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Starting a Lifestyle Brand – Your Ultimate 2025 Guide
By 2024.07.04.

Welcome to the world of lifestyle branding, where you have the power to create your own empire. Whether you’re passionate about supplement, fashion, beauty, or any other niche, starting a lifestyle brand allows you to share your unique vision with the world. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of building your own empire, from conception to execution.

Creating a strong brand identity is about more than just aesthetics. It’s about developing a voice and a story that your audience can connect with on an emotional level. When you achieve this connection, you don’t just gain customers; you build a community of loyal followers who share your values and vision.” – Gary Vaynerchuk, founder of VaynerMedia

In this article, we will explore the essential elements of building and scaling a successful lifestyle brand. We will cover defining your target audience, crafting a compelling brand story, designing a cohesive visual identity, and establishing a robust online presence. Additionally, we will dive into effective paid advertising strategies, influencer collaborations, and expanding your product and service offerings. Practical tips and insights on marketing, monetizing, and scaling your brand sustainably will also be provided.

It’s time to turn your passion into a thriving business. Get ready to take the first steps towards building your own empire. Let’s dive in!

Please note that this article is the longest and most comprehensive article on our blog.

Identifying your niche and target audience

Selecting the right niche is the foundation of your lifestyle brand. It’s crucial to choose a market that aligns with your passions, skills, and the needs of your target audience. Start by reflecting on your unique experiences, expertise, and the problems you can solve for your customers.

Think about the specific industries or hobbies that ignite your creativity and inspire you to take action. Probably, if you’re here, you’ve already decided on the product and niche you want to pursue.

Once you’ve determined your niche, it’s time to define your target audience. 

  • Who are the individuals who will be most interested in your products or services?
  • Consider factors such as age, gender, income level, interests, and pain points.
  • Understanding your target audience will guide your branding, marketing, and product development efforts. It ensures that you create a lifestyle brand that truly speaks to your ideal customer. 

Conduct market research, analyze your competition, and engage with your potential customers to gain valuable insights that will shape your brand’s direction. A great tool for that is Exploding Trends. Before you burn loads of cash on a new venture, check the trends to ensure they are in your favor.

The skincare keyword trend is growing in the US. Instagram is the ultimate channel for your presence.

Under the main trend keyword (in this case ‘skincare’), you can find other semantically related keywords that are trending. Pay attention to these recommendations as well; they can be a good source for short-form videos, blog posts, or even product development.

Exploding Topics gives you related trending keywords as well. You can track and follow these.

When you do the competitor research, always use advanced tools, like Semrush, and analyze the following metrics:

  • Traffic Sources: Evaluate the different channels (organic, paid, social, direct) driving traffic to competitor websites.
  • Keyword Rankings: Identify the keywords your competitors rank for and their positions in search results.
  • Paid Search Traffic: Check the amount of traffic coming from paid search campaigns and the keywords they are bidding on.
  • Backlink Profile: Analyze the quantity and quality of backlinks pointing to competitor websites to understand their link-building strategies.
  • Top Performing Pages: Identify the most visited pages on your competitors’ websites to see which content resonates most with their audience.

Market Positioning: Evaluate competitors’ positioning and messaging in the market to understand their value propositions and differentiators.

Semrush provides numerous data points, including competitors’ traffic volume, traffic sources, number of backlinks, and more.

With Semrush, you can even check the exact Google search ad copies your competitors are using. So if you want, you can copy/paste their ad copies, put into ChatGPT as an inspiration to your copy prompt.

But if you want to dig really deep, you can literally check all of the ads of your competitors on all platforms. Here are the four big ad libraries you probably didn’t know existed.

Facebook Ads Library

Google Ads Library

Youtube Ads Library

TikTok Ads Library

Radically differentiate your brand

And I really mean it. Radically differentiating your lifestyle brand is crucial in standing out from the crowd and establishing a unique presence in the market. As a founder, your first task is to identify your brand’s unique edge – a distinct characteristic that sets it apart from competitors. This decision is foundational and will guide your branding strategy and market positioning. 

