EP 01: What’s Inside a Brand’s Community? – TOP 3 BRAND ADVICE W/ KAY KINGSMAN

EP 01: What’s Inside a Brand’s Community? – TOP 3 BRAND ADVICE W/ KAY KINGSMAN

 

TRANSCRIPTION: 

First tip: 0:03:40.3

Second tip: 0:07:37.4

Third tip: 0:14:55.4

 

[0:00:00.0] Kay: Honestly, one of the most valuable things that I’ve learned, and unfortunately had to learn the hard way, is to choose your inner circle very carefully.

 

[0:00:13.5] Peggy: You’re listening to the Branding Gems podcast, a podcast that’s not just interviews and conversations. It’s to bring you guys the best of the best women in branding and business to answer this question: What are your top three valuable tips and lessons that you learned along the way? And then, we discuss it. To fuel your passion-filled lifestyle business, I promise to bring you the best of the best women in branding and business and together, we can grow and learn from the extracted advice that they provide. I’m Peggy Bree, and let’s get growing!

 

Hello! Welcome back to Branding Gems. You’re in for a sweet treat today! We have an amazing guest named Kay, who will share her top three branding and business advice in her perspective. Kay is a contemporary fiction author and travel blogger who is focused on making travel more relatable, inclusive, and accessible to those wanting to travel. Along with hilarious tourist tales and travel guides, her posts offer travel tips for communities who are frequently underserved in the travel community. So her main brand is a travel blog called The Awkward Traveller, which is absolutely amazing. And thank you for showing up, Kay!

 

[0:01:34.4] Kay: Thank you for having me! I’m so excited and also, can I say, you put a lot of spotlight on me. I’m loving the love right now.

 

[0:01:43.8] Peggy: [Laughter] Yeah! Even though we haven’t met before, it’s been so amazing to grow our relationship over these years and how wild it is that digital friendships and relationships can form these days!

 

[0:01:57.9] Kay: I know! It feels like I’ve known you for a year. I mean, I guess technically, we’ve known each other for years, but we haven’t ever really met or even voice-spoken together, so I’m glad we’re crossing the next level of our relationship together. 

 

[0:02:13.4] Peggy: [Laughter] Same. It’s so cool that we also did a book together and we literally have not met in person or any of that and it’s so cool that you can create a book remotely nowadays. So I’m so happy that you were able to be on our book. So the book is called Branding Quickies, and it’s a book written by these funny, amazing, and badass women. Each section is written in first person, and everyone chimes in on their story, their best tips, their best lessons to help people grow their brand and Kay was in it, and I loved her section! It was so transparent and I loved how the community and like the whole writing world works. And for someone who wants to build a brand as a blogger, they will be able to see that in your section.

 

[0:03:02.2] Kay: And also, I just want to say that the book is great because we all have different strengths and different niches, I guess, so whether you’re a writer or you want to be a podcaster or you want to start a wholesale store or whatever, there are tips from amazing women that can show you how to do it and do it authentically and in a way that you can build a really strong community.

 

[0:03:28.8] Peggy: Mm-hmm. So let’s slide right in. What are your top three valuable tips and advice that you have on branding and business? And let’s start with the first one.

 

[0:03:40.3] Kay: Okay, so since I am a writer by trade, I do fiction writing and I do blogging. My biggest branding tips are going to be focused on writing, specifically. And my first tip is self-explanatory, but my first biggest tip is to read, but read a lot.

 

[0:04:00.8] Peggy: That makes sense. As a writer building your overall brand, it’s definitely essential to ingest a variety of reading materials because you can not only better your writing skills, but also I would think that you can get more insight and perspective on the other end on how one reads and reacts to the material itself. So would you say that you read more materials in your niche or overall?

