Dee Woodward

Forget all about authenticity - Embrace the art of artificiality.

After all, who needs a genuine brand image when you can have a perfectly crafted, machine-made one instead!

There's this myth going around that AI is going to replace the human element in branding, that if everyone starts using these tools to replace the people part of their business then brands are going to become dull and lifeless and, well, robotic! But it’s not true.

Let's not forget the most important aspect of any brand… YOU!

You can't replace the YOU in your brand with any tool, no matter how well trained it is, no matter how great it is at replicating human actions, you can’t replace human connection with an algorithm. But you CAN use these tools to make your brand stronger, to help support your brand, to help you create stronger, more personal connections with your customers.

And to create some stunning artistic portraits!

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Want to create the most powerful, unforgettable, successful brand that serves you and your customers. Answer this one question… what do YOU WANT to be known for?

What do you want to be known for?

You know what they say: if you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time. When it comes to your business, if you don’t have a clear vision of what you want, you’ll wander aimlessly, creating a brand you don’t want along the way!

That’s why having a brand vision is key. It’s a roadmap for your business, a blueprint for how you want to show up, and the answer to the most important question: what do you want to be known for?

It’s the difference between just having a “business” and having a purpose-driven, intentional brand.

Think of Apple. They didn’t just start out as a tech company – they had a vision of changing the world through technology, and they did just that. From its sleek design to its user-friendly products, everything about Apple is in alignment with its brand vision.

Or take Patagonia, the outdoor clothing brand with a mission to save the planet. Every aspect of their brand – from their products to their advertising campaigns – is centered around this vision. It’s why they’ve built such a passionate, loyal following.

So, how do you create a brand vision for your business?

First, start with your why. Why did you start this business in the first place? What’s your mission? What impact do you want to make in the world?

What do you want to be known for?

Next, think about your ideal customer. Who do YOU want to serve. What do they need, that YOU want to give them. How do YOU want them to feel when they interact with your brand?

They’re YOUR customers. it’s still about you what YOU want!

Then, take all this and write it up in the shortest possible way. This is the start of your brand vision, the guiding light for all your business decisions.

And here’s the best part: when you have a strong brand vision, people will be drawn to you, and you’ll have a much easier time getting what you want in business (and life!).

Don’t just aimlessly wander through your business life. It’s time to turn your business into a purpose-driven brand with a brand vision. So, grab a notebook, pour yourself a cup of coffee (or wine, no judgment here!), and get to work on defining the vision for your brand.

Did anyone catch this week's episode of The Apprentice, although it may not have been this week's episode I've no idea what week we're officially on - catch up life! But you'll know the one I mean when I say it was all about branding... or more specifically how NOT TO DO BRANDING!

Every time I know it’s going to be bad but every time it gets worse!

Last night's episode was a SHOCKER. Again. The vacant look of disbelief on everyone's faces when the "brands" were revealed! It’s a masterclass in what not to do when creating a brand identity.

What I don't understand is how that ever happens. You'd never walk into a "brand agency" - any level of brand agency, but especially not one of the "best in London" and ever walk out with what they created.

No designer that's worth their Canva subscription would let you walk away with THAT for your brand!

If you ever find yourself in a meeting with a designer where you are left to make ALL the visual decisions for your brand. RUN. Run out of that room and take your wallet with you!

While the branding task on The Apprentice may be entertaining, it's also a cautionary tale about the importance of taking a strategic approach to branding.

Don't try to cram all your ideas into one logo.

Don't leave the decisions to someone who knows nothing about your business.

And don't try to design a brand for your business in under an hour!

Did anyone catch this week's episode of The Apprentice, although it may not have been this week's episode I've no idea what week we're officially on - catch up life! But you'll know the one I mean when I say it was all about branding... or more specifically how NOT TO DO BRANDING! Every time I know it’s going to be bad but every time it gets worse! Last night's episode was a SHOCKER. Again. The vacant look of disbelief on everyone's faces when the "brands" were revealed! It’s a masterclass in what not to do when creating a brand identity. What I don't understand is how that ever happens. You'd never walk into a "brand agency" - any level of brand agency, but especially not one of the "best in London" and ever walk out with what they created. No designer that's worth their Canva subscription would let you walk away with THAT for your brand! If you ever find yourself in a meeting with a designer where you are left to make ALL the visual decisions for your brand. RUN. Run out of that room and take your wallet with you! While the branding task on The Apprentice may be entertaining, it's also a cautionary tale about the importance of taking a strategic approach to branding. Don't try to cram all your ideas into one logo. Don't leave the decisions to someone who knows nothing about your business. And don't try to design a brand for your business in under an hour!

