Branded

Branded

By Larry Roberts & Sara LohseBusinessEntrepreneurshipMarketingCareers
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Branded episodes

  • Brand Basics: Five Questions to Help Establish Your Personal Brand
    Welcome back to Branded: your comprehensive guide to creative branding.
    We're going back to the basics in this episode and taking the first steps to establishing a personal brand. In this episode, we'll walk you through a simple yet impactful exercise that can help you uncover key aspects of your brand.
    Grab a notebook for this episode so you can write down your answers, and listen to Sara and Larry share their answers to these five questions and how those answers have shaped Favorite Daughter Media and Red Hat Media.
    Key takeaways:
    1. Aligning Personal Branding with Values: Both Larry and Sara emphasized the significance of incorporating personal values into our professional brand image. We encourage listeners to ask themselves important questions regarding their conduct with clients, in business, and their overall professional behavior to unearth core brand values.
    2. Perception and Presentation Consistency: We discussed the importance of how others perceive your brand and the consistency of this perception with how you present yourself. Choosing three words to describe oneself and seeking feedback from others can be instrumental in understanding and maintaining this consistency.
    3. Challenges in the Advertising Industry: We candidly shared our experiences of presenting ideas to clients and sometimes having to compromise on their favorite concepts or work on campaigns that do not align perfectly with out standards or beliefs. This included a specific account involving gender-inclusive advertising for a STEM playground.
    4. The Impact of Brand Experience: Sara shared her vision of her brand experience being like a casual yet productive coffee with friends. We discussed the importance of brand perception and considered external perspectives, such as customer or coworker feedback, to gain valuable insight into our brand's impact on others.
    5. Legacy and Positive Impact: Sara and Larry wrapped up the episode by reflecting on the legacy they wish to leave behind. Sara hopes to leave the world better than she found it, advocating for kindness and positivity, while Larry desires to leave a specific mark at his funeral.
    [embed]https://youtu.be/rHMJhbQ_58Y[/embed]
    31 min
  • Speaking About Speaking: Thought Leadership and Branding Through Public Speaking
    Welcome back to Branded: your comprehensive guide to creative branding.
    We just got back from presenting at a two-day public speaking workshop, so what better topic to focus on than that--public speaking?
    Public speaking is a great way to establish yourself as a thought leader and build a brand in your industry, but it can be difficult and intimidating to get started. We're sharing our very different perspectives on getting on stage, ways to find or create speaking opportunities, and a few best practices we've learned from experience.
    Key takeaways:
    1. Establishing yourself as a thought leader in the industry requires public speaking opportunities, as it allows for engagement with a captive audience and facilitates brand establishment.
    2. Creating your own speaking events, such as webinars, is a powerful method to gain experience and recognition.
    3. Networking and building relationships within one's industry can lead to speaking opportunities and invitations, providing a way to showcase expertise.
    4. Tailoring presentations to cater to the specific needs and interests of different industries is crucial to engage the audience and achieve the desired outcomes.
    5. Providing value and preparing thoroughly for speaking engagements are essential, including understanding the subject matter, having a speaker one sheet, a landing page, and a clear call to action for the audience after the talk.
    [embed]https://youtu.be/3eoHMAIJ_04[/embed]
    27 min
  • Simple Self-Publishing: Tips and Tools for Writing Your Book
    Welcome back to Branded: your comprehensive guide to creative branding.
    Before we get into today's topic, we have a special announcement: Branded is now officially an LLC! Check out our new website at www.workwithbranded.com to see all the great branding and podcasting services we have to offer.
    Now, on today's episode, we're revisiting the topic of publishing and how impactful writing a book can be on your brand. As two people who have both taken the publishing journey, albeit in very different ways, we're sharing the tools that helped us (and how much they cost!), the ah-ha! moments, and our advice and insights that we've learned through the process.
    Key takeaways:
    1. AI-Assisted Writing: Both Larry Roberts and Sara Lohse highlighted how they've utilized AI tools—Larry with Chat GPT and Sara with Chapterly—to assist in the process of writing their books. We talked about balancing the use of AI to generate content while ensuring they inject our personal insights and stories into their work.
    2. Self-Publishing Insights: The episode dove deep into the world of self-publishing, underscoring the importance of not overpaying for services, being selective about professional help, and using the right tools to minimize costs. We mentioned platforms like IngramSpark which allows authors to publish for free.
    3. Physical Distribution Strategies: Sara shared her strategy for getting her book into stores through consignment programs and was successful in placing her book at Barnes & Noble. Larry shared his own experience of leveraging personal connections to get his book into a public library, highlighting the effectiveness of reaching out and the different distribution avenues available.
    4. Emotional Journey and Practical Advice: We talk about our personal experiences of writing and publishing, touching on the emotional aspects such as hesitation about book signing events and the significance of overcoming self-doubt. We also provided practical advice on book publishing and marketing, including tips on self-publishing and sharing their expenses related to the book-writing process.
    [embed]https://youtu.be/pyrSfSG3JWw?si=4aKtnLz3oxQrabsV[/embed]
    27 min
  • Take a Card: Business Card Tips to Help You Network
    Welcome back to Branded: your comprehensive guide to creative branding.
    We've touched on this topic before, but today we're diving all the way in on business cards.
    After Podfest left us with dozens of business cards, we couldn't ignore the mistakes we saw a lot of people making, so we're talking about what makes a good business card, tips for designing impactful cards, and a few common mistakes you should avoid.
    What makes your business card stand out so that people remember you and reach out?
    Key takeaways:
    1. The Vital Role of Business Cards: Business cards remain an essential tool for making personal connections and leaving a lasting impression. Despite the rise of digital alternatives, traditional paper business cards are preferred by some, like Larry, for their tactile personal touch.
    2. Design and Information Hierarchy: Effective design and strategic information placement are crucial for creating memorable business cards. This includes the consideration of QR codes, horizontal vs. vertical orientations, and the inclusion of essential contact information like name, email, website, and logo.
    3. Safety and Control Over Contact Information: It's essential to manage who has access to your personal contact information for safety reasons. Using services like Google Voice to separate business calls or having different business cards for different purposes can help maintain control and privacy.
    4. Follow-Up and Networking Strategy: The effectiveness of business cards heavily relies on follow-up. Building and nurturing relationships from the contacts made through business cards is pivotal for long-term networking success and business growth.
    5. Creative and Branded Design Choices: The episode encourages listeners to consider unique business card features that stand out, like metal cards or cards with a note section, to be more memorable. However, the legibility of information and the card's functional purpose should not be compromised for creative design.
    [embed]https://youtu.be/mzykN8vnAp8?si=asf0NpRkDk0QDcSx[/embed]
    26 min
  • Branded: Your Comprehensive Guide to Creative Branding

