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Tag: storytelling
Vulnerability: The Superpower You’re Probably Avoiding
Is Vulnerability What Is Missing from Your Signature Style
Let’s have a little heart-to-heart, shall we? I want to talk about something that might make you cringe a bit: vulnerability.
You’ve built your brand on expertise, confidence, and that polished, professional vibe. But that vibe isn’t you. Letting your guard down a little won’t ruin your credibility. It might just be the missing piece that takes your brand to the next level.
What Is Vulnerability, Really?
Let’s clear something up first. Vulnerability doesn’t mean turning your social media feed into a dramatic soap opera or some kind of reality TV audition. (Nobody’s got time for that, and it won’t help you book more clients.)
Vulnerability is about owning your experiences—the highs, the “did I just screw that up?” moments, and everything in between. It’s about reminding your audience that behind the polished posts and wins, you’re human. And trust me, that humanity? It’s your secret weapon. Remember this above all else, people want to do business with people!
Why Your Audience Craves It
Here’s the deal: Your audience isn’t looking for a flawless guru who seems untouchable. They’re looking for someone who gets it. Someone who has stumbled, gotten back up, and kept going.
It’s not the fall they care about—it’s the recovery.
When you let your real self shine through, you give your audience permission to connect with a real person. They’ll feel seen, connected, and understood. That’s where trust is born. Why is trust so important? Because it’s the foundation of communities—and successful businesses.
How to Bring More Realness to Your Content
s ditch the robotic expert act (we all know it’s not real anyway). Instead, start weaving personal stories into your content.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Share how you bombed your first launch (and what you learned).
- Talk about that one client call where you felt like a total fraud.
- Admit that the IG algorithm almost broke your spirit last week.
These moments aren’t weaknesses. They’re opportunities to connect. Relatability breeds trust, and trust? That’s where the magic—and the sales—happen.
5 Simple Ways to Practice Vulnerability
Not sure where to start? Here’s a quick guide:
- Journal Your Truths:
Grab a notebook and jot down your wins, losses, and those messy “aha” moments. Getting comfortable with your story is the first step to sharing it with others. - Take People Behind the Scenes:
Wrestling with a big decision? Share it. Struggling with imposter syndrome? Talk about it. Real-life honesty resonates with people far more than “Look how perfect my life is” ever will. - Find Your Tribe:
Surround yourself with other entrepreneurs who get it. Sharing war stories—failed launches, surprising wins—can keep you inspired and grounded. - Open Yourself to Feedback:
Constructive criticism can sting, but it helps you refine your voice and connect more deeply with your ideal clients. - Work with a Coach:
Seriously, this is a non-negotiable. You don’t know what you don’t know, and a great coach will help you uncover blind spots and level up faster. (And no, this isn’t just a plug for you to hire me—find a coach who clicks with you!)
Vulnerability: Your Leadership Edge
Here’s the bottom line: Vulnerability doesn’t make you less of a leader—it makes you more of one. It’s your not-so-secret superpower.
When you show up as your unfiltered, real self, you inspire trust, connection, and action.
So, step into the arena. Share your quirks, your lessons, and yes, even your scars. The real, human you is exactly what your audience has been waiting for.
And trust me, they’ll thank you for it.
Now it’s your turn—what’s one small way you can show up as your authentic self this week? Drop a comment or send me a message. Let’s keep the conversation going.
5 Things You Can Learn About Signature Style from the Eras Tour
Turns out, Miss Taylor Alison Swift knows a thing or two about having a Signature Style!
Alright, Swifties—let’s talk about the Eras Tour.
First, a little confession: I’m a closet Swiftie. When I scored floor seats for myself and my sister to this concert, we were expecting an epic concert. It is Taylor Swift after all. But honestly? What we got was so much more than just an outstanding performance. It was pure, unbeatable insanity. I walked away totally mind-blown—not just by her talent but by the genius business moves happening at every turn.
The Eras Tour wasn’t just a concert. It was an experience. Every detail was perfectly crafted, and it hit me: Taylor Swift is a master of something we could all learn from—the power of a signature style. Let’s break it down, shall we?
First, Some Background on the Tour
If you somehow missed it (where have you been?!), Taylor announced the Eras Tour in 2022 after dropping Midnights. The concept? It was a celebration of every phase of her career, with each “era” getting its own spotlight. For over 3.5 hours, Taylor performed 40+ songs grouped into distinct acts, each representing one of her albums.
