🦄 What's Your Quirk?

Hi guys! Super pumped to bring you this episode after a tiny break (not so tiny...)

If you've ever wondered, “Is this too weird to put in my branding?”, well this episode is for you. And spoiler alert! It’s probably the exact thing that’ll make you unforgettable.

I also share how turning 40 sent me into a bit of a spiral (hi, existential dread), and how I’ve been journaling my way back to myself, quirks and all.

We’re talking about the weird little things that make you you, the colour you’re obsessed with, the phrases you always say, your slightly awkward sense of humour, and how those exact things are what your brand is begging for.

I’ll give you a bunch of ways to actually use your quirks in your branding (yep, even the stuff that feels random) and make your business feel more like you, without sacrificing strategy.

If you’ve ever felt like your brand is blending in, this episode is your reminder to stop being beige (unless you LOVE beige) and start owing the quirks that make you so unique.

x Morgan

Connect with me:

• Follow The Fearless Designer on Instagram
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• Head to The Fearless Designer Website for more info
  www.thefearlessdesigner.com.au

Transcript

Hi, guys. Welcome back to the Fearless Designer podcast. I have had the most interesting time since I did my last episode. Since then, I've turned 40. I've contemplated death, I've contemplated life, contemplated my place on the earth where I fit who I am. As the Fearless Designer, I've still got all of those things going around in my head. So if you haven't had a chance to listen to that episode, I would really encourage you to go and listen to it. Hopefully it resonates with you.

I talk about rebranding your life as well as your business, and I really want wanted to check in and keep you updated with how things are going with me. So, yeah, as it was only last week, I'm still learning, remaining open to the universe, keeping myself open and available to all of the possibilities. So I've been spending a fair bit of time journaling, and the process that I've been following is I've just been using it as a complete brain dump of what's in my head at that exact moment. It's usually the same time before I go to bed, I put down everything, but I'm using it as an opportunity to kind of follow my thought patterns and kind of get back in tune with what I like and what I dislike and what makes me feel good or things that have happened in business or in life that have been, you know, something that stirred an emotion or a feeling. Because, as you may have realized from my last episode, I've kind of chatted about not really knowing who I am or where I am or whether it's the right fit anymore. So I thought today's episode might be a really great one because it talks all about your quirks and how you can make your branding, your business branding, more interesting by really leaning into your quirks. There are only so many fonts and color palettes and Canva templates and that floating around on the Internet. But there is only one of you.

And that weird little thing that you think, which I think and probably you have too, is. Is this too much or too random? But I'm here to tell you that that's probably exactly the thing that's going to make your brand unforgettable, especially if you do it consistently. So today I'm going to show you how to use those little quirks, your personal tastes, your aesthetic, your weird obsessions to actually build a stronger and more standout brand. And isn't about personal brands either. If you run a business, these little edges can give you a huge unfair advantage. If you know how to weave them properly into your content. Hello, and welcome to the Fearless Designer podcast. I'm your host, Morgan MacDonald, aka the fearless designer, and I'm here to help you embrace your fears, level up your visual brand, and take your business to fearless new heights.

For two decades, I've worked with business owners just like you, designing brands that are bold, consistent, and authentic. I've lived a profesh corporate life as a graphic designer, and I've also spent the last 13 years running my own brand and graphic design business. So whether you're running a six or seven figure business, craving a brand refresh, or just ready to add a little more wow to your visuals, I got you. Each week we'll dive into fearless brand strategies, design tips that you actually can use, live brand audits, and interviews with fellow business owners who have dared to do things differently. So if you're ready to stop playing small, take control of your brand, and lead with confidence, you're in the right place. Let's go. All right. So why do quirks matter in your branding? Well, I feel like at the moment, most brands right now, they kind of look the same depending on the industry.

They're beige, they're safe, they're a little bit yawn. And I think it's because people are trying so hard to look professional that they kind of scrub all the personality out of their branding or they feel like the elements that they could add to their branding. Their quirks may be, you know, too much or not right or their ideal client aren't going to enjoy those quirks. But here's the thing. The brands that you actually remember are the ones that you feel something about. They don't fit perfectly inside the lines. They've got quirks, they've got character, and they really do take risks and show their real flavor. When you lean into what makes you feel different, you make it easier for the right people to spot you and fall in love with you.

It's not just about standing out. It's about belonging in the right audience. I'm pretty sure that you have found people online that have just clicked with you and it could be because their messaging hit you in the face, their visuals were beautiful and really appealed to you, or you just really got on early in the journey and you've just been loving following their story and how they share behind the scenes and their struggles and their wins. And you've just got on the wagon and you're still on the wagon. Now, I can give you so many real life brand examples. I'm not going to Go for the cliche Nike and all of that, because we all know what they do. And to be honest, we're in a different playing field here. One that comes to mind is go to skincare.

Obviously, we've, most of us have followed Zoe Foster Blake's rise. Her brand color, her product color was cut through into the market. There was nothing else like it. Her messaging was uniquely her and so consistent. And to me, the way that she has married herself and her messaging and her point of difference and her point of view into the branding has just been phenomenal. Another one is who gives a crap the toilet paper? Their brand is hilarious. It's bold, it's cheeky puns, it's casual language. They didn't try to be elevated or luxury, but they just made toilet paper fun.