    Welcome to "Branded," your comprehensive guide to creative branding. We're your hosts, Larry Roberts and Sara Lohse, and together we're going to help you build a brand that sticks!

    Branded is your go-to source for all things related to personal branding, thought leadership, and content creation. We're here to provide practical strategies and insights to help you enhance your brand, extend your reach, and generate engaged leads.

    Sara spent her career in the marketing world, helping countless companies tell their stories, and Larry experienced firsthand how a powerful brand can transform your business.

    Branded isn't just a podcast—it's your roadmap to building your personal brand. 

    We'll explore all aspects of personal branding, from creating a cohesive brand identity and developing a unique value proposition to mastering social media strategies and understanding SEO.

    We’ll also talk about what it means to be a thought leader and how you can use content creation to get your message into the world, with a focus on the importance of authenticity, consistency, and storytelling in creating a brand that resonates with your target audience.

    We’ll feature interviews with top industry leaders, influencers, and experts who’ll share their journeys, experiences, and secrets to standing out in a crowded marketplace. These inspiring conversations offer valuable lessons and insights that can help you navigate your own creative branding journey.

    We understand that building a brand isn't a one-size-fits-all process. That's why we approach each episode with a fresh perspective, exploring different strategies and tactics to help you find the approach that works best for you, your goals, and your story.

    Plus, we'll be answering your questions in the episodes so we can provide personalized advice for your branding challenges in real-time.

    Whether you're an entrepreneur, a professional looking to elevate your career, or simply someone who wants to increase your online presence, "Branded" is the podcast for you.

    Join us each week as we help you craft a creative brand that's not just recognizable but unforgettable. So, subscribe to Branded on your favorite platform and find us online at listentobranded.com.  