 

[0:04:29.1] Kay: I would say it’s important to do both. Let’s say you want to be, I don’t know, a sci-fi writer, obviously you want to read your genre and know kind of how a good sci-fi book is put together so that you can kind of bring those aspects into your own writing. But I also want to stress the importance of reading books that are outside of your genre and also from a diverse range of writers and authors as well because your perspective is, just that – it’s only yours. And if you want to have a book or whatever you’re writing reach more people, you want insight on what their perspective is. So as a fiction writer, I try to read works by authors from, first of all, different countries just because there’s a difference in the writing styles and how writing is consumed in different countries. And I also want to read different genres, so even though I’m not a big fan of true crime novels, I can still pick up cool tidbits and aspects of that genre and incorporate it into my own writing. So, it’s a growth method, just reading a lot of different works and then kind of bringing what you learned into your own writing.

 

[0:05:55.3] Peggy: That makes so much sense. So for any writer or anybody who’s a blogger in that space, it’s really important to not just write and write all the time, but to really diversify your readings and to even look into other authors and what they’re doing and so, that’s a very important point.

 

[0:06:16.4] Kay: Specifically for bloggers, you definitely want to ingest blogging content from other creators from different countries and also different accessibility levels. For example, I recently became friends with someone who does not have good sight, so they use a site reader. So basically, it reads your blog to them out loud instead of them visually seeing the words or the pictures, so understand their perspective. So now, I make sure that all of my images have alternative text so that when they use a site reader to access my site, it can describe the pictures accurately to them. So just consuming content from different bloggers will help you enhance your own blog and make it more accessible to more audiences.

 

[0:07:09.9] Peggy: That’s great, and it really ties into your overarching brand and mission in making travel and travel content more accessible for everybody. And so, the fact that you’re taking into consideration the user’s perspective of consuming your content is amazing, and it all fits. I love that. So, what is your second tip?

 

[0:07:37.4] Kay: So my second tip would be when you are considering collaborating or building a partnership with a brand or a company, you really need to pick companies that you admire. And also, make sure that those company’s brands match your voice. So it’s one thing to love XYZ brand, but if their brand voice is different than yours like, let’s say, they’re more serious and more, I don’t know, dry and you’re a bubbly person, if you partner with them, even though you love their product or their service, it’s not going to translate well and there’s going to be frustration trying to meet somewhere in the middle.

 

[0:08:23.1] Peggy: Mm-hmm. That’s so true! Why have a mismatched product together that doesn’t when you can find other brands that can complement your brand’s voice instead and really help strengthen together overall?

 

[0:08:41.2] Kay: And another tip for finding, I don’t know, brands, or even if you’re a writer finding agents that match your brand and also your values would be to go to conferences or join a group and make those connections and talk to them, and then you can kind of see what they’re like before you try to initiate a partnership.

 

[0:09:06.2] Peggy: Yeah, I agree! It’s so important to make those right and like-minded connections with brands that are of the same values and you can find these connections through same-interest networking events, and they’re even held remotely now.

 

[0:09:24.8] Kay: Yeah, so if you’re a travel blogger, a lot of travel conferences have kind of shifted to have virtual events and I went to one this year, and I actually got in contact with a tourism board. And we were the only people in the chat. It was kind of awkward at first, but then we kind of started chatting and joking around and then we really started to like, whoa, I don’t want to say “we”, I really started to like them and we exchanged information, emails and whatnot, and then they actually ended up inviting me on a virtual press trip, in which they kind of brought me and a few other travel bloggers into a Zoom call and then in the future, they were like, “If you ever want to stop by, you’re totally welcome to.” So just from that virtual conference initially, I made a connection with them and I could see that they valued the same things I did and we got along, and then our business relationship progressed from there. [Laughter]

 

[0:10:32.0] Peggy: That’s so true, like when you click with someone both in person or remotely, it flows really well together, like similar brand tone, voice and mission. And also fostering that relationship that stems from online is such a new experience. For example, I’m in so many Slack communities that range from small to huge crowds, and even through that digital platform, I’m still able to find people, click with them, and also check each other’s projects and missions. So regardless of meeting someone in person or remotely, it’s definitely so important that it flows well together.

 

[0:11:18.6] Kay: Yeah, and kind of on the opposite end of the spectrum, before I started getting a feel for my brand or voice, a company reached out to me. I don’t want to say them because they ended up being a not-great partnership, but I love their product and they reached out to me for content production, so I agreed, just like off the bat. They didn’t even have to say anything. So I made the piece and I submitted it to them, all ready to go, super excited about it, and then they got back to me, and they were like, “Ooh, we don’t like this.” And I was like, “Oh, okay. I can do this differently, or this.” They were like, “Oh, we don’t really like that idea either. Can you do it exactly this way?” And I’m someone who doesn’t like to be creatively directed so specifically, so I ended up getting really frustrated at all of the tiny, minute changes they wanted to do, and it just felt so restrictive to me. And looking back, I wish I had talked to them more or even asked more questions just to know what I was getting into because if I had, I probably wouldn’t have taken that project.

 

[0:12:43.5] Peggy: That’s so true. I think it really is important to have that initial conversation before diving into it saying, “Yes, yes, yes!” Because it really is so easy to say “yes” when opportunities present themselves, but to really let it harvest and develop questions and conversations with the other side, I think it’s so important for both sides to really agree upon what the end product or goal is, so that’s so good. So true.

 

[0:13:13.2] Kay: Mm-hmm. Definitely have to learn how to say “no” if a project doesn’t fit for you.

 

[0:13:19.2] Peggy: Mm-hmm. So to distinguish when a project is not a good fit for you, what is that for you? What does that look like?

 

[0:13:28.7] Kay: For me specifically [laughter], I don’t want to sound like a diva, but I need to have complete creative control. If they even try to change one thing, I will flip out. So moving forward after that one lesson, I should say, I am very upfront and I say, “This is what I’m going to do. I have very limited leeway there, and if you don’t like the direction I’m headed in, then I’m going to pass on this project.” And they’re pretty open about it, and they’re like, “Oh, okay.” Or if they’re not, if they do have a problem, they’re like, “Oh, okay. Thank you for letting us know, but that’s not going to work for us.” And then, I usually just, out of good habit, I recommend some of my other friends or contacts that I think would be a better fit than me.

 

[0:14:22.3] Peggy: Yeah, recommending people and contacts from your network after that particular situation, it’s definitely good practice because it not only shows your professionalism, but it will also strengthen the relationship that you have within your network and ultimately grow it together. So, I love that! All righty. So, what is your final, most valuable tip?

 

[0:14:55.4] Kay: Okay. So, that actually ties into my next tip, and honestly, one of the most valuable things that I’ve learned, and unfortunately had to learn the hard way, is to choose your inner circle very carefully. When you’re starting a business or starting a brand, it’s very easy to get swept up in trying to make new friends and just connecting with everyone you possibly can and just trying to be BFFs with them and texting them everyday and hopping in on a Zoom call with them. But one, it will probably wear you out. And two, not everyone is fit to be in your inner circle. Your inner circle is going to be your support system, your confidantes, your sound boards, and even though you can be friendly with them or be their friend even, you’re not going to perfectly match on everything, and that’s totally fine. But you don’t want someone, let’s say if you are a sci-fi writer – I’ll just use that again – if you’re a sci-fi writer and you’re constantly going to your friend who hates sci-fi about these ideas [laughter], you might not get that helpful feedback or critique on your idea because that’s not really their thing. So, just be mindful about who you trust and delve all of your deeper creative ideas and secrets to because you don’t want to expend your energy and get stressed out when you can avoid it by carefully selecting people.

 

[0:16:44.2] Peggy: Yeah, that’s very, very true. So, what are the qualifications in an inner circle and what would you say the safe amount is?

 

[0:16:54.6] Kay: As a writer, I feel like I kind of have a bigger circle and then depending on that particular person, I would reach out to them and be like, “Hey, you mind reading this page? I’d love to know what you think.” Or if I think that person’s better suited, I feel they’re just as qualified to judge my work so I might shoot it to them if someone else is busy. I would say I have maybe 10 to 12 people that I consider in my circle who would be my close friends list group. But other people they like to have more just for, a variety of opinions.

