158. What Does a Creative Director Do?

With 1.3 billion Gen Zers navigating social media, there has never been a better time to be a contributor rather than a consumer. Dive into personal branding with Michelle as she covers three big questions: why build a personal brand, how to do it, and what does that even look like. Build your living and breathing resume and learn the secrets to standing out in the digital world.   ------------------------- In today's episode, we cover the following: Why you want to build a personal brand How your personal brand is reflective of your personal taste Creating for the sake of creating Selecting your brand adjectives Content types from the most amount of time to the least Starting a fresh account and finding your community -----------------------   RESOURCES: Episode 156: Creating a Brag-worthy Brand Strategy Episode 112: Creative Process with Natalie MacMillan ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO.   Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee!   ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.     This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Unpack your bags and stay awhile as Lauren Carey of Girl Gone Abroad and Michelle explore the world of travel photography. Ever wonder how to turn your travel pics into something that captures what you actually saw with your eyes? Buckle up as we dive into the world of Instagrammable Airbnbs, what goes into a property shoot, and the secrets to capturing that solo travel glow without awkwardly asking someone to take your photo. Whether you're an Airbnb owner wanting more bookings or a solo traveler wanting to document your trip perfectly, this episode will show you how to capture a story with your photos.   Lauren Carey is the creator behind the Girl Gone Abroad brand. Born in the US and currently residing in the Netherlands, she is a digital storyteller passionate about beautiful places and spaces. Her aesthetic content captures the essence of her travels in over 60 countries, inspiring others to explore the world for themselves. ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: How Lauren and Michelle met Diving into photography and advice on getting started Favorite Airnbnb's Lauren has visited What draws her into a property Her process of capturing a property Tips for perfect solo shots as a solo traveler Her simple editing process in post-production Michelle's 30th birthday location and the details that made it feel like a home How storytelling plays into photography Experiences of "unreasonable hospitality"   -----------------------   RESOURCES: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara A Perfect Vintage by Chelsea Fagan     ----------------------- Guest info: To learn more about Lauren and catch her adventures, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @GirlGoneAbroad. Visit her website, GirlGoneAbroad.com. ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO.   Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok     ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee!     ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.     This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Let's pull back the curtain on job titles in the creative world. Today, Michelle deciphers the role of a Creative Director and how she has structured her role within her team. She shares the key responsibilities and the challenges that may arise from taking this leap. From building a solid team to diving into professional development offscreen to enhance onscreen creativity, this episode is all about balancing the business and creative sides of being an entrepreneur. ------------------------- In today's episode, we cover the following: How you can submit content ideas for future episodes What are the key responsibilities of a creative director? What a day in the life looks like Finding clarity on your role in your company Taking the jump from business owner to creative direction Fostering your creative process How to lead your creative team Establishing a hierarchy of communication with your clients Balancing the business and creative -----------------------   RESOURCES: Episode 131: Episode Building a Merch Brand with Caitlyn Rastetter of Dental Hygiene Nation ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO.   Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee!   ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.     This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Ready to serve up prices that you actually feel good about? Tune in to hear your pricing queen, Jaz, dish out the recipe to valuing your genius. Whether you chronically undercharge or have no idea where to begin pricing your services, this episode will give you the tools you need to meet your business goals (like, actually. Go down to the resources section to snag your free pricing calculator). From navigating imposter syndrome to why you need to know your numbers, this episode is a must-list for all freelancers.   For the last 15 years, Jaz has been serving Michelin-star designs on a gold platter, solving her clients' problems and helping them grow their businesses. She's the graphic designer, muralist, lettering-artist, website genius, and all-round business guru who's helped hundreds of clients achieve their business goals. While she's still a design superwoman to her clients, Jaz is now sharing her wisdom with her fellow freelancers with another title: The Pricing Queen.   As the Creative Business Kitchen owner, Jaz mentors her freelance students in all things pricing, giving them the tools they need to confidently calculate and charge what they're worth, create a never-ending list of clients who happily pay up, and, ultimately, never go hungry again. From free downloads to affordable resources, masterclasses, and one-on-one help, Jaz has a solution to every freelance problem.   ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: Get to know Jaz and how she got onto her pricing journey Why your education matters Leaving the graphic design world to the musical theatre world Why you need to know your numbers How to gain confidence if you don't know how to price Underpricing attracts the wrong clients, meaning your prices should reflect your values Expensive lessons in business Reminder: your clients are not family Walking through Jaz's custom pricing calculator Transparent conversations when prospective clients can't afford you   -----------------------     RESOURCES: Access Jasmine's free Pricing Calculator Join the Freelancer's Pantry Membership     ----------------------- Guest info: To learn more about Jaz and her pricing expertise and bite into a good food pun, follow her on Instagram and TikTok@YourPricingQueen. Visit her website, creativebusinesskitchen.com. ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO.   Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok     ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee!     ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.     This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Get ready to unlock the secrets of a brag-worthy brand strategy with Michelle. Listen and learn as she spills what happens during a brand strategy session with MKW Creative Co. and how they implement it. Dive into the recipe for creating a memorable brand, from the must-haves of a mission statement to brand identity. You'll learn how to measure the ROI of your strategy and the common pitfalls to watch out for.   If you're planning a rebrand or want to start on the right foot, press play and save this episode! ------------------------- In today's episode, we cover the following: What brand strategy is, and why it's crucial for your business What happens in a brand strategy session with MKW Creative Co. Brand vs. marketing strategy Why your target audience is NOT everyone Finding your value proposition Getting clear on your brand personality Brand consistency Common brand strategy pitfalls -----------------------   RESOURCES: Episode 023: Everything in My Brand Questionnaire Episode 121: Let's Thread with Ashli Pollard ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO.   Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee!   ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.     This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Has the recent TikTok ban sent you into a panic? Head into the virtual emergency room with marketing experts Michelle, Amber Figlow, and Ashli Pollard. You'll hear their content strategies, adaptability, and community-building insights. From what a TikTok ban could mean for small business owners to perspectives on how important TikTok has been for women and predictions of the future of social media, this episode serves real-time insights.   Amber Figlow is a Content Strategist, Creator, and Speaker, and she serves and educates women business owners in the creative industry. She has helped hundreds of small business owners through her 1:1 services, her membership, her products, and as a content ecosystems expert.   Ashli Pollard brings her 10 years working for major product brands like Prada, Rebecca Minkoff, and Sam Edelman in New York City to her entrepreneurship membership The Do-ers, and her marketing agency Dial Zero Marketing.   ------------------------- In today's episode, we cover the following: Why the TikTok data corruption is a weak argument Suggestions to small business owners who are feeling nervous about the potential ban How Ashli's helping clients through this What is content repurposing, and how to do it for each platform Why you need to stop being precious about your content Why you don't want to go viral How losing TikTok is terrible for Facebook The bike-face phenomenon and how women are coming together on TikTok Predictions: will TikTok actually go away? Social media predictions   -----------------------   RESOURCES: Episode 145. How to Repurpose Content with Amber Figlow Episode 121. Let's Thread with Ashlie Pollard Episode 108. Social Content 'icks' with Amber Figlow A Creative Co. Episode 085. Life According to Business According to Business Consultant Ashli Pollard   ----------------------- Guest info: To learn more about Amber and her fantastic insights, follow her on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok @AmberFiglow, or visit her website AmberFiglow.com. Don't miss out on her FREE Airtable Content Planner! Download it here ;)   To learn more about Ashli's fantastic marketing insights, you can follow her on TikTok @ashli_p, visit her website ashlipollard.com, her consulting team on Instagram @teamapconsulting and their website, teamap.consulting, and visit Dial Zero on Instagram @DialZeroMarketing and their website at dialzeromarketing.com.   ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO.   Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok   ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee!   ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.   This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Ditch the design drama of navigating Adobe and embrace the simplicity of Canva and AI. Michelle and Juls dive deep into the efficient and convenient world of Canva. You'll discover why you need to use Canva as a designer, effective brand strategies, prompt engineering for AI, and the kind of collaboration that sparks joy and genius.   Juls, a seasoned graphic designer from Glasgow, Scotland, boasts over two decades of creative expertise. As the founder of Designer in Your Pocket and Branding by Juls, she isn't just in the business of design; she's a storyteller with a mission to demystify design for non-designers. Juls has cultivated a reputation for making the seemingly complex world of branding and graphic design accessible to entrepreneurs and creatives, even those without a design background.   