Whether you choose to be a 

  • science-backed brand emphasizing rigorous research and innovation, 
  • a sustainable brand championing eco-friendly practices, 
  • a luxury brand exuding exclusivity and high-end appeal, 
  • an influencer-based brand leveraging the reach and authenticity of key figures, or 
  • a personalization-focused brand offering tailored experiences, this initial choice is paramount. 

Each path has its own set of strategies and appeals to different consumer segments, but the common thread is the need for clarity and consistency in your message. Embrace your uniqueness boldly and weave it into every aspect of your branding, from product development to marketing communications. This ensures that your audience can easily recognize and connect with what makes your brand special.

Let’s see concrete examples of activities and marketing mix elements in every category, demonstrated through a beauty supplement brand.

Science-backed

Differentiator: Emphasize the scientific research behind your product and guarantee visible results within a specific timeframe.

  • Partner with dermatologists
  • Conduct and publish clinical trials
  • “Science Behind the Gummies” section
  • Educate consumers via short form video content and long form SEO optimized blog articles

A good example for a science-backed brand is SkinCeuticals. As you can see in the graphs about their traffic and its sources, organic traffic consists of 48%, which is significant for a site with 1.1M monthly visitors. Their expert advice blog ranks for 10,500 keywords in the top 10 on Google. Solid.

Sustainable

Differentiator: Position your brand as environmentally friendly and committed to clean, transparent labeling.

  • Sustainably sourced ingredients and eco-friendly packaging materials
  • Highlight your commitment to no artificial colors, flavors
  • Show certifications such as Non-GMO, Organic, Vegan
  • Supporting ocean clean-up efforts

A great example for a sustainable brand is Drunk Elephant. They have a strong philosophy where they highlight the six things they avoid, calling them the ‘Suspicious 6’. I have to say, their copywriting skills are pretty good.

Luxury

Differentiator: Create a luxurious, spa-like experience with your product.

  • Premium packaging that feels like a high-end beauty product
  • Offer a “Beauty Ritual Kit” that includes your gummies and a guide to creating a nightly beauty ritual
  • Partner with luxury spas and beauty influencers
  • Host exclusive events to engage with your community

A luxurious brand that we follow for many reasons is La Mer. The luxury positioning is likely the most expensive due to the meticulous attention to detail, high-quality creatives, professional videos, and strategic partnerships required.

La Mer Instagram posts showing the luxury lifestyle and their beauty influencers.

Influencer-based

Differentiator: Build a strong community and leverage influencer marketing to create buzz and credibility.

  • Partner with micro-influencers and wellness experts
  • Encourage user-generated content
  • Develop a VIP ambassador program
  • Host regular live Q&A sessions, webinars

One of the most relevant examples for an influencer-based communication and strategy is what Glossier does.

Glossier influencer collaborations on Instagram. 

Personalization-focused

Differentiator: Offer personalized beauty plans tailored to individual skin types and concerns.

  • Online quiz that assesses customers’ skin types
  • Provide personalized supplement plans
  • Follow up with personalized email recommendations, tips, and progress tracking to keep customers engaged.

Personalization is our favorite. If you’re doing it right, full automation can give your clients the feeling that the brand is specifically for them and that you truly understand their pain points and needs. Let me mention here Curology, who does this on a professional level.

curology personalization
curology personalized formula
Curology begins with a test to determine the best recommendation they can offer.

Creating a compelling brand story

Your brand story is the heart and soul of your lifestyle brand. It’s the narrative that connects your products or services to the deeper meaning and values that inspire your business. Crafting a compelling brand story is essential for building an emotional connection with your audience and differentiating your brand from the competition.

Types of brand stories

  • A Story coming from a personal problem or frustration – Spanx

Spanx was founded by Sara Blakely, who was frustrated with the lack of comfortable and effective shapewear. Her personal problem led her to create Spanx, revolutionizing the shapewear industry by offering products that provided a seamless and comfortable fit.

