Studio A Designs | Blog

Better Branding for a Small Business in Iowa: Stuck in 1995.

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:20:17 GMT

Okay, I’ll say it first so you don’t have to.

Branding a pest control company does not sound like the most glamorous project on the surface. I know what you're picturing...bug logos with the �� symbol and likely some of the most generic websites with stock photos of bugs.

But when Preferred Pest Management (an awesome family-owned Iowa small business that’s been serving our community since 1985) came to me, I knew right away this one would be different. And it unexpectedly turned into a favorite project of mine.

What makes trade and service businesses so exciting to me is that the transformations are absolutely DRAMATIC. My bread and butter is creating brands for florists , law firms , travel agents , and downtown shops — and I’m obsessed with every single one of those projects. But every once in a while a trade/service business comes along — think underground utilities , HVAC contractors , or even a can redemption center — and the transformation is so unexpected it kind of blows my mind every time.

That's exactly what happened here.

Let me take you through the whole thing.

Better branding for the Iowa small business that had everything going for it, except a brand to match

Preferred Pest had the thing a lot of established small businesses have going for them: a loyal customer base, a solid reputation, and years of real experience under their belt. What they didn’t have was a brand that reflected any of that.

40 years of great work, and zero brand strategy

If you’ve been in my corner of the internet for even a minute, you know how I feel about logos being the only form of “branding”. Logos are just a teeny tiny part of branding. And this business was doing all it could with what it was given.

Their old logo was a navy blue bug in a circle. Their website had no personality, strategy, or story. For a business with as much heart as this one, that gap was such a miss.

In their own words:

“It felt like we had plenty of potential and a loyal customer base, but we were hanging out in 1995 without plans to enter the new era.”

They weren’t just looking for better branding aesthetically. They wanted something to grow into and a strategy that positioned them as “the bug guys to remember.” That’s exactly why the Deluxe Package was the right choice for them.

The brand strategy workshop was where the real work began

Before a single pixel gets designed or a word gets written for a website, we do the strategy work. This is the piece that separates better branding from just a prettier logo…and it’s my absolute favorite part of the process.

We spent three hours together in a Brand Discovery Strategy Session diving deep into everything that makes Preferred Pest who they are. We talked about:

How to preserve the trust they’d already built in the community
Where they wanted to grow their name recognition
What their “wow-factor” really could be (more than just “good customer service”) but something that really set them apart
Their ideal client and the emotional reality that person brings (spoiler: nobody likes bugs)
The internal culture shifts they wanted to make alongside this rebrand
The visual mood and market positioning that felt right for who they are

We found that this company is light-hearted, nostalgic, neighborly, professional, local, and genuinely unexpected . They had all this personality sitting right below the surface; we just needed to bring it out and make it work for them.

Copywriting & messaging that turned the brand's personality into words

Once the strategy was locked in, it was time to write. As part of Studio A’s Deluxe Package , I handle all the copywriting because your brand voice is only as good as how it reads on the page (and the screen).

For Preferred Pest, I leaned hard into the light-hearted, approachable side of who they are while still communicating trust and professionalism. The result was messaging that actually sounds like them:

“Your peace of mind lives where pests don’t.” — speaks directly to the customer’s emotional aversion to bugs

“Big enough to serve. Small enough to care.” — honors their small business Iowa roots and local reputation

“Pest control should be the easiest thing on your to-do list.” — meets the customer where they are

And then there were the fun/lighthearted brand phrases that really made this whole thing sing: “Leave the bug flicking to us,” “Buh-Bye Bugaboos,” “We bug bugs,” and “Protect Your Peace.” These aren’t throwaway taglines. Every single one came directly from the strategy work we did together.

Brand strategy goes beyond the logo (Yes, Really)

As I said before, I talk a lot with small business owners in Iowa who now know that better branding isn’t just what your brand looks like. It’s the essence and vibe of everything, including mapped-out customer touchpoints.

As part of the strategy, we mapped out customer touchpoints. The little moments that add up to a big brand impression. For Preferred Pest, that meant things like sending a short video recap after a service visit when the homeowner isn’t home, washing the customer’s front window as a finishing touch, and building in personalized follow-ups that feel neighborly, even down to messaging examples in an appointment reminder texts. These are the Ritz-Carlton moments I aspire to in my own brand, and so should you, regardless of your industry.

The visual brand identity & the color purple as a brand identifier

Only after all that strategy work did we move into the visual identity phase. The direction we landed on was bold, nostalgic, and completely unexpected for a pest control company, which was exactly the point.

The new brand features:

A nostalgic patch-style logo designed to work beautifully on uniforms, hats, and truck wraps
Unexpected and memorable, bold purple as the signature brand color
A custom brand pattern loaded with all the fun messaging elements we developed in strategy
An enamel pin to signal expertise and professionalism (the details matter!)
A full truck wrap that turns their fleet into a moving billboard for the Purple Pest Pros
The nickname “The Purple Pest Pros”, which emerged naturally from the brand work. That’s what sticky brand recognition looks like.

SEO-Driven strategy meets website design & development

The last piece of the Deluxe Package is where everything comes together: the website. And as an SEO specialist serving small businesses in Iowa, this is where I get to nerd out a little.

The new Preferred Pest Management website wasn’t just designed to look good. It was built with SEO strategy baked in with the right keywords, the right structure, and the right content to help local homeowners and property managers actually find them when they’re Googling for pest control help in Iowa.

The website copy carries all the brand personality we developed together. The messaging is clear, the calls to action are obvious, and the whole experience guides visitors exactly where they need to go.

Here’s Where They Are Now

In their words:

“You filled the gaps and brought the necessary perspective we were lacking. We not only have an attractive brand, but we also have a north star to shoot for and promises to live up to.”

That right there is what better branding actually does for a small business. It’s not all about looking a certain way (though it definitely helps), it’s having a foundation that guides your decisions, team, and your customers for years to come.

Is Your Small Business Ready for Better Branding?

If you’re a small business owner in Iowa who’s been operating with a brand that just doesn’t feel like you, I want you to know that better branding is 100% possible for businesses of all kinds. Pest control companies. Service businesses. Creatives. You name it.

The Deluxe Package is my full-service brand and website experience: strategy, copywriting, visual identity, SEO, and a website that actually works for your business. It’s everything in one place.

Sound like what you’ve been looking for? Book your complimentary call.

Your designer friend always,

Frequently asked questions about brand logos.

How Many Logos Should a Small Business Brand Have?

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:30:37 GMT

If you’ve landed on this page, there’s a good chance you’re smack in the middle of working on a logo for your business and suddenly wondering: how many logos should a brand have?

Maybe you’ve created one logo already. Or you’re working with a designer and they’ve started talking about logo variations.

And now you’re thinking… wait.

Do small businesses really need more than one logo?

The short answer is yes. Most brands don’t rely on just a single logo. Instead, they use a group of logo variations that allow their branding to work across websites, social media, print materials, and everything in between.

So if one logo isn’t enough, what’s the right number?

How many logos should a brand have?

Here’s the short answer: Most brands have three to five logo variations to keep their branding flexible and consistent across different platforms.

Instead of relying on just one logo, most small business brands use a logo system that includes a primary logo, a secondary logo, a submark, and a brand icon.

This allows the brand to stay consistent across different platforms like websites , social media, print materials, packaging, and more. These four core logos are the minimum I typically recommend for clients. Without them, brands start running into frustration with spacing, scaling, and trying to squeeze logos into working everywhere.

Most brands have these logo variations that make up a suite of logos:

Primary logo : the main logo used in major brand placements
Secondary logo : an alternate layout for different spaces
Submark logo : a simplified version for small uses
Brand icon, also called a logo mark: used for social profiles or favicons

Here’s why one logo just doesn’t cut it

At first, it might feel like overkill to have multiple versions of your logo, but once you start using your logo in different places, you’ll quickly realize that one static logo can start to look really awkward. Even if your one primary logo is beautiful on its own.

Here are a few reasons having more than one logo variation is better.

Different platforms require different shapes

If you design a primary horizontal logo, the proportions of a wide logo are not going to translate well to the square social media profile image or in certain vertical layouts. Another example is with websites. As a website designer , I often switch the logo from a stacked version on the desktop view of the website to a horizontal or an abbreviated submark on the header of the mobile version.

Readability can be tricky at small sizes

A detailed logo with a graphical element may look great on a large format sign, but may overpower or look jumbled on a polo, or even a business card, for instance. And as a social media icon, or on a mobile device, the text can become nearly unreadable. Of course, no one wants to have their audience squinting to figure out whose social profile they are looking at. You want INSTANT recognition, right?

Brand recognition needs to work across your marketing

A logo system prevents stretching and cropping your logo in ways that weaken your brand. When brands use variations designed from the same system, they indicate to your audience that you are reliable and trustworthy.

A logo system makes marketing easier

A logo has to do a ton of work to represent your brand. More than likely, it appears on almost every marketing piece you create.

Often, you first create a logo for one layout, then tweak it to fit another space, and again and again. This can cause a lot of extra headaches and time. If you have a core logo system, your brand will be versatile enough to be recognized in all the places your brand is found, from signage to email signatures , from merch to presentations, from social media to your website .

The logo types most brands need

Primary Logo

Your primary logo is the main version of your brand identity. It’s probably the one you’ve already been using. It typically includes the full business name and may sometimes include a symbol or icon. This is the full version, used for websites, signage, and major brand placements. And depending on the brand, there may be multiple color variations too. (More on that later)

Secondary Logo

A secondary logo is an alternate layout of your primary logo. It often rearranges the same elements from the primary logo into a different shape making it easier to fit into different design spaces.

Submark

A submark is a simplified version of your logo, often using initials or a badge orientation. The full name isn’t typically fully displayed. These are perfect for small placements like social media profile images, stamps, watermarks, or packaging.

Logo Icon

A logo icon is the most simplified way to represent a brand. It’s usually a standalone symbol used in very small spaces like social media icons or browser favicons.

Other logo variations that strengthen a brand Identity

Beyond the main logo suite above, some brands have additional variations that help their branding stay flexible and creative across different applications. These optional versions are a favorite for some brands. It’s best to decide what places you’ll be using your brand most often to decide how far you want to take it.

Logo With Tagline

Typically, the primary logo, with the tagline applied to it in some way, allows for a better explanation for who the brand is or what it stands for.

Word Mark

Sometimes, if the primary logo has graphical elements that take up space, it is helpful to have a simplified version without the graphical element. A word mark is the text portion of the logo.

Favicon

A favicon is the tiny icon that appears in a browser tab. Because it’s extremely small, it often requires a super simplified version of the logo and is usually only used there. Most favicons are a single letter, initials, or a very simplified icon.

One-Color Logo

A single-color version of your logo works well for embroidery, engraving and decals. A strong logo should always work in full color and one color.

Inverted (or Reversed) Logo

This is a light-colored version of the logo, designed specifically for dark backgrounds. It’s designed for contrast. These are very commonly used for website banners, dark social graphics, photography backgrounds, and packaging.

Badge or Stamp Logo Variation

Some brands create a badge-style variation, where the logo elements are arranged inside a circle our outlined to work well on a sticker, merch, stamps, or patches.

How many logos should a brand start with?

For most small businesses, a simple logo system works best.

A typical starter logo package includes:

1 primary logo
1 secondary logo
1 submark
optional brand icon

This gives your brand flexibility without creating extra complexity.

Logo systems > Just a Logo

Strong brand identities are created around a flexible logo system.

