Because You Riff So Well

I just found your blog and love it! To answer one of your questions about finding the voice of my biz. This is something I would really like to explore. I am in the process of changing the focus of my business from film to private clients and struggle with finding the best way to express my desire to help women (and men too), build their image as their brand. I have, for the past 20+ years, dealt with people who understand the power of clothing to “tell a story” and deliver information. I want to bring that knowledge to the everyday entrepreneur to help them tell the story of their business visually. I started a blog (http://crackingthestylecode.com), to do just that but have yet to “find my voice”

I look forward to seeing more at your blog!
Cheers,
Deborah

Hey, Deborah! –

Welcome! Just checked out your site and I have to say I’m beyond blown away by your talent and the scope of where you’ve been and what you’ve done. {I bet you hear that a lot.} How did you come across my site?

I’m so excited to dive into your blog and start learning from *you*. Have you checked out “Style Statement” by Danielle LaPorte and Carrie McCarthy? It’s fabulous and espouses some of the same intentions that are in your own work. May be inspirational for you.

http://www.amazon.com/Style-Statement-Live-Your-Design/dp/0316067164

See you in the blogosphere!

– Abby

Hi Abby,
I think some of my problem with finding “my voice” is I am a very modest person. I find it so easy to write about someone or something else but when it comes to myself or my business I am a little shy. I guess I am afraid of coming off as boastful, arrogant, ignorant, obnoxious etc. Looking forward to your posts.

Paula

Thanks, Abby!
I have seen their site! It’s very fun. We differ in that they are helping people develop their personal style. I want to help people understand and develop their professional image. Your “image” is your brand, it can be entirely different than your personal style. Often personal style get’s in the way of delivering a clear message to one’s clients. You may be saying one thing “I want to bring about world peace and feed all the children” for example, but your black leather jacket and nose ring distracts your client from hearing your message. Your image needs to be in sync with your message.

People make up their minds about you in a very brief time. It is important that your image is selling your ideas. Often people will spend thousands of $$ creating business cards, flyers, stationary and other graphic material. They hone their verbal presentation and craft the perfect “elevator pitch”. Then, they totally overlook their biggest selling point….themselves!

It’s not about that old “dress for success” thing. How boring! It’s about dressing creatively to help “tell your story”.

@Paula — Thanks for weighing in! I think your struggle is a popular one, at least among the clients I coach. I always tell people, “You have to get as comfortable and used to stating the stellar facts about your biz as you are comfortable and used to saying, My name is So-and-So.” Just let your brain totally skip over the ego part. It doesn’t factor in here. {I know, easier said then done. We’ll definitely be exploring this here on the blog and in the upcoming project I’m working on!}

@Deborah — You know, my first instinct would have been to disagree with you about personal style being all that different from professional style. I would’ve thought “BE the touchy-feely/world peace/feed the children” icon in the black leather jacket and the nose ring. But THEN I visited your blog and saw your post about George’s Clooney’s personal style vs. professional style. Now I *totally* see what you’re talking about it. There’s nothing wrong with “cleaning up well,” is there? It doesn’t make you any less YOU. It’s just another version of your you-ness.