Have you ever found yourself scrolling through Pinterest and Instagram, jaw-open at the gorgeous professionalism of some of the creative entrepreneurs that you see on your feed?
It can feel so far away when you’re just beginning. But, we promise you that it’s not! These creatives have mastered the art of creating a premium brand.
Here’s a step-by-step process that will get you in tip-top shape in no time.
Step 1. Identify what your brand is about.
Of course, it’s not a designer who sets the goals of a company or defines its personality still it is a foundation of all the branding processes. You will need to know exactly what your brand is about and communicate this to your designer so they can create an image that matches your core values.
Make a list of 4–5 keywords describing your business, or at least what you aspire to be.
Step 2. Market and user research
Both you and your designer need to do some work on this one. On your end, you will need to know exactly who your ideal audience is, and what they are looking for.
Your designer will need to know the basics of user experience within your niche. She will need to know what your clients are looking for when they come to your web page and the look and feel of your branding material for maximum impact.
Have a clear vision of the clients that you work with or would like to work so that you are equipped to build a premium level brand.
Step 3. Design Your Logo
How exciting! You are ready to put the “crown” on your business! Logos are the most prominent component of your digital mark, and they make your work easy to identify.
If you have the first two steps in solid place, creating your logo will be a fun and breezy experience. If you’ve identified your keyword values and your target market, your designer will have a confident handle on creating the perfect logo for your business.
If you decide to DIY your logo, take heed- often we think we know what’s best, and then later down the line have to start at the drawing board as we grow and begin to recognize what is professional and what is not. You can save yourself countless hours of work and draw in the right crowd from the get-go by hiring a professional designer who knows what you aspire to be.
Make sure you find a designer that you can connect with and feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and ideas. Please note that designers have a different perspective about what works – and what doesn’t – than those of us in other fields of expertise (such as copywriting, hi!) and we might not always understand their choices, but a little bit of trust goes a long way.
Open communication and a beforehand chat about revisions are the keys to a successful and professional logo design.
Step 4. Decide on Other Visual Materials
Patterns, colors, and font types – oh my! Have a blast with this step – this is where you’ll truly get a chance to express yourself.
While your logo must maintain an air of professionalism, your visual materials are the place you can let your unique twist be seen. It’s like wearing a suit, but with a funky palm trees tie. Wherever your visual quirks lie, your designer is ready to incorporate those elements of you.
Step 5. Combine Visual Elements into Cohesive Brand Material
This is the stage where your visual elements come together for branded material such as business cards, web pages, brochures, and other collateral.
If you’re a brand that sells products, this step will be a little more elaborate for you. This is where the t-shirts, the hats, the tote bags, etc are all made shiny and new with a huge helping of you!
If you’re a service based business, don’t think you’re off the hook. You’ll be tying your signature packages with a digital bow at this stage, and you’ll now transform into the one others drool over on social media.
Step 6. A Finished Comprehensive Style Guide
Congratulations! You’re ready to get yourself out there. Your designer will work together with you to create a brand style guide that acts as the official “rules” for your brand. This guide will serve you well throughout your entrepreneurial journey, as you’ll consult it for anything from IG posts, to the tone of voice you use in your blog, to the welcome packets you’ll serve your clients with.
You can truly take a moment to celebrate here, because once you have your style guide in place, your brand is truly on the way to the top!
If you’re really serious about your brand from the get-go, you and your chosen designer can partner together to build a premium brand for your business.
Are you ready to get started?
Fill out the form below and let New Love get to work for you!
About the Author:
Angie Sunshine is a Copywriter and Brand Archetype Specialist living in Amsterdam. She got her start in the creative department of a company in Boston, MA before taking her expertise overseas to create an international online business helping fellow entrepreneurs to write engaging content for their business. When she’s not writing, she’s traveling around Europe or DJing at a local festival.