 

  • An obsession-based story – Patagonia

Patagonia‘s founder, Yvon Chouinard, had a lifelong obsession with rock climbing and environmental conservation. This passion drove him to create high-quality, sustainable outdoor clothing and gear, positioning Patagonia as a leader in eco-friendly products and environmental activism.

 

  • A new wave trend inspired story – Glossier

Glossier was inspired by the new wave trend of minimalist beauty and skincare. Emily Weiss, the founder, leveraged her beauty blog‘s insights to create a brand that focuses on simple, effective products, and direct consumer engagement. This approach reflects the trend of transparency and authenticity in the beauty industry.

 

  • A story rooted in heritage or tradition – Levi’s

Levi’s brand story is deeply rooted in its heritage of crafting durable and reliable denim jeans since the 19th century. Their story emphasizes the brand’s long-standing tradition and commitment to quality, which has made them a timeless icon in the fashion industry.

 

  • A mission-driven story – TOMS

TOMS was founded on a mission to improve lives. For every pair of shoes sold, TOMS donates a pair to a child in need. This mission-driven story highlights the brand’s commitment to social impact and has built a loyal customer base who supports the cause.

Start by reflecting on your personal journey and the experiences that led you to start your lifestyle brand. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them? What inspired you to create your products or services, and what impact do you hope to have on your customers’ lives? Weave these elements into a captivating narrative that showcases your brand’s authenticity, purpose, and unique value proposition.

As you develop your brand story, highlight the pain points your brand solves, the aspirations it fulfills, and the lifestyle it represents. Use vivid language and storytelling techniques to create a memorable and emotionally engaging narrative that resonates with your audience on a deeper level.

Designing your brand logo and choosing your brand identity

Your brand’s visual identity is the foundation of your lifestyle brand’s aesthetic. It’s the first thing your customers will notice and the element that will leave a lasting impression. A well-designed logo and visual identity can instantly communicate your brand’s personality, values, and unique selling proposition.

I recommend starting with mood boards, where you grab the visual direction, the style, the colors, and as the name suggests, the mood of your brand. This will ensure a cohesive and visually appealing brand identity and also help align your team’s creative vision and streamline the design process.

Some of the moodboards from Evolut.

When designing your logo, consider the overall aesthetic of your lifestyle brand. Is it clean and minimalist? Bold and vibrant? Earthy and natural? The style of your logo should reflect the essence of your brand and appeal to your target audience. Experiment with different typography, color palettes, and graphic elements to create a logo that is both visually striking and memorable. 

Also, pay attention to the positioning and brand archetype that you choose. We usually categorize brands based on the Jungian archetype model that big brands use. This model is a powerful tool for defining and expressing a brand’s identity, allowing for deeper emotional connections with the target audience. The model consists of 12 archetypes, each with its unique characteristics, divided into 4 larger categories: Control, Legacy, Enlightenment, and Connection.

Some of the most well-known brands are categorized into the correct archetype category in the Jungian model.

Understanding the 12 archetypes

  • The Innocent: Optimistic and pure, focused on happiness and simplicity.
  • The Explorer: Seeks freedom and adventure, pushing boundaries.
  • The Sage: Values wisdom and knowledge, acting as a guide and advisor.
  • The Hero: Courageous and bold, striving to improve the world.
  • The Outlaw: Rebels against the norm, bringing change through disruption.
  • The Magician: Transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, creating miracles.
  • The Everyman: Relatable and friendly, connecting with others on a common level.
  • The Lover: Passionate and intimate, focusing on relationships and emotions.
  • The Jester: Brings joy and fun, using humor and playfulness.
  • The Caregiver: Compassionate and nurturing, dedicated to helping others.
  • The Ruler: Commands authority and control, leading with confidence.
  • The Creator: Innovative and imaginative, focused on bringing new ideas to life.