The level of detail was next-level crazy. Each song had its own outfit, choreography, and staging, and every era was unique and could stand alone as a piece of art. And, of course, Taylor being Taylor, she even revamped the show halfway through the tour to include songs from The Tortured Poets Department. Critics loved it. Fans couldn’t get enough. And Swift streams skyrocketed across the board.
Upon arriving at the arena in Toronto, I was shocked by the lack of chaos. This HUGE event is bound to have some chaos, but there was nothing but organization and smiles. Even the hour-and-a-half souvenir line was well organized and almost enjoyable. As we walked down to our floor seats, it hit me that this would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and as the clock counted down to Taylor getting on stage, I got goosebumps. It must have been cold in there!
From start to finish… I was blown the F*CK AWAY!
Now let’s talk about these lessons—because this is where things get good.
1. A Signature Style Evolves—And That’s a Good Thing
What makes Taylor Swift iconic is how she reinvents herself with every album. She’s never stuck in one place, but she’s always Taylor. Whether it’s her country roots, glittery pop anthems, or indie vibes, each era feels like a fresh take on the same person we’ve loved all along.
Takeaway: You don’t have to stay the same to stay true to yourself. Your “style” can grow and evolve with you. Think about who you are now and how you can reflect that in your work, your life, or even your Instagram posts.
2. Own Your Story—Every Part of It
Taylor’s had her fair share of drama over the years (Kanye, Scooter Braun, anyone?), but instead of letting it define her, she’s taken control of the narrative. Whether it’s re-recording her albums or writing songs that spill all the tea, she shows us what it means to own your story and keep it moving. She knows what people are going to say and she beats them to the punchline.
Takeaway: Don’t let someone else write your story for you. Whatever challenges you’re facing, own them. Use them. They’re part of what makes your journey so uniquely yours.
3. Over-Deliver Like Your Reputation Depends On It
When I tell you Taylor went all out during this concert, I’m not kidding. Every song had its own costume, set, and vibe, and she performed each like the grand finale. For over three hours, she gave 110%—and you could feel it in every second.
Takeaway: Whether it’s your job, your passion project, or how you show up in life, bring your best. People notice. And when you over-deliver, they’ll remember you—and tell everyone about you.
4. Connection is Everything
Taylor doesn’t just perform; she connects. Whether it’s through surprise songs, heartfelt lyrics, or chatting with fans on TikTok, she makes everyone feel like they’re part of the experience. And because of her the fans are like one big family that sings together, loves every moment, and yes even exchange friendship bracelets.
Takeaway: People want to feel seen, heard, and valued. Whether it’s in your relationships, your work, or even on social media, focus on connection. That’s what keeps people coming back for more.
Here’s the thing about the Eras Tour—it wasn’t just a celebration of her music; it was a genius business move. By performing songs from all her albums, Taylor boosted streams for her entire catalog, not just her latest releases. She’s not just a musician—she’s a brand, and the Eras Tour was a masterclass in branding done right.
5. Your Signature Style is Your Superpower
Takeaway: Your signature style isn’t just how you look or sound—it’s how you make people feel. It’s the vibe you create and the connection you build. Use it to tell your story, show your value, and grow your impact.
BONUS: When You Care, People Will Pay
I was going to leave this one out but it is important… Let’s talk ticket prices for a second. Yeah, they weren’t cheap (looking at you, Ticketmaster!), but almost every fan walked away saying, “Worth. Every. Penny.” Why? Because Taylor poured her heart and soul into every single moment of that show. I as a closet Swiftie even got goosebumps a couple times. You could tell she cared, and that made it all worth it.
Takeaway: People are willing to invest in you if you show them you’re invested in them. It’s not about being the cheapest or flashiest—it’s about being real, caring, and delivering something that feels meaningful.
So, What Can We Learn from the Eras Tour?
Whether you’re a coach, or a creator, or someone just trying to stand out in this crazy world, the lessons from the Eras Tour are clear:
- Evolve but stay true to yourself. Your story—and style—should grow with you.
- Own your narrative. Don’t let anyone else define you.
- Over-deliver. Whatever you do, give it everything you’ve got.
- Build connection. People remember how you make them feel.
- Leverage your style. Use it to tell your story and grow your impact.
- Care deeply. It shows—and it makes all the difference.
If Taylor’s taught us anything, it’s that creating a signature style isn’t just about looking cool—it’s about building something unforgettable. So whether your “era” is still in its first act or you’re gearing up for a whole new one, remember this: Your style is your power. Lean into it, and you’ll create something truly magical.
Now, Swifties—what’s your favorite lesson from the Eras Tour? Let’s chat in the comments!
