Your visual presence is sort of like branding.
Except it’s a whole lot more than just that.
When I used to say, “branding”, people would say… isn’t that just like your logo? Or your website?
Not quite. They’re parts of your brand, but a whole brand is made up of many parts… all of the fine, delicious visual details that show the truth about your business and give it an identity all its’ own.
So I’ve voted in a new word. Presence.
Because presence shows that your thing exists.
A visual presence gives your service or your idea body and shape that can be shared with others.
Because presence is tangible.
Presence has a depth, some oomph behind it. A weight and momentum to it.
Because presence has the capacity to grow and change.
Presence-making is not a one-time event in the life of your business. Your business is a living, growing, changing thing and as it evolves, your presence will shift too. Presence is nimble, and unless you change something at the heart of your business, you shouldn’t have to redesign completely.
Because presence makes an impact.
You can feel a presence when it’s in the room with you, and you’ll know it’s absence in your life when it leaves. Your clients can feel it too. It commands attention.
Look at your designs from this stance.
Do they exude presence?
Erin – I love this! For some reason, I’ve always referred to my “business presence” or “online presence.” Now you just validated that it’s a good idea to do so, and explained why. Thanks so much. Grat stuff!
Hmmm, not sure, but I hope so. Love your work, Erin!!
Just like Lisa, I’m always talking about my ‘online presence’ so you just make me feel like I’m on the right path.
Branding used to be (from my understanding) about logo, letterhead, advertising and so forth…but today it must be more because we are visible in so many different ways. We have access to so many different platforms that yes, we must be ‘present’ in a more global manner.
Thanks for this Erin… I’ve often struggled with wrapping my mind around the concept of branding. But PRESENCE, I totally get. I continue my journey with my Business Presence. Thanks for the food for thought! 🙂
Interesting perspective. It is so important to think about the whole picture. Sometimes we get so focused on creating the perfect logo or the perfect webpage that we forget the rest. Even in the internet age, the first contact many people have with us and our businesses is still face-to-face. Presence is so important!
I get what you’re talking about, Erin. I’ve experience that in my own personal presence as a business person. It’s something constantly evolving and changing. Just when I think I know how to “define” myself, something shifts and I see myself differently.
I like to believe that mine does Erin – I have a personal presence that is usually pretty impacting l when I am in a room with people – and the use of the peacock in my website design is something that I’m super grateful was suggested by my designer when we were putting it together – is my online presence perfect? No way – and like everything else in enterpreneurland it’s a work in progress…. I love that you are helping me to focus on what I can do to improve the impact I have virtually as well as in person!