Kim Keith Design and Marketing
62 Radford Drive L6V 2Y9 Brampton, ON, Canada

When I stopped taking a generalist approach EVERYTHING CHANGED for the better. My latest blog post on why small businesses and entrepreneurs need to niche down. LINK BELOW https://kkgtadesign.com//why-niching-is-important-for-you/... #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #smallbusinesssupport #brandstrategist #smallbusinesstips

I DON'T CALL MYSELF A GENIUS OFTEN, BUT WHEN I DO, I'M REFERRING TO MY ZONE OF GENIUS. If you're not familiar with the term "zone of genius," it's from the book The Big Leap and it basically means the area of life where I'm at my best naturally. When I'm in my zone, time just flies and I always feel pumped and energized.... When it comes to my business, my zone of genius is in helping entrepreneurs who struggle to build a brand that actually attracts their ideal clients and positions them as THE authority in their space. If you're ready to get rid of the guesswork, overwhelm, and confusion for good, comment "I'M READY" below this post and let's get started! #zoneofgenius #yourpurpose #purpose

3 ACCOUNTS I LEARN FROM EVERYDAY. You might know me as a dashing brand strategist. and I feel lucky to love what I do... but behind the scenes, I'm always learning too. Here are 3 accounts that I follow here on Instagram that teach me something new everyday: @_drsoph... @thefuturishere @theharryneedham I'm sharing this because a) their content is awesome and b) I believe it's important to hire someone who's always learning - not just staying static. #learneveryday #learnsomethingnew #learnsomethingneweveryday #learning

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU SIGN UP TO WORK WITH ME. I know how exciting it can be to take a leap and make a big investment. Nothing is worse than taking that leap and then hearing crickets. So here's what happens immediately after our first call when you decide that you'd like to move forward: ... 1) I send you a proposal outlining the deliverables, process overview, budget, detailed timeline including milestones, as well as some terms and conditions for you to review and sign off on. 2) Immediately after the paperwork is out of the way, I schedule our first kick-off call and provide you with access and training to a shared project management board. This shared project management board will house all project resources, notes, and tasks along with due dates and owners. It also has calendar sync capabilities and the ability to comment and message each other ensuring constant communication and collaboration! Depending on the project - there will be 3-4 more phases. If you'd like to learn more about these - check the about page of my website. Ready to take that leap? Send me a DM and let's do this! #shareyourprocess #mysystem #system #systemic #bramptonbusiness #bramptonsmallbusiness

TAKE THIS VIRTUAL TEST: Learn the secret to gaining a competitive advantage. Look at the icons on this page and find the Twitter logo. How long did it take you? I bet you didn't go thru each image one by one, did you? When the brain is asked to locate certain objects, signs, and colors, it quickly finds what it's looking for and ignores the rest. ... Vision is an active goal-oriented activity that reserves attention for valued information. The key to unlocking your competitive advantage lies within this knowledge. It's not enough to offer a great product and exceptional customer service, because 'everyone' offers a great product and exceptional customer service. Technology and social media allow anyone to start and promote a business. Attention is the new currency and EVERYONE IS VYING FOR IT. How can you get your message heard in a sea of sameness? If you want a competitive advantage - cohesive strategic branding is the proverbial 'Ace Up Your Sleeve'. It improves recognition thus allowing you to stand out from the crowd and it also builds trust along with a loyal engaged community. When all your competitors are zigging, you need to zag. If you're ready to zag, book a free consultation call - https://kkgtadesign.com/ and be sure to check out the 'brand strategy' highlight on my account to learn how to brand your business the right way. Illustrated by Yi Pan in a book titled Design is Storytelling by Ellen Lupton #brandstory #brandstorytelling #smallbusinessadvice #brandmanagement #brandmarketing

THE BEST WAY TO PICK MY BRAIN FOR FREE. I don't offer many things for free these days, as my focus is with my clients, but if you'd ever like to "pick my brain" about branding, here are the top 2 (free) ways to do so: 1) Download my FREE Niche Statement Guide. Get super clear on your niche and build out your positioning statement using my simple formula. These two elements will serve as the foundation for all of your content going forward!... 2) Sign up for my email list. Don't worry I won't spam you! I send 1 email per week and offer up branding tips, resources, and exclusive subscriber offers. To access any of these free resources, just click the learn more button! #freeguide #freebie #freebies #freebiesquad #niche #positioning #freebiecommunity #brandstrategist

