The Social Media Takeaway - Louise McDonnell

Aligning Brand and Vision: Strategies for Business Success

• Louise McDonnell • Season 1 • Episode 34

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In this week's episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I am delighted to welcome Melissa Henry, the founder of Helluva Brand™. As an expert brand strategist, Melissa helps visionary entrepreneurs create a brand that not only represents their vision but also feels right. With more than 14 years of experience as an entrepreneur, brand builder, and master photographer, she has assisted hundreds of clients in achieving profound clarity about their business identity and authentic self-presentation. 

This episode peels back the curtain on the essential groundwork behind a truly captivating brand. Melissa enlightens us with a fresh perspective on where to start your branding journey, emphasizing that it's not all about the visuals—there's a whole lot more brewing beneath the surface. She explains the importance of laying a solid foundation before jumping into the more flashy aspects of branding. Whether you’re a startup entrepreneur looking to carve out your niche or a seasoned business owner aiming to refresh your brand, this episode is for you. 

Don’t forget to check out Melissa’s Brand Power Hour! It’s a workshop where you can bring your branding challenges and get personalized advice from Melissa, herself! She holds these sessions twice a month, so if you’re looking to give your brand a boost, this could be just what you need! 

https://www.helluva-brand.com/brand-power-hour

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Louise McDonnell:

Welcome to the Social Media Takeaway. I'm your host Louise McDonnell, and this is the show for business people who want to know how to use social media to drive sales and leads. If you like the show, please make sure you subscribe. And if you enjoy this episode, which I'm sure you're going to, make sure that you tell a friend or somebody who's going to benefit from the advice that's in it. So today I'm really delighted to welcome Melissa Henry. To the show, Melissa is the founder of hell of a brand. She's going to tell us about that story in a few minutes. She is an expert brand strategist, and she helps entrepreneurs create a brand that looks like what their big vision feels like. I actually practice saying that a few times. That's very interesting. So a brand that looks like what their big vision feels like. And I know we're going to speak a lot about vision here today. You're very welcome to the show, Melissa.

Melissa Henry:

Oh, thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited about it.

Louise McDonnell:

Good, good, good. Do you want to maybe tell us a little bit about your backstory?

Melissa Henry:

Oh yeah. Okay. So didn't start out where I'm at right now. Like I didn't start off in the branding space. I spent 20 plus years get this as a CPA. So kind of what most people would say, wow, that's completely different from what you're doing. Yes. And no, there's a lot that I take from that experience in my life, but during that time and kind of towards the end of those 20 years, I was doing. I had a business on the side. I was doing photography, but like for maternity, newborn clients. And then I, when I quit my, my job full time, I went into my business full time and I had this abrupt shift because I started to see in the marketplace, this idea of personal brand that people were talking about. And I thought, Holy moly, this is exactly what I was doing before I selected the niche of maternity and newborn. But at that time, when I selected that niche, There was nothing like we didn't use Facebook and, you know, and Twitter and, and Instagram and all that to, to create sales. Like, in fact, I don't even think those things were really around. I can't remember exactly how long ago that was, but I mean, they weren't, they weren't being used for that purpose if they, if they weren't around. So what I'm trying to say there is that once I came into the full time business world, I was like, Whoa, this is amazing. I totally want to do this. So I switched my niche to brand photography. What I noticed was that when I'd bring clients into my business, they didn't know what their brand was. Yeah. They're like, Oh, I need brand photos. Okay, what are we photographing here? I need to understand your clients better. I need to understand like what you really stand for. I need to know what are you passionate about? What do you talk about all the time in your social media? And for much of that, it was very pat answers or very like surface level things. So I started to have to dig and dig and pull and pull until I could get really cool image ideas that actually You know, resonated, like made sense with the brand that they really had, that they didn't even know they had. So kind of fast forward a few years one of my clients came to me and I had clients ask me here and there different things like how, well, how do I figure that out? And I'd start to give them, you know, well, this is how you do it. This is, here's a process that you can use. Here's some questions you can ask yourself, things like that. And then one day, one of my really good clients came to me and said, I just really want you to coach me. Can you do that? And I was like yeah, I actually think I can, by this point, because I had spent so much time actually in a training under some brand strategists, you know trying to build my own brand with that training, this kind of thing. And so I realized, I actually am pretty good at doing this. I, I actually am pretty good at getting people to where they need to go in that regard. So, so yeah, that was the moment where I sort of said, this is, this is what my clients need. They need that too. I mean, showing the brand at the end is fabulous. And that's where people that's, most people think that's a brand, but no, your brand is actually, It touches almost every single part of your business. it's infused in your business and you can't make a successful business without that first.

