The C Word Podcast with Bec Hughes

84. The 7 Brand Strategy Mistakes Devaluing Your Offer

Brand strategy mistakes aren't a problem as long as you learn from them.
In this episode I cover the 7 most common mistakes brand designers make when creating brand strategy for clients. Mistakes that are devaluing your offer and undermining your authority:
1. Mistaking a questionnaire for strategy
2. Failing to separate brand and design strategy
3. Not connecting the dots between theory and application
4. Keeping the process surface level
5. Allowing the client to dilute the intention
6. Looking inwards not outwards
7. Too complicated
 
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Visit my Mentoring With Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.
 
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Free Workbook: Brand Designer to Strategist: The 90 Day Plan
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83. My 5 Pillar Brand Strategy Research Framework

Your creative or strategic work is only as good as your research.
 
In this episode I share my 5 pillar brand strategy research framework:
1) Stakeholder Inputs
2) Brand Audit
3) Competitor Deconstruction
4) Industry Trends Analysis
5) Audience Understanding
 
I hope it helps!
Bec 
 
Work With Me
If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.
 
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Download my Brand Design to Strategist 90 Day Plan Workbook
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82. Should Designers Do Brand Strategy?

Traditionally there is a hard line between brand design and brand strategy. But I don't believe this should be the case at all.
In fact, you have no business designing brands if there isn’t a strategic element to what you do.
In this episode I share why I think designers should not only offer brand strategy but why it's an enormous opportunity.
 
Work With Me
If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.
 
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Subscribe to The Brand Brief
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81. Uncomplicating Business: 4 Places to Focus Your Energy

I’m craving simplicity in my design business, which made me think maybe you are too.
So I put my thinking cap on and pulled out what I think are the 4 simple premises for a good, solid business that has growth:
~ Big Fish Offer
~ Visible Value
~ Conscious Connection
~ Repeatable Experience
 
Find more resources and insights here...
My Website... https://bechughes.com/
Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/bechughesbranding/

80. I Said What I Said: My Flavour for 2024

This episode of The C Word is a reflection on:
 
1) My word for the year in 2023 and 2022
2) My word for 2024
3) What my choice means for how I want 2024 to shape up
4) My mantra for 2024 and how it aligns with my word choice
 
Things are going to get spicy!
 
Work With Me
If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.
 
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Subscribe to The Brand Brief
Connect on Instagram
My Website
Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

79. Investing Your Marketing Energy for Results with Bec Chappell

On this episode of the C Word podcast I cosy up with the energetic marketing firecracker Bec Chappell. We talk about marketing as an energetic resource and our chat covers:
 
~ Where people might be squandering too much of their marketing energy
~ The most effective ways to invest your energy for marketing results
~ Switching your focus to the things that give rather than sap your energy resources.
 
For more information and links mentioned in the episode visit: https://bechughes.com/079-marketing-results-with-bec-chappell/

78. Where My First 6 Clients Came From

One of the most common questions I get asked is where do I find clients.
In this episode I share where my first 6 clients came from and what that’s taught me about where to find clients.
Hopefully it will give you some inspiration to help build your client list no matter what stage you're at as a designer.
 
Work With Me
If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.
 
Say Hello
Subscribe to The Brand Brief
Connect on Instagram
My Website
Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer
 

77. What You Need to Create a Passive Income

Passive income for designers is equal parts misconception and great opportunity.
First, let’s not call it passive income. 
Passive implies no action and I haven’t come across any income that doesn’t require action.
In this episode I share 8 things to build or consider when creating a 'one-to-many' income stream.
 
Work With Me
If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.
 
Say Hello
Subscribe to The Brand Brief
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My Website
Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

76. Over-Thinking and Over-Investing in Studio Systems

Have you been over-thinking and over-investing in your studio systems?In this podcast I talk about:~ Why apps and systemisation have become a status symbol~ When over-engineering your systems might be holding you back~ What to consider when choosing how you systemise in your business~ What you actually need at different stages in your design business
The biggest take-out I hope you get from this podcast is there is no perfect solution. You’re not missing out on something that only those in the know are aware of and it’s OK to keep it simple. Bells and whistles are not always best.
 
Work With Me
If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.
 
Say Hello
Subscribe to The Brand Brief
Connect on Instagram
My Website
Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

75. Amplify Your Story Through Imagery with Grace Costa

Imagery is a crucial part of your brand, even more so as a creative. 
In this episode of The C Word I have a super informative chat with Grace Costa, photographer, podcaster and mentor, about using a curated image library to amplify both your brand and personal brand story.
Grace shares some really actionable advice about:
~ How to choose the right photographer
~ What image categories you should consider as part of a comprehensive image library
~ How to get started with some good quality DIY images
 
Connect with Grace
Instagram
Website
 
Other Links
My guest episode on The Photo Diaries
 
Say Hello
Subscribe to The Brand Brief
Connect on Instagram
My Website
Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer