Badass?
so you’re the
YOU MIGHT HAVE KNOWN THIS ABOUT YOURSELF FOR AGES, OR IT COULD BE A TOTAL SURPRISE.
Either way, before we dig into the specifics of what this means for you and your business, I want to give you a quick overview of what an archetype actually is…
Woohoo! Good for you!
“
An archetype is universally familiar character or situation that transcends time, place, culture, gender and age. It represents an eternal truth.
- John Howard-Spink
Basically, an archetype is an element of the human experience that’s so universal, we all relate to it without even thinking.
These archetypes are deeply embedded in our psyches – so much so that we’re often not even aware that they’re influencing our thoughts and feelings.
That’s when you consciously anchor your brand to one of these deeply embedded universal themes.
AND WHY (THE HECK) WOULD WE DO THAT?
Well, when your brand is in alignment with who you are as a person – i.e. your true archetype – your business starts generating momentum and attracting customers on a level that previously seemed unattainable.
It’s also a way to get your brand to do all the heavy lifting for you – so that you can show up as your true self, and start making the kind of impact (and income) you want, without feeling like you’re pushing a big-ass boulder uphill.
A Brand Archetype?
So without further ado, LET’S DIVE INTO HOW TO MAKE YOUR BRAND ARCHETYPE WORK FOR YOU…
03
Your archetype is part of a family.
Your archetype does not define or limit you. Rather, it’s a lens that can help you better understand yourself and the people who are attracted to you and your work.
It can also help you avoid common challenges that may crop up, and help you feel less alone in your struggles.
02
There are HEAPS of different archetypes.
More than 60 in fact. But broadly speaking, they can be broken into 12 ‘families’ – The Adventuress, The Mischief Maker, The Lover, The Sage, The Alchemist, The Creatress, The Girl Next Door, The Queen, The Badass, The Heroine, The Pure Heart, and (of course) The Nurturer.
01
You can have more than one archetype.
In fact, most of us do. You’ll usually have one main archetype that serves as your primary category, then some secondary and tertiary ones. We’ll be delving into your primary archetype today.
A few quick facts…
What it means to be
the Badass...
YOU’RE AT YOUR BEST WHEN:
You’re illuminating a new direction for the world.
YOU’RE DRIVEN BY:
Overturning the established order. You know things could be better, free-er, fairer… and you won’t stop until you’ve created change.
YOU LIKE TO:
Question the status quo, push the envelope, break new ground… And flip the bird to anyone who tells you it can’t be done!
WATCH OUT FOR:
Too much anger, hatred and bitterness. Opposition for its own sake.
Your Archetype family
Famous BADASSES
Angelina Jolie
Actress, Director, Humanitarian
Madonna
Singer, Actress, Giver of no shits
Miley Cyrus
Singer, Actress, Trendsetter
PETA
(People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
Steve Jobs
Apple co-founder, creative genius, disruptor of industries
The Badass
as a business owner
ABOUT YOU, THE BADASS:
YOU BRING POWERFUL ENERGY TO THE CAUSES AND PROJECTS YOU BELIEVE IN.
No one can make shit happen like a Badass.
When your inner fire has been lit, you are the ideal person to see a project through to completion. You’ll push and push and push, drawing on your seemingly endless reserves to get things across the line.
Sometimes this can be to your own detriment though, with burnout, resentment, exhaustion and adrenal fatigue as the painful result.
To avoid this common pitfall, make sure you’re always aware of your own energy levels and filling your own well as you serve your cause. (Dearest Badass: it’s okay to let some things go, to have a day off, to nurture yourself even though the world isn’t perfect yet.)
YOU’RE DRIVEN BY PASSION, RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND THE DESIRE TO EFFECT CHANGE… WHICH CAN SOMETIMES MAKE EVERYDAY BIZ TASKS SEEM MIND-NUMBINGLY BORING.
When you want to change the world, buck the trend, or make an enormous mark, who’s got time for things like inboxes and invoices?
Though these things might not be in your zone of genius, they are a necessary responsibility for a responsible biz owner.
Feel free to outsource and delegate these mundane tasks if your budget allows.
If not, try making a game of it to excite your Badass heart. (How many emails can you clear in an hour? How many expenses can you reconcile in one morning? Can you sneak the word ‘pineapple’ into all your invoices today?!)
ROUTINES AND SCHEDULES CAN MAKE YOU FEEL TRAPPED.
You like to rebel against big things, but you also like to rebel against the little things too. Like strict operating hours, or rigid schedules.
HERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT CAN HELP:
Understand that routines give you freedom.
When there’s certainty around a particular task, it means it gets done, and frees up your time (and brain space) to focus on more exciting things as soon as it’s over.
Build as much buffer and choice into your work as possible.
Instead of a strict rule (“Monday is marketing day!”), give yourself a choice (“Monday is marketing OR bookkeeping day, and I get to choose which one I feel like.”)
And as much as possible, avoid tight time frames. When you’re estimating how long something will take, account for the fact that you’ll rebel against yourself 20% of the time. (Adjusting for that at the start of a project will make everything a lot less stressful come crunch time!)
YOU’RE NOT BACKWARDS IN COMING FORWARDS.
As a Badass, you have a strong voice and will always stand up for what you believe in. Some other archetypes may find this confronting, not having the same strength and conviction as you.
You may, in the past, have been ostracised for having such a strong voice. (Perhaps you were called ‘bossy’ at school, or labelled a ‘troublemaker’ for daring to speak up).
But the world needs your voice, badly. You are a catalyst; an agent for change.
