Why do you do what you do?
How the Ikigai framework can help you build a meaningful brand strategy
Hello and welcome to The Curious Marketer,
If you haven’t already please pop in and introduce yourself here. As I build this small community of female founders, solopreneurs and entrepreneurs. My hope is to create a space where we can learn, grow and share some of the challenges of going it alone.
I’ve worked on strategies for big household names and it always struck me that there are similarities between developing a brand strategy and the philosophy of Ikigai.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines Ikigai as
“a motivating force; something or someone that gives a person a sense of purpose or a reason for living”
The framework allows your strengths, your experience, what you love doing and what the world needs to collide in the most wonderful way.
It helps you get clear on your purpose, essentially why you’re doing what you’re doing and how you’re doing it differently and for whom.
Here’s the framework:
If you’re at the beginning of your small business journey and haven’t already asked these questions give it a go.
What do I love?
What am I good at?
What can I be paid for?
What does the world need?
If you’ve been a subscriber you might have already looked at your strengths. If not you can find some guidance on identifying strengths here
For big questions like these try paper and pen. You’ll be amazed at what comes up when you connect with the page rather than a screen.
This is my Ikigai
I love to learn and discover new things. I love to write and share my knowledge and thinking with others. I’m curious about culture, psychology and personal development.
I am good at listening with empathy and inspiring others to challenge themselves and create something they are proud of. I’m good with words, taking something complex and making it easy to understand.
I can be paid for my years of marketing experience and my strategic thinking. I can be paid to write in a variety of ways and use my storytelling skills to help others connect with their audience.
The world needs more curious entrepreneurs who support and guide those who are designing a business around what they love. The world needs to be a more inspiring and joyful place to live.
So now we’ve established how it might work for finding your own purpose, let’s see how it applies for your business and brand.
Here is how the framework looks for building a brand strategy:
Now ask these questions with your business in mind:
Who are you for?
How do you make your customers feel?
How do you help solve your customers problems?
How are you different? What sets you apart?
If you’ve got any questions as you move through these questions drop them in the comments and I’ll come back to you.
Take your time with this. It might help to schedule a day to focus on these questions. Or take yourself away for the day to your favourite cafe. Wherever you go when you need to think.
You’re busy, I get it. That’s why I’ve wrapped up the most important posts of the week right here so you can catch up without having to get caught up in the scroll.
This post on Being kind to yourself as a small business owner
This post on 3 Reasons you should start building your personal brand
This reel on the Lessons I learnt about slowing down from walking an Alpaca (yes!)
This free download 50 Content prompts for building your personal brand
This podcast I recorded with The Modernist on Career breaks and pivots
This is where I share the books, podcasts and articles that I think will inspire.
This brilliant piece What I learnt about storytelling from Succession (I am missing this show as much for it’s take on the ridiculousness of corporate life as I am the brilliant storytelling)
If you’re a creative for business or pleasure I really enjoyed this book: The Creative Act: A way of being by music producer Rick Rubin about the creative process
I’ve just finished The Success Myth by Emma Gannon about letting go of having it all and finding what’s right for you
If you’re curious…
I’m Rebecca, the writer of this newsletter. I’m a marketing consultant and content and copywriter for female founded small businesses.