If you didn't already know, I've been trying to get to 100 Rejections for the last two years. Today I am chatting through the update of how it's all going (spoiler alert - I am failing!!!). I have been learning valuable lessons along the way and as I share them in today's episode I hope you find them helpful too. 

If you want some support in your Rejection Challenge Journey, or simply would like to have a list of ideas of what you could pitch for then you will want to get your hands on my latest resource - The Rejection Challenge Prompts Package [https://lizmosley.thrivecart.com/lets-get-rejected/]; 30 prompts for you to challenge yourself with, daily or at your own pace. 

Let me know how your rejection challenge is going if you're doing one or what the first thing you will pitch for if you're about to start! Come find me on instagram where I am @‌lizmmosley [https://www.instagram.com/lizmmosley/] or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/buildingyourbrandpodcast/] and I hope you enjoy the episode!

 

Key Takeways

 * You have to learn to trust that you will be able to handle the rejection and move on
 * Very rarely is anything a ‘forever’ no
 * Pursuing rejection gets you more comfortable with discomfort and helps you to learn how to move on quicker when rejections do come

 

Episode Highlights

 * 1:00: Let’s get rejected - a new product to help you with your rejection challenge
 * 1:37: the story so far and why I’m failing
 * 3:15: A new challenge to help me get to 100
 * 5:15: Dream clients as a motivitaion
 * 6:44: Things that hold me back in the rejection challange

 

 

Let's Get Rejected - An Update On One Hundred Rejections

Have you ever felt like there's a bit of a blockage between what you're doing now and where you want to be in marketing your business? Are you watching other people show up for their brands and their marketing in ways that just seem beyond what you feel naturally comfortable in doing and you don't even think the content they're producing is that good but they seem to be doing well...? Well today's episode is for you! 

I was having a chat with my friend who works in fundraising for a Charity and our converstation inspired today's episode. Join me as I talk through and encourage us all to lean a bit further into our discomfort and what feels 'cringe' and why that's a great move for your branding, marketing and business in general.

I would love to hear your thoughts on what has helped you overcome the cringe and what you're planning to do to grow your personal discomfort in your business

Come let me know on instagram where you can find me @‌lizmmosley [https://www.instagram.com/lizmmosley/] or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/buildingyourbrandpodcast/] and I hope you enjoy the episode!

 

Key Takeways

 * The most successful people are not necessarily the people who are the best at what they do. It’s often the people who are prepared to put themselves out there.
 * The people who are willing to work through 'the cringe' are the ones who are getting their businesses and products infront of clients and making the sales
 * In order to grow our businesses we need to grow our capacity for discomfort
 * A huge part of success is the willingness to show up and risk failiure

 

Episode Highlights

 * 0:42 The story behind today’s topic
 * 1:53 Who is winning at being successful?
 * 2:46 Being 'cringe' online
 * 3:21 How to grow your business well
 * 4:27 Why people get held back in their businesses
 * 5:25 Things you can do to help you push through the discomfort
 * 7:59 How to stand out in your industry
 * 10:23 A round up of lessons learned

 

Lessons about cringe and discomfort from a chat with a friend

It is so tempting to jump on trends when it feels like 'everyone is doing it', and the creative direction is right in front of you but does it actually help or hinder your business?

Today I chat through my thoughts on whether or not following trends is good for your branding and if you do follow trends how to know which ones work for you and which ones don't.

I would also love to hear your thoughts on how you feel about trends and whether or nott they work for you. 

Come let me know on instagram where you can find me @‌lizmmosley [https://www.instagram.com/lizmmosley/] or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/buildingyourbrandpodcast/] and I hope you enjoy the episode!

 

Key Takeways

 * Trends don’t last for very long; if you create branding based on a trend, within a year the trend will have moved on
 * If you change your branding regularly you risk breaking trust with your audience and clients
 * If you jump on a trend at the right time, it can have a good imapct and work well
 * Some trends can get boring really quickly and become oversaturated

 

Episode Highlights

 * 1:14 Trends in visual branding
 * 2:10 why rebranding frequently causes problems
 * 4:10 Ways to use trends in your small business visual branding
 * 6:41 trends within your visual content
 * 9:35 Questions to ask yourself before jumping on a trend

 

Mentioned in the episode

 * Trending reel with Liz Mosley and Hannah Isted [https://www.instagram.com/p/DKudSLgId1a/]

Should you follow trends in your small business?