Brand Alignment: New Year, (Re)New Brand
Brand Alignment: Conducting Brand Reviews to Ensure Brand Health
It is a commonplace for a brand to overlook the importance of alignment. Companies view a brand as something that is completed once and requires little or no maintenance. This tendency to overlook brand alignment is why we developed the New Year (Re)New Brand webinar. The webinar serves as a reminder of the importance of conducting a yearly review of your brand.
Completing a yearly brand review ensures that any adjustments and realignment necessary for your brand occurs. The practice of completing a regular brand review also creates awareness of shifts in the marketplace, your business, or your employees. It also allows your businesses to adjust to small changes before any significant issues arise. When a brand is no longer appropriately aligned, the impact can be dramatic.
The Impact of A Poorly Aligned Brand
What happens when your brand is no longer aligned with your story and values? One of the significant impacts of a brand being out of alignment is the loss of trust from your customers. This loss of confidence is most visible when customers no longer believe the claims that a brand is making. Additionally, customers don’t think the company is making good on its claims. Another significant impact of poor brand alignment is the perception that the brand is out of touch with the current marketplace or possibly even reality. These are generally symptoms of brands that are dramatically misaligned. The practice of conducting a yearly brand review will prevent poor brand alignment from ever occurring.
Yearly Brand Alignment Review
Conducting an annual brand review is an essential part of maintaining a healthy brand. This will ensure that youer brand remains appropriately aligned with your unique brand story and values. At JRH Graphics, we recommend utilizing the 9 Components of Brand Workbook as the starting point for your annual Brand Review. During this review, you should look at the changes you have made in the past year. Additionally, account for shifts in the market and eliminate any invalid differentiators.
A thorough brand review helps you feel confident that you are entering the new year on the right foot. Go into 2020 as a brand and business that is fully aligned and ready to make a difference.
Business Transparency: Real Conversations Series
Are You Ready to Dive Into Transparency Head First
Jonathan Howard of JRH Graphics and Melanie Richards of Increase Your Visibility Discuss Business Transparency
- Jonathan Howard
- JRH Graphics
- www.jrhgraphics.com
- jhoward@jrhgraphics.com
- facebook.com/jrhgraphics
- instagram.com/jonathanrhoward
- Melanie Richards
- Increase Your Visibility
- https://increaseyourvisibility.biz
- melanie@increaseyourvisibility.biz
- faceboook.com/IncreaseYourVisibilitywithMel/
- Illuminations Groups: bit.ly:/IamVisible
Business Transparency
In its purest sense, business transparency means apparent, unencumbered honesty. A transparent company is a company that is honest in its business practices. However, there is more to it than that. Open companies do not hold anything back from their employees, customers, and investors. No hidden agendas and the narrative is unified. Transparency requires all information required for collaboration, cooperation, and collective decision making is available. Transparency is essential to the success of any business in the correct marketplace and a major building block needed for trust to be established. Simple right? You all know what that definition means and how you can apply it to your business. That’s okay we aren’t sure about some of it either. It’s not surprising that many believe that transparency is nothing but an overused buzzword.
A Real Conversation
Business transparency is precisely the type of topic we love to cover on the “Real Conversations Series.” It’s a hot button subject and many people have strong opinions on topics like this. Hot button topics provide for exciting conversations. Jonathan of JRH Graphics and Melanie Richards of Increase Your Visibility sit down to have a real discussion about transparency. Nothing to sell, no agreed-upon discussion points, no script, and no roadmap. Just a real conversation that touches on a wide variety of subjects ranging from the role of vulnerability in transparency to the role respect plays in business. For new entrepreneurs we explore the importance of just showing up as well as allowing your true self to guide your way. And for established entreprenuers we look at what it means to be an expert adn the key steps needed to establish your expertise on social media.
This lively conversation was important and very fun to have with Melanie. We hope that it helps entrepreneurs understand a bit more about difficult topics such as transparency and how they may impact your business.
What Are Your Takeaways?
Jonathan and Mel provide you with their takeaways at the end of this video, but we want to know what you have as takeaway. What did you learn? What stuck with you? Has this video changed the way that you look at transparency as a whole. We would love to hear your comments in the comment section of the blog below or on social media! If you have questions that you want answered, please reach out and ask us.
Also, please share what would have made this video better or what expectations you had for the video that were not met. Our goal is to continue to provide you withthe best information available, with a practical spin.
Please note, this is the 2nd in the Real Conversations Series, if you would like to see the first one look for Authenticity Beyond The Buzzword!