The Ordinary: A magician brand persona

The Ordinary exemplifies the Magician archetype in the beauty industry. As a brand, The Ordinary transforms the ordinary skincare routine into an extraordinary experience through its innovative and science-driven approach. Here’s why The Ordinary fits the Magician archetype:

  • Transformation: The Ordinary uses cutting-edge scientific research and high-quality ingredients to create transformative skincare products. This aligns with the Magician’s ability to change and improve things profoundly.
  • Innovation: The brand’s commitment to transparency and efficacy in product formulations introduces groundbreaking solutions to common skincare issues. This mirrors the Magician’s role in creating miracles and bringing new ideas to life.

Empowerment: By educating consumers about skincare ingredients and empowering them to make informed choices, The Ordinary demystifies the beauty industry. This educational approach enhances the brand’s magical persona, turning consumers into knowledgeable advocates for their skin health.

Applying the Jungian Archetype Model

Understanding and utilizing the Jungian archetype model helps in crafting a brand’s narrative and strategy effectively. For example:

  • Positioning: Aligning your brand with an archetype helps in creating a consistent and compelling brand story that resonates with your target audience.
  • Marketing: Knowing your brand’s archetype can guide your marketing strategies, ensuring that your messaging, visuals, and campaigns are coherent and aligned with your brand’s core values.
  • Product Development: Archetypes can inspire product development, ensuring that new products reflect the brand’s identity and appeal to its audience’s desires.

By choosing the right archetype, brands can build stronger emotional connections with their audience, leading to greater loyalty and engagement.

Visual identity

Beyond your logo, your brand’s visual identity should extend to all touchpoints, including your website, social media platforms, product packaging, and marketing materials. Develop a cohesive visual language that incorporates consistent typography, color schemes, and imagery. This visual consistency will help reinforce your brand’s identity and create a seamless experience for your customers.

Key elements of visual identity

  • Typography: Choose fonts that reflect your brand’s personality. For instance, a luxury brand might use elegant serif fonts, while a tech company might opt for clean, modern sans-serif fonts. Tools like Google Fonts and Adobe Fonts offer a wide range of typefaces to suit various brand identities.
  • Color Scheme: Colors evoke emotions and can significantly impact brand perception. Select a primary color palette that aligns with your brand’s values and a secondary palette for accents. Tools like Coolors and Adobe Color can help you create and test harmonious color schemes.
  • Imagery and Photography: Use consistent visual styles in your photography, illustrations, and graphics. High-quality, authentic images that reflect your brand’s story and values can enhance your brand’s visual appeal. Resources like Unsplash, Pexels, and Getty Images offer a variety of images for different themes and moods.
  • Graphics and Icons: Custom icons and graphic elements can help convey your brand’s message more effectively. Ensure that these elements are in line with your overall visual style. Tools like Canva and Noun Project provide extensive libraries and design tools to create custom graphics.
  • Layout and Composition: The arrangement of visual elements on your website, social media, and marketing materials should be consistent. Follow design principles like balance, alignment, and spacing to create visually appealing layouts. Websites like Grid by Example offer inspiration and guides for creating structured layouts.

Useful tools and websites

  • Figma: A powerful tool for designing user interfaces, creating prototypes, and collaborating with your team in real-time.
  • Sketch: Popular for UI/UX design, Sketch offers robust features for creating and iterating on your visual designs.
  • Canva: An easy-to-use design tool for creating graphics, presentations, social media posts, and more. Ideal for founders with limited design experience.
  • Behance: A platform to explore and showcase creative work, Behance can serve as inspiration for developing your visual identity.
  • Dribbble: Another great source of design inspiration, featuring work from a global community of designers.

Building your online presence

In today’s digital landscape, a strong online presence is essential for the success of your lifestyle brand. Your website and social media platforms serve as the primary touchpoints for your customers, allowing you to showcase your products, share your brand story, and engage with your audience.