Happy Friday FB friends! Just wanted to send a quick note to see if any of you are on LinkedIn? If you are - I'd love to connect with you there! I just started a new company page and can be found under Kim Keith Design and Marketing. I have great content planned for this platform along with frequent 'stories' - hope to see you there! Cheers,

YOU MUST CLEARLY COMMUNICATE THE TRANSFORMATION YOUR CLIENTS CAN EXPECT. People want to be lead somewhere and they want to know how their situation improves by using you. INVITE YOUR IDEAL CLIENTS INTO YOUR STORY:... 1) Clearly define the transformation and how your product/service will bridge a gap for them 2) Tell/show them how you can help them overcome their challenges. 3) Paint a clear picture of the consequences that could befall them should they choose not to use your product or services 4) List positive changes your customer will experience by using your product or service One of the most common mistakes I see time and time again with new businesses is that they think it's all about them. We are an award-winning ... We are great because... Here's a list of our services.... We have the best.... NO ONE CARES! SERIOUSLY, THEY DON'T. People want to know how working with you will better their lives - period, end of story. Do an audit of your website and socials right now. Do you need to flip the narrative of your content? I help entrepreneurs and new business owners build a branded systems around their business so they can attract their ideal clients and position themselves as THE authority in their space. Interested in leveling up? Book a FREE consultation call to discuss your goals. https://kkgtadesign.com/ #brandstory #brandstorytelling #smallbusinessadvice #brandmanagement #brandmarketing #branddesigner

We're back with another Changemaker Conversations interview. Kim Keith I Brand Powered Lead Gen helps entrepreneurs and business owners build a branded system ...around their business so they can attract their ideal clients and position themselves as THE authority in their space. Kim has held senior leadership roles in sales, marketing and design for 12+ years, and has had the opportunity to work on multi-channel sales and marketing campaigns with great brands such as Starbucks, Indigo and TELUS to name a few. In this video, we chat about common branding myths, why your ideal client should always be the hero in your marketing and more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XedMD8Te5I

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As you approach the expansive Chalet-Esque entrance you're greeted by an amazing visual experience accompanied with wonderfully woody scents. At that moment, you can almost feel any stress or tension you were holding onto begin to melt away, and this is before you even step foot inside Spa Nordik! Inside you'll find: fine dining options in a casual setting, multiple dry and steam saunas, aromatherapy experiences, a large variety of pools from ice cold to very hot, bars, sever...al fire-pits, and lounging areas all supported by friendly helpful staff. It's as though this spa is part of nature as it's nestled on the outskirts of Gatineau Park and surrounded by the forest on all sides. Every detail is taken into account from - no phones in the spa to worry-free on-site purchases made with your electronic wrist band which also opens your locker. Every guest is given a fluffy white robe, towels and the locker room is filled with all the lotions and potions you'd ever need! When I go, it's usually with my sister, and we spend the entire day - arriving at around 10 am and leaving around 10 pm! The experience is like none other and we leave feeling more relaxed than ever - wondering when we'll be able to visit again! Nordik Spas create a brand experience that permeates throughout all their digital assets (website, socials), services, customer service, decor, and visuals. Their promise is relaxation and the ability to leave your troubles behind, and boy do they deliver on both counts. Branding is about creating an experience for your target audience. Remember that your brand is the sum total of every interaction your customers have had with your company. This means paying attention to all the details and things that may seem little but make a difference to your customers. Ready to build and brand experience that will draw in your ideal clients and provide the strategy you need to guide the future and success of your business? If so, click the link in my bio to schedule a free

