Click here to listen: Unleashing Your Business’s True Potential with Julie Murray - Start Build and Grow
Shownotes
In this podcast episode, host Rob Lawrence interviews Julie Murray, a marketing expert and business coach.
Julie shares practical advice on building a strong brand for small businesses, highlighting the importance of defining a core purpose or "why" before focusing on logos or campaigns.
Julie reveals how brand personality, customer feedback, and founder involvement can shape brand success. Julie also explores the impact of AI on marketing, strategies for overcoming resistance to self-promotion, and the value of clear goals and consistent messaging to help you grow your business.
Listen out for Julie's actionable tips for entrepreneurs, founders, and owners alike, looking to create and grow meaningful brands, products, services, and businesses.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Julie’s Background and Experience (00:01:56) Julie shares her marketing career, corporate roles, and transition to running her own agency and coaching business.
The Importance of Defining Your “Why” (00:04:38) Julie explains why small businesses must clarify their core purpose before focusing on logos and marketing materials.
Uncovering Brand Essence Through Personal Stories (00:06:26) Julie shares how personal highs and lows help reveal authentic brand purpose and target audience.
Branding Is More Than a Logo (00:07:31) Julie suggests that branding goes beyond visual identity and can be revisited at any stage of business.
Rebranding and Brand Audits (00:08:16) Julie advises on reviewing brand relevance, customer feedback, and standing out in the market.
Brand Personality and Customer Feedback (00:09:52) The conversation covers developing a brand personality and using customer feedback to differentiate and improve.
Scaling Brand Culture and Consistency (00:12:03) Julie highlights the importance of brand culture, founder influence, and consistency as businesses grow.
Involving Team and Customers in Branding (00:12:58) Julie suggests involving employees, customers, and partners in shaping and evolving the brand.
Using Customer Feedback as Marketing Content (00:13:52) Julie explains how to collect, use, and share customer feedback and testimonials as marketing material.
Defining Brand by What It Isn’t (00:15:15) Julie recommends clarifying brand identity by listing what the business is not, to sharpen focus.
Finding Brand Uniqueness and Energy (00:17:24) Julie discusses following passion and energy to discover a brand’s unique voice and resonance.
Case Study: The Power of “Why” in Positioning (00:17:57) Julie shares a story about a home care business, illustrating how uncovering the founder’s “why” transformed the brand.
Aligning Passion, Skills, and Market Need (00:21:25) Julie introduces the “IKIGAI” model—success comes from combining passion, expertise, and market demand: what you are good at and what people will pay for.
Breakthroughs in Brand Clarity (00:22:18) Julie describes how clients reach clarity through questioning, reflection, and external feedback.
Balancing Passion and Market Demand (00:23:56) Julie addresses the challenge of when passion doesn’t align with what people will pay for, and the need for honest assessment.
The Impact of AI on Marketing and Branding (00:25:37) Julie discusses AI as a game-changer, its uses in branding, content creation, and business efficiency.
AI for Customer Feedback and Automation (00:27:29) Julie gives examples of AI automating feedback, lesson planning, and marking, freeing up time for value-added work.
Overcoming Resistance to Marketing and AI (00:29:22) Julie addresses common resistance to marketing and AI, and offers advice for those hesitant to promote themselves.
DIY Marketing for Startups (00:31:57) Julie provides practical tips for startups to market themselves cost-effectively and build brand awareness.
The Importance of Brand Strategy and Consistency (00:32:55) Julie stresses having a clear brand DNA, strategy, and consistent messaging for effective marketing.
Encouragement to Be Bold and Believe (00:33:49) Julie encourages business owners to be bold, believe in themselves, and experiment with marketing approaches.
Final Tips: Core Questions and Planning for Growth (00:35:12) Julie summarises key branding questions and advises setting measurable growth targets and planning backwards.
How to Connect with Julie (00:36:13) Julie shares her contact details for listeners to reach out for further advice or coaching.
About Julie:
Julie Murray is an award-winning Marketing Director, Business & Leadership Coach. Julie is a dynamic Marketing Director with over two decades of experience delivering transformational change. Her steadfast positivity and innovative mindset mean no challenge is too big. An expert in branding, strategic marketing, and campaign planning, Julie is also a sought-after speaker at industry events and appeared on BBC Breakfast for Royal Mail.
Julie is also an ICF (International Coaching Federation) qualified coach, passionate about unlocking potential. She empowers individuals and teams to grow through bespoke leadership development programmes, guiding those at career crossroads or seeking new opportunities.
Julie also works with Suffolk New College to accredit individuals with the Institute of Leadership Management (ILM) Level 3 and Level 4 Diploma and is also trained in delivering Clarity 4D profiling insight. From senior leaders and long-tenured professionals to those just starting to lead a team, Julie helps refresh and reimagine businesses and careers with her ethos: Be bold, be brilliant, and believe you can.
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