In the ever-evolving world of design, Juls envisions a future where creativity knows no bounds. She champions Canva as more than just a tool; it's a game-changer that levels the playing field for aspiring designers and business owners alike. Through her work, Juls not only transforms brands visually but also fosters a design community that believes everyone has the power to tell their unique story beautifully. ------------------------- In today's episode, we cover the following: How Juls started Canva and sharing her tips on TikTok The accessibility and luxury of Canva vs. Adobe Her favorite Canva features Finding your optimal times to work as a freelancer Using Canva's whiteboard for collaboration How Juls uses Canva to help her clients AI predictions on logo design Michelle's AI workflow Using the most articulate prompts for AI The importance of continuous learning   -----------------------     RESOURCES: Episode 095: Honest Review of Adobe Max     ----------------------- Guest info: To learn more about Juls and her Canva and design tips, follow her on Instagram @DesignerInYourPocket_Juls, TikTok, and YouTube @DesignerInYourPocket, join her Facebook group Be Canva Confident, or visit her website, designerinyourpocket. co. ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO.   Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok     ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee!     ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.     This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Have you ever poured your heart and soul into a client's brand design only for them to say, "This isn't really what we had in mind?" Yes, you're entitled to a one-minute pity part, but you need to know how to bounce back productively.   Drawing on her nearly 10 years of experience in the industry, Michelle shares personal anecdotes and practical strategies for navigating these challenging situations. She emphasizes the importance of separating brand strategy from design, setting clear client expectations, and knowing when to reassess a project's direction. You'll gain valuable insights on effectively communicating with clients, managing expectations, and ultimately delivering high-quality, successful branding solutions.   ------------------------- In today's episode, we cover the following: Things to remind yourself when a client doesn't like your designs Identifying miscommunication to match the client's needs Deciding if you need to start from scratch or go through a round of revisions What to do when nothing you're creating is working for the client The responsibility that a designer has to dig out the vision from the client Striving for excellence, serving clients with quality   -----------------------   RESOURCES: Episode 148: How to Explain Your Designs to Clients Episode 146: My Brand Design Process, Step by Step Episode 023: Everything in My Brand Questionnaire   ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO.   Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok   ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee!   ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.     This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Ever wondered how to generate buzz with a budget, keep it real with your brand, or maybe shrink down the world to pocket-size perfection? Michelle is joined by Chelsea of ChelseaMakes, a miniaturist crafting big stories on tiny scales. They dive into the ups and downs of the creative grind, the excitement and fear surrounding AI-generated art, and why keeping it real beats polished perfection. Get ready for a 'small talk' that's anything but trivial.   Chelsea Andersson is a maker, miniaturist, and prop designer based in Connecticut. She spent nearly a decade as a licensed landscape architect until her love for creating models and miniatures led to a career in building scale replicas. Through her studio, ChelseaMakes, she offers custom-made miniature replicas as well as a line of DIY modern dollhouse kits.   She made her TV debut on season three of NBC's Making It, a reality competition show hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman. Chelsea has also been featured in various magazines, has a course about miniatures on the Domestika platform, and recently published a DIY book titled "50 Makes for Modern Miniatures."   ------------------------- In today's episode, we cover the following: How she went from being a landscape architect to miniaturist Her experience on NBC's Making It How she approached her thumb-sized project for Warby Parker How valuable brand guidelines are for creating content Keeping creative during slower seasons Following your passions—no matter how silly! Overcoming perfection and getting your project in front of the camera Thoughts on AI trends and art   -----------------------   RESOURCES: Read Chelsea's book 50 Makes for Modern Miniatures Learn to build a 12-scale furniture and miniature decor set from scratch using accessible tools and materials with Chelsea's course.   ----------------------- Guest info: To learn more about ChelseaMakes and her miniature creations, follow her on Instagram, Facebook @ChelseaMakes, and TikTok @ChelseaMakesCA, or visit her website, ChelseaMakes.com. ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO.   Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok   ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee!   ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.   This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Generate buzz, hype your audience, and plant the seeds of your new product so people are ready to buy as soon as the cart drops. Today, Michelle shares her ideal campaign SOP stocked with real-life examples and case studies to note. She breaks down each launch phase into how long they should last and what content you need to post. Take out all of the guesswork for how to plan your next launch and save this episode to use as your product launch blueprint. ------------------------- In today's episode, we cover the following: Creating launch timelines The kinds of posts you want on your feed for shipping week Planting the seeds of your launch through teasers Revealing your launch and building up hype Maximizing eyeballs during launch week How to be strategic with your UGC for successful marketing     -----------------------     RESOURCES: Brands that are experts at teasing content: Summer Fridays Skinny Confidential Stoney Clover Lane   ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO.   Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok     ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee!     ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.     This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard