Ah, how time flies. Just a year ago, I was moving out of my first D.C. apartment, packing my bags for a two-month stay in Europe, and …. preparing to launch Bon Vivant Copy!
Yep, my copywriting baby is turning one!
I’ve learned a lot since then. Like, DON’T leave client copy projects for Friday afternoons. My eyes glaze over completely once 2 pm hits …
But probably the biggest business lesson I’ve learned since launching is:
It’s hard to separate the personal and the professional … so don’t fight it too much.
You want to know why I chose the name “Bon Vivant Copy” for my business, instead of just going by “Emily Matras” (that’s what a lot of copywriters — and travel agents — do)?
I was trying to create some separation from my business and myself. In a sense, I wanted to “hide” behind a business name! And when I created my website, I told my designer she could NOT put a big picture of me in the header. You have to scroll down a few inches to see a pic of me …. I thought that made a big difference 😉
Over the past year, though, I’ve learned it’s pretty hard to separate yourself from your business, especially if you’re a solo-preneur. For example, when I launched BVC, I created a separate Instagram account, so I could continue to post personal stuff on my personal account.
You want to know what happened?
I pretty much stopped posting on my personal account all together!
But something amazing has happened over the past 12 months. I’ve gained more confidence. I’ve found my voice. And I’m not nearly as afraid to put the “I” in “business” anymore!
Which, it turns out, is a smart business move.
You may have heard it before: People do business with people they know, like, and trust.
It’s practically impossible to get someone to know, like, and trust you if you’re not being your true self.
Plus — I think personality can totally be a competitive differentiator. Being yourself naturally helps you stand out from the competition!
So if you’re like me, a little too shy, a little too willing to stand in the shadows, I encourage you to let more of yourself shine in your business’s marketing.
That may mean making more jokes, posting “behind the scenes” snaps on Instagram, going live on FB, or sharing your story on your About Page. Whatever feels true to you.
Not only is it a smart business move, it makes doing business a whole lot more fun, too 🙂
So when it comes to your travel business, don’t just dare to be different — dare to be yourself!
Leave a Reply