DON'T YOU JUST HATE THE QUESTION... "What do you do?" You then rattle off your title, company name, and what your business does...... Are people truly interested in what you do or is it our polarizing comparison culture taking control? COMPARISON CULTURE: I'm gonna ask what you do so I can see what kind of title you have and how much money you make so I can then compare where you are to where I am??? "But wait, I always think in my head - that's not ALL that I do! It's not all that I'm about!" From now on, when people ask me this question I'll no longer say that I run my own creative and consulting agency and that I specialize in branding. INSTEAD, I'LL SAY: "I'm passionate about helping new entrepreneurs and business owners build a magnetic brand that attracts their ideal buyers so they can stop having to do ALL OF THE THINGS and make money on their terms. That's what I do." New and potential clients can be anywhere. There are probably some hiding in your network and you don't even know it! When asked the dreaded "What do you do." question - don't give a forgettable cookie-cutter answer. Jazz it up - put your stank on it and speak passionately about it! LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION. Doing this also shows people that you aren't a boring robot who will probably lull them to sleep. They'll see your passion, energy, and openness - and you know what else? Who doesn't want to keep talking/stay connected to someone like that?! You may even exchange business cards, ecards, connect on social to keep in touch if the conversation goes well! And the next time one of these connections needs a service that you provide - they just might remember you and give you a call! Now, your particular flavor and style may not be for everyone. That's fine! I'm not for everyone - I know that. HERE ARE 4 REASONS I MIGHT NOT BE THE RIGHT DESIGNER FOR YOU: 1) You don't care about having any kind of strategy to guide your business and are cool with just throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks. 2) You don't care if your messaging tells your unique story and are ok with generic fluff. 3) You don't care if your creative assets stand out from the crowd and draw in your ideal buyers and are ok with templated auto-generated assets used by many. 4) You're not interested in building a long-term partnership with someone whose business is built on producing happy clients - thus making them totally invested in your success. NEED HELP WITH YOUR "What do you do" RESPONSE STATEMENT? Download my FREE niche statement guide - link in bio! #network #networkmarketing #networking #communicationskills #communication #speakpassionately #listentounderstand #introduction #introductiontrends #connect

Branding myth #2: I can’t afford that expense! When starting out, you have to be careful with your money, I TOTALLY GET IT. It's how I felt when I started my business too. But the caveat is that you don't want to cut corners and skip steps in the beginning because it ultimately comes back to bite you in the end in many forms such as: no leads... no engagement no clients!!!! constantly reinventing the wheel not sure what content to post to attract your ideal clients wasted time and money frustration and overwhelm Branding is not an expense. It’s an investment in an asset and includes components like consumer awareness, associated qualities, and loyalty. Branding clarifies: who you are targeting who you are and what you stand for what your tone of voice/personality are why your people should choose you over competitors your messaging and how to communicate with your audience This raises the next logical question: how much should you budget for this investment? My rule of thumb is to set aside 10%-15% of your desired gross annual revenue and invest that in building your brand. It differentiates you and get's your message heard in addition to gaining you: Brand equity Credibility Consistency Customer loyalty Awareness It's a saturated market, if you want your message heard by your ideal clients - BRANDING IS WHAT WILL GET YOU THERE. Branding is the roadmap you need to take you from confused and overwhelmed to CONFIDENT AND CALCULATED. If you're ready for the latter - click this link https://kkgtadesign.com/contact-kim-keith-design-and-marke/ to schedule a FREE consultation call with me today! #brandstory #brandstorytelling #smallbusinessadvice #brandmanagement#brandmarketing #branddesigner

TARGET THE MIND NOT THE WALLET [get comfortable with being uncomfortable] It usually takes a good 5-10 min. before I am able to find my stride and settle into my winter run. Once over this hump my body loosens, it warms and my mind begins to calm.... [find unconventional ways to make you feel connected] I turn up the sound on my current audiobook, The Promise Land, written and narrated by @barackobama and I start to feel a wave of energy and gratitude washing over me. "Good Morning", I say with a smile to anyone that I happen to pass by on the trail - relishing in those tiny interactions. Although, just a few exchanged words they make me feel connected in some small way and keep me positive while reinforcing the reason why we are all in lockdown - what we are fighting for. [prioritize self-care] In 2021, I decided to take my self-care up a notch by adding both meditation and journaling to my daily workouts. This enhanced daily practice so fare has taken my inspiration and creative output to the next level. It's also helping with focus and energy overall - which have been welcomed friends during these strange times. [inspire don't promote] As a brand you want to target the minds of your audience - you want to inspire. Inspiration captivates the hearts and minds whereas promotion only really targets the wallet. [learn from inspirational brands] There's a reason why Ikea designed their showrooms in a way that makes the consumer feel as though they are walking through a beautiful catalog. There is a reason why Cuddle + Kind has amassed a massive community of dedicated followers. For each purchase made, they provide 10 meals to needy children. Giving back is ingrained in their DNA. Are you inspiring or just promoting? For the uncut version of this post subscribe to my email list - link in bio. @cuddleandkind @ikeacanada #inspireothers #inspired #selfcare #selfcaretips #selfcarefirst #creativemarketing