Building a professional Shopify website

Start by building a professional and user-friendly website on Shopify that reflects your brand’s identity and values. Shopify provides a robust platform that simplifies the process of setting up and managing your online store. Here are some concrete steps and examples to help you make the most of Shopify when you starting a lifestyle brand:

 

  • Choose a Theme: Select a visually appealing and responsive theme from Shopify’s extensive theme store. For instance, for a free option, the Sense theme offers a sleek and modern design. If you’re looking to invest, we highly recommend the Flow theme for its sophisticated features and advanced customization options.
  • Customization: Customize your theme to align with your brand’s color scheme, typography, and overall aesthetic. Use Shopify’s drag-and-drop builder to easily arrange your homepage, product pages, and other key sections.

Pro Tip: If you have not used Shopify before, avoid customization or developing in the code. Use the theme settings instead. While this approach may have some limitations, it will allow you to get to market much faster and start selling without spending months struggling with developers.

  • Navigation: Ensure your website is easy to navigate. Create clear, intuitive menus and organize products into categories that make sense for your customers. For example, a jewelry brand might categorize products by type (rings, necklaces, bracelets) or by collection (wedding, everyday wear, luxury).
  • Mobile Optimization: With a growing number of consumers shopping on mobile devices, make sure your Shopify site is fully optimized for mobile. Shopify themes are responsive by default, but double-check that your images, text, and buttons are mobile-friendly. Nowadays, we suggest designing your webshop for mobile first and then desktop.
The device breakdown of two Evolut beauty clients.
  • Compelling Content: Your website content should effectively communicate your brand’s unique value proposition. Use high-quality product images, detailed product descriptions, and engaging blog posts. For instance, if you’re selling Moissanite jewelry, include detailed descriptions about the benefits of Moissanite, care instructions, and the ethical advantages over traditional diamonds. If you want to do product shots, but you don’t want to spend thousands on professional photoshooting, you can use AI tools such as Flair.ai.
  • About Us Page: Create an “About Us” section that tells your brand’s story, mission, and values. Personalize it with behind-the-scenes photos, founder stories, and customer testimonials to build trust and connection with your audience.
  • SEO Optimization: Utilize Shopify’s SEO tools to optimize your website for search engines. This includes adding relevant keywords to your product descriptions, blog posts, and meta tags. Tools like “Plug in SEO” can help you identify areas for improvement. Also, there is a difference between old SEO and new SEO tactics. Take a look at this great summary of them.
  • Shopify Apps: Enhance your website’s functionality with Shopify apps. For example, use “Klaviyo” for email marketing, “Yotpo” for customer reviews, and “Hootsuite” for social media management.

By leveraging Shopify’s features and tools, you can create a seamless, visually appealing, and user-friendly website. This site will reflect your brand’s identity and also engage and convert visitors into loyal customers.

Social media

Determine which platforms are most relevant to your target audience and focus your efforts on those channels. Whether it’s Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn, consistently post high-quality content that aligns with your brand’s visual identity and storytelling. Here are key strategies to boost your social media presence:

Platform selection

When starting a lifestyle brand, identify where your audience spends most of their time. For a lifestyle brand, visual platforms like Instagram and TikTok are often most effective. LinkedIn can be powerful for B2B engagement or if you sell to professionals.

 

Consistent and High-Quality Content

  • Visual Cohesion: Ensure your social media visuals reflect the same aesthetic as your website. Use consistent filters, color schemes, and typography to create a seamless brand experience. Tools like the above mentioned Canva and Adobe Spark can help you design cohesive visuals.
  • Storytelling: Share compelling stories about your products and brand. Highlight the benefits, features, and unique aspects of your offerings through engaging narratives. Utilize tools like Storify and Instagram Stories for dynamic storytelling.

Engagement and Community Building

  • Active Interaction: Engage with your followers by responding to comments and messages. Like and comment on their posts when they mention your brand.

