Small Business Branding
What does elevating your brand mean to you? Maybe you picture a new logo and refreshed brand visuals that set you apart. Maybe you dream of your brand reaching (and booking!) your ideal clients. Or maybe you aren’t even sure what you could do to elevate your brand as it stands today. If you’re ready to take your small business branding to the next level, this guide can help you get there.
This month’s guide shares:
- How to know if it’s really time for a rebrand
- The key to discovering your UVP (or Unique Value Proposition)… complete with a worksheet to make it happen!
- One touchpoint you actually need for your brand that you may be missing out on
How can I elevate my brand as a small business owner?
Remember: small business branding is more than just a logo.
It’s common that we think a new logo is the be-all-end-all for branding. However, a logo is just one tiny element of an entire brand. In fact, a logo is just one tiny element of the visual portion of branding. Beyond that there is how you present yourself in person and online, messaging, copywriting, social media, the list goes on and on. It can feel overwhelming to tackle every element right away, so take each one step by step with the goal of ensuring long term that each element aligns. Learn more about that with the worksheet’s from Emilie in the guide!
Build a brand for your ideal client:
You may remember those early days of starting a business… where you throw anything at the wall to see what might stick. You likely landed at something that resembled the brand you’d been dreaming of. But did you evaluate your goals and your definition of success and align them with your ideal client’s goals and needs.
When elevating your brand to the next level, focus on your ideal client. Assess their needs, wants, desires, and pain points. By building a brand around your ideal client, you’ll take the original version of your business and elevate it to fit exactly the person you’re hoping to connect with and serve. Every touchpoint should speak to that ideal client. From the elevated client experience (learn more from Jasmine in the guide) to the power of print materials (learn more from AnnaKate in the guide), you have endless potential to uplevel your brand in a way that connects and books consistently.
Revisit your brand often:
Finally, branding is ever-changing. Make the goal to revisit your brand, messaging, and visuals and determine if they aligns with your goals and ideal client at least twice per year, or every time you add a new product or service. Consistency is key, so ensure that all elements communicate well and elevate the experience.
What’s Inside
Maria-Ines Fuenmayor
It may actually not be time to elevate your brand quite yet. Maria-Ines shares about what you should be doing before you uplevel your brand to ensure you brand your business with longevity in mind. With years of experience, she shares about the importance of igniting brand confidence, and what that can do for your business.
Jasmine Jones
From their very first encounter with your brand, through when you’ve completed your service or shipped your product, all the way until the final conversation (and beyond!), the client experience can make or break how your clients feel about your brand. When you’re ready to elevate your brand, you might consider starting with elevating the client experience. Based on Jasmine’s 4 simple steps, you’ll find the positive client experience creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond the initial encounter.
Naoma Serna-Zahn
You’ve probably asked yourself before if it’s time for a rebrand. In fact, you may even be wondering: “What is a brand?” Naoma shares insights about what exactly a “brand” entails and how to know if it’s time for you to rebrand. Answer the questions in her article to determine if it’s time for a full brand overhaul or if you simply need a brand refresh.
Emilie Steinmann
What makes YOUR brand unique? Wondering how to determine your unique value proposition (UVP), how you’ll solve your potential client’s problems, or even what kind of visuals to use when elevating your brand presence? When you’re ready to elevate your brand, it all begins with aligning your brand with your potential client. Emilie’s workbook walks you through exactly what you need to know (and act on) to bring in the best clients for your brand.
Amanda Freeman
If your brand feels stale, stagnant, or just plain not “you,” now is the time to revive it. Amanda shares 3 tips to infuse personality into every element of your brand. With a refreshed tone that fits your personality and speaks to your audience you’ll freshen up your copy and content. Plus, Amanda shares her top pro tip for adding personality into your brand with a tool you already have in the palm of your hand.
Jess Jordana Paxson
Ever feel like you’re DROWNING in words as a business owner, and you’re tired of staring at a blank page? If you want to elevate your brand messaging, starting from scratch is not the way to go. Jess is sharing what exactly a Brand Messaging Guide is, and why you need one if you want to elevate your brand.
AnnaKate Auten
You have a billion different things you’d like to buy for your business, right? Branded print materials may be low on the list, but AnnaKate shares the proof that print is not dead. Her article shares the importance of print for creative entrepreneurs to take their businesses from standard to wow-worthy… and to build referral networks and elevate brand loyalty in the process.
Disclaimer: The advice featured in this guide and on the blog was sourced from our community members for sharing general information and knowledge. For specific legal, financial, tax, mental health and professional advice, please consult an authorized professional.