Your brand shows up in a lot of places these days. Expecting one logo to work perfectly in every single one of those spaces is like me trying to wear my roller skates to the gym.

I mean… I could. ��

A set of thoughtfully designed logo variations paired with a strategy for communicating your message gives your brand the flexibility it needs to look polished everywhere it appears.

If you’re curious about what a full logo suite actually includes, take a look here .

Your Brand > Logo System

By now you can see that most brands don’t rely on just one logo. They use a small set of variations so their branding can adapt to different spaces.

But there’s another important piece to this conversation: your brand is more than just a logo.

Logos catch eyes, Brand strategy wins hearts!

A set of logos for your business isn't the brand itself.

A logo or even a logo system is a great starting point, but without a strategy to use, it will only get you consistent visuals, for sure. A brand strategy is a way forward for how a brand speaks to its audience, through helping them understand your “why”, what makes you different from others in your space, your culture, your essence and personality, your audience, messaging tone of voice, and so much more.

When all of these elements work together, they create a cohesive brand that people recognize, remember, and keep coming back to.

That’s why professional branding projects typically start with strategy first, clarifying things before any logos are designed. Take a look at client Sandra, who partnered with Studio A to create a strategy that worked for her multi-service business.

Once that strategic foundation is in place, the logo system becomes part of a much larger and personalized identity, designed to support your brand across every platform.

So if you’ve been wondering whether your business really needs more than one logo, the answer is simple: YES!

Your designer friend always,

Frequently asked questions about brand logos.

Brand Strategy for the Multi-Passionate Entrepreneur

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:37:29 GMT

If you’ve ever struggled to explain what you do because the answer is “it’s kind of a few things,” this post is for you.

Some of the most thoughtful, impactful businesses I work with are multi-passionate creatives. These are the small business owners who are good at so many things, and they thrive on keeping things exciting for themselves.

In a world where everyone says niche down, they buck and go the other way. In a word that says zig, they zag.

They are my kind of people.

Typically, I see these business owners grow their offerings over time, but eventually their brand starts to feel harder to explain and harder to scale without a good strategy in place.

If your business does a lot of things, but you’re hoping for a simpler way to communicate them, you’re in the right place.

This is exactly why my client Sandra came to me. She’s one of the most creative people I know with a business that has grown in several meaningful directions.

During our first call, she was unsure if it would even be possible to put all of her products and services together into one brand. She wondered if she would need to manage multiple brands for it to make sense for her audience.

Her business, then called Beauty Decree, began as an aesthetics and makeup studio but was clearly outgrowing its original brand. Between aromatherapy school, writing a book, and a gradual shift toward a more holistic, aromatherapy-based approach to aesthetics, it was time to zoom out and look at everything together.

In this post, I want to share how we approached branding a multi-service business like this. I’ll show you the decisions we made and the moments where we had some aha’s, too.

After talking through her ideas and goals, Sandra realized she wanted to focus on three core service areas, all inspired by her powerful personal story of loss, faith, and restoration:

A holistic skin studio (In-person service)
An emotional / aromatherapy-based skincare line (Products)
A heart-focused/faith-based workshop experience (Online Course)

Finding the through-line

Each of these offerings made sense on their own, but together they felt fragmented.

What this brand really needed wasn’t three separate identities. It needed one clear idea that could hold everything together. I often refer to this as a through-line.

A "through-line" is a common thread that runs through a brand and gives everything a shared reference point.

A through-line gives multi-passionate entrepreneurs a place to come back to when they’re talking about their services, refining their messaging, or adding something new.

This doesn’t mean the strategy is watered down; it’s simply taking a broader approach to give room for future expansion.

For Sandra and me, the real challenge came when we started discussing questions like:

Who are your ideal clients for each of your offerings?
Is there one shared problem being solved in different ways?
What’s the unifying idea that makes this brand work and feel intentional?

Through that process, a few important things became clear:

Her ideal client fits all three offerings
Essential oils naturally support each service
Everything pointed toward a holistic, non-toxic lifestyle

And the through-line made sense. The new brand’s name, The Fragrant Revival , also made sense.

The Fragrant Revival holistically helps restore women to who they were always meant to be before aging, pain, and heartache came into their lives.

Finding the through-line guided the messaging and helped eliminate the overwhelm of trying to brand each of them individually.

Once we had that clarity, everything else got easier.

The strategy

Before this, it was difficult to clearly explain how faith-based workshops, aromatherapy, and skincare could work together under one brand.

But we started playing with the “big brand messaging” and landed on:

Holistic restoration for mind, skin & spirit.

Presenting these offerings under a “holistic restoration” umbrella created cohesion, helping her audience understand how each element connected to the through-line.

We could start to distinguish the brand’s offerings and how the messaging connected all of them:

Mind: Emotion aromatherapeutic oil blend products to reduce stress, add focus, and balance emotions
Skin: Facials & anti-aging services, skin serums, and other fragrant skincare products
Spirit: Healing and connection with God through her book, Known and Heart Revival Workshops

The visual identity

Once we had clarity on the through-line and messaging, the visual direction became much more focused. Instead of designing separate looks for each offering, we built a flexible visual system that still very much felt like one brand.

The moodier color palette, layered floral elements, and soft animated movements were intentional choices. Together, they reflect restoration, depth, and an immersive experience, just as all of her products and services do. Whether someone encounters a product, workshop, or her website first, the emotional experience feels consistent.

From beginning to end, we wanted the brand feel:

Intriguing

Poetic

Invited

Moody

Feminine

The logo system was designed to adapt across different uses, from digital experiences to product packaging, without losing cohesion. This flexibility allows the brand to grow and evolve while staying grounded in the same visual language.

The product packaging, in particular, needed to feel elevated and readable without becoming generic. It works just as well on a shelf as it does within the broader brand ecosystem, reinforcing the same emotional experience throughout the business.

The website

The website brings the through-line to life by guiding visitors through the brand instead of overwhelming them with too many choices. Movement and hierarchy were all used intentionally to create a sense of flow.

Each offering is distinct, but none of them feels separate. The structure makes it easy for someone to understand how everything connects, no matter where they enter the site.

If you’re a multi-passionate entrepreneur, I’m cheering you on!

I want you to hear this: having multiple ideas doesn’t mean your business is too much to brand.

While multi-brands and sub-brands absolutely have their place, they also bring added complexity, costs, and ongoing management. For many multi-service businesses, taking the time to step back and build a thoughtful brand strategy can create a ton of clarity.

The right strategy doesn’t box you in. It gives you a foundation that supports growth, evolution, and confidence as your business continues to change.

And if that’s where you find yourself right now, I’m cheering you on. Us creative brains have to stick together.

Your designer friend always,

How to Stay On Brand (Without Burning Yourself Out)

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 19:28:47 GMT

When you started using your brand, you had a sweet, fresh look you were pretty proud of. You were pumped about the colors you chose , and the logo was like, “Hey, look what I made!” You even found a couple of layout templates for your social media posts to use on repeat.

But now, you can’t even post on Instagram or write a marketing email without it taking a lot of time and excessive effort, not to mention overthinking.

Implementing the branding in your biz used to be fun, but now it’s exhausting.

Well, don’t lose hope, friend. This post is for the small business owners who are worn out of trying to stay on-brand. But I’m here to help!

Before you get ready to create that next piece of branded content when nothing really feels consistent, your colors are kind of all over, and your messaging is a straight copy/paste from ChatGPT, let’s stop! Shall we?

�� THAT RIGHT THERE is a sign of burnout.

Branding burnout has nothing to do with not being creative enough.

If your last few posts didn’t get much engagement, your website hasn't been touched in months and you're kind of embarrassed to send people there , here is a list of reasons that could be holding you back.

You’re Just Freaking Tired

We’re small business owners. OF COURSE we’re tired! Burnout isn’t always branding-specific, ya know? When you’re running a business, managing people on the daily, and also having a life outside of work, it makes sense that branding will feel just as exhausting as all the other demands of life.

You’re Trying to Be Too Creative

You’re pouring energy and time into ideas for posts, reels, and other marketing, but either they don’t make it to “publish,” or they’re not seeing results. Understandably, you overcomplicate or get excited about the creativity, only to come up with a million more ideas and then never get them fully executed and out into the world. You feel defeated, and that disconnect with your audience kills your motivation fast.

You’re Trying to Be "On Trend" Instead of On Brand

You’re following all the design trends you know about, using trending sounds, changing up your style to “keep up” and look like you know what you’re doing, but it never feels quite right. It might look neat for a short time, and you think it’s relevant to your people, but the fact is, it’s likely just looking like you copied someone else. It’s NOT YOU, or your brand, and you’re always chasing the next trend.

You’re Stuck in Compare-Mode

Good old impostor syndrome is a beast, and it could be dragging you down and making you feel defeated. If you’re constantly looking at what others are doing and seeing if you measure up, it can keep you on the burnout hamster wheel forever. Relying on contentment in branding is often difficult because you feel you could be doing more.

You Don’t Have a Guide or System to Follow

Every time you sit down to design a flyer, write a caption, or plan your next promo, it feels like you’re starting from scratch. Why? Because you’ve got no real brand system. You’re expending way too much time and energy, and reinventing your brand each time.

How to Find the Spark Again

Let’s strip away what doesn’t need to weigh you down and give yourself the opportunity to like your brand again. There are several mindset shifts or exercises that can help you get that spark back.

Revisit your WHY

It’s easy to forget the whole reason why you started this business. Remind yourself of what lights you up when you know you're helping a customer. The heart of your business is where it all began.

Grab a blank document (only for your eyes) and just start writing out the true reason for starting your business in the first place. Think about the amazing people you get to serve and write about the positive experiences you’ve had with them. This can help reframe your messaging to reestablish the emotional connection with your brand.

Stop Listening to the “Experts”

As a branding expert , I find it hard to say, but everywhere you look, you are getting advice from random people on the internet. It can make you feel like you have no idea what you’re doing, even though most of the so-called experts out there have absolutely nothing to back their all-knowing intelligence. And to top it off, ChatGPT is being misused to make the expertise sound highly credible.

Do yourself a favor and stop consuming more content that will add to more confusion. Find a couple of good, credible human-led experts you can trust.

Set Mini Goals

If you’re anything like me, there are always lots of ideas. Too many. The execution (which is the hard part) can feel absolutely debilitating at times. You don’t have to get EVERYTHING back on track at the same time. Mini goals can help you feel less overwhelmed and can motivate you to get to the next one faster.

Here is how you can set a mini goal for yourself when you're overwhelmed.

How to Set a Mini Goal (When You're Overwhelmed)

1. Name the stuck spot. Pick the most pressing thing that’s causing you burnout.

2. Pick one problem area. Decide what problem in that pressing area you can work on.

3. Make it tiny + clear. Write down a simple statement to help you focus on that one thing.

4. Set boundaries. Don’t veer into other branding things. Stick with that one thing.

5. Celebrate it. Once you’ve completed that task, definitely celebrate, then start the process over again.

Small steps make a big difference over time.
Check out Create a Marketing Plan for your Small Business Brand for more ideas.

Repeatable Habits

You’ve certainly heard this before. Do less, more consistently. It goes back to those systems I mentioned earlier. But what does that actually look like? What I’ve found works for me is to set aside a theme day each week for my business. A CEO day, if you will. This is where I review things like my social calendar, posts, upcoming blogs, and marketing emails. Maybe that can work for you too!

