Hi, everyone, welcome to the beer selfie summit. We're talking about personal branding for the fashion printer. And the focus is all on how being yourself is the best way to stand out in a saturated market. And I'm super excited because I have Carrie Olsen today from a date with design. She's a website, a fab website designer and brand strategist. So I'm excited to pick her brain for the short q&a.

Welcome, Carrie. Thank you. I'm excited. I'm so happy to have you. So Carrie, can you just tell us a little bit about yourself and I would love to hear like how you got started. And how you escaped the eight to five grind?

Yeah. Okay. So my route was probably a little unconventional. I think a lot of creatives and people in any design field are super multi passionate, right? So it can sometimes be hard to pinpoint what we want to do. You know, in college, I changed my major like five times, and it's kind of just all over the place exploring things.

But right after I graduated, I landed a role as a marketing director. Oh, super proud of because, you know, it's just out of college. Totally director position. So I was planning to stay there for years, right. And after I kind of got into the role, I realized it wasn't really a great fit. You know, I had a passion for marketing, but I was marketing too.

And what I was marketing I wasn't passionate for, you know, I was mostly targeting my audience was men above the age of 40. And if you're familiar, you know my design aesthetic. I'm right. Just feminine and yeah, no audience at all. So I just really didn't fit. And then unfortunately to a colleague of mine was really kind of just a bully, right?

He would kind of be verbally abusive. And I'm working on my bones that walls and brick clipboard, and you know, a work environment. You never picture yourself being in as a professional. So I'm kind of those two things. I just knew it was not the position for me. And yeah, I didn't know how much longer I could stick it out.

So really, without a plan without a business name without a website. I quit my job and just wow, I kind of knew I had to make this work. Yeah. I guess I wouldn't recommend that route to everyone. You know, it's good to get a little bit prepared. But that's kind of how I got started.

Wow. So it's been great. That's amazing. I mean, I totally can't picture you like doing, like, stop, I mean, because because your aesthetic is so ultra feminine and like, for men, especially like over 40 Yes. Or kind of second in their ways and aesthetics, but yeah, and then just an abusive environment is never a good thing. So you're definitely like wise.

Eight out of that you. It's like, the nine to five for sure. Yeah. I mean, you, you totally have to be happy and like, know that you're doing it for yourself, and that it's the best decision and sometimes you can't plan it. And sometimes you bet you're pushed to do it. But you kind of, I mean, I always say you have to, like, decide to take the risk.

Either it's like a planned risk, but it's still around. Yeah, yeah. And you'd or you jump in like, I'm going to do it because like for me too. I I didn't plan it. I had to, like decide to just say, Okay, you know what, I'm just gonna do it because if I don't, I'm gonna regret it. And exactly, that's exactly I think you just have to kind of embrace it and go with it especially like someone just starting and I know there's a lot of girls out there right now who are creatives and are kind of feel stuck in a nine to five and you just you you have to know that it's going to be scary no matter what, like, yes.

But you have to stick with it just like anything else. Right? Yeah, I mean, for me almost. It's more scary to you know, when I'm at look back on my life and go Yeah, what would have happened if I would have tried that are totally right. Yeah, I feel exactly the same way. Because that's what how I felt when I did it.

I was like, Well, if I don't do this, I'm totally like, yeah, I'm gonna regret it on the ground. Like Why didn't you try it when you had an opportunity to do it? But um, okay, so you started your own. It's a, you have its you basically design websites and you do branding, right? So, I mean, we talked about a little bit about, like, how you have two seconds to make an impression when someone comes to your website. Yeah.

Or they leave. Crazy. Yeah, we talked about that last week. And I was thinking and I was like, yeah, most, I guess, important advice I could give someone when they're going through their website, and I read that statistic that you have two seconds for a visitor to come to your website and impression before they leave. So it can be kind of scary, but it also is motivating, right? So kind of the most important real estate on a website is on that homepage.

Above the fold, right basically, if a visitor comes to your website, the screen they see before they have to start scrolling. So that's really the the real estate that you have to, you know, make a good first impression. Okay, free exam. Get them to click or Yeah, somehow. So if you're gonna put your focus anywhere, right, right, right on that homepage. Okay, so then so that's really important, but above the fold, because that's your your right, that's like the first thing you see when you come to your website.

And if you're not interested in the two seconds, obviously you're like, yeah, okay, I love that. That's like, totally, like, practical and understood. I can understand that to you like, okay, so I mean, you want to have like, a tight your title of your business, right? And what about like, do you want to have like what you do on there and above the fold, or what elements shouldn't be there you think? Yep. So I think it is really Important to make clear, you know what you do and what you're there to help them with.