Forget about being perfect.

Perfection is overrated. It’s a trap. Focus on being authentic, being true to yourself and your brand.

Be bold. Be daring. Be a little bit wild. Be rough around the edges if you like. Be unapologetically you.

Let your personality seep through. Those little quirks that make you you. That's what makes you relatable and that's what makes your brand the one your customers choose over all the possible options fighting for their attention right now.

People are craving connection, in a world increasingly lived behind screens, people want to know who they're doing business with. So, be you, create a brand that feels like home, for you and for them.

But, most importantly, never give up. Building a brand is a journey, not a destination. Embrace the ups and downs, learn from your mistakes, and keep moving forward.

Are you ready to build something great? Let's do this!

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Your brand isn't just about the products or services you offer, it's about the entire experience you give your customers.

From the way you answer the phone, to the way you package your products, it's about delivering a consistent, high-quality experience that keeps 'em coming back for more.

And when things don't go as planned, you’ve got to be willing to make it right.

That's where marketing strategies and brand development come in - helping you create a cohesive, consistent brand that'll have your customers loyal for life.

Remember, building a brand is a marathon, not a sprint, so keep on running!

Don’t lose sight of what you stand for in favor of becoming the brand you think your customers want.

While it’s true: Your brand is not JUST about you, it's about your customer. It’s is still YOUR brand.

When it comes to building your brand, don't sell your soul to your customers! Stick to your gut and stand for something, because let's face it, a generic, yes-yes brand is about as exciting as dry toast.

Authenticity is the key to life, and business, it'll attract customers who actually give a hoot about what you stand for.

So, don't lose sight of your values, even if it means turning down the safe dry toast your customers may want.

Two truths & a Lie!

Welcome to the wild west of digital brands. A land where the rules are always changing and the only way to survive is to adapt.

So how do you create a brand that not only survives but thrives in this ever-evolving landscape?

Well, buckle up, it can be a daunting task, but I assure you, it's not impossible.

Before we dive in, let's first define what we mean by "brand." A brand is not just a logo or a tagline, it's the overall perception and emotional response people have when they think of your business. It's the way your customers talk about you to their friends and the stories they tell about their experiences with you. In short, it's the promise you make to your customers and the experience you deliver on that promise.

Truth: Your brand is not about you, it's about your customer.

We often think of branding as something we do to promote our work or products, but the truth is that your brand is not about you, it's about your customer. To build a successful brand, you need to understand your customer's needs, desires, and pain points. You need to speak their language and address their concerns. You need to build trust and create an emotional connection with them.

This is where behavioral science and psychology come into play. By understanding the way people think and feel, you can create messaging and strategies that resonate with them. But don't lose sight of what you stand for in favor of becoming the brand you think your customers want. Authenticity is key.

[click over to the website to read this weeks brand brief]

Want to know the sweetest part of my job? Helping people redefine not only how they are seen but how they see themselves. To rediscover a relentless confidence in who they are and what they do that is unshakable.

That’s right… I’m a brand designer, I design brands that don’t just make you look good, they make you feel good to. and I love what I do!

But I’m curious, what can I do to make showing up in your brand even easier for you?

Set their tongues wagging with design so daring it’ll make you internet famous!

Can you remember what you started your business for in the first place?

Was it a love of what you do? Did you spot a gap in a market and dive head first in? Did you work for years becoming the best at your job to then jack it all in and go it alone? Did you have a dream and go for it. Did you take the slow and steady road to get here?

Did you wake up one morning and realise that the person looking back at you in the mirror of the outdoor bathroom at that hotel in Thailand finally felt like you again?

That something had been chipping away at your self-esteem for so long you didn’t even realise you had changed until you were 5,862 miles from home drinking papaya juice for the first time.

That the person you had become was not the person you wanted to be. But in that muddled bathroom mirror, the one that looked like smoked glass, the one with the reflection of fresh orchids and a face you almost recognised again. Something changed.

And that something was EVERYTHING!

The year was 2010. We’d just got back from our challenge Anneka style wedding and those weeks away gave me the space to see that the job I was in was first up no good for my health, but more importantly was no good for who I wanted to be.