Over the last 5 years of running my business I have set myself various creative challenges. I never really went into them thinking about the impact that they might have on my business but every single one of them has had a really significant impact and they have often led me to other very exciting opportunities. 

In this episode I share with 4 of those challenges, what I learnt from doing them and the other opportunities that came my way as a result, and I encourage you to think about the impact creative challenges might have for you. 

I would also love to hear your thoughts on what my next creative challenge should be! 

Come let me know on instagram where you can find me @‌lizmmosley [https://www.instagram.com/lizmmosley/] or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/buildingyourbrandpodcast/] and I hope you enjoy the episode!

 

Key Takeways

 * Creative challenges can speed up your learning process and your progress
 * Creative challenges increase your discipline and consistency
 * Creative challenges exercise your playful creative muscle
 * Trying a different format or limiting yourself on purpose increases creativity

 

Episode Highlights

 * 1:38 My first creative challenge experience
 * 2:03 What I love about a challege
 * 5:15 The Pattern Challenge
 * 7:44 The Rejection Challenge
 * 8:33 Unexpected results and opportunities from challenges
 * 9:26 40 Lessons Challenge

 

Mentioned in the episode

 * Hannah Isted [https://www.hicommunications.co.uk]
 * 30 Day reel challenge final reel [https://www.instagram.com/p/C0QzteFoLAG/]
 * Rejection Challenge Podcast episode [https://buildingyourbrand.net/episode/katie-chappell/]
 * How persuing rejection transformed my business blog [https://buildingyourbrand.net/blog/persuing-rejection/]

Creative Challenges I Did for Fun (That Accidentally Boosted My Business)

This episode is sponsored by Astute Graphics who create powerful plugins for Adobe Illustrator. Access your free trial here [http://www.lizmosley.net/astutegraphics] (Aff link)

This wasn't an episode that I was planning on recording but I suddenly felt the urge to chat about it as I see more and more of this sort of thing online. There are loads of tools now where you can upload hours of your voice or video content of you and make an AI avatar of yourself that looks pretty realistic. I can see how there might be some benefits to this and I discuss that in the episode but I have decided that this is not for me and I share the reasons why.

I would love to know what you think - is this something you have thought about? I would love to carry on the conversation on social media so come let me know your thoughts. You can find me @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!

 

Key Takeaways

 * AI is never going to replace human interaction and authentic connection
 * AI avatar may be usual for helping you show up online for your business, but weigh it up for yourself
 * ‘Perfect’ isn’t as interesting as ‘authentic’

 

Episode Highlights

 * 0:30 why I wanted to cover AI as a subject
 * 1:30 my immediate reaction to having an AI avatar
 * 3:20 Versions of AI tools available
 * 4:56 The pressure to present
 * 6:00 The appeal of an AI Avatar
 * 8:20 A warning for using an AI Avatart

 

Mentioned in the episode

 * Biz Paul [https://bizpaul.com]

Why I’m Saying No to an AI Avatar (and Showing Up as Me Instead)

This episode is sponsored by Astute Graphics who create powerful plugins for Adobe Illustrator. Access your free trial here [http://www.lizmosley.net/astutegraphics] (Aff link)

Have you ever considered what your brand values are? Whenever I teach clients and students about branding I always bang on about how important your brand values are as part of your brand foundation and strategy.

They aren't hard to work out and are often very similar to your personal values especially if you're a small business owner.

In this episode, I share what my brand values are, a super simple excersize for working out what yours might be, and I also share some stories from pals on social media who shared with me how their values have impacted different situations they have found themselves in in their business!

I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I’m @‌lizmmosley [https://www.instagram.com/lizmmosley/] or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/buildingyourbrandpodcast/] and I hope you enjoy the episode!

