Social Media is a gift in that you can build your brand and get noticed by your ideal client in a very far reaching and targeted way.
And at the same time, are you frustrated because it seems like everyone else is doing the same thing? There can be a seat of voices and do you ever find yourself wondering if you should follow the crowd and blend in, or be different?
How do you make sure that your ideal clients pay attention to what it is you have to say? How do you keep your voice from being muted or drowned out?
It’s out there for everyone to see and use
What happens when others start to model your marketing and messaging or worse, out right copy you?
It stings doesn’t it? It hits you in that place in your heart that doesn’t feel very good. I understand, I’ve been there. And honestly it still happens regularly. A few years ago it used to bother me, especially if it was someone I knew. It felt like they were “stealing”. And now?
I giggle. What a compliment!
My advice to you is to do the same. The truth of the matter is that the only true original work is this beautiful and abundant planet and universe that we live in. Everything else that exists is inspired by it, and through others.
Who you are, is so unique. You are the perfect culmination of all things that inspire you, and by default those things/people that inspire you are a culmination of what inspired them. And it is only natural that someone else will feel inspired by you, and integrate some of that into their voice.
“But it’s my business, my work, my intellectual property”
Yes, you do need to protect and defend your intellectual property, I do after all have several registered trademarks on my body of work.
However when others model you, or try to capture your voice or how you do things, I encourage you to relax and just let it be.
Remember, who you are and what you bring to your ideal clients represents all the things and people that inspire you, all of what you stand for, your values, your gifts, your passion, your life experience, who you love, and who loves you, and of course, your expertise
There is only one you
Nobody can duplicate all of who you are. At best they can imitate it or try it on for size. And the reason they do that is because they haven’t yet found their own authentic voice.
Just like a little girl will be inspired by her mom or big sister, and put on all her clothes. It’s pretty obvious it’s not her clothes, she can’t walk properly if at all, the clothes don’t fit, and while she looks cute, she also is awkward.
It’s the same when a new entrepreneur is trying to find their way and their voice. As they take inspiration from others, they may try on a few “outfits”, and it’s OK. It’s part of their growing and evolving. And while they may “try on” one of yours, it won’t quite fit. It’s not authentic and it will seem awkward.
Take a look at people who you admire, and see if you can tell the ones that model them, you will see what I mean.
Whether it’s images, words, a style or approach, a website design, what fits one perfectly, will not work for another.
And just like that little girl as she grows up, while she may still be influenced by her mom, she will find her own style, her own way. So will those who model you as their business grows, so will their confidence, and they will find their own voice.
So how do you stand out?
Simple. By getting super clear about your own voice and raising it! Be honest, is there someone you are modelling in your messaging? Are you trying on their “outfit” even just for a little bit? It can be easy to do it, because when something seems to work, it’s natural to want to try it . However the longer you do it, the more you blend in with the crowd of others doing the same.
However the sooner you get clear about your own voice, your own message and let YOUR brilliance shine, without apology, without shrinking back, the more you will stand out and your ideal clients will be lining up to work with you.
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