So don’t let them haters get you down, Badass Heart. The rest of the world is so glad you’re here and standing tall. You inspire them to see a new way, and they love you for it.
Some people will only love you as long as you fit into their box. Don’t be afraid to disappoint them.
- Unknown
ABOUT YOUR PEOPLE:
Like moths to a flame…
The types of people who are organically drawn to you, as a badass, value authenticity, passion, gutsiness, commitment, newness, and fairness. They’re also seeking change, and aren’t adverse to a little shock-value.
What this means for you:
Be as gutsy and daring as you wish. When you’re out on a limb, your true fans will be right behind you. (You’ll also feel good within yourself.)
Your audience is looking to you for inspiration. They want you to ignite change and illuminate a new path. They want you to speak up.
Practice transparency. It’s hard to rally people around you if you’re not walking your walk.
It’s okay to be yourself in everything you do, because the right people will find that irresistible. (And those that don’t probably aren’t a great fit for you anyway.)
KNOWING WHAT YOUR ARCHETYPE IS ALLOWS YOU TO UNDERSTAND HOW YOU’RE PERCEIVED BY OTHERS, HOW YOU CAN WORK WITH YOUR NATURAL TENDENCIES (NOT AGAINST THEM),
AND HOW YOU CAN CREATE ALIGNMENT BETWEEN YOUR INNER TRUTH AND YOUR OUTER WORK.
How to weave the Badass Archetype into your branding
ABOUT YOUR BADASS BRAND
WORDS THAT WILL TURN YOUR IDEAL CLIENTS ON INCLUDE:
REBEL CHANGE CATALYST BRAVE WILD DISRUPTIVE DARING GRIT REVERSE REVOLUTIONARY ACTIVISM CAUSE INSURGENT FRONTIER FLIPSIDE GUTSY OPPOSITE VOICE BELIEF OVERTHROW CONVICTION DEFY RESIST BRAVE RADICAL ROCK THE BOAT. MAKE WAVES. STATUS QUO. MIDDLE FINGER. BUCK THE TREND.
Don’t be afraid to weave the above words into your About page, your Home page, your bio… anywhere where people are looking to find out more about you (and by extension, themselves).
The Copy
Adventure and authenticity are your (gooseberry) jam. And your community is craving those qualities from you.
So rather than seeking to follow trends, or imitating the looks you see online, take the time to delve within and figure out what genuinely resonates with you on a heart-and-gut level.
The Look
AS the badass, YOU MIGHT FIND YOURSELF DRAWN TOWARDS LOOKS THAT UTILIZE:
The Feel
ie: The Customer Experience
A massive part of branding is how your customers feel whenever they interact with you – whether that’s through a random email, a visit to your website, or as a paying customer.
As a Badass, the people who are attracted to you value being part of the change. They want to feel like they’re part of your cause. So do everything you can to make your customers feel like they’re an integral member of your community.
THIS COULD INCLUDE THINGS LIKE:
Choose a name for your community, that your audience can self-identify with.
Create some branded items (like pencils or tote bags) that you can send out as client gifts.
they also enjoy when you do something unexpected, like:
Send out surprise gifts to your clients on birthdays and Christmas.
Using shock value (when appropriate) – perhaps some salty language, or a crazy outfit.
Subvert the status quo. For example, if your industry is filled with picture perfect promo videos, do one with zero makeup on and your child’s mess in the background.
you now know:
What your True Brand Archetype is and why it’s so important to your online presence.
How to amplify your natural strengths (and avoid the common pitfalls that keep so many Sages stuck).
Why you’re motivated by some things… and totally turned off by others.
And how to use your archetype to ignite your brand and attract your ideal customers – specifically through how your website looks, what you say on it, and how you make your customers feel.
Your next steps…
Flourish Online has been glowing-up brands for women for over 10 years
Enter your glow era
and now it’s
your turn
Feeling lost in your brand?
YOU NEED
BRAND
THERAPY
(Because sometimes
even your brand needs
someone to talk to.)
Share your results
with your friends
I’m the
Badass
And proud of it!
Did you enjoy the quiz?
Invite your friends to take the quiz to find out their Brand Archetype
Thank you so much
For taking the Brand Archetype Quiz!
Fist bumps to you, friend, for daring to play bigger, aim higher, and dig beneath the surface.
Over the coming weeks, I’m going to be popping into your inbox with more insights as to how to make your brand archetype work for you, so keep your eyes peeled!
‘Til next time,
- ELLISSA
Want to Dive Deeper?
SCHEDULE A 1:1 BRAND ARCHETYPE CALL WITH BRANDING EXPERT ELLISSA, AND GET CLEAR ON WHAT HAVING THIS ARCHETYPE ACTUALLY MEANS FOR YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS.
(As well as a bunch of other tangible, implementable and strategic advice)
HERE'S WHAT IS INCLUDED:
60 MIN ONE ON ONE BRAND STRATEGY SESSION WITH ELLISSA - On this one-hour call, we’ll get to the heart of who you are, the look and feel you’re going for, and where you want to be in 6 months. Use this session to pick Ellissa's brain on your Archetype and get clear on where to focus your energy.
BRAND VISION MOOD BOARD - We'll create a mood board just for you based on your Archetype and Business, including a colour palette, font selection and style/image examples to get the right vibe for your Archetype. Use it for a DIY job or put into a brief for your designer.
15MIN WEBSITE REVIEW (RECORDED) - We’ll review your website and let you know where to focus your energy ASAP and quick tips for tuning into your Archetype Strengths.
For just $297
(+GST for Australian Residents)