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Storytelling: Developing Brand or Product Identity.

A detailed account of a Fastlane process...

DesignerOne.

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Nov 29, 2016
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Into The thank you economy right now, It's solid.

Now, a interesting development just came up! A new method i just tested out by targeting a specific people within a specific organization then contacting them outside of it, I have more access to people that are looking to improve their service.

Right now I have a issue, I'm about to close on a big sale I think, We haven't spoken about budget or anything but there's been about 10-12 emails back and forth and all generally positive.

NOW! What's the problem you ask? Well, I kinda can't listen to anything on the phone and they asked to set up a time and day to speak on the phone. (already scheduled it, waiting to hear back)

I'm really hoping the relay service I rely on will be fine, but sometimes it's shoddy so I'm going to go to a nearby university, Get that insane bandwidth. Also I have no salesmen which is what I would've done, so I'm still figuring it out and pivoting. Anyone have any advice or suggestions to look into?
 
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DesignerOne.

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Nov 29, 2016
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Whoa, Results are really coming in now, kinda of hitting a explosion, people are starting to notice my work, and through different groups via facebook, here, upwork, etc. I'm gathering clients. What a awesome feeling to be producing results and helping people.

Gotta keep pushing the envelope, keep learning and stay focused.

Exciting times ahead indeed! Thanks for all the help @Fox @SinisterLex @jpanarra
 

DesignerOne.

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Nov 29, 2016
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ALSO! I got the sale I was talking about previously, I went to a nearby campus that has "installed" Video relay cameras. So I didn't hit any snags, plus my interpreter was a superstar. Solid day today.
 

DesignerOne.

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Nov 29, 2016
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Whoa, been seriously MIA on the forum recently, Life happened ha.

Finished up a couple jobs and am working on a 3rd, my issue is now still figuring out how to scale and how to keep getting clients. Also how to keep giving value and ensuring my clients are happy with their ROI with me.

I just set up a budget goal for 2018, so I have to build up to that type of revenue I will be earning by december 31st, 2017. So now it's slow and steady but surely.

Looking forward to working harder everyday.
 
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DesignerOne.

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Nov 29, 2016
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Still having major struggles scaling up. It's frustrating when you've constantly worked for 3-4 months and still can't upscale when you're actually still offering more and more value but don't want to turn down clients in order to build a network.

For example if I had a client that wanted some work done for $200 but the value of the work was actually closer to $1500, but they can't afford that. What is to be done? And if I target bigger companies, how can I justify my prices without actually getting to that point yet.

Just ranting a bit and curious to see some feedback if anyone has any.
 

DesignerOne.

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Nov 29, 2016
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So I'm really learning how to work the system and talk to people.

I've recently done a job for a local university for free, and it's already gotten massive exposure and the people i worked with said they will refer me to anyone. So thanks to @Andy Black for that "Ah!" moment by tapping into my personal networks.

I recently made a thread about not knowing what the hell to do, and there was a lot of helpful advice.

I started to tap into personal networks and focus on that since personal networks will boost your business massively compared to upwork or fiverr, but I've recently started to have fun with proposals on upwork and testing what works and what doesn't work rather than doing that with my personal networks.

According to @SinisterLex He suggested to stand out, and even mentioned via a PM that it sounded like I wanted to be a Brand Manager, but he said there should be a better name for it, so I've decided to say screw it and call myself a Brand Grandmaster on Upwork, that'll get some attention.

I'm also having fun with proposals, really mix it up and test out different methods. Here's one I just wrote.

Proposal-

Hey, So you're looking to boost your edge over your competition, make some kickass designs and sell your merchandise like there's no tomorrow?

That's perfect, because I can help you do exactly that. I'm going to go ahead and drop 150 bucks from the proposal, since you're talking about future opportunities too.

We at Pan Brands like to make this into a game where we want everyone to win, and make tons of money! I'm going to make a safe guess and say you agree with me.

Let's have some fun with this and get to work, I'll give you about 15 free concept sketches and 5 developed designs.

My skill set is pretty versatile, I'm going to go ahead and show you a few samples but if there are any designs out there you like, I can make your logo just like it in the sense of the style but be completely unique and instantly recognizable.

After that we can work on a final design that'll kick a$$.

Let's get this taken care of for you.

Best, Dylan | Brand Grandmaster.
Pan Brands | Recognition through Design
 

DesignerOne.

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Nov 29, 2016
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So I'm in a major funk, some heavy stuff going on in my personal life and it's gotten me down in a lot of aspects of life.

I went ahead and ordered a kindle, hoping to pick up tons of books and re-boost my motivation, but I'm afraid it's only time that'll help and I don't want to waste time either.

Gradually and surely I will bounce back, I just have to push forward on the venture I'm working on, I'm moving into a new house and it'll have a huge basement so I'm turning it into a workshop for sure.

Gotta grit my teeth, roll up my sleeves, say F*ck you to the world, and push on.
 
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DesignerOne.

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Nov 29, 2016
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So just had a operation on my knee 4 days ago. So within the blurred hazy moments of drugs and sleep I managed to read several solid books on habit forming and self improvement.

Working on new goals, adjusting myself and about to pull a major pivot. Now I'm at the point where I'm reading and it feels like action-faking. Time to take action again and create results.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

DesignerOne.

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Nov 29, 2016
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Still working on the grind, HOWEVER, I've found it as of recently very easy to fall into the lull of the internet and found this great chrome extension. It blocks specific sites after a specific time allotted has been depleted.

I can still access sites but there is a time limit such as 45 minutes or even less that I will set for each site and it refreshes every 24 hours. I will be setting restrictions on sites as Netflix or Reddit and so on, to increase productivity!

Looking forward to seeing the results.

StayFocusd
 

DesignerOne.