User-Generated Content: Encourage your customers to share their experiences with your products. Repost their content to showcase real-life applications of your products and build a sense of community. Use tools like Repost for Instagram to share user-generated content easily.

iSClinical smart approach to boost the UGC videos among their community.

Influencer Collaborations

  • Partnerships: Collaborate with influencers and brand ambassadors who align with your brand values and aesthetics. They can help amplify your reach and credibility. Use platforms like Upfluence and AspireIQ to find and manage influencer partnerships. Also, although TINT is a great tool to collaborate not just with influencers, but regular content creators who can do for you quality UGC videos for an affordable price.

Campaigns: Run specific campaigns with influencers to promote new products, seasonal collections, or special events. Tools like BuzzSumo can help you identify key influencers in your niche.

 

Hashtag Strategy

  • Relevance: Use relevant and trending hashtags to increase your content’s visibility. Create a branded hashtag to encourage user-generated content and track engagement.

Research: Tools like RiteTag can help you find the best hashtags for your content.

Analytics and Optimization

  • Metrics Tracking: Regularly monitor your social media metrics, such as engagement rates, follower growth, and conversion rates. Tools like Hootsuite, Sprout Social, and Google Analytics can help you analyze your performance.
  • Continuous Improvement: Use these insights to optimize your content and engagement strategies. A/B test different types of posts, posting times, and formats to see what resonates best with your audience. Platforms like Buffer and CoSchedule can help you plan and schedule your content while tracking performance metrics.

By strategically leveraging social media when starting a lifestyle brand, you can showcase your products, share your brand story, and build a loyal community. Consistent engagement, high-quality content, and data-driven strategies will help you maximize your brand’s reach and impact on these platforms.

Implementing effective paid advertising strategies

Paid advertising is essential for the success of your lifestyle brand, providing immediate visibility and the ability to target your audience precisely. Probably, at the beginning this will drive the main part of the traffic to your website, so do it carefully. Here’s how to implement effective paid advertising strategies:

Define your advertising objectives

Start by defining clear goals for your advertising campaigns, such as increasing website traffic, generating leads, or boosting product sales. These objectives will guide your ad strategy and help measure success.

Leverage Google Ads

Use Google Ads to capture intent-driven traffic:

Search Campaigns: Target users actively searching for keywords related to your products. Utilize tools like Ubersuggest or Answer The Public to find high-performing keywords.

  • Display Ads: Reach a broader audience with visually appealing ads across Google’s Display Network. Use Google Display Planner to find relevant websites and apps for your ads.

Pro Tip: Use other display networks, especially if you are an e-commerce lifestyle brand. Although Google can tell you what people are searching for, Criteo can help you find out the buying intent of users. We use this tool for almost all our e-commerce clients.

  • Shopping Ads: Promote your products directly in Google search results with detailed product listings.

When you are starting a lifestyle brand and if you are a new advertiser, you can apply for free credits if you spend as well. Here is the link to start.

Facebook and Instagram Ads

Harness the power of Facebook Ads and Instagram Ads:

  • Ad Formats: Experiment with various formats such as carousel ads, video ads, and collection ads to engage users. Short-form video performs the best. If you don’t have the means for professional video shooting, Canva-made videos can work. They are better than single image content in ads.
  • Targeting: Use Facebook Audience Insights to understand your audience and refine targeting based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.
  • Retargeting: Implement Facebook Pixel to retarget users who have visited your website but didn’t convert.

LinkedIn Ads for B2B

For B2B brands, LinkedIn Ads can be highly effective:

  • Sponsored Content: Promote articles, videos, and updates directly in the LinkedIn feed.
  • InMail Ads: Send personalized messages directly to LinkedIn users’ inboxes.

Dynamic Ads: Automatically personalize ads for each LinkedIn user based on their profile data.