Create a Mini Brand Guide

Having a “true north” for your brand can help you stay accountable and stay on track and consistent.

Your logos
3-5 Brand Colors with the Hex Codes
Primary font + paragraph font
A sampling of photography

Need a quick way to create yours? Don’t start from scratch. Snag my mini style guide Canva template .

Set up Your Files & Folders for Easy Access

Access to what you need is half the battle, but you can make life easier with quick access. Here are a few I’ve found helpful.

A Canva Brand Kit Setup that includes your saved colors, fonts, and frequently used templates
A Google Doc with your brand messaging cheat sheet with key phrases or captions/testimonials for easy copy/paste using your voice.

Your ✨spark✨ is still in there

Just because you feel burned out doesn’t mean your brand is a failure. See it as a sign that you care deeply and want to do things right. That takes a lot of energy! Trust me, I know from experience!

Tiny tweaks can make a big difference over time, though.

Keep working at it, even if you set a 15-minute timer each day.

Your spark will come back. In the meantime, if you want help getting back on-brand faster, with a consistent branding system to keep burnout at bay, my signature brand strategy package for small business owners like you will provide guidance on what to say to your audience and the visuals you need to knock their socks off, so you don’t have to do it all by yourself.

Your designer friend always,

Reach Your 2026 Goals Faster With A Free Digital Vision Board Template

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 12:42:31 GMT

You’ve probably heard of a vision board before and you’ve possibly even made one. A vision board is a visual representation of your goals, dreams, and aspirations. It’s like a Pinterest board, but with more intention. The idea is to gather images, quotes, and symbols that inspire you and reflect what you want to achieve, then arrange them in a way that keeps your goals front and center. It serves as a snapshot visual reminder for what you want to achieve in the year ahead!

Reach Your 2026 Goals Faster With a Digital Vision Board : Free Template for Small Business Entrepreneurs

Too often, as business owners, we tend to think far into the future for our life or business and it can be difficult for us to get focused on the next few months. A digital vision board will help you dial down your dreams into very specific and focused goals so you can take action on the right things at the right time without feeling overwhelmed.

The real value is that you can have a peace of mind knowing you’re spending your time wisely and you’re making traction on what you want to achieve.

Whether you’re reading this at the start of the new year, in the middle of Q1 or far beyond, you should know that it’s never too late to create your digital vision board.

It can be the very thing that clears your mind from everything you want to do and help you organize those things into actionable goals that you can make real moves on instead of keeping everything bottled up inside as a “maybe someday” dream.

So wherever you find yourself, start here! Follow this quick exercise to bring your own digital vision board to life.

Categories for Your Digital Vision Board

Before you skip to the fun part of actually creating your digital vision board, you’ll want to define a few categories for your goals. I firmly believe that as small business owners, we should't put all of our goals in the "career/business" category. Think of your life as a whole when you are determining your main categories so you can find balance and your unique version of success.

Common categories include:

Spiritual
Health
Financial
Career / Business
Family
Relationships
Marriage
Personal Growth

You can use all of these or pick and choose the ones that feel most aligned and important to you!

Questions to Ask To Create Your Digital Vision Board

Once you’ve defined the categories that you want to use for your digital vision board, it’s time to ask yourself some questions. This is a step you don’t want to rush through because it will really determine what your end goals are, so make sure you carve out the time to do this well.

Here are some questions for each of the categories above to stir some ideas.

Spiritual

What kind of spiritual growth would you like to experience this year?
Is there a quote or scripture verse that resonates with you?
Are there any practices (like prayer, or journaling) you’d like to incorporate more consistently?

Health

Are there any specific health goals you’d like to achieve (eating habits, exercise routines, mental health practices)?
What’s one small change you could make daily to improve your overall well-being?
What does your ideal day of feeling your healthiest look like?

Financial

What financial milestones are you hoping to hit (savings, investments, income)?
How would you like to manage your money differently this year?
Is there something you’ve been wanting to save for or splurge on?
What does financial freedom mean to you personally?

Career / Business

What’s the one big professional goal you’re aiming for this year?
Are there any skills or areas of knowledge you’d like to develop?
How do you want your business or career to feel—organized, expansive, impactful?

Family

What memories do you want to create with your family this year?
Are there traditions or routines you’d like to start or strengthen?
How can you balance family time with your work or personal goals?

Relationships

What kind of friendships or connections are you craving more of?
Are there people in your life you’d like to reconnect with or spend more time with?
How can you show up more authentically in your relationships?

Marriage

What’s one way you’d like to strengthen your relationship?
Are there specific experiences you’d like to share together (date nights, trips, hobbies)?
How can you better communicate your needs or desires in your marriage?

Personal Growth

What’s a new skill or hobby you’d love to explore?
How do you want to challenge yourself this year?
Are there books, podcasts, or courses you’ve been curious about?

Those questions can get the ball rolling for bringing your vision board to life. Your answers to those questions can help you create goals for the categories you’ve chosen!

Most of the time when setting goals, people start off very general and that’s okay, but when you make them specific you can get closer to achieving your goals because you know exactly what needs to be done to get there!

So, once you have your generalized goals written, go back and make them specific by adding numbers, deadlines, etc.

For example, if your general goal this year is to “make more money” you can make that specific by saying, “I want to make $5,000/month and in order to do that I need to sell 5 spots for my course each month.”

See the difference? The specific goal is way more clear and it helps you see what action you need to take to actually achieve the ultimate thing you want.

How to Bring Your Online Digital Vision Board to Life

Once you have your goals specifically defined for each category, it’s time for the fun part - bringing your digital vision board to life!

For this, I encourage you to use Canva as it will be the easiest way to create a montage of pictures that represent each of your goals.

To make this extra easy for you, I’ve created a FREE TEMPLATE you can customize yourself!

Once you make a copy of the template, you can grab pictures from Google or use Canva’s internal photo feature to find images that give a visual representation of each of the goals that you defined.

For example, if doing pilates 3x per week is on your list, you could grab a picture of the pilates studio that you plan to attend.

After gathering all of your images, you will add them to your Canva template and arrange them in a way that’s visually appealing for you! You can even add text that acts as labels so you can remind yourself of the specificities that go with each image.

What to do Once You've Created your Digital Vision Board

Once your digital vision board is created, it’s time to make sure you actually use it! You can print it off to hang on your fridge or in your bathroom or you can keep it digital and use it as your computer or phone background.

The KEY is that you’re putting it in a place where you can see it daily and you’re constantly reminding yourself what you want to achieve.

Too often we set our goals, but they become a subconscious thought that we don’t pay much attention to. A digital vision board helps you avoid just that!

Don’t let this be another year that you create a bunch of “maybe someday” dreams. Let it be the year that you make your dreams a reality. ��

P.S. If taking your brand or website up a notch is on your vision board, YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME!

DIY SEO & AI Search for Your Small Business Website: Yes, You CAN Do it Yourself!

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:50:10 GMT

Remember when you first created your website? You spent soooo many hours building your own little corner of the internet, a place to showcase your business and connect with customers.

You probably didn’t think too much about the techy stuff like Search Engine Optimization or how new customers might actually find you out on the world wide web.

But as you've grown, you've realized that having a strong, findable online presence …and a website with a healthy relationship with Google…is just as important as having a nice website.

That's where SEO comes in. It's like adding a GPS to your website, helping people find you when they're searching for the products or services you offer.

Now that you’re getting the hang of it, let me take you through the basics of SEO, step-by-step, so even the most tech-challenged business owner can get it.

And if you’re thinking, “SEO huh? That sounds complicated,” don't worry. You don't need to be a tech whiz to improve your SEO. I gotchu! Come along with me!

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Understanding the Basics of SEO

SEO might seem like something only tech experts deal with, but it's really just about making sure people can find you online. If customers can't find you, you're missing out on business. Let’s answer some basic questions I often get asked as an SEO-driven w ebsite de signer.

What is SEO?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. In its simplest definition, it’s the process of improving your website’s visibility on Google search results pages.

Why is SEO important for your Iowa small business?

Here’s a simple example: Let’s say someone is visiting Ames, Iowa, for a Cyclone football game and planning to find a local pizza joint after the big win. You head to Google and search for the “best pizza in Ames, Iowa.” SEO helps “The Great Plains Sauce and Dough Co.” rank high in search engine results.

What are the key factors of SEO?

The great part about breaking it down like this is that you can divide your time working on your website into these sections, making them more digestible and simplified.

On-page Optimization: This refers to optimizing the content and structure of your website to improve its search engine ranking. It involves making changes directly to your website's pages, like using keywords naturally, creating high-quality content, and improving user experience.
Off-page Optimization: This includes actions you undertake outside of your website to improve its search engine rankings. It’s about building a positive online reputation for your business through high-quality backlinks, local citations, and online reviews.
Technical Optimization: These are the behind-the-scenes aspects of your website that search engines evaluate. Technical SEO ensures that your website is well-structured, mobile-friendly, and can be crawled and indexed easily by search engines.
Local SEO : Especially for you as a small business, Local SEO focuses on improving your website’s visibility for location-based searches. This includes optimizing your Google Business Profile, collecting positive reviews, and using location-specific keywords in your content and meta descriptions.

What is considered the biggest SEO factor for getting ranked?

While there are several critical factors that contribute to SEO success, the top SEO factor for getting ranked is high-quality content. Quality content drives many other important SEO elements, including keyword optimization, user engagement, backlinks, and search engine crawling.

While on-page, off-page and technical SEO elements are important, the content itself holds the most weight because search engines prioritize delivering the best possible answers to users' queries. When users spend more time on your pages, google takes that as a sign that your website is providing high-quality content.

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IF YOUR CONTENT DOESN'T OFFER VALUE OR ANSWER THE USER'S QUESTION, EVEN WITH PERFECT TECHNICAL SEO, IT WON’T RANK WELL.

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Does the Choice of Web Builder Matter for SEO?

NO it does not! While Wix, Wordpress, Squarespace or Shopify tend to claim they are amazing platforms for SEO, Google doesn’t favor one platform over another. What search engines do favor is high quality, well structured and optimized content. While you do not need any specific website builder for your website to be found by Google, some platforms offer built-in tools (e.g., plugins for WordPress, SEO settings in Shopify, and even AI generation) that can make SEO implementation easier.

How Long Does SEO Take to Work?

I completely empathize with your need to get found on Google RIGHT NOW. Trust me, no one wants to wait. SEO takes time and consistent effort. Let’s look at some facts we know about the length of time it takes for you to get found after implementing SEO.

Patience is Key

Within the first couple of months, you might start seeing minor changes such as increased impressions, slight ranking improvements, or more traffic to blog posts. This can give you confidence that your SEO efforts are moving in the right direction.

For most websites though, especially small businesses, it can take 3 to 6 months to see measurable improvements in rankings, traffic, and leads. This assumes consistent and effective SEO practices are being implemented during that time.

Factors that affect SEO results

Industry competitiveness: If you’re in a highly competitive industry, it may take longer to rank for certain keywords.
Website quality : If your website is well-built, with good consistent, quality content and technical structure, it may perform better and faster.
Keyword difficulty : Easier, long-tail keywords (specific phrases with lower competition) may rank faster, whereas highly competitive, broad keywords will take longer.

PRO TIP: Local SEO can speed things up! Local SEO can yield faster results than general SEO due to the geographic targeting. For local businesses targeting geographic-specific searches (e.g., “best pizza in Ames, Iowa”), especially for brick-and-mortar businesses, results may come faster because local searches have less competition and are physically closer to purchasing.