But probably the second thing I'd say that's most important when you're building your website is to gain trust because without trust, you know, they're not going to buy from you or subscribe to your newsletter or replay. So I would really determine what your goal is, whether that's a product or a having the book or service or right, sign up for your newsletter, and then right below that, or right on that draw your viewer to take action, okay. to kind of make that more understandable. Yeah, for instance, if your goal was to get email subscribers, yes. So, let's say in the fashion world, their problem was revamping their wardrobe. Mm hmm.

So you could say something like, having trouble revamping your wardrobe? Yeah, download This workbook, right and that you're getting your goal achieved by getting an email subscriber, but also you're building that trust, right? So, you know, your your visitors going, Wow, they gave this to me for free and and and now they they want me to pay for something I'm more likely to do it. Right. Yeah. So making that impression and then gaining that trust is is really important.

Okay, that's I love that because you're right. You have to give something of value to whoever's coming to your site to build, start engaging with them and to connect, but Okay, so, I mean, do you recommend it Okay, so like, and I think that's important for like a blogger to, if they're trying to like, move forward or grow their their business or there's a blogger interested in I know for my business online newbies, aspiring stylists that want to start, and I love that, you know, like the wardrobe tips and things like that. I think that's an excellent way to like, get start building your email list and yeah, right. Right on your landing page or your homepage. It's like the first thing that someone sees. I think that's totally a great tip.

Um, you just launched your new newly designed website, which I think is amazing. Thank you. Cuz you're I mean, when I went first went to it. It's awesome. Because you have like, what's up? And like what you're doing and I love that you have like, Is it a video or is it like a GIF?

On your app? Yep, it's a gift. Yeah. Oh, cool. I love that cool. It's not important now to to have like, animation or because everybody is like, you know, it's there's so much on the internet.

It's hard to like, catch your eye. Yeah. Well Sorry Sorry get out Tell me what I'd love to hear what you think about it. I feel like video and kind of those moving parts are are really becoming more and more attractive to visitors you know yeah that too with me wanting to make that first impression right when people right website I felt like something being and living is kind of more guaranteed to grab someone's attention yeah totally I mean cuz I totally You're so cute on it too and I let me You just like Connect I think with video, you easy it's more easily to connect with somebody and like a still image. So definitely that's my goal I think is to get something movie or gift or something on my my site as well because I know that that's another way of like building trust but also just your website, looking for Because that's really important now is your online presence right?

I mean, right, right. You do brand strategy and website design and Okay, so actually, let's speak to that because you do it use you can do a website and design in okay. Three weeks, which I am like totally blown away because it took so long to get my site together and because of branding and but for me it was a process and it really was like figuring out like, who I am and it actually prompted all this like the summit of like being yourself. Because Yeah, mentally I was like I had to shift and and restart again a couple times and it was so frustrating. But then when I look back, I think okay, I'm so glad I did that because when I finally figured out how I how it could work Reflect me, and my brand just started to like, come together more easily. Mm hmm.

For me, okay, so you do that so quickly? If someone is designing their own site or they're just they're thinking about branding. What do you what are your suggestions on like? Like your What are your own thing? Yeah, strategy. So before I start with any client before that three week process, actually give them some homework.

And that can be one of the most important things to like, work through like yours. Like, figure out who you are, because if you don't have that foundation, you know, two months later, you're gonna be like, oh, should I change this later? Right? Is so I think there's really three things that are really important and first kind of defining your mission or like your why. And, you know, why do you want to be a fashion blogger? Why are you a stylist?

What are you hoping to help? or solve that problem, right? And so after you kind of pinpoint your why then figuring out your target audience or who you're solving that problem for, okay, so kind of like I said, you know, if I'm building a brand for men over 40 It's gonna be so much different right then. Yeah. When in my target audience now, which is women, you know, between 2430 something that Okay, yeah. So I think that's really important too, is, you know, your audience is going to affect what color scheme you have, right?

Like, your tone of voice, everything. Okay. Pointing that and then lastly, I kind of just have all my clients do something kind of fun, which is kind of gathering inspiration. So actually tell them to hop onto Pinterest. Yeah, and make a secret Pinterest board and then I'm like, Okay, keep that mission and keep That audience in mind, and as you're scrolling, just grab images that you think kind of reflect that. Wow.

And then we kind of pull from that. Yeah. To create the brand and create the website. Okay? And feels like so. Oh, I love that those are all totally actionable.

That's the thing. Like, sometimes it's can be so overwhelming when you're just starting like, and breaking it down like that. It makes it so much more simple. And I love the Pinterest idea too, because it's because I find like, when I'm doing research on a gathering, I'm a gatherer. So I like to like gather, and I'm always gathering images, especially I think as a stylist, you're always like, consuming so many images or you're inspired by so many things. But putting them together, and I think I do a lot of like screenshots.