Pro Tip: Result communication works exceptionally well on LinkedIn. When we boost our case studies toward lifestyle brand owners, we achieve click rates and visibility well above average. LinkedIn is generally an expensive platform, but with outstanding creatives, you can achieve reasonable click costs. If you are a beauty or food brand targeting retailers or professionals who sell your products, include LinkedIn in your marketing mix and use result-based posts to boost them. LinkedIn’s targeting options are among the best available.

YouTube Ads

Use YouTube Ads to engage with users through video content:

  • TrueView Ads: Only pay when users watch your video ad for at least 30 seconds.
  • Bumper Ads: Short, six-second ads ideal for driving brand awareness.
  • InStream Ads: Play before, during, or after other videos on YouTube and across Google Display Network sites, apps, and games.

Pinterest Ads

Leverage Pinterest Ads to reach users seeking inspiration:

  • Promoted Pins: Boost visibility of your pins to a larger audience.
  • Shopping Ads: Showcase your products with price, availability, and product details.

Video Pins: Engage users with short, captivating video content.

Pro Tip: Leverage Pinterest’s official Creative Pin Collection. This curated treasure trove offers thousands of inspiring pins to spark fresh ideas for your ad content, helping you craft engaging and visually appealing campaigns.

Advanced Targeting and Retargeting

Implement advanced targeting and retargeting strategies to maximize your ad spend:

  • Lookalike Audiences: Use data from your best customers to find similar users. Platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google offer lookalike audience targeting.
  • Retargeting Campaigns: Use tools like AdRoll to retarget users who have previously visited your site across multiple platforms.
  • Geo-Targeting: Target users in specific locations to promote local events or store openings.

Analytics and Optimization

Continuously analyze your advertising performance using platforms like Google Analytics, Facebook Ads Manager, and HubSpot. Track key metrics such as click-through rates (CTR), conversion rates, and return on ad spend (ROAS). Use A/B testing to experiment with different ad creatives, formats, and targeting options. Tools like Optimizely and VWO can help streamline this process.

When starting a lifestyle brand, focus on these paid advertising strategies. By continuously optimizing based on performance data, you can effectively reach and engage your target audience, driving growth and success for your lifestyle brand.

Collaborating with influencers and brand ambassadors

Leveraging the power of influencers and brand ambassadors can be a game-changer for your lifestyle brand. These individuals have the ability to amplify your brand’s message, reach new audiences, and build credibility and trust with your target customers.

 

Identifying the Right Partners

Start by identifying influencers within your niche who align with your brand’s values and resonate with your target audience. Look for individuals with a strong social media presence, an engaged following, and a genuine interest in your products or services. Use platforms like Upfluence and AspireIQ to find and manage influencer partnerships. Additionally, TINT is a great tool to collaborate not just with influencers but also with regular content creators who can produce high-quality user-generated content (UGC) videos at an affordable price.

Upfluence dashboard screenshots are filled with engagement numbers. It is probably the best tool on the market in terms of price-to-value ratio.

Running Effective Campaigns

Collaborate with influencers to run specific campaigns promoting new products, seasonal collections, or special events. Tools like BuzzSumo can help you identify key influencers in your niche. Sponsored posts, product reviews, and co-created content are effective ways to leverage influencer reach and credibility.

Building a Network of Brand Ambassadors

In addition to influencer partnerships, consider building a network of brand ambassadors who can act as passionate advocates for your lifestyle brand. These individuals can be loyal customers, industry experts, or even employees deeply invested in your brand’s success. Empower your brand ambassadors by providing them with exclusive content, promotional materials, and incentives to share your brand’s story with their networks.

Benefits and Best Practices

Collaborating with influencers and brand ambassadors can lead to increased brand visibility, improved social proof, and higher conversion rates. However, it’s essential to carefully vet and select your partners to ensure they align with your brand’s values and resonate with your target audience. Regularly monitor the performance of your influencer and ambassador campaigns and be prepared to adjust your strategies as needed.

