This post is the fifth in a series of how to build a brand for your business. A brand is another way of answering why are you in business, what are you offering, and what impression do you want your customers to get from you.

People like to see that you have accomplished something. Whether it is something you accomplished yourself, or possibly some award your product has won.

Accomplishments are a sign of credibility and greatness. If you win an award, then your potential clients can see that you or your product must be good. After all, you won an award. If you overcame a great challenge, then your clients can realize that you must be good at what you do if you were able to accomplish all that despite what you had to jump over to get there.

All of you have achieved something; however small it was. Make a list of everything that you have accomplished. Try not to belittle the awards or accomplishments that you achieved. List everything.

Your list could include such things as:

  • overcoming a physical challenge as a child or adult
  • surviving an accident or loss
  • growing up in a bad neighborhood or in a bad situation
  • getting a certificate of achievement
  • being noticed in the media
  • getting an award
  • publishing a book or article in a major magazine
  • hitting a new level in your business in a short period of time

Once you have your list, go through it and decide which ones could be pertinent for your business. For example, if you received a certificate for a sport and your business is in the field of writing, then that sport certificate isn’t relevant enough for your business.

Write a story describing each accomplishment. What you had to do to achieve it. Why you were chosen for the award.

List your accomplishments somewhere on your website and/or marketing material. Tell your story when you are speaking or talking about your business. Tell everything you accomplished. This is your time to brag. To sell, people need to think you are great.

One thing to remember when telling your story is that you must be honest and authentic. It’s great to tell what you accomplished, but it’s not ok to exaggerate or make up a story just to have something to tell.