 

[0:17:42.3] Peggy: Mm-hmm, so I guess it would be great to have opinions in your inner circle, but of course, people that you respect and you trust, it ultimately comes down to that, and their expertise or even as their friend, as a good support, or just because you admire their work. And I think that in that circle, it really is so good to have because you can ultimately grow with each other in that, and you know that it’s just so secure because everyone’s in it together.

 

[0:18:17.6] Kay: Exactly. You nailed the description of a brand inner circle.

 

[0:18:23.7] Peggy: Yeah, it’s so interesting, the topic of inner circles and especially formed digitally. I remember back then when engagement pods on Instagram were allowed and I was in so many groups and, so to speak circles, and from there, I filtered out people that I actually vibed with and made an inner circle in those circles. So in that sense, forming inner circles and friendships can really be done in different ways and it really comes down to the people that you flow together with well. Awesome. Well, your trips are so good. I love them. And I love that it’s in your perspective of your brand and business because when it comes to branding and business, I kept it so general because I wanted people to have their own perspective on it and to have their own take on it and their own insights and bring that to the table, instead of making it so, I guess, so hard to nail. That’s probably not the right term, but [laughter]. But yeah, thank you for coming on here and sharing your awesome tips.

 

[0:19:42.7] Kay: Oh, of course. Thank you for having me.

 

[0:19:45.6] Peggy: Yeah, and what’s next for you? What are your projects that are coming up? What updates do you have on your end?

 

[0:19:54.9] Kay: Okay. Let’s see. I have a couple. So, on the fiction writing side and update, I’m finishing my next novel. The theme, I guess, is Icelandic mythology and it’s about a girl who essentially has an Alice in Wonderland moment and finds herself in Icelandic mythology, and she has to find her way home.

 

[0:20:26.4] Peggy: Cool! That’s exciting.

 

[0:20:29.2] Kay: Yeah.

 

[0:20:29.9] Peggy: That’s awesome.

 

[0:20:32.7] Kay: On the blog side, two things. Well, one of them is just me writing blog posts. That’s not that exciting. But I founded a foundation with a few other friends and it started out as a passport scholarship foundation because we wanted to help make travel more accessible to people, and one of the barriers to that is getting a passport, either strictly financially or just even the mindset of, “I can get a passport and I can travel” can be a barrier for some people. So we started the end of 2019, mostly 2020, collecting donations and even putting in our own funds for this foundation scholarship, and we had a couple applicants.

 

[0:21:35.8] Peggy: Awesome!

 

[0:21:36.9] Kay: Yeah. We had a couple recipients and since the passport office in both Canada and the US, which is where we are searching, since they have reopened, our recipients are starting on their applications, so hopefully, they’ll get their passports in early 2021.

 

[0:21:58.7] Peggy: That’s so great! I love how much you’ve invested in it and how passionate you are in doing that and to really help people do that, like it’s just so good. It’s so inspiring.

 

[0:22:14.1] Kay: Yeah, and hopefully, in the future, we can also help our recipients get suitcases and supplies and even sponsor their first trip abroad, that would be awesome. So those are all the things we’ll be looking into for 2021.

 

[0:22:30.3] Peggy: Awesome! That’s really exciting! Well, I’m really happy for you. I’m really excited to see all that come into fruition, and thank you for coming on to guest!

 

[0:22:42.3] Kay: Well thanks, Peggy, for having me on your Branding Gems podcast. It’s been literally a moment, and thanks all of you for listening! Bye all!

 

[0:22:55.4] Peggy: Last note: If you haven’t subscribed yet, please do. That will help us continue this podcast. And if you want to contribute your top three tips to help out other women in your perspective, or you know somebody who does, you can apply on brandinggems.com. Talk to you soon!

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• INSTAGRAM/FACEBOOK: @blankroomdesign
• WEB: brandinggems.com
• GUEST:  Kay Kingsman
  Web – The Awkward Traveller Blog
  Instagram – @theawkwardtraveller
  Clubhouse – @awkwardtravels
  Twitter  – @awktravels
• HOST: Peggy Bree
  Instagram – @peggybree
  Clubhouse: @peggybree