Yeah. Because a lot of times I'll see things and want to remember, but I definitely use Pinterest. as well, because it helps me like collect all the inspiration and I can see that is like, totally being valuable. And also you picking your target market, like, I'm not picking it, you have to do your homework. It's not fun. I mean, it can be fun.

It's a discovery process. Unless, I mean, you know, exactly who, you know, the need in the market and you know, exactly. You know, what you need to offer as well. But and, and that has to match your skill set to so it's not just like, Oh, I'm gonna pick that. Yeah. And I think that's the biggest mistake people make is they're so scared of kind of confining it to, to a smaller like, audience.

They're like, Oh, right. Can I just kind of sell or blog for everyone, right? a huge mistake because you know, then you're not a specialist in me. industry and right well, you're missing a lot of the the people who really want to hear what you have to say and really value you. So yeah, no, I totally agree on that too. And picking a niche is definitely I think one of the best things you can do for yourself and as a stylist too, because it never was like that.

When I just started out, it was about being like doing it all. But now it's like a total different ballgame, right? You have to like, really hone in on like, who you're what you're good at, like, your example is good in terms of like, how you decided working as a marketing in marketing and deciding that is not my niche. It's not me and 40 and over. Right, like, Yeah, because it's just like you at least were able to like understand that and And then like figure out, Okay, well, what is my skill set? And like how, who, who needs my, my?

What market needs it and going from there because that's really like a process you've got to like figure that out. Okay, so you I know have like a ton of projects and launches coming up. I would love for you to share what's going on because you have some exciting stuff happening. Yeah, for expanding and kind of crazy and busy but it's really fun exciting to so we kind of touched on to work one on one with clients and right build their brands and our website and materials and social designs kind of everything you would need to kind of start or grow your business. And we do that in just three weeks. And so that's amazing to me.

It's really slow hiding. And one of my favorite parts is I just work with one client at a time. So we weren't completely one on one. So yeah, no, they don't. I never wanted my clients to feel like they're on like a priority list or right. Okay, once she finishes these things, I guess I wanted them to know that we're just focusing on to make it special.

So I'm booking those spots. I have nine slots left for 2017. But kind of what about if you booked in January, I'm going in three free coaching calls. Oh, cool. I guess I just really was like, What could I add on to this? But yeah, sometimes you know, you have your brands, you have your website, and then you're kind of like, What now?

How about this? Yeah. Am I doing the right things on Instagram or Pinterest. So really anything they're struggling with, we can talk over so much That's amazing. Exciting. Yeah.

No, I think that's the coaching part of it would totally be valuable. Because exactly when you start your own, like you, you have your site and out, like, Okay, what do I do next? Now? You have to have a strategy for that too. So and it doesn't like you don't, it doesn't all come land in your lap and like, oh, magically, it all comes together. Like what am I supposed to be doing with my site?

How do I get traffic to it? Like, exactly right, those those things are definitely valuable book. I know. That's not you have something else coming up in February, right? Yes, yeah. Okay.

Um, so I kind of wanted to I know not everyone, you know, there's a lot of people starting off. Well, I always tell my clients you know, investing in your brand and website, write the kind of best things you can do because it can pay off in a big way. Right, you know, instead of kind of trying to DIY it for two years, and maybe you're losing clients or losing people, but also, you know, not everyone's starting out can afford that. So I wanted to really kind of get that gap covered. And I was like, how can I? How can I help those people too.

So, I am launching a course called square kits. And although we won't be working one on one, I'm basically walking you through it holding your hand roll video tutorials from finding your target audience, you get to choose my custom themes, build it out, I'll show customize it. I'll show you how to launch it and and all that jazz. So love that excited about and I think it's gonna be great. Totally. I think that's awesome.

Because one year working with young creatives, like you're working with dance, a lot of people that are just starting and a lot of girls that are just starting and So you don't have the budget for it. And you do have to do it, do it a lot of do it yourself. And I love that having a template because that makes it simplifies it. Yes. easier, especially if you're just if you're not that tech, you know, you don't have the tech savvy. It's still it's, it's overwhelming and having a template to work with.

It's like, I think it's so much easier. I had to work with the template for myself. And once I did that, it just it made it like, Okay, this is not so this is not so overwhelming, and it was still affordable because I could still, you know, figure it, figure it out. So I love that you're doing that. Okay, so you're also doing a workshop, right? Like in person.

Yes. Which I think is like one of the best things to do like, I mean, we don't really have many details yet, but I'm collaborating with A group down in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and they do some other workshops too. So we kind of decided to basically turn that course into an in person workshop where we can build your website in two days launch it out into the world, and I'm awesome. So I'm super excited. Yeah. Because there's nothing like in person connection, right?

