Building a Brand: Start a Side Business, Boost an Existing Business, and How to Monetize with Alex Schauer
Overview
In this episode, I am speaking with Alex Schauer, StoryBrand Certified Guide and a Personal Brand Strategist with Brand Builders Group, about building a personal brand and starting a side business. We discuss the importance of monetizing your brand from the beginning, different ways to make money through a personal brand, and the timeline for building a successful brand. Alex emphasizes the need to clarify the problem you solve and the audience you serve.
What you'll learn in this episode:
00:00 | Intro
03:18 | Alex's background in brand building and marketing
07:47 | Importance of monetizing a personal brand from the start
09:10 | Clarifying the problem you solve and who you solve it for
11:48 | Ways to make money through a personal brand
13:35 | Ancillary revenue streams, such as affiliate links and brand deals
17:15 | Many projects and plans in business don't work out.
27:32 | Developing a personal brand takes time and patience.
28:37 | How long it takes to monetize
30:33 | Brand Builders Group
32:28 | Having a brand strategist can help achieve success faster
Resources:
Alex's Instagram
Alex's Website
Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not to be taken as medical advice.
This episode is not sponsored. Product links may contain affiliate links that are eligible for a small commission.
Building a Personal Brand: The Path to Success
Welcome to the Mom Guilt podcast, where we explore the challenges and triumphs of motherhood. In this episode, I am joined by Alex Shower, a brand strategist from Brand Builders Group, to discuss the journey of building a personal brand and the potential for creating a side hustle or business. We delve into the importance of monetizing your brand from the start, the various ways to generate income, and the timeline for success. Let's dive in!
The Power of Brand Building
Building a personal brand can be a transformative experience, offering a creative outlet and the opportunity to reach more people. Whether you have a specific expertise or are constantly sought after for advice, turning your knowledge into a service for others can be incredibly rewarding. Alex Shower, an international brand messaging expert and personal brand strategist, shares her journey into brand building and the impact it can have on businesses.
Alex's journey began with her family's manufacturing company, where she used the Story Brand Framework to clarify their messaging and increase revenue. This success led her to work with other brands, both business and personal, helping them refine their messaging and increase their visibility. Through her work with Brand Builders Group, she discovered the power of personal branding and how it can support business growth.
Monetizing Your Brand
One of the key aspects of building a personal brand is monetizing it from the start. Many people believe that they need a large following or a massive online presence to make money, but that's not necessarily the case. Alex emphasizes the importance of identifying the problem you solve and the audience you serve. Once you have clarity on these two aspects, you can create a revenue engine that aligns with your brand.
There are various ways to make money through your personal brand. You can sell courses, offer speaking engagements, write books, or even collaborate on brand deals. Alex highlights the significance of ancillary revenue, such as commissionable links and brand deals, which can provide a steady income stream. She also emphasizes the need to establish a solid foundation, including a website, email list, and sales funnel, to support your revenue-generating activities.
Starting Small and Scaling Up
Not everyone has the resources or time to invest heavily in their personal brand from the beginning. However, that shouldn't deter you from pursuing your side hustle or business. Alex advises starting with a mindset shift and focusing on the problem you solve and the audience you serve. By honing in on these aspects, you can create content and structure your brand in a way that resonates with your target audience.
Even with limited resources, you can still make significant progress. Alex suggests taking advantage of the free tools available and leveraging your existing network to spread the word about your brand. Starting small allows you to test the waters and learn from the experience, setting the stage for future growth. It's important to remember that building a personal brand is a marathon, not a sprint, and success often takes time.
The Three-Year Journey
While the timeline for success may vary, Alex shares that, on average, it takes about three years to see significant traction in building a personal brand. This timeline can be accelerated with the right guidance and support, such as working with a brand strategist or agency like Brand Builders Group. They provide a structured path and help streamline the process, reducing the time it takes to achieve your goals.
The first year is often focused on setting up the foundation of your brand, clarifying your message, and building your audience. The second year involves refining your revenue engine and exploring different income streams. By the third year, you start experiencing the pull of opportunities, with your inbox flooded and brand deals pouring in. This is a pivotal moment where you need to make strategic decisions and prioritize the opportunities that align with your brand.
Embracing Failure as a Learning Opportunity
Throughout the journey of building a personal brand, it's essential to embrace failure as a learning opportunity. Not every project or plan will work out as expected, but that doesn't mean it's a failure. Alex emphasizes the importance of learning from these experiences and iterating on your approach. Many successful entrepreneurs have faced numerous failures before achieving their breakthrough, and it's the ability to adapt and learn that sets them apart.
Vanna's personal experience reflects this journey of learning and growth. She initially made $10,000 in her first year of monetizing her brand but faced challenges with a skincare course launch. However, by refining her revenue engine and focusing on brand deals, she was able to increase her income sevenfold the following year. This highlights the power of resilience and the potential for success even after setbacks.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
Building a personal brand can be a transformative and rewarding experience, offering the opportunity to share your expertise and make a meaningful impact. By monetizing your brand from the start and focusing on the problem you solve and the audience you serve, you can create a revenue engine that supports your goals. While the journey may take time and involve setbacks, embracing failure as a learning opportunity can lead to future success.
As the personal branding landscape continues to evolve, it's important to stay adaptable and open to new opportunities. With the right mindset, guidance, and support, you can navigate the challenges and build a thriving personal brand. So, whether you're looking to create a side hustle or pursue a full-time business, take the first step, clarify your message, and start building your personal brand today. The possibilities are endless.