June 2024

So, as you may know I’ve been retooling my business, setting actual business goals, ya know, little things like that; and as part of that journey I decided to re-read the book Building a Brand Story by Donald Miller. And let me tell ya, it got me thinking.

This is my second time reading through this book, and it struck me this time that perhaps in the past I’ve spent too much time trying to find that perfect creative message (because it’s fun! Duh.) and maybe haven’t spent as much time focusing on the end reader (the client/customer) and what they want to hear. Ouch.

I’m not saying that the work was bad, or wrong, but….maybe I could have done better, which could have potentially brought in more customers/clients. Here’s what I mean.

Building a Brand Story talked a lot about how your business's marketing message should be clear and straight to the point. Your customer should know exactly what you’re trying to sell them. Don’t cause confusion by being cute.

A cute/funny message might make sense to you, but you live and breathe your business 24/7. Your clients or your customers don’t. They need to know what you’re selling, why it matters to them, what problem it solves in their life/business, and how they can get this product/service that they need. Ultimately answering these questions is how you build your brand message.

Don’t get me wrong. Creativity isn’t bad. It absolutely has its place in our lives and in our business marketing and cultures — but maybe not every business. If it makes sense for your business and your personality to be funny, go for it. If it doesn’t, let go of the pressure to be something you’re not and just be yourself.

I swear I’m not getting a commission for promoting this book ha!, but it really is just a super simple tool (that’s also cheap! Literally just the price of the book) to help you walk through the framework of how to build your brand’s story — and ultimately increase your bottom line. And that’s really why we’re here, right? Even if we love our work, we still gotta make a profit.

COMING SOON!

Listen for yours truly in an upcoming episode of the podcast Upstate Trail Talks with host Griffin Donley.

WHAT NISHA'S READING

This particular article from PR Daily captured my attention due to the fact that it is much harder to measure PR for clients.
I also like to alternate a business book and a fiction book. This month I’m reading Such a Fun Age by Lucy Foley.

WHAT NISHA'S POURING

Gloria Ferrar

It’s crisp, a little fruity, and not too sweet. The perfect summer drink. Actually, I’m gonna need to go pour one right now.

LET'S CELEBRATE

Y’all. I about fell over when a client told me last week she had been contacted by Vogue Magazine — yes, THAT Vogue — about inclusion in a potential feature they’re working on about female entrepreneurs.

What an incredible opportunity for her and her business, but also, what a perfect example of the power of PR. This opportunity is a direct result of the local press I pitched — and we received — about her business's grand opening. So simple. And so freaking powerful. I can’t wait to see this in print!

CHECKING IN

Alright, be honest with me. What do you think of the newly revamped newsletter? I’d love to know what you think, AND I’d love to hear from my fellow small business owners (and supporters) what marketing, PR and social-related topics you’d like me to tackle in the coming months. I’ve got ideas, but I want this newsletter to be a resource for you. Remember what we talked about above? This is me asking the end reader — that’s you — what you want to learn about.

Email me: nisha@npatelcommuniations.com (or just hit reply on this email)

And now a favor. If you know a small business owner, coworker, friend or, heck, even an acquaintance who struggles with aspects of owning their own business, would you do me a favor and forward this email to them and ask them to sign up?

A LITTLE THANK YOU

Thanks for sticking around, signing up for my newsletter and reading along with us. Here’s a little freebie for you to help you celebrate YOUR next business goal being met. (Just don’t forget to invite me, k?)

Little Freebie