    2 min
  • PodFest 2024: Lessons and Success Stories from the Expo Hall
    Welcome back to Branded: your comprehensive guide to creative branding. We just got back from the Podfest Multimedia Expo's 10th anniversary event and there is so much to talk about.
    We gave y'all a sneak peek into what our booth was going to be in an earlier episode, and now we're able to share how successful it was and what we saw from some of the other expo hall exhibitors. The most important element that led to our success was the interactivity of our booth, and we're talking about how that worked and what mistakes we saw others make by not taking the time to craft an engaging experience.
    After gathering dozens of business cards, we also share our opinions on the cards we were given and the mistakes that detracted from the impact those cards could have.
    Podfest was SUPER and we're looking forward to another year of building brands that stick. Go check out our new social profiles on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok (@stickwithbranded) and give us a follow.
    Key Takeaways:
    1. The significance of having an interactive and memorable booth. Creating an engaging booth and offering interactive experiences can lead to increased brand recognition and user-generated content, such as photos posted on social media with our logo.
    2. The importance of branding consistency and taking the brand seriously. The Podfest conference made us take our brand seriously and enhance our online presence, demonstrating the importance of professional branding for any business.
    3. Attention to detail, including properly designed business cards. We highlighted the challenges and common mistakes made with business cards, emphasizing the importance of legible text, correct contact information, and professional design.
    [embed]https://youtu.be/tG1Stb0mQtg?si=OoM6dxry4Hii6rsC[/embed]
    25 min
  • Is It Worth It?: Tools and Services You Do or Don’t Need for Your Brand
    Welcome back to Branded: your comprehensive guide to creative branding.
    On this episode, we're answering a single question: is it worth it?
    As business owners, we spend a lot of money on tools, subscriptions, and services we think will be a game changer for our businesses, but often they fall flat and we're stuck with the bill. Now, we're looking at a few of the things we've recently paid for and giving you our honest opinion on whether or not they were worth it.
    We're talking about tech purchases like the Tourbox, iPad, and Kindle Scribe, office buys like business cards, and the always annoying auto-renew subscriptions.
    Hopefully this episode is worth the listen and maybe it will save your brand a few bucks.
    Key takeaways:
    1. Navigating Subscriptions and Renewals: Larry recounted his surprising experience of being unexpectedly billed for a forgotten Trello subscription, shedding light on the potential financial impact of overlooked renewals. Sara also shared her hacks for managing and canceling subscriptions, emphasizing the importance of staying mindful of these recurring expenses.
    2. The Value of Business Cards: We discuss our distinct approaches to business cards, debating the costs, features, and impact of their designs in networking efforts. From QR codes for easy digital connection to incorporating writable surfaces for better recall, they offered intriguing insights into the functionality and impression of business cards
    3. Weighing the Investment in Technology: Sara shares her initial hesitation about investing in an iPad, highlighting the convenience and functionality it ultimately brought to her work. Larry also touched upon the benefits of the TourBox, a product that significantly improved his editing process, providing a case for the worth of certain technological investments.

