Establish Your Brand

Work Outside of the System

Branding yourself is not an option.

If you’ve made it this far, you should know that you are a business. Branding is part of that business. You can be laid back and casual in your branding, or you can ball out and pay someone to help you.

Pick a font, pick some colors (or go black and white) and use them consistently when you’re promoting yourself on resumes, business cards, and your website. 

Think of the brands and content you consume. Ask yourself the following:

• Why do you like them? 

• What is their tone?

• What are their values? 

• What type of products, goods, or services do they offer?

• What is their aesthetic?

Regardless of what you choose, all that matters is that you’re authentic in the direction you go in. Be confident in who you are and what you believe.

Protect your pitches.

Before you share or meet with anyone, register your work...

• LLC your film projects.

• Trademark your larger brands.

• Own your name

Helpful people to know to keep in your “friend portfolio.”

Mitt Romney had “binders of women,” you’ll need something similar. Make friends with skills that differ from yours so you can help each other as you establish yourself. This includes:

• People who make websites.

• People who know social media.

• People who know marketing.

• People who know money.

• People who are great at talking to strangers.

• People who can keep their cool.