Talk to people and connect with them. And yeah, brainstorm ideas. So Exactly. I love that. I mean, did you say two days? Yep.

But that's so exciting because going and knowing that you're going to actually like, have a site is pretty amazing. So So okay, so anybody interested in those things should go to a date with design Comm. Yeah, that's the best way to do it. Yeah, yeah. Okay, cool. Um, oh, sorry.

To interrupt. Well, I was just gonna say yeah, or email me reach out to me on a cool program or wherever. So awesome to answer questions. Okay, so listen, um, I would love to keep you on all day to pick your brain about website design and strategy, but tell me, okay, if you could give somebody somebody just starting a fashion newbie, any insight because we're talking about this ultimate journey is like about being yourself and like figuring out your branding. Yep. Any any, like, last insight, lesson insights or tips.

Um, you know, I'm just gonna run with the whole thing yourself. This might sound cliche, but it was actually pretty humorous because this week, I got an email from one of my followers, basically, best thing that she copied some of my content and, you know, I could tell her She just felt like guilty and I didn't even do it. I didn't I didn't even know. Um, so my kind of best advice, I guess, if I want to relate it to the fashion industry, yeah, take like a known designer name like Louie Vuitton. Right, right. Everyone knows that their products are going to be valuable and high quality and right.

They look to them maybe for design inspiration. And then you have the knockoffs, right? Right. And if price wasn't an option, everyone's going to choose the designer every time they go for the knockoff. So yeah, really, I guess, finding out what makes you unique. Yeah, sharing that and, you know, giving your own insights and opinion or style or whatever that is, right.

If you see someone who's successful in your industry, and they did ABC to get there, you don't have to do ABC. You can get there either. Do you can write your own ABC? So yeah, I guess just being yourself and being authentic and true to who you are and knowing that there's no one route to success, right? So I love that. That's a great comparison with the designer and the knockoff and that, that metaphor is that metaphor, right?

Oh, gosh. This is the question I would be like, asking my boyfriend. It's not a metaphor, or, I mean, yeah. But no, I love that. Because that's kind of crazy that you just that with that situation because it was it was humorous, like so well, and we can't even be mad because, you know, I think we've all kind of been there like well Maybe if I do. Oh, they're doing it.

Yeah. So right. Well, I love that you said you don't have to have the same like, process or the same steps for it to work. Because sometimes I think that gets overwhelming as well as thinking, Oh, I have to do it this way, this way. It has to look this way. To be as good as you know, whoever you're aspiring to be.

But yeah, I love that. You do your own thing. And you do have to find out like, what makes you unique and, and run with that. And because that's really ultimately I always say that too. It's like that's almost the only way to stand out is because you're whoever you are, it makes you ultimately unique in its own way. You're just you're not like everybody's different.

Everybody has their own like skill set to bring. You know, so yeah, but yeah, and it's just never it's just never a good thing. To copy somebody else's guilt because obviously, what I think what happens is, if you do copy something like that, you it'll, it will run its course like maybe initially it'll be successful but then you won't be able to maintain it because you're knocking something else off and it becomes saturated. Like it's not as powerful because you're, it's not you. So I think Yeah, doing yourself into service. So, but I'm definitely like a fan of yours.

And that's how I was like, I couldn't remember exactly how I had come upon your your site. But initially, I was like, Oh my god, I totally love it because it was it's, you know, it's clean. It's simple. It's like it's pretty But I love that all your insights and it's amazing. I'm so impressed. Oh, just one last thing because I know you have.

It's the small biz squad, right? Like, is that something that your client gets when they sign up with you or how to absolutely everyone? Okay, cool. It's just a private Facebook community and it's mostly creative entrepreneurs in there. And so it's just kind of really nice to have a an intimate group. I think we have a right to some people in there, pop in questions and get feedback or get advice and also just kind of celebrate our wins, right?

Yeah, times our family doesn't quite get her friends. Yeah, what we do, like sell stuff online or bloggers. People who are like, Yeah, get it. Good job. Right. My two senses I'm so awesome.

Well, I'm so glad that we connected and we connected virtually. So I think it's definitely important about like, connecting with other people and like, you know, ultimately that being yourself is like the best way and you kind of speak to that as well by taking that leap and doing your own biz having your own business. So I think that's totally motivational and I so appreciate that you've spent time and gave some insight and tips and go to a date with design.com. For all like Kerry's amazing, you know, opportunities that you have going on, especially like, the new year, so you might as well like get your site looking good. And it's like, you can't go wrong, because the site I think, is probably one of the most important things when you start a business. I mean, it's it's 2017 you know, have a choice.

It might sound biased, but it is. No, it's totally. That's why I'm so excited to have you on the summit. So thanks, Carrie. It's so great talking to you. You too.

Bye now. Bye