Louise McDonnell:

Right. Okay. So, so what's the process that you take people through when they have to figure out, you know, what their brand is?

Melissa Henry:

Yeah. Yeah. So I have a few different ways of working with people, but the process is generally the same. So often, and I almost always start with this because I do think it kind of sets the tone. It's kind of a North star, but I almost always start with vision because I think most people, some people go into business cause they just want to make money. And let me tell you. If that's the camp that you're in, it's going to be really hard to do proper storytelling. It's going to be really hard to get people on your side, to get people excited about what you're doing. But most of us, I, and I would say that probably almost everyone listening probably does have a vision, probably does feel like the reason they went into business is something more than just the business itself. it's like the change you want to see in the world. What do you really stand for? so I guess what I'm saying, the answer to your question is I'm taking them through a process. It's like a a Q and a kind of process where we're digging deeper into those things that make you passionate, those things that get you up out of bed in the morning, those things you feel really like you would really like to make a difference. Because that's where your business can actually be the vehicle by which you make the change. So that's kind of the. I guess maybe the step 1 out of a multi step process. There's more to it than that, but and I just don't really know how much you want me to talk through this because I can go. I'm like that kind of person. I can keep going. So tell me more. Is there more you want to hear?

Louise McDonnell:

Yes. No. So, so, so if somebody who's tuning in here now and they're going, okay, yeah, I really need to. be clear on my vision, you know, and I, and I know this, this stuff is hard, right? It's not easy. And that's why people try and avoid it at all costs, you know, and I always say to people as well, I don't know if you see, see the same, Melissa, that, you probably have some questions you ask them so that they can think and go away and think about it. I'm always saying, go away, go for a walk, go for a run, you know, do what you do. Sometimes the answers come to you. You know, when you're not trying to think of them. so for anybody who's here and not really clear on their vision, what advice do you like? What should they do?

Melissa Henry:

Okay, sure. So I would say there's a few things that they can ask themselves. One thing I would say that I, I think is kind of powerful to take a look at it this way. If you were at the end of your life and you were looking back at all of the things that you accomplished, you would be the most proud and the most, fulfilled. If this thing, like you helped this thing, you know, whatever it is, movement, or you made this change happen in a world in a way that was bigger than you, what would that be? And so then people will scratch their heads and they'll go, but that doesn't have anything to do with me, you know trying to teach people Facebook ads. So I would say, okay, but remember too that the business is the vehicle by which we get that change. And so maybe it's more about the types of clients you could help that would make that big thing happen. So if you, and that, I really, all this stuff is so connected. Cause as you start to talk about the vision, sometimes you start to see people in your mind, Oh my God, I would love to work with those people. Wow. We're starting to see what an ideal client might look like for you. Whereas before I'm just trying to sell Facebook ads. So I'm going to go and just find whoever will take my, service. No, what if you thought, Oh my God, I would really love to help that industry. And so what if it were those kinds of clients and how excited would you be to be talking to those clients and selling a service to them and helping them get where they need to go? So I guess that's question number one, you can ask yourself, what is that big change I'd really love to make in the world? I think another question you could ask as well really has to do with if I could do only. One thing for the rest of my life, only one thing. And I couldn't do anything else. What would that be? if you start to do that, sometimes that gets you in a direction. Cause it gets you out of, Oh, I'm working on like, this is my business. No, I'm talking outside of business. Like if, if you, if somebody said to you, okay, you, Money is off the table. You will be making all the money you want. It's okay. Just don't even worry about that. But you're stuck doing not stuck. You're, you're going to be doing only one thing. What's that going to look like? And who is going to be in like, who do you see around you during that process? So there's a kind of two ways of really thinking and getting at that visionary space And when you're talking about vision, it's something that you see in your mind's eye, so you got to get that picture in there. You got to get that because that's how that feeling will come to you and that passion. Does it make sense?