DIY SEO Tips for Your Iowa Small Business Website

Alrightly, we’ve made it to the best part of this lovely little post. This is where you can take actual actionable steps to begin changing the course of your business searchability online. I can’t wait to share how to do this, one step at a time.

On-Page Optimization

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into one of the easiest (and most rewarding) and the meatiest ways to improve your SEO— On-Page Optimization . This is where you get to tweak the content and structure of your website so Google can understand exactly what your business is all about. Don’t worry, you won’t need any fancy tech skills and you certainly don’t need to know code. As a small business owner, you can confidently optimize their website and start seeing results!

〰️ Content Quality

Creating high-quality, informative content! As I mentioned above, this is the most important ranking factor. Content, AKA, words on the pages of your website that provide good keywords, relevant search content, and long engagement times is the queen bee ��!

〰️ Keyword Research and Optimization

Using a free tool like Neil Patel’s Ubersuggest can be helpful in finding the right keywords. The key to picking the right keywords is based on volume and competition. For a small business, it’s important to look for keywords with low to medium competition with a medium search volume.

Pro Tip: Get a Leg Up on Local! If you are a local business, get VERY local specific with your geographical content. List things like city names, regions, etc. Keep scrolling for more on this at the end of this blog post.

〰️ Don’t Keyword Stuff!

Be careful not to keyword stuff. Google’s algorithms detect keyword stuffing and it can majorly damage your brand reputation. Opt for natural and varied language so google sees you adding content value, not subtracting. Always aim for user-focused content over oversaturating your site with the same keywords.

Here’s an example of keyword stuffing:
"If you’re looking for the best pizza in Ames, Iowa, you’ve come to the right place for the best pizza in Ames, Iowa. Our pizza place in Ames, Iowa, offers the best pizza in Ames, Iowa. Whether you want pepperoni pizza in Ames, Iowa, or cheese pizza in Ames, Iowa, we have the best pizza in Ames, Iowa."
Here’s a much better approach:
"Looking for a delicious pizza in Ames? At The Great Plains Sauce and Dough Co., we take pride in serving handcrafted pizzas made with fresh, local ingredients. Whether you’re a fan of classic pepperoni or enjoy unique toppings like spinach and feta, we’ve got something for every pizza lover. Stop by after the Cyclones game and experience why we’re known for having the best pizza in Ames."

〰️ Title tags and meta descriptions

The title tag is crucial because it tells both users and search engines what your page is about. It’s the clickable headline that appears in search results, and it should include your primary keyword to increase relevance. Though not a direct ranking factor, a well-written meta description can improve click-through rates (CTR) from search engine results pages (SERPs), indirectly boosting SEO.

Pro Tip: Limit your characters to about 50-60 for title tags and 155-160 for meta descriptions to avoid the dreaded “dot. dot. dot.” in results.

Header tags

Proper use of header tags helps structure your content for readability and SEO. H1 is typically the main title of the page, and using H2 and H3 tags to break up content makes it easier for both users and search engines to understand the hierarchy of information.

〰️ Image optimization

Adding alt text to images is such a simple way to add value and searchability. Alt text not only helps search engines understand what your images are about, but it also makes your site more accessible to visually impaired users—a win-win for SEO and inclusivity!

Builders generally make it quite simple to add into your website with little effort or time. Oh, and don’t forget to make sure your images are compressed to keep page speeds quick because site speed also impacts SEO. My favorite online tool is Optimizilla .

〰️ Internal Linking

Linking to other relevant pages on your site helps search engines crawl your site more effectively and boosts the authority of individual pages. If you have a blog, which I highly, HIGHLY recommend, this will be easier for you.

〰️ URLs

Use clean and descriptive URLs. For URL slugs, keep it between 3-5 words in the slug.

Not so much this:

example.com/tdhtdskjn/10-of-our-favorite-things-our-staff-loves-to-do-after-a-cyclone-football-game

More of this: example.com/do-this-after-cyclone-football

That’s it for On-Page Optimization. Taking just 15 minutes today to review these elements will begin the profess of boosting your SEO and visibility!

Are you a checklist type of doer? Get my free DIY SEO CHECKLIST for Your Small Business Website so you can navigate your SEO action plan one step at a time.

Off-Page Optimization

Off-page optimization is all about building your website's credibility and authority in the eyes of search engines and potential customers. It’s the trust signals you send from outside your website that can improve your ranking and visibility on search engines like Google.

〰️ Link building

Acquiring high-quality backlinks from other reputable websites to your own signals to search engines that your website is valuable and trustworthy. Consider reaching out to local bloggers, news outlets, or community organizations to feature your business. These backlinks can help boost your credibility and improve your local search rankings. Building relationships goes a VERY long way, especially in the local landscape.

Pro Tip: Keep in mind, it’s not about how many backlinks you get but the quality of those links. A few high-authority backlinks from trusted sources in your industry or local community are much more valuable than dozens of low-quality links.

〰️ Local citations

Local citations are like digital business cards scattered across the web, helping search engines and potential customers find your business more efficiently. They are mentions of your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) on other websites and directories, and they play a crucial role in boosting your Local SEO.

When your business details are listed consistently across multiple websites, search engines like Google see this as a sign that your business is legitimate and trustworthy. This is critical for Local SEO because it boosts your chances of appearing in local search results. Make sure your listings are consistent across the most popular directories like:

Yelp
Bing Places
Facebook
TripAdvisor (if relevant)
Apple Maps
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Angi (formerly Angie’s List) for service-based businesses

〰️ Online reviews

Encouraging satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on your website and on platforms named above. Doing so can significantly boost your SEO. Positive reviews tell search engines that you are reliable. Not only that, but when users see positive reviews, they are more likely to click on your website, which signals to Google that your website is relevant.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to engage with your reviews—thank customers for positive feedback and address any concerns in negative reviews. This shows Google (and your potential customers) that you care about your reputation and actively engage with your audience.

Start by checking your local citations today and reaching out to one potential link-building partner. These small steps will go a long way in improving your off-page SEO and boosting your visibility.

Technical SEO

Technical SEO is all about the behind-the-scenes work that ensures search engines can easily find, crawl, and index your website. Think of it like a navigation system that makes sure everything on your site finds its way to the right place. Let’s break down key elements that can make a big difference in your site’s performance and SEO.

〰️ Website speed

We all know that human attention spans are decreasing by the day. Visitors will bounce off if your site takes too long to load and Google will notice. Optimizing images with tools like Optimizilla or TinyPNG to compress images can reduce page load speed significantly. Don’t overdo it with too many videos, or complex embedded html blocks. All of this greatly reduces page speed.

〰️ Mobile-friendliness

More and more users are browsing on mobile devices, and Google knows this. In fact, Google uses mobile-first indexing, meaning it prioritizes the mobile version of your site over the desktop version. Review your website on a mobile device and act as a user. Are the key elements and calls to actions findable? Are they clear and concise? If you have to click around a bunch to find something, pinch, zoom or scroll horizontally, it’s time for an update.

〰️ URL structure:

Using clean and descriptive URL slugs may feel like the tiniest detail but it IS important. Clear and real words that describe the page content is key here. Check out this example:

Not so much this : example.com/page?id=12345
More this : example.com/our-pizza-menu

Remember to keep it short and sweet. Avoid overly long and complicated URLs. Stick to 3-5 words for your slugs and use hyphens to separate words.

〰️ XML sitemap

Ok, this may sound intimidating but it’s a really important step and one I KNOW you can do! An XML sitemap is like a roadmap for search engines, helping them find and index all the important pages on your website. Many website builders and platforms (like WordPress and Shopify) generate sitemaps automatically. I would suggest researching your web builder platform’s support articles to find out how to get yours.

After you’ve located your sitemap, submit it to Google Search Console. This helps search engines crawl your site more efficiently and index your content faster. Whenever you add new content you’ll want to index new pages in Google Search Console as well. If you have a major revamp of your website, I’d recommend submitting a new sitemap.

Taking just a few steps to improve your site’s technical SEO can have a major impact on your rankings and user experience. Start by optimizing your website’s speed, testing its mobile-friendliness, and making sure your URLs are clear and descriptive. Then, submit your XML sitemap to search engines to make sure your hard work gets noticed.

Are you a checklist type of doer? Get my free DIY SEO CHECKLIST for Your Small Business Websit e so you can navigate your SEO action plan one step at a time.

Local SEO: Dominating Search Results in Your Iowa Community

Local SEO is exactly what it sounds like. It helps your business appear in search results when people are searching for something like “pizza near me” or “pizza ames, IA.” This is good news for us small business owners, and it is SO IMPORTANT! Local SEO attracts highly targeted traffic to your website who are likelier to be interested in your offerings. This is especially important for brick-and-mortar businesses, though local service-based companies ( like me! ) also benefit. Let’s take a look at some ways to get your website visible.

Google Business Profile: King of Local Search!

You’ve repeatedly heard me preach about this, and I will keep coming at you with it. Claiming, completing, and maintaining your Google Business Profile in its ENTIRETY gets you a coveted spot on the beloved location-based search results called the Google Local Pack. Results of this pack are seen before you scroll down the search results page…front and center, it’s hard to miss. I can’t stress enough how vital this listing is for your local search success, and having ALLLLL of these aspects completed in your Google Business Profile is key! For more on tweaks you can make to boost your rankings, check out this blog post: Google Business Profile: The Local SEO Tool You’re Underusing.

Claim it! Nearly 56% of Google business profiles are unclaimed ( source ), don’t let your business be part of this statistic.
Verify it! Google will send a verification code to your business. Follow the instructions to verify your listing.
Complete your business contact info , including your name, address, phone number, website, hours of operation, and categories.
Use relevant local keywords in your business description
Encourage reviews: Ask satisfied customers to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile. If you’re having difficulty getting people to leave reviews, consider incentivizing them.
Pro Tip: Never let a customer review your business with out a response from you. Respond to all reviews, whether positive or negative.
Add photos: Use high-quality images to showcase your business.
Include updates: Keep your customers informed about your business by posting regular updates, such as new products, events, or promotions. In many cases, this can get better visibility than social media for local businesses.
Aim for top 3! The first three listings are the coveted spots for maximum visibility. Have a little competition with yourself by adding reviews, keywords, and things up to date; you’ll get into that spot! Occasionally, Google some keywords you want to rank for and see where you land. Monitor your insights with reports and insights from your Google Business Listing. Keep working at it and make adjustments when needed.

Claiming Your Business on Other Platforms

Did you know your business may be listed in online directories and you don’t even know it? For example, Yelp licenses basic business information from third-party data providers who gather business information from public records and other sources. If you have listings, and are unaware of people leaving reviews it’s important to be responsible for those. Don’t let those go unnoticed by you.

Though I could go on and on about your Google business listing, it’s also essential to list your business on popular local directories to help increase you local SEO. Depending on your industry, things like your area Chamber of Commerce, Yellow Pages, Yelp, Better Business Bureau, etc. can be helpful and build credibility with Google. If you are a trade-based business, consumers especially want to know that your job will be a good experience, so people want to see multiple credible listings on different platforms with testimonials/reviews.

Local keywords on your website

If you are genuinely targeting local traffic versus online or national scale visitors, it is so essential to use location-specific keywords in your website content, title tags, and meta descriptions. This will tell Google that your content aligns and will reinforce the partnership with your local listings AND your website to create a match made in heaven.