Scaling and growing your lifestyle brand

As your lifestyle brand gains momentum, it’s crucial to have a strategic plan in place for scaling and growing your business. This involves expanding your product or service offerings, entering new markets, and diversifying your revenue streams. Here are some strategic tips to help you scale effectively after starting a lifestyle brand.

Evaluate and identify growth opportunities

Begin by thoroughly evaluating your current business model to identify areas ripe for growth. Analyze sales data, customer feedback, and market trends to pinpoint the most promising expansion opportunities. Tools like Looker Studio or Triple Whale can provide valuable insights into your performance metrics.

 

  • Sales Data Analysis: Look for patterns in your top-performing products and identify opportunities for complementary offerings.

Customer Feedback: Use platforms like SurveyMonkey or Typeform to gather and analyze customer feedback, helping you understand their evolving needs.

Pro Tip: Call your first 100 customers via phone! It may seem unscalable, and it is, but at the beginning, these insights will provide enormous benefits for your progress.

Market Trends: Stay updated with industry reports from sources like Statista and Nielsen to identify emerging trends and demands. Additionally, leverage tools like Google Trends, the previously mentioned Exploding Topics, and Pinterest Trends to stay ahead of emerging trends.

Expanding product and service offerings

Expanding your product and service offerings is a strategic way to cater to your target audience’s evolving needs and drive business growth. Here are some detailed insights and additional strategies to consider when you starting a lifestyle brand:

New product lines

  • Complementary Products: Introduce new products that naturally align with your current offerings. For example, if you’re a beauty brand with a focus on makeup, consider adding skincare products such as cleansers, moisturizers, or serums. This broadens your product range and also enhances your brand’s reputation as a comprehensive beauty solution provider.
  • Seasonal Collections: Launch limited-edition products tied to seasons or special events. These can create a sense of urgency and exclusivity, driving sales and engagement. Tools like Launchmetrics can help you manage and promote your seasonal collections.
  • Sustainable Products: Given the growing consumer interest in sustainability, consider introducing eco-friendly product lines. This could involve using sustainable materials, eco-friendly packaging, or launching a line of products specifically marketed as green or organic. Use platforms like Sustainable Apparel Coalition to find suppliers and partners who align with these values.

Enhancing existing offerings

  • Product Bundles: Create product bundles that offer customers a comprehensive solution. For example, a skincare routine kit could include a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. Bundling products can increase the perceived value and encourage customers to purchase more.

Pro Tip: Offers are 99% of the time better than discounts in lifestyle branding. Discounts devalue your brand and your products’ perceived value. Offers make them more desirable. One argument against discounts is that they make your audience wait for another discounted offer, reducing the likelihood of buying at full price. Over time, this will also decrease your AOV (Average Order Value) and customer lifetime value.

  • Customization Options: Offer customization options for your products or services. This could involve personalized product selections, customized plans, or bespoke services tailored to individual preferences. Platforms like Zakeke can integrate customization features into your e-commerce site.
  • Enhanced Customer Support: Improve your customer support services by offering live chat, detailed FAQs, and comprehensive how-to guides. Tools like Zendesk can help you manage and optimize customer support interactions.

Pro Tip: Tools like Helium 10 can help identify trending products and keywords on platforms like Amazon, providing insight into potential new product ideas.

Final thoughts on starting a lifestyle brand

Scaling and growing your lifestyle brand requires a strategic and multi-faceted approach. By expanding your offerings, exploring new markets, and diversifying your revenue streams, you can achieve sustainable growth. Additionally, staying true to your brand’s core values will help solidify your position as a market leader.

Leverage the insights and tools provided throughout this article to navigate this journey effectively. Additionally, consider partnering with Evolut, a leader in digital marketing and lifestyle branding, to gain a competitive edge. Our expertise in creating cohesive brand strategies, optimizing digital marketing efforts, and enhancing customer engagement can help propel your brand to new heights.

We are thrilled to partner with brands that ignite the present and inspire a brighter future.
Contact us to make an impact!

    Zsolt Farkas

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    Zsolt