Spencer - Richardson’s Post

As a brand strategist, I can’t tell you *what* you do. 👀 And neither should any other brand strategist. 🚩 My job isn’t to define your business for you—it’s to help you articulate it in a way that resonates with the right people. I help you shape how you show up, communicate your value, and build a brand that works. Thinking about hiring a brand partner or strategist? Here are some things to watch out for: 🚩 They want to design your website before you have a clear offer. 🚩 They deliver exactly what you ask for—without questioning if it’s right for your audience. 🚩 They focus solely on aesthetics, ignoring messaging and positioning. 🚩 They promise instant results (this is a red flag in any business!) 🚩 They put all the work on you—handing over surveys but never discussing the answers. Will I get hate for this? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Tune in to find out!

With over 10 years of experience in the creative direction industry, I’ve often found it surprising when individuals with little or no creative background offer suggestions like, “I think we should try this,” "Use this color instead,” or simply, “I don’t like it.” While feedback is always valuable, the whole purpose of hiring a creative professional is to benefit from their expertise. We don’t just “make things look pretty”; we apply principles of design, creativity, and strategy to craft visuals that effectively communicate a brand’s message and resonate with its audience. If someone had a deep understanding of Creative direction, they wouldn’t need to hire a professional in the first place. It’s essential to trust the process and believe in the creative director's ability to make a brand stand out. We aren’t just executors—we’re creative thinkers who bring a brand to life. Creativity isn’t about individual preferences; it’s about clear communication, staying on trend, and brand's identity. The best results come when brands trust us to professionally and thoughtfully transform their ideas into something impactful and meaningful. #fashionbrands #creativedirectors #trusttheemployee

Want your brand to grow? Hire more video people. Video directors, in my incredibly biased opinion, make excellent brand directors. Because they know how to manage tons of small, disparate decisions on everything from wardrobe to camera lenses to set design to voice intonations and make them add up to so much more. They understand how copy and image work together in 24 frames per second to tell a cohesive story. And they're overseeing all these decisions non-linearly, understanding how all the decisions from one sequence impact the larger narrative. Your brand is a cumulation of touchpoints and experiences, built out of many small, disparate, but important decisions. So bring on more people skilled at making those decisions.

Why a monthly retainer may become your brands secret weapon in the creative services battlefield If you're looking for creative services Whether you need: 👉 A sleek, modern website 👉 A sizzling marketing strategy 👉 Or eye-catching product packaging Here's why you should think about starting a monthly retainer with a studio 👇 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆: Your brand stays consistent thanks to a team that's got your values down pat. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Say cya to scrambling for designers each time you have a project. 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁-𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: It's a smart and savvy move, as it can be more cost-effective than hiring an internal team. Interested to hear everyone's thoughts around creative retainers. Agree or disagree with them?

In-House vs. External Agencies: The Hilarious Truth Thinking about hiring an external branding agency? Here’s the tea ☕: In-house teams are like family—they know your brand inside out, but sometimes they’re too close to the problem. External agencies? They’re the cool aunt/uncle who shows up with fresh ideas and leaves before things get messy. Why offload tasks like logo design, graphics, and analytics to an agency? ✅ Free up your team for big-picture thinking. ✅ Avoid the tunnel vision trap (looking at you, marketing managers). ✅ Scale effortlessly without hiring 10 new people. ✅ Escape the groupthink vortex and inject some much-needed creativity. So, what’s it gonna be? The comfort of in-house or the boldness of external? Let’s debate in the comments! 👇 #Branding #Marketing #AgencyLife #InHouseVsAgency #CreativeThinking

Brand management/Account executive is a strange role. You’re involved in everything – client meetings, planning campaigns, brainstorming ideas, and solving problems. But at the end of the day, it’s hard to point to one thing and say, “I made this.” You’re not designing the visuals. You’re not writing the content. You’re not running the ads. Your work is behind the scenes, connecting everything and making it all happen. It’s important, even if it isn’t always visible. And that’s what makes it both challenging and rewarding. #advertising #brandmanagement #worklife #makingitallhappen

New York City is a hub of creativity, bursting with innovative companies that redefine marketing. Did you know that the average salary for a Creative Director in NYC is around $231,724? This reflects the value and expertise these professionals bring to the table. The secret to their success lies in their ability to blend imagination with strategic execution. Agencies like Yard NYC and VM Groupe transform brands into cultural guides, crafting compelling stories that resonate globally. Their forward-thinking approaches create not just campaigns, but movements that inspire change and connect communities. As the landscape grows increasingly competitive, the role of these creative powerhouses becomes even more vital. From experiential marketing to luxury branding, they’re pushing the limits of what’s possible in the industry. What are your thoughts on the creative companies in NYC? How do you see them shaping the future of marketing? #CreativeAgencies #NYC #MarketingInnovation #Storytelling #BrandBuilding 🎨✨ https://lnkd.in/dNqUUmQM

YES. You can craft a brand strategy by yourself. BUT... Would the results be like what you wanted? How much time would it take you? How much energy would it cost you? Objectively speaking - do you have the 'real' skill? Those are the questions you'd definitely want to ask yourself before deciding to create a brand strategy on your own. If you think you can do it and get the results that you wanted, then great! Just do it! But if you don't... Then you'd probably want to consider hiring a brand strategist. It'll help you save time, energy, and most importantly - get the results that you ACTUALLY needed. If you're interested, let's have a light chat on my DM 💌 #PersonalBrandingStrategist #BrandingMatters #BrandAwareness #PersonalBranding #RoadmapToSuccess #BrandYourFuture #BrandStrategist #BrandLegacy #BrandStrategy #DIYbranding #BrandingTips #BrandDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #SoundVisionary #MagneticBrands #AttractDreamClients

Dear LinkedIn Algorithm, I hope this message finds you well (and that you’re not secretly plotting to keep my posts in the shadows). I’m on a quest to find a meaningful career, and I need your magical powers to connect me with the right people and opportunities! Here’s what I’m looking for: Experiential Designer Event Planner Digital Marketing Manager Business Development Manager Creative Director Marketing Director Brand Manager Project Manager Customer Experience Manager Marketing Consultant Landscape Designer Design Consultant Community Engagement Manager Operations Manager Event Production Manager Yes, I know it’s a long list, but hey, shoot for the stars right? 🙌 Thanks a bunch, LinkedIn Algorithm. I promise to give you a shoutout in my future bestseller: “How I Found My Dream Job Through a Friendly Algorithm.” 📖✨ #JobHunting #CareerGoals #LinkedInMagic #HelpMeFindMyDreamJob #Networking