Local partnerships

Explore opportunities to partner with other local businesses to cross-promote and increase your visibility. The power of local branding is a key component to growing your business. Working with complementary businesses to offer joint promotions or host shared events can reach a wider audience, increase brand awareness, and strengthen your relationships within the community.

Are you a checklist type of doer? Get my free DIY SEO CHECKLIST for Your Small Business Website so you can navigate your SEO action plan, one step at a time.

There you have it, Iowa biz friend. This is one of those blogs you could come back to over and over to work on each of these things, one step at a time, for a literal 360 degree turn in your online presence. By following these DIY SEO tips, you can improve your Iowa small business's searchability and attract more customers. Take control of your online presence with these DIY strategies, and watch your business grow with every search click!

Your designer friend always,

Is Fear Sabotaging Your Brand’s Growth?

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 12:30:40 GMT

I have a real fear in my own life. It’s embarrassing and I don’t like talking about it. I wish I could overcome it once and for all, but it always lingers in the background for me.

I’m very afraid of airplanes.

While I know there are lots of people who don’t love to fly, my fears are not based on the what-ifs of “crashing” or “dying,” but in the fact that I have no exit when I’m up in the clouds. I have pretty significant claustrophobia.

It stems from an incident in an indoor haunted house in my late 20s. It’s so weird how your mind can do this, but I got both traumatized and “caught in a deep dark tunnel” at Linn’s supermarket’s haunted house.

Imagine you’re a kid headed down a tube slide, but suddenly there’s a line of people trying to go up the slide at the same time… and a long line pushing down behind you.

And you can’t see anything. You’re stuck, and you have no idea when it will end.

That moment rewired something in me. And every time I get on an airplane, I have to use a therapy technique where I picture myself as Wonder Woman flying in the fresh open sky, wind on my face, completely free.

Fear hits hard sometimes, doesn’t it? For years, I let it hold me back.

I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m telling you this really personal story.

What do airplanes, haunted houses, and Wonder Woman have to do with branding your small business?

After more than 18 years working with small business owners, I’ve seen fear show up in brands in ways that are just as real and just as paralyzing. It may not be as dramatic as being trapped in a haunted house, but it can slowly suck the life out of your business.

Hi, if we haven’t met, I’m Amanda . I’m an Iowa native, solopreneur and the face of Studio A. I empower local entrepreneurs to scale their businesses with intentional & meaningful brand, website, and SEO strategies to develop deeper connections and create unforgettable customer experiences with their audiences.

7 Sneaky Ways Fear Disguises Itself and Weakens Your Brand Confidence

Before we get into the list, I want you to take a second and check in with yourself. Every entrepreneur experiences sneaky fears.

And fear (especially Iowa-nice fear) can sabotage your brand faster than a bad logo ever could.

As you read through these, notice which one hits home so you can move more confidently into the new year.

Fear Disguise #1: “I want to be thorough.”

It sounds like a reasonable thing for a business owner to do (and it is, to an extent): gathering good information and weighing options to make sure each detail is addressed. But it can be rooted in perfectionism and overthinking.

Take it from someone who’s seen (and done) this a lot…There is always one more idea, one more direction, or one more thing to tweak.

Here’s how this can look with your band:

Researching so much that decisions stretch out longer than expected.
Having multiple brand directions but not choosing one.
Waiting to post on socials because you need to “proofread” the caption one last time.
Trying to tweak your messaging because the confident tone scares you and you don’t want to sound “braggy.”
Feeling like there’s always “one more thing I haven’t thought of.”

I once worked with someone who stayed in this loop for almost 2.5 years. It wasn’t that she was lazy; she just felt pressure to choose the “perfect” brand direction, and that pressure slowed everything down more than she realized. She did overcome it, and she made it to SUCH a successful launch day .

Fear Disguise #2: “I want to see what people think first.”

I’m all for asking an ideal client for feedback every once in a while, but often the fear of judgment is disguised as a need for positive feedback.

Here’s what I’ve seen this look like:

You ask five friends & three Facebook groups for opinions and come back more confused.
Your confidence shrinks with every piece of conflicting feedback you get.
You imagine criticism before it even exists.
Getting all the way to launch but freezing over what others might think.

A client reached the finish line of her brand and website… and couldn’t launch. She asked her friends and family (none of whom were her ideal client), expecting oohs and ahhs, and got, “ That’s a great photo of you ” instead. This was her interpretation of “that isn’t good enough.” The good news is that we’ve discussed it, and she will be launching very soon.

Fear Disguise #3: “Maybe I should tone down my brand.”

This is totally imposter syndrome, friend. You’re playing it TOO safe. This kind of shrinking behavior can take many forms.

Here’s how this can show up:

You shy away from the bold statement color palette.
You think, “I’m not big enough for this.”
You fear people will expect more from you if everything looks professional.
Watering down your offerings because you want to bend your services to exactly what they want each time.

After walking through the brand experience concept for one of my clients, they panicked because the customer experience ideas were too good. They didn’t feel worthy of their own brand. They worried that people would expect them to “live up to” the new version of her brand they had just created, so they knew they needed newfound confidence and systems in place to execute it well. They ROSE to the occasion, and I’m so proud of them.

Fear Disguise #4: “I need to match what everyone else is doing.”

Fear gets involved when competitor research slowly becomes wanting to do exactly what is working for your competitors, because that feels safer than being your own brand. Instead of leading and owning your own brand, fear convinces you to blend right in.

You may recognize this pattern if you’re:

Tweaking your brand to look more like the industry leader.
Choosing trends/colors/layouts or vibes because “everyone else is doing it.”
Using language you’ve seen on other sites because it seems to be working for them.
Avoiding the unique story or personality that makes your brand stand out.

I see this over and over in branding projects. When your brand starts to mirror others', the strategy is completely stripped away. But differentiation is the actual thing that gives your brand permission to be you!

Fear Disguise #5: “I can do it all by myself.”

There’s nothing wrong with being resourceful. Most small business owners are. But when doing it all on your own, it starts costing you your time and your sanity; it’s just plain not good for you.

A few common patterns:

Believing you have to handle everything, even when you’re overwhelmed. (This one hits hard for me)
Not trusting a professional to elevate and implement the brand beyond what you can do.
Worrying that someone else won’t be able to execute your vision.

I hope you know by now that I love when businesses DIY, especially when they are starting out. I have no problem with Canva-made logos, but there is a point when you have to be vulnerable enough to let go and leave it to a professional.

Fear Disguise #6: “I don’t want to be locked down to one avenue or idea.”

Many small business owners are naturally multi-passionate with many ideas, talents, and directions they could take their business. This isn’t AT ALL a limitation. It’s actually a strength. But sometimes, the desire to “keep all options open” becomes a way to avoid a clear vision rather than embrace creativity.

Here’s what I’ve seen this look like:

Wanting your brand to be broad enough to cover everything you might do someday.
Avoid choosing a core offer because it feels too limiting.
Keeping your messaging too vague out of fear of closing a door.
Wanting your brand to reflect every part of you all at once.
Pivoting often because committing makes you feel trapped.

I’ve worked with clients who had rich, layered talents, and the fear wasn’t being multi-passionate…the fear was choosing a direction that made one part of their identity visible first. Once we clarified their brand around their multi-passion rather than against it, everything clicked.

Fear Disguise #7: “I’ll come back to it when things calm down.”

Laughable, am I right? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said this in my own business, and sometimes it truly is the right season to wait. But other times, it’s just the fear of execution. That perfectly calm stretch is very likely NOT going to come when you want it to, if ever.

Common patterns I see:

Feeling like everything needs to be organized before you can start.
Pushing off a rebrand or website update until “a better season.”
Wanting to revisit things “after the rush,” but the rush never really ends, and you keep staying stuck.

I once worked with someone who delayed her branding three times because she was waiting for things to “settle down.” When we finally talked it through, she realized it wasn’t her schedule holding her back; it was the fear of stepping into a more visible version of her business.

Name Your Fear & Overcome it!

Fear can disguise itself more than we realize and it can ruin our confidence. I challenge you to find the fear that’s holding you back in your branding and address it this coming year.

Just to get honest with yourself about what’s underneath your hesitation. Don’t be harsh with yourself. You are an entrepreneur, and a lot is expected of you… So be kind, friend.

A few questions that help:

What decision have I been circling for months?
Where do I keep waiting for “the right moment”?
What am I afraid will happen if I choose this direction?
Is this really a capacity issue… or does fear feel safer?
What part of my brand feels uncomfortable because it’s asking me to grow?

Once you’ve thought about this a bit. Set a goal to overcome it this year. Naming the fear can help you get out of the cycle of repetition that often comes with it. Your brand needs one honest step at a time.

A Word of Encouragement

I’ve watched clients push through these fears, time and time again. And the process goes something like this:

They launch.
They level up.
They finally get found and seen.
They raise their prices.
They start acting like the CEO they were avoiding becoming.

All because they are living up to their branding.

If you’re ready to build a brand that supports who you’re becoming, I’d love to come alongside you.

Let’s grow your business with strategy, heart, and a direction that fits you perfectly. Fill out my contact form and I'll send you a link to a f ree brand check-in with me!

Your designer friend always,

6 Signs Your Website’s Ready for a Comeback

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 14:00:32 GMT

Doesn’t it feel like yesterday when your website launch day was absolute perfection? You poured your hard work, heart, and soul into every page. Everyone was so excited to come visit your fresh new website.

Then somehow, you blinked…and things that were working years ago aren’t quite hitting the same.

If you’ve been wondering whether it’s time for a glow-up, upgrade, refresh, or (my personal favorite) comeback…

Okay, maybe you’re channeling your inner LL Cool J with the “don’t call it a comeback” line.

But regardless of what you call it, here’s the truth: websites, just like businesses, evolve.

Which means you’ve evolved and that's a good thing worth celebrating.

Honestly, though, your website's comeback just sounds way cooler than “time for an upgrade.” So for that reason alone… I’m sticking with it.

Here are seven clues your website might be ready for its own comeback.

Many small things add up, so consider this list and see which ones resonate with you to help you determine whether a refresh is right for you.

1. Your brand has evolved, but your website missed the memo. ��️

Like I said before, you’ve grown and your business has matured. You’re services and refined SOPs have brought you confidence along the way, too! But, last year’s “outfit” isn’t cutting it.

Don’t fret, though. This doesn’t mean you have to throw your brand in the trash ( unless you want to ). Maybe your offerings have shifted, or part of your audience you’ve outgrown needs a messaging adjustment.

�� Ask yourself:

Does my website still represent the version of my business I’m proud to show off?
Does it attract the same type of client I actually want to work with today?
Would someone new visiting my site instantly “get” what I do now? Or what I used to do?

Sometimes, a few design tweaks or updated copy sections make your site feel aligned again, without starting from scratch.

2. You’re not getting the same engagement or inquiries. ��

Your inbox used to be full of inquiries and your contact form was your best friend. But lately, not so much.

Sometimes engagement dips because offerings or seasons change. But if this has been going on for a while, it’s likely because your website no longer sparks that excitement with your visitors anymore.

�� Ask yourself:

Have my website inquiries slowed down?
Does my website copy feel stagnant and not-so-inspiring to my visitors?
Do my calls to action feel exciting and clear, or are they generic and easy to skip?

Don’t forget that your website is your best salesperson, and if she’s underperforming, updated copy and a better website journey might be just what you need. Your website reports and analytics help us get the bigger picture of what’s going on here, too. Give those a look to check up on your engagement and key metrics.

