Jenelle Botts Brand Strategy

06/24/2022

It's Fabulous Friday! Here's your encouragement to just do the thing!​​​​​​​​
✨ Take the day off ​​​​​​​​
✨ Finish that project​​​​​​​​
✨ Launch that new offering​​​​​​​​
✨ Make the Reel​​​​​​​​
✨ Publish the blog post (without overthinking it!)​​​​​​​​
✨ Make that investment in your business you've been thinking about forever​​​​​​​​
✨ Go to the pool​​​​​​​​
✨ Eat the cookie!​​​​​​​​
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What are you doing today?

06/22/2022

It’s my 9 year anniversary of becoming a mother! Nine years ago today, Henry arrived and Seth and I officially became parents!​​​​​​​​
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Today we are giving him presents and cake even though he did none of the work to make this day happen. He was actually late. He was supposed to come 9 years ago yesterday when I went into labor. But I’ve gotten over it!​​​​​​​​
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These nine years have been the most beautiful and the most exhausting of my life. Every day I astound myself that I’m actually doing this mom thing. Every day. Somehow I have answers for thing and solutions to problems and joy to share and worry to spare. Every day. ​​​​​​​​
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It’s been nine years of concerning myself wholly about another human. Knowing everything I can about his insides and outsides. Feeling a love that leaves my body to surround another and also stays to fill my own soul. ​​​​​​​​
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We officially celebrate June 22 as Henry’s day. He picked dinner and he gets gifts and a party. But I celebrate myself a little too. Nine years and one day ago I was just Jenelle. Then I became mom.

04/13/2022

Can we just stop for a moment and celebrate our divine right to be seen? To actually be seen. Not for the things we do or the stuff we make. Not for the scrapes we heal or the fires we extinguish. Not for mountains we climb or lives we touch.​​​​​​​​
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But to just be seen. For our outside to match our inside. And for our inside to match our outside. To be seen as a whole person who isn't just a sum of the collisions we make in the universe. But instead as just a simple soul. A whole person who on our own is remarkable. ​​​​​​​​
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I see you. Just you. Just remarkable, beautiful, sunshine you. I hope you feel as good on the inside as you look on the outside! And I hope your smile today is a true reflection of the joy you feel in your heart!​​​​​​​​
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Also can we stop and applaud 👏 because she is a gift to women! She is talented in her craft for sure, but her true gift is making women feel seen!

03/03/2022

In business and in life we only thrive as a result of the people who we surround ourselves with. As humans, we are not meant to do this thing on our own. Even seasoned introverts like me need friends, neighbors, partners, colleagues and random acts of kindness.​​​​​​​​
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When I first moved to Raleigh, these two women became my first new friends. If I remember correctly, Brooke orchestrated the first meeting and our friendship took off from there!​​​​​​​​
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Whether we are getting together to create or to enjoy an outdoor lunch, being with them feels like a deep breath of fresh air. It's safe to say I owe a lot to these women - for lifting me up, for trusting me and for simply being in my circle. It's tough making new friends as an adult! And when gems like Amy and Brooke come along, they deserve to be celebrated!​​​​​​​​
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Also these women are extremely talented photographers and videographers! Yesterday we gathered and they helped me with my new branding. To all my branding clients that need a new photographer - and are your girls! ​​​​​​​​
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Ladies - thank you for being you. I love you the most!

02/17/2022

I'm sure you've heard it before: people connect with people, not a business or a product.
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It's true, but what does it actually mean? And what are you supposed to do about it?
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It's not that complicated if you think about it.
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Your cat is grey and fat and super soft. (It's actually my cat!) But I don't relate to it's grey-ness. I don't have an emotional connection to his fur. But I have an attachment to him because of his human qualities- his affection and desire to sleep in warm places.
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Ok a cat is a bad example because they are animals. How about my attraction to Jot Coffee. Let's do that example. I'm attracted to their values of sustainability and reducing waste. I am drawn to their appearance as a minimal and quirky brand. I vibe with the tone in their messaging. And I love coffee they way they love coffee. We're the same!
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I followed them for awhile and googled for other people’s reviews of their coffee. I probably visited their website 4-5 times before deciding to buy. Ultimately our relationship resulted in a transaction and I will be a repeat customer because of the quality of the product.
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But first, they built a bridge for me to walk over. They gave me something to be attracted to. The spoke to my inner desire for simplicity. How can you do this for your brand? More on the blog!