So I took a leap. I left my job with great prospects and set off on my own with no clue what I should be doing but absolute belief that I could do it. My way.

Almost 12 years to the day and I’m still here. A lot has changed. I had to grow a huge new set of skills. Fast. Business. Marketing. Life. There have been a lot of hats to wear.

But one thing never changed. My belief that I can do it. My way.

So if I had to answer that question I put to you just now; can you remember what you started your business for in the first place?

This would be it.

A belief that I can do it. My way.

Jeans & and an obsession with all things orange included

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When it comes to making an impression online your website can make or break the conversation. Remember that time you discovered that cool new thing, got excited, reached for your phone to find out more, frantically tapped the cool new things details into Google only to be hit with a slow loading, mobile unfriendly, can’t find what you need in less than a second, website!

Your patience is low. Your coffee is almost ready. And just like that you close the website. Grab your foaming cappuccino and head off to scroll Instagram forgetting all about that cool new thing you were momentarily so passionate about.

Welcome to the life of your website. It can be that short lived.

Or it can cause instant obsession.

The choice is yours.

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Design a brand so gutsy it does the sales talk for you

You didn’t make it this far to only go this far. You’ve been in the entrepreneurial game a few years, you’re making good s**t happen, and you’re making good money, but you know you’re only scratching the surface of your success.

With so many bold and brilliant ideas bubbling inside you, you’re ready to break the rules, start a movement, and change the world.

You need a brand that tells the world you’ve got the guts to do it.

GET THE BRAND REPUTATION BRIEFINGS SHIPPED TO YOUR INBOX EVERY FRIDAY, 9AM.

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You should have an opinion but not a strong one.

You should have big dreams but be happy staying small.

You should speak up for yourself but be quiet.

And you should definitely become an accountant. That’s a good solid job. Not any of this art school stuff. Design isn’t a career. No one makes a good living doing design.

Confused. So was I.

I couldn’t ignore that burning itch inside calling at me to ‘do design’. Against all good advice, I knew that’s what I wanted.

So I found myself that day at the toll booth on the bridge with a decision to make. Be the person I had always been. The one that stayed quiet and listened like good girls are taught. Or set fire to that itch and reinvent myself.

I walked into Uni that first day–a blank page. No ‘shoulds’ on my shoulders. Just knowing I was in the right place, doing something I was really good at. Something that made more sense to me than anything before.

Design became my therapy. A tool I’d master over and over again. Using visuals to communicate suddenly made way more sense than using my voice.

And there, in all its irony is where I found my voice!

There is where I found what makes me so good at what I do. Interpreting the world through visuals gave me the confidence to show up and the opportunity to explore how we all communicate with each other visually, in so many ways, before we ever speak a word.

The rest, well the rest is a fun and winding story that started with a book made of jelly, saw me storm out of a ‘perfect’ job, and brought me here, with you, and my relentless confidence that you can, no matter where you are in your own story, redefine yourself and show up how you want to be seen.

You can turn what you love into what they love you for, and get paid well for it.

And if anyone ever tries to tell you differently, send them my way, I’ve got your back.

🔥You should have an opinion but not a strong one.

🔥You should have big dreams but be happy staying small.

🔥You should speak up for yourself but be quiet.

🔥And you should definitely become an accountant. That’s a good solid job. Not any of this art school stuff. Design isn’t a career.

No one makes a good living doing design.

Confused. So was I. I couldn’t ignore that burning itch inside calling at me to ‘do design’. Against all good advice, I knew that’s what I wanted.

So I found myself that day at the toll booth on the bridge with a decision to make. Be the person I had always been. The one that stayed quiet and listened like good girls are taught. Or set fire to that itch and reinvent myself.

I walked into Uni that first day a blank page. No ‘shoulds’ on my shoulders. Just knowing I was in the right place, doing something I was really good at. Something that made more sense to me than anything before.

Design became my therapy. A tool I’d master over and over again.

Using visuals to communicate suddenly made way more sense than using my voice.

And there in all its irony is where I found my voice!

There is where I found what makes me so good at what I do. Interpreting the world through visuals gave me the confidence to show up and the opportunity to explore how we all communicate with each other visually, in so many ways, before we ever speak a word.

The rest, well the rest is a fun and winding story that started with a book made of jelly, saw me storm out of a ‘perfect’ job, and brought me to this page with you and my relentless confidence that you can, no matter where you are in your own story, redefine yourself and show up how you want to be seen.

