Wait, should I change the two previous posts to make the title "Category Is: *Insert Category"??? Or would I get sued for taking that from Ru Paul's Drag Race... hmm, I'll find out... But in the meantime, all copyright for the above title goes to Ru. (Just in case)

Hi everyone, so back to advertising. What’s continuity?

Anyway, I’m bringing you some ad tips sure to bring you to the top of whatever it is you want to do in life. So in one of my classes, I came across an article called “Forbes: Seven Steps to A Successful Brand" and then I started thinking, “hmm… what’s my brand?” I mean, I did after all just attest to the fact that I have absolutely no sense of continuity but, hey, here we are.

Let’s go through the steps, and see how I’m failing or succeeding upon each. Nothing like self-depreciation on a weekday night, am I right?

Okay, here we go.

1. Creating the right tagline.
I don’t really have a tagline… even when it comes to bio’s I’m terrible with my own… because I’m not consistent, truthfully. I get my hands on a little bit of everything and there’s not one thing I’m always doing. Yes, I’m likely to be found doing something advertising related, or taking pictures, shopping, wearing black, or talking about Mariah Carey (have you listened to the Patti Labelle tribute yet???). But, how do I put that into a sentence? “Christian Blakley is an advertising student likely to photograph you wearing black clothes he bought listening to Mariah Carey” No. I’ll work on it, but props to the people who have it down.

2. Stand out from the crowd.

Here’s an example of not standing out because I stragetigally wore blue jeans to attempt fitting in at Wrigley. I never wear blue jeans. This was the first time I had in years, and my mother was shook.

I try to stand out from the crowd with my fashion. I’m all about looking put together and making each outfit count. Matching is my thing, so imagine how happy tracksuits make me, you’re matching in all cotton or polyester. So simple, truly iconic… just be careful with velour.

3. Develop your company culture.
Honestly, I don’t know how to relate to this one.

Next.

4. Be patient with your brand.
I am so impatient and this is something that I’m working on. You see… I don’t like sitting still, and I am not one to wait for things to happen. If I think something isn’t for me, I’ll start learning how to do the next thing. It’s a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I develop a lot of skills quickly and then put it all into the next thing, but a curse because the FOMO carries into every element of my life including professionally, if not mostly professionally. Advertising, however, has stuck with me and that’s why it was important for me to include some ad-related topics here.

I’m most consistent when it comes to my wardrobe because I’m most likely to be found wearing black. Unless I’m at the gym, there’s something about neons that inspire me to workout.

5. Be consistent.
Consistency is key, and when it comes to my own personal branding it’s where I have the most difficulty. Consistency in branding is what keeps people coming back because they know what to expect. I, however, like to leave people on the edges of their seats. It’s a method that’s working out for me just because I get to be a little random and show different talents at different times and it's a surprise for people. It's fun, but there's something about not knowing yourself the realm of what your next post could be that adds a little pressure. Not to mention when people start liking one talent more than the some and you don't really do the other often. Yes, I’ll admit, I have an extensive background with a random skillset, and the student loans to show for it… But, I still look at some people’s instagrams and see these clean feeds where every photo makes sense with the next and I long that. ONE DAY.

6. Get Help.
Asking for help is something that I’m getting accustomed to doing. I have always gotten constructive criticism doing theatre and it has only ever made me better. I take it with a grain of salt and usually am all for it. But, now, that the feedback I am receiving impacts the work that gets me work, I’m all the more open to hearing it because I have a little more on the line. And, especially in advertising… getting responses is imperative to the success of something.

7. Put people first.
*No caption needed, do it, think about people, be a kind person… interpret the statement however... just do as it says.* Thank you and goodbye.

*Imagine I already stopped typing, but honestly, wasn't that a good one to close on?*