Right now, I want you to remove these words from your vocabulary:

• stock
• generic
• template

Professionalism has been replaced with Personal.

With the advent of affordable (free) DIY  design aps and web builders, it’s not impressive anymore if you have a slick website or beautiful digital asthetic…it’s expected. In fact, it’s so run-of-the-mill now that you actually have to be a little “indie” to stick out and cut above all of the digital clutter out there.

Since everyone is all about expressing themselves and being “individual” these days…why not take advantage of it. In fact, organic “start-up” brands are proven more favorable time and time again over their powerful empirical corporate giants (who are now trying to imitate the innocent start-up feel).

Therefore, everything you do marketing-wise should be as custom and personable as possible. Don’t have the best quality camera? Who cares; just focus on your brand personality and character. Think that your digital design skills are limited? No problem; drive your focus on what you are saying and not so much on how you are delivering it. Take a look at all of the social platforms where taste-makers are building huge followings (ie. Reddit). There is nothing more there than text and some very simple (usually clever/funny) images. Yet, these guys in their bedrooms build tons of readers who make devouring their content a priority activity of the day.

Action item: If any phrase, image, video, etc. is not showcasing your personal/brand identity, it’s not worth putting on the web. So, keep it personal.