 

Key Takeaways

 * Our values are often passed down to us and become formed over time.
 * Having brand values helps you to make better decisions for your business
 * Brand values help you to steer your business in the right direction
 * Brand values help you maintain your integrity in your business
 * Brand values are like boundaries for your business - lines you draw that you do not cross
 * As you change as a person, your brand values will change. It’s good to check in with brand values to make sure they are aligned with who you are

 

Episode Highlights

 * 0:49: What are brand values?
 * 3:10: My Brand values
 * 6:48: Exercise to figure out your brand values
 * 11:10: How brand values look and work in your business
 * 12:33: Real life examples of how brand values work

 

Mentioned in the episode

 * rode pod mic [https://rode.com/en/products/podmic-usb?variant_sku=PODMICUSB]
 * Brand Values Cheat Sheet [https://www.lizmosley.net/s/DYOB_Brand_values.pdf]
 * Flash Sale - Design your Own Branding [https://www.lizmosley.net/design-your-own-branding-5]

The Secret Power of Brand Values: Stay Aligned & Avoid Bad Opportunities

This episode is sponsored by Astute Graphics who create powerful plugins for Adobe Illustrator. Access your free trial here [http://www.lizmosley.net/astutegraphics] (Aff link)

In need of a brand but don't yet have enough budget to hire a professional? On today's episode of Building your Brand podcast I am giving you my top tips for DIYing your own branding. Whether its because you're a creative and want to do your branding yourself or you need some branding to bride the gap between now and when you can afford to outsource your branding, this episode is for you.

I am also putting my course Design Your Own Branding ON SALE as I will be retiring the course after this round. Get it now while it's still available!

I hope you really enjoy this episode and find it useful.

I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley [https://www.instagram.com/lizmmosley/] or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/buildingyourbrandpodcast/] and I hope you enjoy the episode!

 

Key Takeaways

 * If you have a small budget but not enough for branding hire a photographer; it's the most valuable use of your money at this stage
 * Your brand values will be similar or the same as your personal values
 * It's important to keep asking yourself 'What do I want my customers to feel' all through the process of develioping your branding

 

Episode Highlights

 * 2:32 Deciding on brand values
 * 3:12 Defining a mission statement
 * 4:22 Brand personality
 * 6:20 How to create a moodboard that helps you
 * 7:31 Bare minimum elements needed to create branding
 * 9:38 File formats needed
 * 10:02 Colour guidelines
 * 12:07 Fonts for branding
 * 13:50 How photography can help
 * 14:56 Adding illustrations to your branding

 

Mentioned in the episode

 * colour.adobe.com [http://colour.adobe.com] - accessability checker
 * My blog post: recommeded brand photographers [https://buildingyourbrand.net/blog/looking-for-a-branding-photographer-in-the-uk-here-are-my-top-picks/]
 * Hannah Bacon templates [https://www.hannahbacondesign.com/shop#SHOPALL]
 * Flash Sale - Design your Own Branding [https://www.lizmosley.net/design-your-own-branding]

Tips for DIYing your own branding

This episode is sponsored by Astute Graphics, who create powerful plugins for Adobe illustrator. Access your free trial here  [https://account.astutegraphics.com/#/auth/register?referrer=lmosely](aff link) 

I am continuing the summer series of solo episodes and on today's episode I share with you my tips and experience of growing a personal brand.

I go over what a personal brand actually is, the buzz words around it and why it might be really significant for you to think about growing your own personal brand too.

I give a six step breakdown of lessons I've learned along the way

I hope you really enjoy this episode and find it useful.

I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley [https://www.instagram.com/lizmmosley/] or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/buildingyourbrandpodcast/] and I hope you enjoy the episode!

 

Key Takeaways:
 * If you’re going to have a personal brand, you need to be strategic about it
 * If you want other opportunities outside of your core offering, personal branding can help with that - people buy from people
 * A fun way to raise your profile is by borrowing someone else’s audience: guest appear on other people’s podcast
 * Having a personal brand helps people to talk about you when you’re not in the room
 * Ask for what you want; don’t wait for people to notice you
 * Know your values and get comfortable with saying No

  Episode Highlights:
 * 0:55: What is a personal brand?
 * 2:20: Do you need a personal brand?
 * 5:36: How I have grown my personal brand
 * 11:12: Six lessons I've learned about building a personal brand

  Mentioned in the episode:
 * Astute Graphics (Aff link) [https://account.astutegraphics.com/#/auth/register?referrer=lmosely]

 

This episode was written, recorded and edited by me.