Louise McDonnell:

And I suppose like for anyone who has started their own business. I would imagine you're kind of saying to them, like,, why do you do what you do? Like, why do you still love doing it or what, what excites you most about your job? You know, I love my job. Like work never feels like work cause I love it, you know? So is that part of it as well?

Melissa Henry:

I'd actually ask you the question, like, what is your big vision?

Louise McDonnell:

Oh, goodness. I was like, Oh God, don't ask me that.

Melissa Henry:

The whole time you were like, don't ask me that question.

Louise McDonnell:

I'm going to have to go away and have a walk. I've done a lot of work on what I, what my why is, you know, why I do, why I do what I do. And I ultimately love helping people. I get more of a kick out of the success of my clients than I would out of billing them. Like anyone who knows me, I have somebody who obviously does my accounts because I won't even write and raise the invoices. The totally, I'm not interested in that. That doesn't. Interest me, but what does is I just, I love the kick of helping people. I love when they succeed. and that gets me excited and motivated and always looking to come to work. People say, You know, do you find it hard to work? You know, when you're, let's say you're at my office is at my home. I'm like, no, I find it hard not to work, you

Melissa Henry:

know,

Louise McDonnell:

because I love it.

Melissa Henry:

That's a hard one.

Louise McDonnell:

Yeah. So I don't know if that answers your question, but I know that's my point and that's what, and so that's very much our company mantra is that we always go the extra mile. We leave no stone unturned d because that, that's, that comes from me and that comes from, from wanting to just ultimately, you know, help people achieve their goals. it's nice to work with

Melissa Henry:

more. But I don't know if I want to put you on the spot, but I want to give, I want to give an extra example of that, because what you just said reminded me of something that could be very helpful for people who are listening. So I, you know, if I think about what my why is, my why is my daughter. So then everybody goes, well, How's that related to your business at all? Well, here's the thing. My daughter's 11. She's facing a world that's going to be completely different very quickly. It's already get going in that direction. I'm concerned that her generation is not going to have what they need to continue. So, and I know that sounds really down. It's a downer, right? But my point is, is that if I can get out there, help more people understand how to have a better brand. How to show up the authentically themselves, how to build a business that really is a successful business. They have the freedom to break out of being in like a confined, space that I was in and that's corporate. You know, I was in a toxic work environment when I left, but having their freedom, they have agency. And if I'm picking the right clients to do this with, they're making a massive difference in the world so that my daughter. will have a better place. So you see, there's a lot there. It's like it's uncovering and uncovering, but why, but why, but why? If you do that, if you take those questions I said earlier and just keep asking, but why, but why, but why, even if your why starts with your daughter or, you know, your granddaughter or your, I don't know, your husband or your wife or whatever, whatever it is, you start there and keep asking why, keep asking why.

Louise McDonnell:

It's a really good exercise to do. Okay, so once somebody has uncovered their vision,what do they y do then?

Melissa Henry:

