Blog Post
Your Image – Your Brand
Barbara Cosgrave
I have been a bit distracted lately, as some of you may have noticed on social media!
Lockdown gave me a chance to sidestep into another creative side of me, children’s author. The time afforded and the fact that there was no option but to conform to staying home, let my mind focus on a project out of my comfort zone somewhat. To push it forward and see where I could get.
Well, as someone who loves a challenge, I always welcome stepping out of my comfort zone, to see what I can learn about myself and how I can apply any skills and experience I have to another goal.
What has my book “Elmo The Cat Who Doesn’t Know He’s Orange” got to do with my business of Executive Stylist you may ask?
Actually, quite a lot!
As an Executive Stylist, when working with my clients, I always focus on image and personal brand. In today’s business world you have to have a strong personal brand or you will get lost in the crowd. Your professionalism, attention to detail and the way you present yourself, has to speak of your leadership and success. Even sometimes long before you have either of those things.
You have seconds to make a positive impact with:
1. Your working wardrobe – style and colour
2. Your self-presentation
3. Your attention to detail
These attributes set you apart from the crowd, raise you up so you can be seen. You have to have the three C’s:
Clarity – be clear in what you want to communicate about yourself
Consistency – be consistent with that message
Communication – communicate well in all areas, verbal, visual, digital
Always, in whatever you do personally and professionally.
So starting a new venture writing children’s books was not that much different to my career as a stylist. I just had to practise what I preach!
To try to succeed in the very competitive world of children’s authors as a new author, I needed to create a strong message, strong visual brand and communicate all of that loudly and clearly. At the same time being true to my own personal brand, confirming what people already know about me and how I work. They may have had a surprise at what I was doing but my “style” of working and being creative, was consistent with what they already expect of me over the years of being Barbara Cosgrave Stylist.
Elmo has a bold visual image
Elmo has a strong verbal message
Elmo communicates clearly across all mediums
I can assure you that the real Elmo the cat fulfils all of those, he is a ginger tom and communicates loudly and clearly!
So my message is, whatever you do, be consistent in your personal brand and image. It goes before you and helps open doors – doors you may not have opened before.
Also if you haven’t before – take a step out of your comfort zone and see what you can do. You may surprise yourself!
Lockdown gave me a chance to sidestep into another creative side of me, children’s author. The time afforded and the fact that there was no option but to conform to staying home, let my mind focus on a project out of my comfort zone somewhat. To push it forward and see where I could get.
Well, as someone who loves a challenge, I always welcome stepping out of my comfort zone, to see what I can learn about myself and how I can apply any skills and experience I have to another goal.
What has my book “Elmo The Cat Who Doesn’t Know He’s Orange” got to do with my business of Executive Stylist you may ask?
Actually, quite a lot!
As an Executive Stylist, when working with my clients, I always focus on image and personal brand. In today’s business world you have to have a strong personal brand or you will get lost in the crowd. Your professionalism, attention to detail and the way you present yourself, has to speak of your leadership and success. Even sometimes long before you have either of those things.
You have seconds to make a positive impact with:
1. Your working wardrobe – style and colour
2. Your self-presentation
3. Your attention to detail
These attributes set you apart from the crowd, raise you up so you can be seen. You have to have the three C’s:
Clarity – be clear in what you want to communicate about yourself
Consistency – be consistent with that message
Communication – communicate well in all areas, verbal, visual, digital
Always, in whatever you do personally and professionally.
So starting a new venture writing children’s books was not that much different to my career as a stylist. I just had to practise what I preach!
To try to succeed in the very competitive world of children’s authors as a new author, I needed to create a strong message, strong visual brand and communicate all of that loudly and clearly. At the same time being true to my own personal brand, confirming what people already know about me and how I work. They may have had a surprise at what I was doing but my “style” of working and being creative, was consistent with what they already expect of me over the years of being Barbara Cosgrave Stylist.
Elmo has a bold visual image
Elmo has a strong verbal message
Elmo communicates clearly across all mediums
I can assure you that the real Elmo the cat fulfils all of those, he is a ginger tom and communicates loudly and clearly!
So my message is, whatever you do, be consistent in your personal brand and image. It goes before you and helps open doors – doors you may not have opened before.
Also if you haven’t before – take a step out of your comfort zone and see what you can do. You may surprise yourself!