3. Your competitors just made big moves and you’re still rocking the same design. ��

I’ve been there myself. When a competitor launches a brand-new website, yours can instantly give off “outdated vibes”.

While you don’t want to copy trends, you still want to be relevant and find your own wow-factor that sets you apart from your competitors. When everyone else raises the bar, visitors subconsciously start to expect that same standard everywhere.

�� Ask yourself:

When I look at competitor websites, does mine still feel as polished and current?
Would a new customer scrolling through our site instantly see the difference?
And is that difference in a good way? Or a bad way?

You don’t (necessarily) need to reinvent your brand , just remind your audience that you’re right up there too, with the latest and freshest content and modern user experience.

4. Your website isn’t keeping up with how people find businesses now. ��

It’s literally everything people are talking about. AI tools like Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and other voice assistants are rapidly changing the way people discover websites and local businesses.

These tools read your site differently from how Google does. These AI tools are scanning your site with different “read tools” to decide whether your site is relevant enough to be important.

If you haven’t been paying attention to SEO or AIO in the last six months, it’s very likely missing key AI and Google tools that help it recognize you.

�� Ask yourself:

When was the last time my site’s SEO or content structure was reviewed?
Is my site clear enough that an AI or search engine could easily summarize what I offer?
Am I still showing up in searches for my services and/or location?

A few behind-the-scenes updates can help AI find and understand your site, so you show up in the places your future customers are actually looking.

5. You’re missing out on new automation or integration tools that save you time. ⏰

This is a really big one to me, friend. If you’re still manually replying and sending separate booking links, there are so many amazing integration options that can make your website work for you!

Scheduling, lead generation, blogging engines, chat features, maps, and much more tells your customer you're keeping up and still relevant. And for you, utilizing tech keeps the focus on your day-to-day real work.

�� Ask yourself:

Am I manually repeating the same tasks that could be automated on my site?
Does my site connect with the tools I use daily (like my CRM, scheduler, or email list)?
Is my current system easy for clients to use or would there be a simpler, more user-friendly way to do it?

When your website runs like a well-oiled machine, you spend less time chasing admin and more time serving your dream clients.

6. Your site doesn’t feel as interactive or innovative. ��

Today the internet is incredibly interactive. Between motion animations, video, custom experiences or even quizzes or guided forms, websites that ask questions and put you into an immersive experience provide unforgettable online experiences.

�� Ask yourself:

Do visitors know where to click next, or do they seem to drop off fast?
Does my site guide people toward what they need, or leave them guessing?
Would adding a resource page, an interactive element or a quiz make things easier?

And if any part of you feels embarrassed to share your website link, that tells you right away that things need to change.

The invisible stuff ��

Even if your site still looks nice, there are certain things you don’t need to know or care about that can be weighing it down in the background. I geek out on these things, so you don’t have to!

Here’s a shortlist of items that can make a big difference in search rankings, user experience and site speed:

Plugins stop playing nicely together
Hosting slows down
Google changes what it values in rankings (note: Google core updates happen 2-3 times per year!)
Analytics stop tracking the right data
Images or video files aren’t optimized
Tracking codes aren’t relevant anymore
Broken internal links pile up
Missing schema and metadata for AI and search
Site pages need reindexing
Website editor 3.0 is here, and you're still on 1.0
And much more.

Your website’s comeback era starts now!

If a few of these got you thinking, a comeback might be in order. Whether a redesign or a refresh (depending on your needs), it can make a world of difference.

____________________

�� DIY SEO for Your Small Bu siness Websit e

�� 6 Ways to Level Up Your Contact Form Thank You Page

�� The Best Metrics to Tr ack to Determine Your W ebsite Success

____________________

If you are curious about refreshing your website, book a free website check-in call so we can review your site together, see what’s working, and what could be holding you back.

Your “digital brochure” is so much more than a brochure. Let’s make sure it shines as brightly as your fabulous business!

Your designer friend always,

Holiday Offer Strategies for Local Small Biz Owners

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 15:43:02 GMT

Last year, around Black Friday, I had an “I DID IT” moment.

For many, many Black Fridays before that, I had “I TRIED” moments.

This pretty much sums up all of business ownership, doesn’t it? Some things work well that you didn’t expect, others you spend oodles of time on, and they flop. Trust me, I get it and I know from 16+ years of experience that for as many successes, there are more failures . Hello, entrepreneurship!

I’m here to share some things that have worked for me personally in hopes it can inspire you as you begin rolling out your offer.

Sales Approaches to Consider for Marketing Your Offer this Holiday Season

The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year for local business owners. We all look forward to the influx of cash flow and an uptick in sales and foot traffic. Though every business has its own set of challenges and busy seasons, as a brand and website designer I find that people are inspired as they get ready to step into the new year and are anxious to get clear on how to communicate with their audience through strategic branding & professional visual design.

In this post we will explore some bite-sized small business strategies to market your offer this holiday season. By implementing these tidbits, you will be well on your way to a successful Small Business Saturday and beyond.

Relationship First, Sales Second.

By nurturing your customers, you can create trust, so when you are ready to ask them to purchase from you, it doesn’t feel weird. Show gratefulness and true appreciation often and show that your heart is genuinely IN the mission of your business when you're in sales mode.

Example: Whether that looks like engaging in 1:1 conversations, personalized emails with exclusive offers or social media engagements, or supporting a client by purchasing from them, all the little touchpoints matter. Help your audience feel seen by you!

Put on your Sales Strategist Hat

Let them know that you are solving a problem they need from you! Whether it’s a last-minute gift, holiday prep or a customer's need for something restful, help them see that they have found the solution to their problem, which is the offering you are providing. Using different sales strategies like exclusivity, urgency, or inspiration to entice them to act can sweeten the deal and help them purchase faster.

Here are some sales strategy examples that work well:

Sense of Exclusivity

Create a sense of exclusivity by offering only a few spots for your offering. Offer only a few spots for your offering. This helps you from getting overbooked and overwhelmed, and it inspires your customer to act quickly.

Example: “Limited spots are available through (date), so don’t miss your chance to book our [holiday offering]! Only [number] spots left for the season to get the best service without the holiday rush.”

Create a Sense of Urgency

Exclusive deals don’t last forever. They may not see this deal again until this time next season. Putting a deadline on an offer gives the buyer a reason not to wait to think about it, and potentially forget about it.

Example: “We know this year has been busy—let us take care of your [service], so you can focus on creating holiday memories.”

Capitalize on the New Year!

You know people need your services. Give them an opportunity to jump-start their New Year’s resolution by using your services to support their goals. You could offer discounted packages for a limited time or early bird access for better deals to start the year off right!

Example: “ Start the new year strong with [service]! Whether getting organized, improving your health, or planning for future goals, our [service] helps you hit the ground running and stay on track.”

Incorporate Festive Language

Holiday-related words and phrases can reinforce the spirit of the season and create a warm fuzzy effect. Your words illustrate how much you care about your customers and how much you want to build relationships with them.

Example: “Give yourself the gift of (your service) this holiday season – because you deserve a little extra cheer.”

Make Images and Visuals Festive but KEEP THEM SIMPLE!

Go ahead, design yourself a promotional graphic for socials. Then go back in and EDIT to make it as SIMPLE and streamlined as possible. Leave space and a good MARGIN in your designs. Use the visuals on all of your promotional touchpoints for brand consistency.

Steal my Free Holiday Instagram Templates >>>

Example: Make your color palette streamlined with your brand and make sure the design elements are aligned with the holiday theme?

Be Brave and Talk about Your Offer…A Lot

You know what they say….If you aren’t completely sick of talking about it before the end of the promotion, you aren’t doing it right. Just kidding, I don’t know if that’s a thing, but I do know It takes a lot of exposure for someone to consider purchasing. You’ll want to provide some excitement and teaser content before you launch your offering and then heavily promote it.

Example: Jump on Instagram stories and talk to people about how your offering would benefit your customers. Use direct linked, countdown timers and talk about your limited time offer.

Always Include a Call to Action (CTA)

All of your messaging should include a strong call to action, telling their customers exactly what you want them to do next and how to do it.

Example: “Ready to make this holiday season your best yet? Book your [service] now for [solution] you won’t want to live without.”

Don’t forget that this holiday season is a prime opportunity to connect with your customers and ultimately boost your sales. Try using some of these strategies so you can maximize your offer.

Here are some additional resources for you as you prepare for the holiday season.

Take the 3-Day Holiday Offer Challenge (Email Series) >

Holiday Selling Ideas for Iowa’s Product-Based Entrepreneurs >

How to Turn Your Service Into a Holiday Offer (for Local Entrepreneurs) >

Remember that building relationships with your customers is always the first step as a small business, but going a step further by putting on your sales strategist hat can make it your most profitable year yet!

Your designer friend always,

How to Turn Your Service Into a Holiday Offer (for Local Entrepreneurs)

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 15:13:10 GMT

"Add to cart" is a phrase we typically use for when a customer is online buying a physical product .

We seem to believe that only product-based businesses benefit from sales during the holiday season.

However, as a brand and website designer with over 18 years of experience, I’ve found firsthand that the holidays are a time of joy, celebration, and opportunity for service-based businesses, too!

This is gooooood news! With a bit of creativity and strategic planning, you can turn that opportunity into a whole lot of business.

Service-based businesses need practical yet creative ideas and tools this holiday season, so they take advantage of selling their offers, just like product-based businesses.

Here are a few reasons why this season could be a game-changer for your service-based business:

If you think about it, Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumers (B2Cs) are closing their year and thinking ahead to next year’s resolutions. Framing your services as a way to help them accomplish their goals is a win-win!

Consumers spend more during the holidays , including (but *DEFINITELY* not limited to) personal care, home improvement, and entertainment.

Services of all kinds make great gifts . Offering gift certificates or holiday packages and promoting them will boost business sales AND offer customers an opportunity to be generous to others.

Many people have specific needs during the holiday season . Service-based offerings like event planning, stylist consulting, winterization, etc, can remind people to think ahead and get things checked off their lists.

In this post, we’re diving into some online holiday promotion ideas that can strengthen your relationships with your customers AND provide a festive little discount they will also appreciate.

Pick a Holiday Offering that Makes Sense for Your Service-Based Business

Choosing the holiday offering that works for your business depends on a couple of factors. Here are some questions to make the decision to choose your holiday offering a little easier.

How much time does your offering take to set up? We all know as business owners we wear a lot of hats. Consider the investment of your time as you determine the best approach for your business.

Offerings don’t always have to be a new idea or overly creative. They just need to be worth your time and return your investment.

Does this offering reduce my customer’s holiday stress? Yes, holidays are a lot of fun, but they also take a toll on people trying to check off everything on their long list of shopping, decorating, cooking, etc.

Will your offering simplify things, help them feel taken care of, or even be like a “treat” to help them keep the overwhelm at bay?

Keeping those questions in mind, let’s brainstorm some ideas for making this holiday season extra merry and bright for your service-based business customers.

If your business has both products and service offerings, check out this post .

Holiday Gift Certificates

The holidays are the season of giving, after all, and gift cards are such a convenient way to express appreciation and support for someone special.

Customers who purchase gift cards from you have likely already enjoyed your services and believe you can provide that same service to someone else, creating an AMAZING ripple effect. Attracting new customers who could become repeat customers is the best kind of advertising.

Example: A local massage therapist can offer gift certificates for a 60-minute deep tissue massage. It could be promoted as a gift for someone who deserves a relaxing break after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Tip: Incentivize the offer with an additional gift card bonus, giving the buyer a $10 bonus to use for themselves.

Limited-Time Holiday Packages

A special holiday-themed package would be offered for a short time and may only make sense for this time frame. Perhaps it’s something festive, or maybe it’s an offering for future services with you.

Example: A personal trainer or gym can create a “New Year of Fitness” package. Clients can buy it in December and use it at the start of January. This creates a sense of accountability and commitment to their New Year’s resolutions.

Tip: Tailor the visuals to be holiday-themed colors with a festive pattern and include verbiage like “limited time offer” to make it easy to visualize that this is only available during the season. Keep within brand guidelines, but give yourself permission to veer a little from them for this occasion.

Holiday-Themed Social Media Giveaway

Use social media to promote brand awareness effectively and provide an organic engagement opportunity with your customers.

A social media contest is less work on your end because the customer is the one who generates the content for you, and all you need to do is share it and stay engaged. This builds brand loyalty and trust which can lead to repeat business and referrals.

Example: A hair salon could run a holiday contest on Instagram, asking clients to share photos of their new holiday hair makeovers and tag them in their posts. Each share could enter them into a drawing to win a free blow-out or styling session.

Tip: The more clients participate, the more they spread awareness of the salon's services, turning customers into brand ambassadors during the holiday season. Consider adding a supporting offer to this contest while your Instagram is buzzing.

Partner with Local Businesses

I love seeing service-based businesses with the same target audience working together to provide a multi-business custom package.

Collaborative packages expand reach to a new customer base, provide a sense of community and give the customer additional value.

Example: A wedding photographer could collaborate with a photography studio location and a makeup artist to offer a “Holiday Engagement” package, perfect for couples getting engaged over the holidays. This package could include a mini engagement shoot, a great location during Iowa’s winter months, and a makeup session.

Tip: Cross-promote this package on all partners’ social media accounts and email lists to reach an even wider audience.

Offer Holiday-Themed Workshops or Classes

Hosting “in-person” or “digital” workshops or classes can position you as an expert in your field, which builds trust. Get creative with festive ideas to get customers excited about the season. This is a fun way to provide an offering for additional revenue.

Example: An interior designer could offer a virtual workshop on “Holiday Decor and Guest Preparation,” helping customers prepare their homes for the holiday season. After the workshop, participants can book a one-on-one session after the workshop to help with a specific room or other challenges they face.

Tip: Include a special holiday discount for workshop attendees who book a one-on-one session within two weeks of attending the class.

Loyalty Holiday Special

Maybe there is something outside your typical offerings that you’d like to offer to those who have been loyal customers in the past, or perhaps it’s exclusively for your email list and not advertised anywhere else. This can help customers and warm leads feel special as part of a valued community.

Example: A dog groomer could offer a “Holiday Pup Pamper” package exclusive to their email list subscribers or existing customers. This package could include a grooming session, a holiday-themed bandana, and a small bag of dog treats.

Tip: You don’t have to reinvent the wheel with this. You could do a standard offering with those added things and charge a little bit extra for the little holiday add-on.

Team up with a Charity

Working with a charity is a great way to spread joy while supporting a greater cause. If you have a charity you are passionate about, consider donating a portion of each booking to a charity. It will give back to a community of people who need financial support while also providing your customers a way to feel a part of something bigger.

Example: A nutritionist could partner with a local food bank or organization providing meals for needy families. For every nutrition consultation or meal plan package purchased during the holidays, a portion of the fee could be donated to help provide nutritious meals to underserved communities.

Tip: Launch a “Nourish with Purpose” campaign, where clients know that by investing in their own health, they’re also contributing to providing healthy meals for those in need.

Could you start implementing one of these holiday ideas for your small service-based business? Be inspired as you continue brainstorming and find the right offering that works for you and your target customer.

Remember that you provide services to offer valuable, easy solutions for your customers, helping them solve problems they didn’t know they had.

Choosing the Right Tools to Promote and Sell Your Holiday Offerings

Getting the offerings set up and workflows tested EARLY is key to creating a seamless and straightforward purchase for your customer. The more seamless your checkout process is, the better your chance of getting that coveted sale.

The bes t platfor ms to use for your holiday promotions depend heavily on your specific needs and goals. There’s certainly no shortage of them. As a 18+ year business owner, I’ve done a lot of looking, trying, and digging. I think these are some of the best out there.

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Don’t have a website yet? I promise I won’t leave you out! Keep reading for several options that don’t require it. If you do need a website, however, I know a girl. ��‍♀️

__________________________

Let’s think through some free or economically priced platforms you can implement without needing a ton of tech skills so you can still promote your offerings professionally.

To provide additional discounts to you, some of the links below are affiliate links. Any link I provide means I’m passionate about what it has to offer. I choose my platforms wisely.

The options below are rated by difficulty and time commitment to continue to help you choose the right offering. It can also help you determine if you have the capacity for more than one platform to expand your marketing efforts.

Difficulty & Time Management Rating Scale for Choosing Your Platform(s)

1 - Little to no tech skills required, low time commitment
2 - Minimal tech skills required, easy to setup, and minimal ongoing effort
3 - Some technical knowledge required, takes a bit of time to set up and manage

Existing Website

Platforms: Wix , Squar espac e
Difficulty & Time Management Rating: 3

If you already have a website on an online platform the best way to get your customers to notice your offering is to create a dedicated landing page for your holiday promotion. This gives you a ton of flexibility on how you want to design your page, and really sell it well.

Make sure you have a clear call to action, whether that’s to fill out a contact form or book a service directly by using an add-to-cart feature. Integrating your website with your online booking system and/or payment gateway is a next-level option if you use project management software. My personal favorite is Dubsado .

Pro Tips: As a website designer, I have a few extra tips than the rest of the platforms. ��‍♀️
1) Replace your homepage header by adding a festive photo, holiday wording and/or an additional holiday color to make it extra special. A little update like this goes a long way!
2) Your holiday page design needs to look good on all devices (Desktop, tablet, and mobile) for the best customer experience.
3) Use a pop-up short-term while you are running your promotion.

Email Marketing

THE Platform: Flodesk
Difficulty & Time Management Rating: 2

OK, if you have Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or the like and are using it successfully, that’s great. I encourage you to continue using it (and remain on the DARK side.) hehe!

However, I absolutely must plug my favorite email platform * EVER* . It’s hard to even call it an email marketing platform because it’s so much more than that.

Flodesk allows for the creation of sales/landing pages AND checkouts (all natively within the platform) and includes eye-catching templates, personalization, segmentation, workflow funnels, and more.

I cannot say enough about it. If you don’t have a website (yet), I highly recommend using this as your main platform for selling your services.

Pro Tip: Flodesk offers service-based checkout templates you can set up in minutes.

You can get started with a free 30-day trial. Upgrade to a monthly plan HERE or a yearly plan for 50% off your first year using this link with code STUDIOADESIGNS.

Social Media

Platforms: Facebook , Instagram
Difficulty & Time Management Rating: 2

Facebook and Instagram are good free options if you and your audience are actively engaged.

Use the links in your bio and direct links in your stories to lead your visitors to a sales or booking page on your website or your checkout platform to make it as easy as possible for your customers to act.

Pro Tip: Utilize direct messaging or the ask a question box in stories for people who have questions about your offering.

Use the social media scheduling platform, Later to schedule your posts and plan ahead! In fact, get 10 free posts on me.

Local Business Directories

Platform: Google Business Listing
Difficulty & Time Management Rating: 1

A Google Business Listing is completely free and pretty much a no-brainer. These listings are designed to help you get found within your local market, and though you wouldn’t think they could be used to promote your holiday sale, they ABSOLUTELY CAN!

You can add your service-based offering by creating a product in your listing that links to a specific product or the landing page of your holiday offering page on your website. If you don’t have a website, you can still link it to any external link from a different platform.

Pro Tip: Your holiday hours and all out-of-office times must be accurately displayed on your listing so your customer knows when to contact you if needed.

For more about setting up your Google Business Listing, scroll to the bottom of this blog post .

Online Scheduling Tools

Platforms: Acuity Scheduling , Calendly
Difficulty & Time Management Rating: 1

Use online scheduling tools to instantly book services on your calendar. Schedulers can be standalone platforms or integrated into your website to create an easy and simple way for customers to book services with you.

I love online scheduling for appointment-based services, especially when automated appointment reminders are set up for the customer. Both Calendly and Acuity allow you to embed your scheduling tool on your website and social media.

Pro Tip: Integrate the scheduler into your personal calendar to automatically show the times you are available. Acuity Scheduling is available through the Squarespace builder if you are already a Squarespace user.

Form Builders

Platforms: Google Forms , Jotform
Difficulty & Time Management Rating: 1

Form builders can be a great option when the timing is tight because it only takes a few minutes to set up. Google Forms can collect customer information, answer questions, and more. Though payment processing is not natively offered in the form, there are ways of collecting payment on secondary platforms through Google Forms.

Jotform has more robust payment integration (like PayPal, Venmo, or Stripe) and is easy to create forms for a minimal fee. You can cancel anytime if you want to get by for the season.

Pro Tip: Form builders are a great way to collect “preorders” for your services.

Gift Certificate Platforms

Platforms: Giftly , GiftUp
Difficulty & Time Management Rating: 1

Online gift card platforms are so easy to create and manage with the help of a platform like Giftly or GiftUp. They can be used as standalone platforms and work well if you don’t have a website, AND if you don’t have a gift card option on your website they can also be integrated.

I like these platforms because they are quick to set up and easy to implement. I love the ability for customers to electronically send a recipient a gift card mobily via text or email.

Pro Tip: Double-check the service fees associated with gift cards and payment gateways to avoid surprises.

Getting Your Offering Online

Now that you’ve discovered some ways you can use technology to promote your services this season, it’s time to get to work. The holiday season is SUCH an incredible opportunity for service-based businesses to connect with customers and boost sales.

As you finalize your holiday offering, focus on how it can help your customers this holiday season.

Happy promoting!

Your designer friend always,

Holiday Selling Ideas for Iowa’s Product-Based Entrepreneurs

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 21:41:52 GMT

As a brand and website designer for local small businesses I’ve found firsthand that the holidays are a time of joy, celebration, and opportunity for product-based shops and online stores.

With a bit of creativity and strategic planning, you can turn that opportunity into a whole lot of business.

Let’s dive into some practical yet creative ideas and tools so you can take advantage of selling your products this holiday season.

Here are a few reasons why this season could be a game-changer for you:

If you think about it, B2B and B2C customers are closing their year and thinking ahead to next year’s resolutions. Framing your products as a way to help them accomplish their goals is a win-win!

Consumers spend more during the holidays , including (but DEFINITELY not limited to) gifts, entertainment, and extra special items.

Many people have specific needs during the holiday season . Seasonal products can remind people to think ahead and get things checked off their shopping lists.

In this post, we’re diving into some ideas for holiday promotions that can strengthen your relationships with your customers AND provide a festive little discount they will also appreciate.

Pick a Holiday Offering that Makes Sense for Your Product-Based Business

Choosing the proper holiday marketing for you comes down to a few things you can think through, with your ideal customer in mind.

Does this offering reduce my customer’s stress? Yes, holidays are a lot of fun, but they also take a toll on people trying to check off everything on their long list of shopping, decorating, cooking, etc. Will your offering simplify things for them to keep the overwhelm at bay?
Does this offering solve a holiday-related problem quickly? Consider creating a unique offering that helps them feel taken care of, or even like a “treat” to them around the holidays which will make gift-giving easier, faster or more meaningful.