You can turn what you love into what they love you for, and get paid well for it.

And if anyone ever tries to tell you differently, send them my way, I’ve got your back.

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One day I decided I no longer wanted to be the quiet person who didn’t have an opinion worth sharing, so I packed up my Ford Fiesta and started two journeys. The first was across the bridge to University. The second was completely redefining the way I saw myself.

Hi, I'm Dee; Brand Designer and forever cheerleader for the fiercely ambitious business owner with the guts to change their world.

When I was 19 I packed up my shining blue Ford Fiesta, scrambled to find cash in the side pocket for the tolls, and headed off over the bridge to University leaving my f***s well and truly behind!

Growing up, I struggled to find ‘my’ voice, and I sure as vodka didn’t know what I stood for. But what I did know was this was not how I wanted to be seen. So as I crossed that bridge I made the decision to redefine the way the world saw me.

Of course, what happened was I redefined the way I saw myself…

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Tell me you have the best clients without telling me you have the best clients…

A massive shout out to the wizard that is Dee Woodward this morning who has been working her magic for my Stress Awareness for Managers - A Really Useful Guide. I think she has done an amazing job and the difference she has made to my brand is incredible.

I never thought that having an expert work on my stuff would also affect my confidence and pride in my work - after 22 years in business I know I have a lot of fabulous content to offer, but with Dee’s help and talent, I have a newly found pride in my stuff.

If you’re dithering about hiring such an expert, don’t! They don’t just bring the practical changes, Dee has added a spring in my step and a smile on my face as I ridiculously stroke the new images she’s created for my material. Isn’t it awesome?!? 💛

When someone first called me relentless, I loved it, it drenched me in a blend of suspicion and admiration, it felt mysterious and strong, and I clung to that like it was the best compliment I'd ever received.

But when it was followed with the word confidence – I almost jumped out of my slippers.

Me? Confident? The girl who created multiple ways to avoid having an opinion. The girl who would happily blend into any background any where. The girl who spent a lifetime developing strategies to never have to stand out, or stand up for herself!

The girl who literally hid in a hotel room the evening she was nominated for an award because she was scared if she won she would have to walk out on stage in front of people... PEOPLE... the fear of it!

Confidence is never a word I thought I would own.

It was a word for other people, the kind of people who liked to be on stage, the ones who would talk about themselves unprompted, the ones who knew how to stand up and be seen. Not me. Not this girl. I was here to shine the spotlight on other people not stand in it myself.

And I buried myself behind that comfort for an internet lifetime. It was a soothing excuse to not have to have a voice.

My job was to help everyone else find and use theirs, I didn’t need my own... enter an excellent excuse to hide some more.

Except that won't hold up for long. You can't build a brand based only on the work you do for everyone else. At some point. You have to stand up for yourself.

You have to stand up for the work you do with relentless confidence.

Now that's when those words made sense.

Relentless Confidence.

If there is something I do have; it's relentless confidence in you.

The business owners, the coaches, the service providers, the people behind the businesses in this online world.

The people who want to stand up for the work they do and show up with relentless confidence.

I didn't have to 'sell from the stage' or 'write a book' or 'collaborate with a big name' or any number of the other tools I'd been sold along the way. I just had to show up with relentless confidence.

What will you show up with relentless confidence for?

You want a brand that’s impossible to ignore + impossible to forget

A brand that perfectly positions you for profit + prestige

A brand that blends sharp strategy + daring design for maximum impact

A brand that dazzles your audience + dominates your industry

A brand that’s built on all the perfect and imperfect parts of who you are, not who the gurus on the internet say you should be

That brand? Is a PowerBrand. And it’s high time you got yourself one.
Warning: you may also get a reputation. Oh wait, that’s exactly what you want!

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Even if I told you everything, step by step, exactly how to make a million bucks - you probably wouldn’t.

Even if I handed you the absolute perfect plan, step by step, do this not that guide to become your audience’s favourite obsession, to become the success you journal frantically about - you probably wouldn’t.

And that’s not your fault. That’s not because you can’t be, and have and do all these things.

It's because having a plan and achieving the plan are very different things.

Having the plan. Knowing the process. Seeing exactly the steps you have to take. Is just one part.

Creating the kind of success you want in your business, in life, requires something a little harder, something more slippery than the seven secrets to success you still see swirling ferociously around the internet.