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Nov 29, 2016
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Just shifted to the INSIDERS thread and holy moly, such a rich amount of knowledge and exchanges of communication/ideas.

If anyone is actively working and executing ideas, you need to save up and make a worthwhile investment into this!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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DesignerOne.

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Nov 29, 2016
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So it's been a while since I posted in here. (I've been busy on the INSIDERS thread though)

This is more of a side hustle right now and I'm finding out that as more and more entrepreneurs come up, they need more CAD renderings for them to show to a manufacturer. This has been my recent adjustment, As of 3 days ago, I've already made 500 in 3 days, and Im on the pipeline to make another 700.

How can I scale this up, well, I am going to start by putting some of my CAD work in my website for the side hustle along with a "previous employers" page. This will be a good way to showcase my work and make me look more legit.

Now I have to figure out how to find entrepreneur groups or entrepreneurs themselves that focus in e-commerce and I can actually help them get their products drawing up in a clear sketch or a CAD drawing and do it pretty fast.

This is a form of building their brands/telling their story so it fits the vein.

All started with something my brother is working on and it had me realize there are tons of people out there like him looking for someone like me. Stay tuned [emoji4]

(the money from this will go directly to the product I am working on in my "super secret thread" [emoji6]
 
Last edited:

dgr

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Hi @DesignerOne. I've just found this thread and two words in the title have captured my attention: storytelling and branding. I'm interested in this topics as well. I'm not sure if you are still into it, but take a look to Donald Miller's book StoryBrand. He provides a great framework to work wit branding using the power of stories (as the name of the book may suggest :D).
 

DesignerOne.

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Nov 29, 2016
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Still working on this grind and building my side hustle to gain a more feasible point of entry for ecommerce.

Right now I'm being stereotypical as hell and working out of a coffee shop in Seattle. Back to Rochester tomorrow.

Had a ton of great networking opportunities out here that I took advantage of. Was visiting a few friends for thanksgiving and im now refreshed and hopped up on the shitton of coffee I chugged down out here.
 
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DesignerOne.

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Nov 29, 2016
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One year and three days.

That's how long I've been on the forum. My life has changed for the better.

I've lost a large amount of weight, making revenue freelancing which is my focus now until i get enough of a nest egg then I will invest that into my endeavor that I have on the INSIDERS and am consistently looking for ways to build revenue and now I'm building my skills in sales, next book I'm going to tackle is spin selling. -my brother recommended it, right now I'm taking my time with fantatical prospecting, which I'm enjoying and applying.

I'm well into grad school to build a new and stronger network, and focused on growing my skills to help others.

I've been lucky enough to make some personal connections outside and inside of this forum, I know a few people outside this forum now and we have conversations discussing how to improve and work towards our mutual goals.

So this is just a thank you to my older brother and to MJ for giving me the push I needed one year ago.

For those who are new here to the forum, be patient, and keep climbing the mountain. I have come a long way, but I can smile knowing I've gone this far compared to where I was. I also still smile knowing I have a long a$$ way to go because this is a absolutely liberating way of life and it's my way of living my life, not under anyone 's command, I know I'm working to get out of the script and to get on the fastlane.

Best of luck to anyone reading this, and hopefully in a another year, I'll be far beyond where I am right now.
 
Last edited:

DesignerOne.

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Nov 29, 2016
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So this is working.

It's a exponential effect and I'm seeing it now.

Last year I was on the lower 3 figures end of the spectrum for sales for a while.

I got two 4 figure sales in December.

I have a another 4 figure sale that I'm working on closing in January, just had a great phone call and thanks to using Spin selling- FANTASTIC RESOURCE!- Linked above in previous post.

It led to a advance with the client.

I am now working on boosting sales skills via my brother and seeing what I can do about getting even more sales in the door.

I also have a job interview to become a specialist in my field for a nearby university pretty soon, this job will land me benefits, a more steady income to use to support myself rather than using the freelance money to support myself, and boosting revenue streams to use towards entrepreneurship.

This also will boost credentials for my freelancing business and help more people.

If my sales are getting larger, I can't wait to see where I end up next year.

Stay hungry fellas.
 

DesignerOne.

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Nov 29, 2016
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Long and overdue update!

Right now I'm building a passive income stream. One of my buddies needed a person who could work for them as a free agent and 3D print them things on a contractual basis. Just finished my first contract with him and on my second. Printing tons of large scale projects for good money.

Also still working on upwork, and building relationships inside and outside of it to build a freelancing stream of income.

The problem though is that the income is what makes ends meet for me

Which is why I'm excited about this awesome job interview I just had for a huge marketing position that'll boost my skills and reputation for my freelancing.

Also all thanks to building expereince through this thread with story telling and brand identity, I was able to get that interview in the first place.

It'll also cover my tuition for my master's degree. They'll most likely help pay for it plus cover tuition for any other degrees I'm interested in.

That will become a more reliable stream of income and I can finally start using the money I earn from freelancing and put that towards entrepreneurial endeavors.

Exciting news and hopefully it works out
 
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DesignerOne.

Silver Contributor
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Nov 29, 2016
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Rochester, Ny
So I've gotten a big leap in the road to the fast lane. Stepping over from the sidewalk into the slowlane.

I got the marketing job at a nearby prestigious university and that'll only help my fast lane endeavors "selling myself".

Funny enough, my college degree has little to do with the position, and all of the knowledge and content I've developed was solely from my fastlane mission and has made me a specialist in the field.

So all of the work since December of 2016 (when I started on here) are clearly creating results now and helping me kick a$$. Thanks to MJ, Andy, JP and a few other people on here that continues to motivate and push so many others that hops on the forum including myself.

Now the accelerator's going nowhere but forward and the speed is going up.

Looking forward to the new endeavors to come.
 

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