02/14/2022

Roses are red,​​​​​​​​
Your taxes are due.​​​​​​​​
But you're killing it, boss! ​​​​​​​​
I'm proud of you!​​​​​​​​
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Go ahead and eat the whole box of chocolates! Except the coconut ones. Gross. And write yourself a love letter today! ​​​​​​​​
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How do I love me? I love my smile and how thoughtful I am.​​​​​​​​
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How do you love you? Tell me your Valentine's day self-love mantra in the comments!

01/28/2022

"Why" is a hard question to ask sometimes. Whys are typically emotions based and they don't share a space in the brain with language. As a brand, it is the most important question to know the answer to! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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People converge on your why. Your audience needs a why before they buy. We can't clearly state the reason we connect with some brands better than others. We just feel it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But your why is more than just what motivates you. Your why is about more than just you and your goals. I might be motivated by my family but they aren't why I have this business.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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To discover your why, you have to find your soul. Think couch-time-with-your-therapist-digging-into-your-whole-life soul discovery.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Ask yourself this:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
✔️ Besides making money, why does your brand exist?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
✔️ What does your business/you stand for? What do you stand against?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
✔️ What does the world around your brand look like?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
✔️ How is your brand contributing to that world?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
✔️ What impact is it having on you? your community? your industry? your customers?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
✔️ What commitments are important for your brand to keep as it goes about your day-to-day business?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If you were to film a documentary about your brand, what would the title be? What would the plot be about?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I'll put mine in the comments!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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01/20/2022

It's not magic 🪄 - it's W.O.R.K.! 💪
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Scroll through to get an idea of the work behind a brand strategy.
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And make sure to follow for more wisdom on my W.O.R.K. framework for Brand Strategy!
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01/17/2022

The memes don't lie - January is tough.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
January comes off a joyous holiday season. It wrought with expectations to change and be better. And if those resolutions slip out, the feeling of failure slips in. It's permission to change. a time where growth is written on post-its and fresh calendars!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So if you're in that space of "what the hell?" or "this is my time!" or anywhere in between - hi! I've missed you!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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January sucks. And 2022 already sucks. But it's also really awesome! New beginnings (that are hard but needed). Fresh starts (also hard but needed). And while somethings haven't changed, at least we aren't shocked by it all!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Things are different and scary and hard and wonderful over here too. We are riddled with the same obstacles (that start with a C) and expectations but it feels different in the 2022 light. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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First, I'm no longer a photography business. Take a look at my new bio y'all! If you're a current client, I'm still your photographer. But to all you new faces, I am your brand strategist! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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What does that mean? I'll tell you more soon. I'm working on a program for you. Specifically, YOU. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The business owner who keeps hearing: "you are your brand", "your brand is more than a logo", "People buy from people they like" and "your brand is what people say about you when you're not around". It's for the solopreneur who hears this and screams "BUT WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN!!?? HOW DO I DO THAT?"⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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My program is how you do that. And it's going to be so easy and fun and my goal it to help you "get it". And then do it.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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What are your branding questions? What do you struggle with the most when it comes to your brand?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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And how are you doing? I've missed you!

11/18/2021

The holiday season is pretty much already here! Don’t forget to update your Google My Business account accordingly.

Here’s what to check —

⏰ Update your business hours to show when you’re closed for the holidays.

🌲 Update your product listings with your holiday best sellers. Feature products that make great gifts or stocking stuffers.

📫 Post notices about shipping times.

🎉 Advertise holiday specials and discounts with an offer exclusive to customers who find you on Google.

🎁 Make a post about a service you’re booking now for 2022.

🗓 Make a post about a service or product you’re discontinuing after the end of the year.

✍️ Share a recent blog post.

If you’re talking about it on social media or in your marketing emails, make a post about it on your Google My Business profile too!

Photo credit

11/17/2021

Did you know this? 🤯 I had no idea. But I feel like the smartest person in the world now that I know! Thanks ! I learned so much from you at your shoot!

Did you already know this trick? 👖 📏

What's your fashion hack?

Videography for lifestyled_by_melanie
MUA
Shot at Creative Camp Studio

11/12/2021

Thank you so much to the United States Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce for the beautiful story!

Behind the Lens, A Photographer’s Story by Jaime Chapman | Nov 12, 2021 | Military Spouse | 0 comments Veteran, Military Spouse, Photographer Meet Jenelle, She was my Neighbor Jenelle is an Army Veteran, military spouse, and once upon a time, we lived in the same tiny walkup apartment building whe...