NAIL YOUR BUYING ENVIRONMENT AND MAKE MORE SALES It's safe to say that you wouldn't expect to see a really expensive painting being sold at Giant Tiger - just like you wouldn't expect a bargain at Tiffany's or Cartier. Why? Because these buying environments come with completely different consumer expectations.... What kind of buying environment are you creating? Is it attracting: a) the right clients b) the wrong clients c) send help, I need more clients Unlike retail where you can spend thousands of dollars to create the right buying environment - with branding and digital marketing, you can achieve this through your visuals and copy. And, unlike retail, you have 100% control over your buying environment. Your buying environment is created by: The words you use Your logo Your visuals Your vibe/personality Your branding makes up your buying environment and if you don't get it right you are leaving money on the table and losing out on potential sales by attracting the wrong clients or worse...attracting no clients at all. Is your branding creating the right buying environment for your ideal buyers to find you? If not, or if you'd simply like to trade in your DIY assets for some professional ones - click this link https://kkgtadesign.com/ to see how I can help you! #marketingcampaign #buying #sales #salesfunnel #salesadvice #salestips #salesleads

Branding myth #1: Branding isn't important until I’m growing Many of the products that we introduce into our lives are because they stand for something, they promise something - a transformation of some kind. --... The GNO premium adult weighted blanket promised to help calm a restless body, reduce feelings of anxiety, and improve sleep troubles. I'm a very light/restless sleeper and was excited to try this out! And boy am I glad I did - it's been only a week and I'm already noticing a huge difference in my quality of sleep. When I needed new running shoes I decided to hit up The Running Room to get a proper fitting and some help making the right choice. The man who helped me was a runner and experienced similar knee issues as me. He shared some exercises and stretches to try. I was grateful for his insights and he quickly gained my trust. Long story short I walked out feeling I'd made the right choice! Brand - Asics Women Gel-Kayano 27. -- GNO's website sold me with their promise of life-changing mornings and their product was designed with the art of sleep in mind using organic breathable materials- heck yeah - I needed/loved all of that!!! The running room was known for being the go-to store for the top running gear and expertise, and their knowledgeable sales team were all runners themselves! I felt like I was among peers and I trusted their advice and recos! -- Branding can account for as much as 30 to almost 50 percent of a company’s value. This is because properly executed branding turns your product or service into something distinct and unreplicated: the unique value that you offer your target audience. In other words, branding is not only relevant but also critical at every stage of your business. In order to gain anyone’s attention, your brand must be relatable. Without investing in your brand, consumers will create their own perception of your business. Ready to get the roadmap you need to guide the future of your business and attract the attention of your ideal clients? Click this link https://kkgtadesign.com/contact-kim-keith-design-and-marke/ to schedule a FREE consultation call! #newbusiness #homebasedbusiness #successtips #businessquotes #businesspassion

IS YOUR COMPANY MISSING ITS NORTH STAR? By now, we all know how important branding and messaging are for the growth and recognition of companies. Before launching your brand, it’s crucial to create a Brand Playbook to guide your decisions. A brand playbook serves as your company's North Star which defines what the brand stands for, believes in, who it targets which ensures all touchpoints with the market build on the brand.... Your target audience has a lot more access, insights, and opinions on your brand, which is why ensuring your company has a brand strategy framework matters. The playbook should be a distillation of the brand promise, personality, attributes, and position. After a detailed discovery and strategy session(s), I arm my clients with an 8 page BRAND MESSAGING PLAYBOOK. This playbook includes: 4 STEP BRANDING EXERCISE What: which describes the look and feel of the brand we'd like to create How: describes the Tone/Voice or Attitude of the brand we'd like to create Who: who are we the right fit for, and who aren't we a good fit for Why: What are your Beliefs/Values? How do we help customers succeed VISION: Focuses on the future and what you want to become. MISSION: focuses on today and what the organization does. BRAND PROMISE: A value or experience your customers can expect to receive every single time they interact with that you. TAGLINE: A pithy descriptor used in marketing campaigns to communicate the unique value proposition of a brand ANTHEM: Using all of the previous insights, we create an anthemic battle cry for your brand that can be used in television commercials and/or digital media campaigns. MARKETING: BRAND STORY SCRIPT: A one-pager that will help you create digital content that helps customers understand the benefits of using your products/services. If you examine brand failures, you can trace the problem back to one of two reasons. Either the brand deviated from the existing framework, or there was never a framework, to begin with. I hope you don't fall into one of these categories. If you do, schedule a FREE consultation call asap! https://kkgtadesign.com/contact-kim-keith-design-and-marke/ #brandingtips #brandstory #brandstorytelling #smallbusinessadvice #brandmanagement

WHAT MAKES A BRAND GREAT? (swipe) You've heard me say it before but you absolutely have to think of your brand as a living breathing person. Great brands are able to elicit emotional responses in people, they stick in the minds of their target audience and they have a distinct personality.... What kind of personality does your brand have? What does your brand believe in? Who does your brand want to hang with/attract? What tone of voice does your brand have? What does your brand stand for and stand against? How do you want people to feel after an interaction with your brand? The most iconic brands check all these boxes and more. Does yours? Need help building a great brand? CLICK THE LINK IN MY BIO and let's build this thing together! #smallbusinessbranding #graphicdesigners #supportlocalbusinessowners #supportlocalbusiness #bramptonbusiness #bramptonsmallbusiness See more

I HATE SOCIAL MEDIA: 4 simple changes you can make to alleviate social overwhelm Yep, this used to be me about a year ago. The entire process of it irked me. It seemed like the time and effort didn't justify what I got out of it. ... content creation hashtag optimization engagement social analytics I also had other more pressing items lobbying for my time, such as - paid client work to get done. And that's how I rationalized my dismal social media presence to myself. I realize now that I was so caught up trying to do ALL OF THE THINGS that the "social media gurus/coaches" told me to do which was only making me feel inadequate and overwhelmed! Fast forward to today - I no longer feel that way. In fact, I enjoy it now and I've built a system that generates a steady flow of quality leads for me every month! Naturally, I wanted to help others ditch the social media overwhelm too! 4 simple changes you can make to alleviate social overwhelm 1. (treat your brand like a person) Your brand should have an IDENTITY (who it is), PERSONALITY (how it behaves), and EXPERIENCE (how it’s remembered). *check out my post from Feb. 8 for more on this. 2. (it's not about the ride it's about the journey) Just focus on putting out kick-ass content (produced at a manageable frequency) that solves actual problems that your clients have. Remember, people want to be lead somewhere - how will working with you improve their situation? 3. (who dis?) When you know who your target market is, you can use it to guide your content strategyand the end result will be a brand that truly connects with the customers you want to work with most. *check the link in bio download my free niching guide to help you get clear on who your ideal clients actually are. 4. (you aren't the hero) Your ideal clients are the hero of your brand story - not you. You are the guide. Show them how your products/services can bridge a gap for them/solve a problem they have. Social media presents is a huge opportunity for you to differentiate and speak to your ideal clients...but I fully understand that it can also be a massive barrier. Let's build a branded system around your business and make your overwhelm a thing of the past while also drawing in your ideal clients! If you'd like clarity on how to move forward and position your company effectively and consistently online BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION CALL WITH ME TODAY! https://kkgtadesign.com/contact-kim-keith-design-and-marke/ #instagramcontent #contentcreator #contentcreation #postideas #onlinebranding #contentcreationtips #contentcreators #onlinebranding #digitalbranding

Time is non-refundable, use it with intention. Despite being a challenging AF year, 2020 also gave us all the gift of more time. Previous to Covid-19, like many of you I was burning the candle at both ends.... In my case that involved working a FT career as the head of marketing, sales, and design for a travel company while also freelancing on the side. I truly felt like I never had enough time. Enter the pandemic. My work situation was completely flipped on its head with my freelance business taking the front seat. If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that it isn’t wise to have all your eggs in one basket. Here are my top 4 positives that came out of having more time: Made self-care a priority again and noticed immediate positive changes in my energy levels and mood Connected with old acquaintances, colleagues, and friends which reinvigorated relationships/friendships and also helped me land some clients for my freelance business Saying no to things that don’t serve me and my business to ensure I am working on high-value projects in alignment with my passions Setting boundaries and parsing down my offerings to ensure I am always operating in my zone of genius If I had to pick a mantra for 2021, it would be Be intentional with everything you do. Now, spill the tea! What’s your mantra for the new year and/or what positives did you experience from all the extra free time? Comment below! #progressoverperfection #everthingisfigureoutable #solopreneur #smallbusinessbranding