It takes another S-word.

It takes support.

It takes someone to talk to, it takes someone who wants the same thing for you, it takes someone to support you while you navigate exactly how you’re going to take these steps to get to where you want to go.

Because even if you have a clear framework to follow, and the determination to get there on your own, you can’t see the label when you’re inside the bottle.

And that’s when you need support.

To help you see what you can’t see.

To help you see where you are now and where you want to be.

To help you see what you want to be known for and help you create a brand that tells the world exactly what that is!

It's not that clients won't be madly obsessed with you once they know how great you are; it's that right now, your brand isn't supporting that story.

Good news: we're going to fix that. Together.

The PowerBrand Experience is waiting for YOU. Want to find out more; comment below or head to the link in the pic!

As a kid I always wanted to be an air hostess, or a cheerleader, when I grew up. I think it was the uniforms. They looked so smart. That and I was lucky enough to go on some great family holidays when I was little, mostly to Florida, mostly to Disneyland. And being an air hostess seems like the best job in the world.

But then I discovered the world of design and everything changed.

We’re all constantly rewriting our story, and this is your Sunday reminder that you can rewrite your story, too.

How has your story changed over the years?

No one is coming with a flashlight to find your brand!

You have to be your own flashlight cliche aside. No number of strategies or action plans or seven steps to all the success you could dream of will work for you if you don’t have relentless confidence in yourself first.

Most of those flashy success blueprints won’t work for you regardless, but that’s another conversation! What you will find when you have relentless confidence in yourself is that you don’t need to latch onto someone else's steps to success, you create your own!

And I don’t mean painting on a confident face and showing up even though you are shaking underneath. I mean solid, relentless, confidence.

The kind of confidence that makes showing up - easy!

But how?! When you’re not a naturally confident person, or you don’t think you are, or maybe you think you are a confident person but when it comes to your brand you’re not showing up that way.

How do you change that?

How do you show up as the person you want to be known as?

You figure out exactly who that person is. What they stand for.

What they stand for so relentlessly that there is no space to hide.

Ready to find out who that person is?

Join me over in the Brand Together event.

Your ambition is burning fiercely and you know it’s time to get even bolder and go even bigger with your business.

The problem? Your brand doesn’t reflect who you are or where you’re going.

Maybe you aren't actually sure where you're going, totally normal—and also why your website looks a liiiiittle bit like a homemade Etsy graveyard, pieces flung around the home page without rhyme or reason, also normal!

It's not that clients won't be madly obsessed with you once they know how great you are; it's that right now, your brand isn't supporting that story.

Good news: we're going to fix that.

Join us for a week of free brand coaching starting THIS MONDAY

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It’s Mondayyyy… you knew that right?!

But it’s not just any Monday, and it’s not just the first full day at school Monday for those new school starters this year - although that’s for sure a reason to celebrate today!

But more than that, this Monday, this very day today, this gloriously wintery sunny day - the kind of sunshine that makes you feel like it’s going to be hot outside but you can still wear your slippers.

This Monday is THE MONDAY the doors open, which is an overused internet term for simply clicking “ACCEPT” on the pending list of people waiting to enter.

Overused internet terms aside. TODAY IS THE DAY!
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Your invitation IS HERE!
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DM me the secret code "BRAND TOGETHER" and I'll share the link.

HINT: it's not so secret, the code is the link!

The goal: Get a brand reputation!

A reputation that doesn’t just stand out, it STANDS UP for the work you do.

For 5-days we’ll work together on your brand. To plan the best brand on the internet. To explore the brand shifts you can make to go from frustrated unknown to your audience’s favourite obsession. To learn the process every successful brand practices and how you can use this to create your own brand style. And to discover the lifetime value of your brand.

Most people feel like their brand is lacking something, that it feels; boring, cliché, a bit “meh”. That it is character deficient. Missing conviction, and vigorous enjoyment. And, most of all, it just doesn’t feel right, like they’re walking around with their pants over their trousers - except not in an iconic comic book superhero fashion!
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I want to help you turn your vision, strengths, and personality into a brand that dazzles your audience and dominates your industry.

I want to help you show up and STAND UP for the work you do. To make your brand feel like you’re having a candid and intimate conversation with a friend. To help you have FUN in your business. And to help you make the big blue marble with all of its people watch your moves, pledge their email address, share your message and buy your stuff.

DM me "Brand Together" and I'll see you on the otherside!