And I think that's awesome. We can all look in and see that they've leaned into something different. And whether it was their humor or their deep mission or their playful simplicity, whatever it is, they leaned into something really hard. What are you leaning into currently? Do you have a point of difference or a quirk that you feel like is really resonating with your audience? And if you don't have a quirk, I'm going to help you understand what it might actually be and give me some ideas to maybe even possibly help you realize that you actually do have something quirky in your brand currently and you just might need to lean into it a bit more. I don't know how many times I've said lean into it. I'm sorry, I'm going to try and think of a different phrase. Phrase. So here are some of my ideas to spark.

Hopefully a thought bubble in your brain that may give you an idea about a quirk that you could integrate into your branding. It could be a weird obsession. So, like, for me, it's optical art. It could be, who knows, space or skateboarding or baking. It could be a color that you always wear or that you always have loved. So many of my beautiful clients are using hot pink, royal blue, and they're actually flowing it through their wardrobe so that they can be wearing their brand color. I would also put a side note on that. If it is unusual for your industry, that color is the best choice.

It could be a particular style that you love. It could be like retro. It could be really bold typography. It could be hand drawn scribbles, something that really appeals to your aesthetic. It could be catchphrases that you always say, or it could be a way that you phrase things it could be a ritual that you live by, like coffee every morning before emails, or love notes to clients, or a playlist that you've absolutely blast in the studio. It could be a texture or a pattern that you're drawn to. Checkerboard linen. You know, so many different options.

Or it could be one of my favorites, which is an offbeat sense of humor. Is it punny? Is it wildly enthusiastic? Is it really thoughtful? Or considered? There are so many different options that fall into that that really assist with your messaging. These are not random quirks. These are brand gold. And when you start weaving these things into your branding, your visuals, your messaging, your tone, you make your brand unmistakably your. So you may be now thinking, how do I tap into those quirks? How do I integrate them into my visual brand and my branding? How do I start? My first step would be to follow your personal tastes, not trends. Ask yourself, what am I obsessed with? What am I in love with? Even if it's not trendy love, Maximalist color explosions go there. Always doodling in the margins, go there.

Maybe hand drawn elements on your notes, go there. Build a quirk board. And I'm talking Pinterest, camera roll, whatever makes it easy for you. Only filled with visuals that make you smile. Do not overthink this. This is not a mood board or a branding board. This is just your little board of joy. Number two, let your visual aesthetic reflect you.

It's okay if your vibe is more streetwear than corporate. It's okay if your favorite color is lime green. The right people will get it. The wrong people were never your people anyway. So pick one visual quirk to integrate. It could be a pop of unexpected color. It could be a custom icon. It could be a pattern that feels playful, something that lights you up.

Third, own your own voice. Stop trying to sound like everyone else. If you're a little bit sarcastic, let it show. If you're wildly enthusiastic, bring that energy. Your people aren't hiring a robot. They are using the AI robots. But they want you. Next time you write your next social media post or email, treat it like you're texting a friend.

Then clean it up just enough for clarity, but keep the soul in it. Number four, anchor your brand in your story. Your quirks are connected to your journey. Maybe you love bright colors because you grew up in a house full of art. Or maybe you're obsessed with the neat design because chaos stresses you out. Let that come through. Write a five line story about why you do what you do. No editing, no pretending it is so important to really anchor your brand in your stories.

One thing that I've been absolutely loving is chatting to ChatGPT using my phone to fill it full of stories. They could be weird offshoot stories that I remember every now and then, but I put them down into chat because that way I can use them in my content and connect my stories with my brand. All right, here are some really quick fire ways to add personality into your brand or super quick speed round. First, create a custom graphic element that feels handmade. Second of all could be choose a cheeky tagline or an internal joke for your audience only. Third, turn a personal mantra into your brand vibe. Or use photography that feels lived in, not stocky and not stocky. Perfect.

5. Add brand rituals that feel unique to you, like sending clients playlists or handwritten notes. They don't have to be big, they just have to be real. So here's your fearless reminder today. Your quirks are not just the thing you need to hide. They are the exact thing that will make your brand and branding more powerful. When you build your brand based on what makes you weird, different, passionate and real, you create something that no one else can replicate or fake. And that's when your brand stops being just pretty.

It starts being iconically yours. Thank you so much for hanging out with me today. If this episode has sparked something in you, I'd love for you to take a screenshot of it and share. What's quirky, what makes you quirky, what you're going to lean into next. Insert my eye roll there, but show me. I would love to support your quirks. Tag me. I am certainly cheering you on every step of the way.

And just remember, we are all looking for super meaningful reasons for us to be online. Sending emails, booking clients, making money and showing people little strategic quirks, parts of yourself makes this whole branding experience much more rewarding. Thank you again. I can't wait to come back with another great episode for you guys. I look forward to chatting soon. And that's it for today's episode of the Fearless Designer podcast. I hope you're feeling really inspired, fired up and ready to go make some bold moves with your brand. If you love today's episode, don't forget to hit the subscribe button so that you never miss a dose of fearless branding goodness.

And if you're feeling extra generous, drop us a review. It just helps more fearless legends like you find this podcast. If you've got any ideas or questions for future Epps, please slide into my DMs or send me an email. I would love to hear from you. And until next time, keep being bold, keep being fearless, and remember, your brand is your superpower. So go out there and dare to be different. Bye.