So, as I said before, your vision should actually start helping you see the who. the who is so important. And this one is, and this is huge. So trying to like take it and like give someone a, just a quick win is hard, but I will do my best because there's just so much under the surface when it comes to ideal client. I'm sure a lot of people have heard that. I know what my, my ideal client, it's a woman in her fifties, you know, and she's an entrepreneur. Great. Do you know how many people those are? There's a million women in their fifties as entrepreneurs. I'm certain of it. Maybe not a million. I don't know, but there's a lot. So how are we getting under the surface? How are we figuring this out? So I would say your vision should give you some of that. I gave you a little taste of that earlier when we talked about if you are going down that vision train of thought and you start to see people pop up in your mind, I know what it was, it was like companies that do good in the world, let's say. Because you're, like maybe you're worried about climate change and you want to affect a big, you know, you want to make climate change stop or reverse or whatever, right. You want to support things that are more sustainable and, you know, circular economies and all that. If that's your thing, then you're going to start to know who your ideal client really is. You know, maybe it's individuals who are thought leaders in that space. And so you're going to start searching those people out. So that's what I'd say. Start thinking that way about an ideal client versus just these broad brushstroke categories that you're, that most people will tell you. That's how you figure out your ideal client. Just get a list of demographics. It's no, it's not enough. Let's tie it back to vision. This is how a brand is built. Everything is connected. once you get there and you start digging down into those components, some of them demographic, but much of them tied to that vision of who that person, that perfect person really is, then you're going to be able to start to see more what they call psychographics. That's kind of this fancy word that people get hung up on, but the reality of it is what are all the things going on in their lives? This is how you're getting to. Pain points. This is how you're getting to what do they believe in that either is true or not true. Right? Because that's huge when we know what they believe in those pain points are obviously important. Most people understand that, but what about things that I don't know, what do they really want? What's a desire there? Those are things that we, I don't think spend enough time talking about we might also not spend enough time talking about the events that are happening. right now that are problems for them that they really want to solve.

Louise McDonnell:

yeah, the way I kind of help with my clients when I, when I'm helping them to, to get clear on their messaging, we talk about the problems that our ideal customer has, but then we talk about the pain. And so the problem is like, okay, let's say for my clients, we have a problem would be they're using social media, they're not finding leads. The pain is, you know they spent 40 minutes on creating a social media post and nobody engaged with it. That's how it showed up in their daily lives. Or another example I use this, let's say you're talking about weight management is the problem or weight gain is the problem, but how, what's the pain. you know, they avoided going to a school reunion because they didn't have the confidence to go. So that's how it showed up in their lives or, you know, they got up in the morning and the. You know, they couldn't find anything to wear that's, so that's what their reality is. So the difference between problem and pain. Pain is what happens every day. Like what, what are they living?

Melissa Henry:

Yes, exactly. And it's, it's funny because there's one thing that people don't do enough of, and that is going back to clients they've served and asking them questions Like, or even going back to sales calls, you've had, if you record your sales calls, I do all of that because I, for lots of reasons, but one of the things I do is mine for quotes for specific events happening right now. And the reason they called me in the first place, cause if I get that, then that's like gold for like so many reasons. Cause now I can actually say, well. I can see that this is what you're going through and my program can help you with that. Or you know I'm trying to figure out social media, like what I'm going to talk about next. Oh, I can pull up that story that, you know Angela told me when we were on our sales call about what she was going through and I can say specifically and just talk about her in social media and about how we worked together to. Fix the problem. So there's so much social media wise, you could do using that to create your landing pages, all of that. But you're absolutely right. It's all about that. It's about the events that are occurring and what's happening. How's it affecting them? There's just so much there, but that's like what I would say would be the next step is really getting super, you know, involved in that. So we talk about market research, right? So the other part of your brand is the market research. And that in part. Is going back and mining those things, those conversations with clients maybe even being proactive and start to talk to your ideal clients and ask them those questions, making them not leading questions. We have to be careful about how, but yes, asking those questions and then some of part of what I do in my program is I actually leverage AI to help really dig down and get massive amounts of research so that we have multiple touch points and all of that. So it's a really good kind of I would say compliment to doing the work that you have to do of actually talking to specific clients. It works in tandem with that. But that's another thing that you can do, too, if you know that all the categories of information you need to get. So,

Louise McDonnell:

very good. Yes. Okay. So, the vision drives you towards your ideal customer, understanding your customers. Problems and pain and what they believe and, that helps you then.

Melissa Henry:

So let me, let me kind of give you some more context too. So vision does other things for you, by the way, one of the biggest ones that I've seen that people it's, it's, it's interesting because if I ask people, what are your values, what are your brand values? Unless they've done work like this, most people like I, I, I don't know, I don't know what my brand values are. Well, we can uncover that from that vision. we need a lot of information about that. I usually will work with people and get them to just start talking. And through all of that, I can start pulling out what are the real true core values for this person, which, most of the people these days are the ones who are listening right now. Their parent company brand is really their, them. It's their the personal brand is the parent company typically. Even though they're probably not thinking that way, by the way, but. it is that way for most people, something else I have to talk about. But anyway, so many, so many facets to this, but ultimately like we can, we can suss out what those values are. And from that, then we can start to do things like, well, how will I showcase my value to the public? How will I create a client experience? That is reflective of those values so that my clients come back for more. So those two really key places right there. And then there's other components, I mean, you know, from this buyer persona from those vision pieces from the values, all of that, we can start to create things like our transformations that we give to people. Like, how do we actually get them to the other side of where they're where they want to go? We can start to create those elevator pitches. That are so important to where we're trying to be really concise about what we do In a way that people actually have a name and a face come to mind when they hear us talking How many people struggle with that? They're so generic when they get on these networking calls and things like that and nobody knows and everybody's tuning it out Because they can't think of the one person that they know that they can introduce you to part of that also gets we create an expert bio for them You so that they have something that has the right things in there that the right people want to know about. Cause it does know, it does, you know, good if let's say you've been in Forbes magazine, but your target audience is, you know, mom with kids or something who doesn't ever even get on Forbes. Right. So who cares? I mean, yes, I care. It's great. Awesome. Wonderful. However, do you need that in your expert bio for someone who's not looking for that? That probably would be like, well, that's a nice to have, but it isn't, it doesn't turn the page for me. It's, it's just a thing. so that's kind of part of it as well. You know, you have to do some competition research, not for the purpose of making yourself feel bad because a lot of people won't do it because of that. More for the purpose of figuring out the gaps. What are they not offering? What do they not have that I have? Cause that's how you then suss out what makes you unique in the marketplace. That's brand positioning. So there's, do you see, there's so many pieces of this. I had someone say to me when I, when I really got into this with them and it explained to them what the strategy really is when it comes to brand, they said, Oh my God, this is like, you're building a business for them. I said, yeah, it's business foundational stuff. Absolutely.

Louise McDonnell:

And the brands that do this right, they ultimately are more successful.

Melissa Henry:

Yes. Because it's. Because they're clear.

Louise McDonnell:

Yes.

Melissa Henry:

Because they're directed. Yeah. And focused. they know what their clients need and they give it to them.

Louise McDonnell:

And it's easier to be consistent.

Melissa Henry:

Absolutely. And it's easier to come up with ideas on what to talk about in social media, for sure, you're clued into everything that's going on in there, in, in here and in their lives.

Louise McDonnell:

Do you have an example of, you know, a brand that's doing this particularly well?

Melissa Henry:

Yes. You and I talked about this before we really got started. There's a brand I love to talk about for a variety of reasons company brand, like a corporate brand. Because, you know, I could talk about my clients too which I'm happy to do as well, but I would say that there's a company called Trader Joe's it's in the United States. So, for those listening who are in the US, they know what I'm talking about. But for those in other countries, probably not so much the reason I bring them up is because they have a very vivid visual brand, which is where most people are going to start. They shouldn't, but they do. And this is just the way it goes. So they'll look at that and they'll say, that's cool. You know, this brand is all about like no casual you know, a traveler, like kind of a world traveler vibe. They have Hawaiian flowers. You'll see that on the banners and everything all around the store. You'll see The people who work there walking around in Hawaiian shirts and everything. And that's really cool. Right. Fun, no, nice, like really cool vibe to be in when you're there and you're shopping. The thing is they didn't get to that actual visual component of their brand just because it was like, Hey, I just feel like Hawaiian flowers. Is it, you know there was a whole process they went through, which is a lot like what I described to you already. But the other thing is. like, you know what their brand values are when you walk in that store and you, and you spend a little time there. Here's why I could be like looking for this very specific thing and I don't see it on the shelf. maybe it's just something that I love that I typically buy there and they don't have any, I can walk up to anyone, doesn't matter what they're doing, anyone in that store and say, Hey, I'm looking for, you know, those those Marcona almonds, those really good ones, you know, that have the coating on it, that's so tasty. And they go, Oh, absolutely. There's none on the shelf. Let me go in the back and see if I can find some for you. I think there was a shipment there. They put down everything and they go back and they search for it and they will find you wherever you are in the store and they will give you that package of Marcona almonds because they knew it was back there. What grocery store does that? I mean, mostly they'll take you to the thing and then they'll go, yeah, well, we're out. You know, they don't think about what's in the bag, right? But they will leave everything and go do that for you. Another thing that they do, I found this so fascinating. They actually, when you come to the register, they have trained every single one of the people that are working register to recognize the signs of someone who is an extrovert or someone who is an introvert. And yes, and then they will interact with you accordingly. And they will say, like, if they can see that you're more extroverted, you're exhibiting signs that way, they'll have a banter with you and say, how's it going today? Blah, blah, blah, blah. And they'll be like, Oh my gosh, I love this thing that you bought. This is my favorite. And they just go. If they notice that you're a little bit more introverted, they'll be like, how's it going? And then they're just kind of like getting you on your way so you can get out of the people area. You know what I mean? So it's fascinating to me, but this is their values being, you can see the values, right? It is. Massive customer service, making people feel at home, making people feel like you got their back, you will help them. You will find what they need.

