You’ve heard it before, and I’m here to remind you of it once again... Branding is the MOST important thing you can do for your business.
As a service provider or small business owner, you know your ideal client has options. You aren’t the only business consultant or bookkeeper. So, what’s a smart entrepreneur like you supposed to do?!
Set yourself and your business apart through your branding.
I've been creating brand design and strategy for service-based businesses for 5+ years. Here are the key takeaways I want you to know.
What is Branding?
Branding uses a collection of visual and emotional tools that position you as the BEST solution for your client.
Branding is more than something that looks pretty. It requires strategy and consistency to create your brand's personality.
And first impressions are everything.
To build an association between your brand and your business, you'll need these things. A logo suite, color palette, font style, tagline, tone of voice, icons, and imagery.
Branding is the foundation of your business because it’s a visual signal.
It defines who you are. Who you work with. The services you offer. And the experience your clients can expect when working with you.
When you're in alignment with your branding, it's easier for your ideal client to remember YOU. You're the person they want to work with.
And it does all of that without you spending more time in your DMs or on discovery calls.
When You Should Hire a Brand Designer
You should hire a brand designer first.
The proper order is branding > copywriting > web design > social content. (But most business owners don’t follow that).
The main reason brand strategy comes first is because it influences every. single. piece. of marketing that comes after it.
To make brand design successful, your brand designer needs a few things from you.
What services do you offer? Who is your target market? What differentiates you from the alternative options in your industry?
Your copywriter uses that same info. To help them craft the verbal connections that encourage action. The content they write will then inform how your website design.
Your social content comes last. Because it’s informed by the visuals and messaging of your brand identity. (And if you don't have that buttoned up, head back to square one).
Why Trying to DIY Your Brand Strategy is a Trap
So... Why is there a disconnect? Your template doesn't quite look like what's saved in your “Brand Inspo” Pinterest board?
Let’s peel back the layers on why your DIY template isn’t working for you.
CASE #1: You bought a DIY template because it looked pretty.
You love the template’s color palette and fonts, so you don’t bother changing it. As you implement this branding into your business, you realize something major. Your brand looks like everyone else's.
CASE #2: You bought a DIY template with the intention of customizing it.
You knew you’d completely update it with your brand’s font styles, color palette, logo suite and visuals. But it looks chaotic, and you can’t figure out how to make it go from looking “good enough” to “WOW.”
So you keep focusing on your current clients. You post to social media when you remember. You tell yourself you’ll fix it later. And in the meantime, you keep your fingers crossed no one asks if you have a website.
What You Can Expect While Working with a Brand Designer
Working with a brand designer is more of a collaborative process than a delegated task.
Because your branding is the visual representation of your business.
Your brand designer needs to peek inside your brain. To know what your business offers, who you want to attract and work with, and what sets you apart from your peers.
I like to get this info from my clients through a brand questionnaire and shared Pinterest board.
With questions like ...
What is your business value proposition?
How do you want clients to feel when interacting with your brand?
What are your ideal client’s goals and problems (as it relates to your offerings)?
How do you differ from your peers?
What are some gaps in your industry, and how can you capitalize on them?
With your answers, I create a custom brand strategy that uniquely positions your brand to stand out in your target market.
The entire brand design and strategy process takes about 6-8 weeks (it can vary depending on which brand designer you work with!).
Your brand should make you feel confident, excited, and energized. You WANT to show it off, just like when you get a fabulous outfit you can’t wait to wear.
With the right branding, you’ll have a renewed sense of pride in your business. That makes it easier to show up and market yourself (and I want that SO badly for you).
Are you ready for your next era of business?
Are you looking for a brand that sparkles as much as your business?
Hi! I’m Laura – and I’m the brand designer who’s all about infusing your brand with your unique personality.
Here are a few of my favorite ways to help service-based business owners like you:
🍋Head to my website to grab your Free Brand & Web Audit.
💌Inquire for brand design, brand strategy, or rebranding services.
🧡Connect with me on socials to see what I’m working on behind-the-scenes.
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