      4. [embed]https://youtu.be/HbLgg9D8ntI[/embed]
      28 min
    4. Branded at Podfest: Conference Expo Booth Tips and Tricks
      Welcome back to Branded: your comprehensive guide to creative branding. We are only two days away from Podfest and have been planning non-stop for the event for weeks. This year, Branded will have a booth in the expo hall for the first time and we're so excited to turn our space into an experience.
      As we get ready, we're sharing insights from our past expo hall experiences, the plan for this event, and some crucial tips we've learned to help make the sponsorship effective and profitable.
      Larry shares his sub-par booth set ups from the pre-Branded days and we reflect on the success of the Friendship Bracelet Booth from the Spark conference. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time exhibitor, this episode is packed with tips to take your conference game to the next level. From planning and logistics to capturing and converting leads, we've got you covered.
      If you're planning to attend Podfest 2024 this week, stop by our booth, say hi, and enter our giveaway!
      Key Takeaways:
      1. Booth Planning and Setup: When preparing for a conference booth, it's essential to carefully plan and set up the space within the given confines. This involves considering the layout, ensuring everything fits, bringing necessary items such as power strips, and ensuring adequate outlets for various equipment.
      2. Engaging Experiences: Creating engaging experiences at the booth is essential for attracting and retaining visitors. We discussed how a unique and engaging booth experience, such as a friendship bracelet-making station and photo booth, can lead to more interaction, longer conversations, and building relationships with the audience.
      3. Brand Representation: The importance of representing the brand well at a conference was emphasized. Making sure the booth and activities align with the brand's mission and values were highlighted to ensure a meaningful connection with the audience.
      4. Lead Generation and Follow-Up: It's critical to plan a lead generation system ahead of time and ensure efficient follow-up after the event. Techniques like using photo booth apps to gather email addresses and sending information to the attendees' email addresses post-event were discussed.
      5. Attention to Detail: The episode emphasized the significance of addressing small details, such as planning ahead for collateral, shipping timelines, and the need to make the booth's overall aesthetic, including the branding and taglines, consistent and appealing.
      [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po38QDxwepI[/embed]
      24 min
    5. Writing a Book: Beginning the Publishing Process to Grow Your Brand
      Welcome back to another episode of Branded, your comprehensive guide to creative branding.
      In this episode, Larry and Sara are talking about publishing a book as a tool for building your brand. Both of us are writing books (Larry's is now available!), and our reasons, approaches, and goals are incredibly different.
      Larry launched his new book launch in record time using AI to expedite the writing process, while Sara has been working on her draft for nearly a year.
      Despite the different approaches, we both agree that publishing is a tremendous way to grow your brand and establish yourself as a thought leader. This episode is the beginning of what will be several conversations about what goes into the writing and publishing processes, but we're setting the stage by talking about our motivations and goals for our own projects.
      Get Larry's book, Under the Red Hat, here: https://a.co/d/6FWKB7F
      Key takeaways:
      1. Writing a book is an impactful way to build and elevate your personal or professional brand. Both hosts, Larry and Sara, leverage their books to enhance their brand's presence.
      2. Writing a book can be approached in various ways. Larry used AI technology to expedite the writing process, while Sara took a more deliberate and creative approach. They highlight the importance of choosing a method that feels genuine to the writer.
      3. The hosts stress the significance of setting personal and achievable goals when writing a book. Sara shares her experience of not setting a deadline initially, which allowed her to focus on the quality of the content rather than meeting a predetermined timeline.
      4. It's essential to start the writing process, regardless of the method or timeframe chosen. Both hosts emphasize the importance of beginning the writing journey, whether it's writing when inspired, using existing content, or setting specific writing goals.
      5. Embracing diverse perspectives and approaches to writing is crucial. Larry and Sara's contrasting styles and backgrounds offer listeners a robust and multifaceted understanding of the book-writing process. They encourage professionals to recognize and adapt to different approaches that may not align with their own, promoting continuous learning and growth.
      [embed]https://youtu.be/ySxIpcDb8GE?si=Op0Oii7q-yl9MEfJ[/embed]
      25 min
    6. Paying Taxes: Expert Tips for Entrepreneurs and Creators
      On this episode of Branded, we are joining by content creation royalty, the one and only Philip Taylor. Also known as PT, he is a Certified Public Accountant turned content creator and the man behind the annual FinCon Expo (a Branded favorite).
      With the start of a new year comes another year of paying our taxes, so PT is joining to share his tips and insights for entrepreneurs and content creators during tax season.
      We're covering the basics, like the importance of separating personal and business finances, and more complex concepts, like the practical steps of establishing a business, including obtaining a tax ID, LLC, and separate bank accounts and credit cards. Plus, we talk about the intricacies of tax filing for LLCs, the importance of maximizing deductions to improve cash flow, and much more.
      Listen in to what is basically a tax prep consultation with a CPA who knows what it's like to be a full-time creator.
      Key takeaways:
      1. Setting Up a Business: The importance of setting up a separate business bank account and obtaining a business credit card. This allows for better organization of business expenses and easy tracking.
      2. Tax Deductions for Entrepreneurs: Maximizing deductions, such as accelerating expenses, home office deduction, vehicle use for business, retirement accounts for business owners, and charitable contributions, to improve cash flow. It's important to consult a CPA for limitations on deductions.
      3. Balancing Tax Savings and Financial Decisions: It's crucial not to let tax savings drive unnecessary purchases for the business. Keeping tax strategies simple and basic can help avoid financial and legal issues.
      4. Financial Planning for Business Owners: Setting up a savings account and stashing aside 10-15% of earnings for taxes, especially for entrepreneurs who are self-employed. Planning ahead for tax obligations is essential for financial stability.
      5. Opportunities for Content Creators: The conversation introduces the opportunities available to content creators and entrepreneurs, such as the FinCon conference for financial creators and the takeover of Travelcon by the FinCon team in May 2024. These events serve as valuable resources for those in the industry.
      [embed]https://youtu.be/Sh-4iCB4IpU?si=738sS0G2nVPTdiv5[/embed]
      About Philip Taylor
      Philip Taylor, aka PT, is a Certified Public Accountant turned content creator and tradeshow entrepreneur. He founded the event for finance creators, FinCon. He's been featured in FOX Business, Mens Health, and Forbes. Most recently, PT has developed a bookkeeping and tax practice for full-time creators.
      FinCon Expo
       
      36 min

    About Branded

    From the publisher's feed

    Welcome to "Branded," your comprehensive guide to creative branding. We're your hosts, Larry Roberts and Sara Lohse, and together we're going to help you build a brand that sticks!