Louise McDonnell:

No, I absolutely love that. That's a great story. I don't know, I told this story on recently, but I have to share it with you again. I was in a store recently and it was one of those, I was doing the self service and you know, you know, sometimes you go into the store and you know, you only go in for about three things and then you buy lots. And so I had like two huge bags full of shopping and they were really heavy. But I had bought some fruit, I bought some raspberries. And then I noticed when I was putting it through that. They were, they were gone off. So there was a guy beside me on the till and I said I've paid for these, but do you mind if I just change them for a fresh packet? And he was like, I'll do that. So he took the packet from me. I was like, Oh, and he was so pleasant. I was like, Oh, that's great. And so I just kind of stood there with my two heavy bags and he went down and he disappeared and then he came back, but he had nothing in his hands. And I went to like, I looked at him and he said, Oh, did you want me to get them for you? And I think. It's okay. I'll go down. So, so I, I walked down anyhow to where, where, where the raspberries were. And there, what he had done is he had put the raspberries back on the shelf. So I was walking back to the store and I met him and he was this big smile again. And I was like Did you just go and put the raspberries back on the shelf? I was kind of smiling, you know, and he said yeah, yeah, I did. He said, they're still in date. And I'm like, but they're gone off. And he goes, I know they're not, they'll be fine.

Melissa Henry:

Oh my God. That's the antithesis of this. I mean, at Trader Joe's, you know what they do? You bring like, you buy a bottle of wine there. And you didn't like it, you can bring it back for a full refund, even if you drank the entire bottle. And they're like, okay, no questions asked.

Louise McDonnell:

Wow.

Melissa Henry:

I hope not. Everybody's going to go do that to them. Cause please don't do that. I love this store. Just only do that if you don't like the wine. Okay. But that's what I mean. that has to do with brand values. 1000%.

Louise McDonnell:

Yeah, absolutely. Brilliant. Okay. Just very quickly before we finish up, any big mistakes people are making, anything that's standing out right now?

Melissa Henry:

Well, I would say in general There's a couple of things, but I think I'll go with this probably because it's more pertinent to our conversation. my big pet peeve is people who decide, Oh, okay. So I'm going to go, I'm going to start my business and I'm going to go and I'm going to, and please don't take this the wrong way because it's not meant to be, but I'm just going to go find all my clients from social media. And I'm just going to do marketing, marketing, marketing, marketing. and when they do that, they also put up the website and they do all these things and they put the cart before the horse a lot of times. So I do see the need for people to actually start working with clients right off the bat. I think you get those clients from business relationship building. You get those clients from the people you already know who, who may know someone like that kind of idea. So business development is how you get started for a service based business. This is the way to go. So you start to dive into creating a social media presence when you've already had some time working with clients and getting to understand them better, getting to know how you help them best. And then getting started in this brand space, you can still work on a brand and then start some marketing, you know, doing the social media and things like that. But I don't know if I'm, you tell me, I don't know of anyone who's started off, thrown themselves into social media and started getting clients right away,