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

 

How I am growing my personal brand as a graphic designer

Today I am starting a 12 week series where I chat about all things small business, behind the scenes and answer questions that have been sent in by you the listeners. 

This first episode is a deep dive into the story of how I came to partner with Adobe. It's a behind the scenes look at the ins and outs of being an Adobe Express ambassador and the path that it has led me down in growing my business, broadening my experience and raising my profile as a designer.

  Key Takeaways:

 * You never know who’s watching: exciting opportunities can happen at anytime in your business

  Episode Highlights:
 * 1:25: How I started with Adobe
 * 3:34: What it’s like being an Adobe Express Ambassador
 * 5:13: My shift and growth within Adobe
 * 5:45: BTS with Adobe Live
 * 8:10: How I have benefited from working at Adobe
 * 11:40: What it was like speaking at Adobe Max
 * 13:12: How working with Adobe has changed my business plan
 * 14:22: Restrictions of working with Adobe
 * 16:46: Is working with Adobe intimidating?
 * 18:29: The cons of working with Adobe

  Mentioned in the episode:
 * Adobe Express (aff link) [https://www.adobe.com/express/pricing?clickref=1011lAx7g2et&mv=affiliate&mv2=pz&as_camptype=&as_channel=affiliate&as_source=partnerize&as_campaign=lizmmosley]
 * Adobe Live [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVMJPRXrBIOFDBZEaF-_pEA]
 * Nikki McWilliams [https://www.instagram.com/nikkimcwilliams/]
 * Apply to be an Adobe Express Ambassador [https://www.adobe.com/express/ambassadors]

I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley [https://www.instagram.com/lizmmosley/] or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/buildingyourbrandpodcast/] and I hope you enjoy the episode!

This episode was written, recorded and edited by me.

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Behind the scenes with Adobe: my honest experience

This episode is sponsored by Riverside. Head to https://creators.riverside.fm/lizmosley to check it out and use the code lizmosley for a 15% discount.

This week, I’m excited to share a slightly different episode of the Building Your Brand podcast. I was joined in the studio by two previous guests, Hannah and Lois, for a candid conversation about a topic I don't think is discussed enough: the fear of success.

It turns out this fear has a name – the Jonah Complex – and it can show up in all sorts of sneaky ways, from procrastination to self-sabotage. We delved into what the fear of success looks like for each of us, how it holds us back, and what we can do to start working through it. We touch on everything from the pressure of maintaining success to how our relationships can change and the stories we tell ourselves about what success even means.

This was such an insightful and inspiring chat, and I hope it gets you thinking about your own relationship with success.

  Key Takeaways:
 * Define Your Own Success: Success isn't a one-size-fits-all concept. 3It’s crucial to get clear on what success looks and feels like for you personally, rather than chasing a version of success defined by others or society.
 * Embrace the Process: The journey towards your goals is just as important as reaching the destination. We often adapt to achievements quickly, so finding joy and value in the day-to-day process is key to long-term fulfilment.
 * Challenge Your Internal Stories: We all have narratives in our heads about what success entails – that it’s stressful, that it requires sacrificing time with family, or that it will make people dislike us. It's powerful to question these stories, unpick our judgements of others, and intentionally decide if we're making choices out of fear or true desire.
 * Get Comfortable with Discomfort: Pushing towards something new will inevitably feel uncomfortable because it's something you haven't done before. Learning to tolerate this discomfort is essential for growth, and it's different from being mean to yourself. 

  Episode Highlights:
 * 03:31: The topic for today's episode is the fear of success, which came about after a conversation between the three of us.
 * 08:08: Lois shares her fear of niching down into the wrong thing and how coaching helped her reframe her perspective on success and capacity.
 * 11:05: I talk about how my most significant moments of success were defined by the feeling of security they

Help, I'm Succeeding! (And Other Rational Fears) with Hannah Isted & Lois Seco

Graphic Designer Liz Mosley wants all you small business owners to build
businesses that you LOVE and feel confident about promoting. Through her decade
of branding and design experience and with the help of her guests, she shares
top tips to take the fear out of selling and building your brand. Produced by:
Lucy Lucraft (Instagram @lucylucraft Cover illustration: Matt Joyce (Instagram
@mattjoyce_illustrator)

Liz Mosley

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