We all wear items that highlight our personalities. Some of us follow trends. The ones that do feel like they’re trying too hard. You can spot them from a mile away. If this describes your brand then you have a huge problem on your hands.

Branding is as much about image as it is about communication. The communication of that image is all your customer has to go on.

A flashy gimmick may get my attention right away but what about down the road? An image that’s more polished and pulled together will stay with me much longer than a “look at me” outfit.

Gimmicks for gimmick sake don’t feel authentic. People get that instantaneously. Your image doesn’t need to be one of a corporate shill to feel true. You can also look really relaxed, fun or just down to earth.

Don’t turn someone’s true way of being into your flash-in-the-pan eyeball-catcher. Own it.

Make it yours; don’t take someone else’s.