reach your goals in a friction-free setting.
Brand strategy helps you think outside the box.
My passion is working with entrepreneurs in creative industries, and I’ve seen the importance of brand strategy for small businesses first-hand. These days, the market seems to gets more saturated each day, and it’s key to be clever and think outside the box to set your brand apart from the competition. It’s the best way to elevate your brand, grow your audience, and stand out from the crowd.
Our coaching meets clients where they are.
My approach to brand strategy coaching meets clients where they are in their business venture whether they are in the beginning stages of starting a business or ready to scale on a larger level.
Our method begins with you and your schedule since time is finite and your free-time matters. We dive into your goals, both short- and long-term. We take best practices, look at both classic and new shifts in the market, and dive into your business. From there, we get clever and creative as we brainstorm and explore strategies.
Then, we make an action plan based on your available hours, your entrepreneur personality, and your own unique dreams.
We keep it application-based since it’s important to take action each day and take small steps that lead to the plan itself. Otherwise, you’ll just stay sitting on a goldmine without digging in.
Client Onboarding Process
How does a client start working with me? In three simple steps. I like to keep the onboarding process as easy as possible for prospective clients. Here’s how entrepreneurs like you can become my brand strategy coaching client:
1. Inquire about the program and availability
I have a quick inquiry form on my coaching page where you can reach out to me about brand strategy and kick-start the process. I would love to hear from you if you’re interested in working with me!
2. Free 30-minute consultation call
After your inquiry lands in my inbox, I send over a link to my calendar so you can schedule your preferred day and time to meet over a video chat.
In our initial consultation, I get to know you and your brand better. We chat about your business goals and needs. We talk into your brand, your biggest struggles, and where you want to take your business.
During our meeting, we also chat about the details of brand strategy coaching and what it looks like to work with me over the coming months. My goal is to answer any questions you have about the coaching process and to talk about how I can best serve you in this season of your business.
We also mark down our tentative dates for the start of coaching and when we will officially begin if you decide to work with me.
3. Reserve your spot in my client calendar (and celebrate!)
When you decide if you are ready to move forward, you reserve their spot in my client calendar with a signed contract and deposit. I like to keep this part of the process easy and straightforward to set us up for success right off the bat.
Next, I send over your client welcome packet to officially start working together. Cue the excitement!
Brand Strategy Coaching Package Features
Welcome Packet and Shared Folder
Once it’s time to celebrate with my new client and welcome her to the program, I send over an email with a welcome packet and a link to our shared folder.
This folder houses all of the documents, files, and more that we collect over the coming months as we work together.
In the welcome email, I also outline a checklist of our next steps, as well as all of our important dates.
Then, my client can get started on their prep work to get ready for our very first strategy session.
Base-Point Analysis Workbook
We kick-off the program with the Base-Point Analysis. This workbook gives my clients a space to get out all of their ideas and thoughts to help us create the best game-plan for their business.
The analysis is designed to help clients identify where they are and where they want to go. It walks clients through the process of writing down their goals, dreams, and struggles, and it gives us a jumping-off point for brand strategy.
Clients often tell me that they gain so much more clarity from this handy guide alone. The analysis also gives me all the information to help me understand the heart of a brand so I can prepare for our first strategy session.
Strategy Coaching Calls
Every other week, my client and I meet over video call for a 90-minute coaching call. By having two calls each month, it gives my clients time and space to make progress on their tasks.
When I start working with a client, we always begin by taking a look at short- and long-term goals. From there, we create a plan of action complete with a strategy map and customized habits to help a client kick-start the process.
Strategy meetings are unique for every client, so no two sessions look the same. Sometimes, we dive into their questions and find solutions or identify creative ways to leverage what they’re already doing. Other times, we might figure out clever time-saving techniques, motivation boosters, and ways to get more results of their work days. These calls are always the highlight of my week.
Clearly Defined Action Steps
During each meeting, I help clients determine specific action steps for the next two weeks.
Having clearly defined to-do’s to implement makes all the difference for making continual progress and reaching goals. It’s often what so many creative entrepreneurs struggle with since it’s such an abstract process.
It’s important to take consistent action and show up on each work day. This is the key to taking small, simple steps that lead to your bigger goals. Brand strategy coaching helps clients make a strategic plan and identify actionable tasks that follow along that trail.
Pinpointing the most impactful action steps is one of my favorite parts of being a brand strategist. It’s where all the pieces start to fit together so clients can visualize exactly what they need to do to reach their goals.
Email Check-ins, Motivation, and Support
Then, it’s time to show up and do the work. To help clients as they take action, I check in with them via email to see how things are going and to answer any questions and provide motivation.
It’s great way for clients to touch base and get feedback on any ideas or decisions they might want guidance on.
Emails are the perfect platform for me to pop in and offer extra support and encouragement as clients start making progress towards their goals, and I always get excited when I see a new one hit my inbox.
The Ideal Coaching for Creatives
After a few years of offering this service, I’ve had the chance to work with some amazing clients. I love partnering with creatives to help them bring their dreams to life. I’m always amazed to see the unique brands my clients come up with and how everyone has different passions and areas of expertise.
I like to think that brand strategy coaching is the perfect option for creative businesses since it’s rooted in thinking outside the box and keeping things fun yet professional. Whether you want to get your business off the ground, prepare to hire an assistant, or start to scale your brand on a larger scale, coaching meets you exactly where you are in your business journey.
What ways could your brand use some strategy to take your business to the next level? Schedule a free consultation call to get started.
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