Louise McDonnell:

I totally agree with you. and people think that setting up a social media account. It's going to be like magic and that they just have to put out one post saying, by the way, this is what the service I'm offering. and another thing that they don't do as well. So I agree with you, I would, I think that's brilliant advice, like use your personal network to get started, start working. Because sometimes people come to you and we used to build websites years ago, years and years ago in my business, we don't anymore, but people would come when they were starting their businesses. And I would always be like, if they wanted something really, really specific that was costing a lot of money to develop. I'd be like. Be careful because in 12 months time, that might not be what you're doing at all. You know, so give yourself time to get out there, to work, to see, you know, how it's going to go and then develop it from there. I think that's wonderful advice. Yeah. And again, just on the social media like depending on organic reach, then it's never. It's never going to work. You have to have a budget for marketing. You have to, you have to invest in this kind of thing. you have that vision, if you have that clarity on your strategy and your brand, and all that lines up, then you're just, you're going to get better value for everything else that you do. Everything else would be easier. Yeah,

Melissa Henry:

absolutely. And that's why I say all the time, and it's not a marketing phrase here. This isn't a tagline, but your marketing will be better if you And more effective if you focus on the brand first, it's not more marketing that helps, because I think that's what they, they're well, I'm just not doing enough marketing. No, you probably are. You're probably in too many places, frankly. Let's get you dialed in on the right places for you to be the right strategy for you to take and have all this foundational elements in play. Yes. And then when you do that, suddenly. You know, you're, most people think about a brand or building a brand as an expense. It's not, it's an investment. That then pays off because then the marketing channels you choose to, to use are effective and they work and you get an ROI and oh my God, this is like, this is amazing. This is working. Right. If it's, if it's not done, it's not going to work and then you can throw good money after bad.

Louise McDonnell:

Absolutely.

Melissa Henry:

Yeah,

Louise McDonnell:

absolutely. So Melissa, tell me, how can people find you?

Melissa Henry:

Oh, awesome. Okay. I have a It's called the brand power hour. It's a couple of times a month and it's usually 1st and 3rd Thursdays, but you got to check the schedule when you go there to the link. And what I do there is I love for people to come in and bring a challenge they're having as it pertains to this business foundation brand foundation. However, you want to phrase it, or even a marketing problem that I can trace. You can trace them back to a brand issue, bring that to me, and then I'm going to workshop it for you. We're going to figure this out and get you on the straight path and figuring out what that next step should be. So, that's what I would love to bring people to. I only allow 10 people total per call. In fact, I'm thinking about actually pulling that back because it's a lot, but for now, that's the, those are the, I have 10 spots open each each call. So, if you've got something like that, you've heard us talk today about any of those things. You know, just come and I'm, I'm happy to help you just come on out and.

Louise McDonnell:

Let me tell people how to find that. So it's www. hello of I'm going to spell that. I said, Haloover because that's funny. That's how it's spelled. H E L L. Haloover hyphen brand. com forward slash Haloover. Brand hyphen power hyphen hour. So we'll put this in the show notes. So if you're watching on YouTube, hello, everyone. It'll be in the description below. And if you're listening to us on Spotify or. iTunes you might want to just go check my website. It's all on social. media. We'll have it in the notes there. That's probably the easiest place to find it, but that sounds like that's an absolute no brainer. So if you, if you're wondering about your brand and your brand strategy, you can attend those brand power hours, get to meet Melissa in person and get her helping you get on the right path, that sounds wonderful. So hello, hyphen brands. com forward slash. Brand hyphen power hyphen hour and hell of a spelled H E L L U V A. So for everyone in Ireland and UK, we say, we'll pronounce it. Hello. So but I, I think it's really cool. Really love it. Thank you so much, Melissa. Hell of a brand. Hell of a brand. Thank you so much. That was a great, I really enjoyed that. Thanks for sharing your expertise and all your advice. Well,

Melissa Henry:

thank you so much for having me. It was super fun.