Why aligning your appearance with your brand image matters
As experienced female entrepreneures, we know that our brand image is a crucial element of our business success. However, one often overlooked aspect is the alignment between our personal appearance and our brand. In this article, we’ll delve into why this alignment is essential, and how you can ensure that your appearance consistently reflects your brand’s values and identity.
The Importance of First Impressions
You are your brand image
Let’s start with a fundamental concept: as the founder of your company, your behavior and style are integral parts of your brand image. This is especially true if your business carries your name and you are the face of it. You are the physical embodiment of your brand.
What kind of image do you want to project to your audience, clients, potential investors, and prospective partners?
Studies show that a first impression is made within the first 90 seconds of meeting someone. This initial impression occurs every time you speak, whether in Instagram stories, during an interview, a pitch to raise funds, a Zoom call, or when a follower recognizes you at a restaurant. Consciously or unconsciously, we are all judged by our appearance, which influences the level of trust others place in us.
Maximizing Your Impact
Think about your own brand image
Be authentic
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to play a role that doesn’t align with your true self. Authenticity is key. Don’t try to be outgoing or speak loudly if you’re naturally shy or introverted. Playing a role is not sustainable in the long term and will drain you. Eventually, your true nature will emerge, and you might be accused of inauthenticity.
Think about all the celebrities who lost credibility by acting friendly in front of the camera while behaving poorly behind the scenes. Authenticity breeds trust and long-lasting relationships.
Ensure consistency
Consistency is a critical factor in building a strong brand. There must be coherence between you and your brand. How can you promote a product, service, or company if you do not fully embody it? Here are a few examples:
- How can you reflect luxury and elegance in your business if you use profanity or slang during interviews?
- How can you embody a luxury positioning if you appear in Instagram stories with messy hair, no makeup, and wearing an old, faded dressing gown?
It’s not about having a hair stylist and makeup artist every day or wearing makeup all the time. It’s about finding a balance and ensuring that your appearance is consistent with your brand’s identity.
Look at Chiara Mazzucco, founder of Bold Self. Chiara is a business and life coach whose brand is rock, wild, and free. She uses colorful language, wears leather and lace, and sports studded boots. Her style is consistent with her brand, and she is as real in person as she appears in her Instagram stories and podcasts.
Denise Duffield-Thomas, money mindset mentor and coach and known for her books like “Get Rich, Lucky Bitch” and “Chillpreneur” is the total opposite. Her brand focuses on abundance and balance without overworking. Denise often appears on social media makeup-free, in her pajamas, and with her kids. Her authenticity resonates with her audience and aligns perfectly with her brand.
These two successful entrepreneurs, despite their differences, share a common trait: a pure consistency between their brand, who they are, and how they present themselves.
Practical tips for aligning your appearance
Dress appropriately
While you don’t need to dress for a Golden Globe event every day, ensure your clothes are clean, fresh, and suitable for the context. When filming professional content, wear something that reflects your brand’s values.
Maintain Grooming Standards
Simple grooming, like brushing your hair and maintaining personal hygiene, goes a long way in presenting a professional image.
Choose Your Words Carefully
Use vocabulary that matches your brand’s tone and style. Avoid slang and profanity if your brand is formal or represents luxury and professionalism.
Be Mindful of Your Environment
Whether you’re at the office, at home, or out in public, ensure your surroundings are tidy and appropriate when creating content. A neutral or aesthetically pleasing background can enhance your brand’s image.
Show Real-Life Moments
It’s okay to share casual, real-life moments like post-workout updates or beach outings. These moments humanize you and make you relatable, as long as they are shared appropriately and consistently with your brand’s values.
be you, be your brand
Embody your brand image
Aligning your appearance with your brand is not about perfection; it’s about consistency and authenticity. As the face of your brand, your appearance, behavior, and style are extensions of your brand image. By being authentic and consistent, you build trust and strengthen your brand’s identity.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and continue this conversation! Come chat with me in my Instagram DM @nxt_branding and let’s discuss how we can elevate your brand to new heights!
À très vite,
Amandine