So, let’s brainstorm some ideas for making this holiday season extra merry and bright for your product-based business customers. This list will hopefully spur some ideas for your own business!

If your business has both products and service offerings, check out this post .

Holiday Gift Bundles

Bundling some of your most popular products together as a themed holiday gift can increase the value of your offering and could upsell your customers who would have purchased just one of the bundled items.

Example: A local gift shop could create a basket or prepackaged “Cozy Vibes” bundle that has a their best selling blanket, coffee mug and package of tea.

Tip: Provide a discount on the bundle so the customer gets more value by purchasing it all together.

Limited-Time Holiday-Themed Products

Create a product that compliments your existing products well but is only available for a limited time.

Example: A candle company could create limited-edition scents in special festive packaging to make an “already ready to give” set.

Tip: Communicate the limited availability by using messaging like “limited stock” or “one time offer.”

Exclusive Holiday Discounts

Offering discounts on certain items throughout the holiday season can prolong sales opportunities.

Example: An online clothing boutique could offer “12 Days of Deals,” where different products are discounted each day leading up to the holidays.

Tip: You can promote the sale through email marketing. The promotion can run on on socials or other avenues but having customers sign up for your email list to receive the deal adds subscribers for future purchases and you can link directly the product in your email.

Holiday-Themed Social Media Contests

Use social media to promote brand awareness effectively and create a buzz around your products.

A social media contest is less work on your end because the customer is the one who generates the content for you, and all you need to do is share it and stay engaged.

The more clients participate, the more they spread awareness for the business, turning customers into brand ambassadors during the holiday season.

Example: A jewelry brand could host a “Wishlist Giveaway,” asking followers to comment on a carousel post with their favorite piece of jewelry and tag their friends for a chance to win it.

Tip: Make your graphics eye-catching to grab the attention of an interested buyer.

Partner with Complimentary Local Businesses

I love seeing businesses with the same target audience working together to provide a multi-business custom package.

Collaborative packages expand your reach to a new customer base, provide a sense of community and gives your customers unique gift ideas.

Example: A coffee roaster could team up with a local bakery to offer a “Java & Joy Holiday Box,” which includes a bag of freshly roasted coffee beans and a selection of holiday treats to take to work or share at home with holiday guests.

Tip: Cross-promote this package on all partners’ social media accounts and email lists, reaching a wider audience.

Loyalty Holiday Special

Maybe there is something outside your typical offerings that you’d like to offer to those who have been loyal customers in the past, or perhaps it’s exclusively for your email list and not advertised anywhere else. This can help customers and potential customers feel like special, like they are a part of a valued community.

Example: A d og groomer could offer a “Holiday Pup Pamper” package exclusive to their email list subscribers or existing customers. This package could include a grooming session, a holiday-themed bandana, and a small bag of dog treats.

Tip: You don’t have to reinvent the wheel with this. You could even use an existing offer and add a loyalty discount or a holiday bonus.

Offer Gift Cards

Gift cards are such a convenient and easy way to express appreciation and support for someone special. It gives the recipient the opportunity to choose the items they love most.

Customers who purchase gift cards from you have likely already enjoyed your business and believe you have what someone else should have too, creating an AMAZING ripple effect. Attracting new customers who could become repeat customers is the best kind of advertising, in my book.

Example: A local pet supply store would offer pet owners the joy picking out exactly what their furry friend needs, making gift cards the perfect option for any pet lover.

Tip: Offer a promotion like “Buy a $50 gift card and receive a $5 gift card for yourself,” and emphasize how it makes gift-giving easy while supporting small businesses.

Team up with a Charity

Working with a charity is a great way to spread joy while supporting a greater cause. If you have a charity you are passionate about, consider donating a portion of each purchase of a certain product to a charity. It will give back to a community of people who need financial support while also providing your customers a way to feel a part of something bigger.

Example: A hobby shop could donate a portion of sales from a certain list of items during the holiday season.

Tip: A “Buy One, Give One” is a beautiful way to give back.

Could you start implementing one of these holiday ideas for your small product-based business? Be inspired as you continue brainstorming and find just the right offering that works for your target customer.

If your offering starts to feel a little too cliche or sale-sy as you're brainstorming, that’s GOOD! I want to encourage you to push through that and remember that you are providing products to offer valuable, easy solutions for your customers, helping them solve problems they didn’t know they had.

Choosing the Right Platform(s) for Your Holiday Offerings

Let’s think through some free or economically priced platforms you can implement without needing a ton of tech skills so you can still promote your offerings professionally.

The best platforms to use for your holiday promotions depend heavily on your specific needs and goals. There’s certainly no shortage of them. As a 16+ year business owner, I’ve done a lot of looking, trying, and digging. I think these are some of the best out there.

Don’t have a website yet? I promise I won’t leave you out! Keep reading for several options that don’t require it. If you do need a website, however, I know a girl. ��‍♀️

To provide additional discounts to you, some of the links below are affiliate links. Any link I provide means I’m passionate about what it has to offer. I choose my platforms wisely.

Website

Platforms: Square , Shopify

If you already have a website on an online platform the best way to get your customers to notice your offering is to create product collections with dedicated landing pages for your holiday sale. This gives you a ton of flexibility on how you want to design your page so you can really sell it well.

Creating a customer promo code for a discount at checkout is a straightforward approach to offering a discount that is easy for the customer and easy for the buyer.

Pro Tip: If your platform allows the use of pop-ups, I recommend using them in the short term while you are running your promo code or seasonal sale. When shipping your orders, include a discount code and a thank you, to entice the customer to come back again.

Email Marketing

THE Platform: Flodesk

OK, if you have Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or the like and are using it successfully, that’s great. I encourage you to continue using it (and remain on the DARK side.) hehe!

However, I absolutely must plug my favorite email platform EVER. It’s hard to even call it an email marketing platform because it’s so much more than that.

Flodesk allows for the creation of sales/landing pages AND checkouts (all within the platform) and includes eye-catching templates, personalization, segmentation, workflow funnels, and more.

I cannot say enough about it. If you don’t have a website (yet), I highly recommend using this as your main platform for selling your products.

Pro Tip: Flodesk offers product-based checkout templates you can set up in minutes.

You can get started with a free 30-day trial. Upgrade to a monthly plan HERE or a yearly plan for 50% off your first year using this link with code STUDIOADESIGNS .

Social Media

Platforms: Facebook , Instagram

Facebook and Instagram can be great for promoting your offering, but you have the option to take it a step further by setting up a checkout so people can shop directly in the app.

Using Instagram’s product links to create collections of products you can sell directly on the platforms might be a good option! Learn more at Instagram shopping’s page as you consider if this is right for you and consider if the platforms you are already selling on can be imported to Facebook and/or Instagram.

Pro Tip: If you don’t want to connect shopping to Instagram, you can always link products individually in your stories as an alternative.

Local Business Directories

Platform: Google Business Listing

You can create product listings that link directly to the product page of your website or a landing page for a holiday collection of products.

Pro Tip: Your holiday hours and all out-of-office times must be accurately displayed on your listing so your customer knows when to contact you if needed.

For more about setting up your Google Business Listing, scroll to the bottom of this blog post .

Gift Certificate Platforms

Platforms: Giftly , GiftUp or directly through your website or POS

Online gift card platforms are so easy to create and manage with the help of a platform like Giftly or GiftUp. They can be used as standalone platforms or integrated into your website.

I like these platforms because they are quick to set up and easy to implement. I love the ability for customers to electronically send a recipient a gift card mobile-ly via text or email.

Some Shopify themes and other online builders allow you to add recipient fields to your gift cards. Check your builder to see what is available.

Pro Tip: Double-check the service fees associated with gift cards and payment gateways so you don’t have any surprises.

Getting Your Offering Online

Now that you’ve discovered some ways you can use technology to promote your products this season, it’s time to get to work. The holiday season is SUCH an incredible opportunity for businesses to connect with customers and boost sales.

As you finalize your holiday offering, focus on how it can help your customers this holiday season.

Your designer friend always,

Small Biz Guide to Graphic Design Terms: Typography Edition

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 20:09:40 GMT

If you're a business owner of any kind, you can probably relate to seeing a lot of new terms and phrases the regular world doesn't use. Each industry basically has it's own language. What is normal to you isn't to everyone else.

It’s sort of how Elle Woods feels comfortable using legal jargon in her everyday life. ��‍♀️

Well, that’s how I feel about graphic design terms. And I’m sure it’s how you feel about your own industry, too!

Even though these words are normal to you and you can carry on a conversation using this language, what’s important to remember is that your audience and your clients don’t necessarily know these things and it’s up to you to reduce confusion by educating them so they fully understand what you’re saying.

I’ve been guilty of just assuming people know what I mean when I say, “here are your HEX codes!” or “can you send over that vector file?” ��

So, if you’re among the many business owners that see or hear graphic design terms when working with brand or website designers and you’re always left thinking, “what the heck does that mean?!”, save your Google search - I’ve got you covered, starting with the typography edition. ⬇️

Common Typography Terms & What They Mean

Typeface vs. Font

In graphic design, typography is what we refer to as the different styles of text that exist within your brand. Most brands have different fonts and font styles that they use and each of these make up their entire brand typography. While we’re on the topic, you might also be wondering the difference between a typeface and a font. The term typeface is the collective name of a family of related fonts. A font is the variation in weigh and style of a typeface.

Here’s a simple example of one of my own:

Serif vs. Sans Serif

A serif is a decorative stroke that finishes off the end of a letters stem - this is sometimes referred to as the “feet” of the letters. Common fonts that have serifs include: Times New Roman, Garamond and Georgia.

A sans serif typeface, on the other hand, does not include serif strokes. Common san serif options include: Arial, Helvetica, Proxima or Calibri.

So, which is better: serif or sans serif? It truly comes down to personal preference and which font best suits your brand based on style, mood, and personality but generally speaking, sans serif fonts have slightly increased readability, so this a good option for your body text!

Which leads me to our next term…

Body Copy vs. Headings & Subheadings

In writing of any kind, whether it be a blog post like this, your website or even your social media graphics, there’s usually going to be headings, subheadings and body copy.

Headings and subheadings are usually pretty obvious - they’re the larger and probably more bolded pieces of text.

Body copy is the primary text in your content and focuses on explaining all of the details for the topic at hand. (pst: you’re reading body copy right now!)

Hierarchy

In graphic design, the hierarchy includes different principles such as, size, color, contrast, alignment, repetition and brightness to emphasize certain aspects of the design. (see above graphic for heirarchy of text)

You want all of these pieces to work together in the correct way in order to create a visual that attracts your audience properly.

If the hierarchy isn’t used correctly, you can draw attention away from something that you really want your viewers to take in. When used correctly, you can make sure your audience sees exactly what you want them to pay attention to.

Kerning, Leading & Tracking

These three terms go hand in hand with the overall typography in your brand.

Tracking is the overall spacing between groups of letters of an entire word. Kerning, on the other hand, is the spacing between the individual letters or characters. And leading is the vertical spacing between lines of type.

If you’ve ever written an email, a blog post or even created something in Canva, you’ve likely seen the spot where you can adjust your line height or letter spacing. It often looks like this:

Well, these are the technical design terms for that! These elements make a huge difference in the readability and professionalism of the typography in your designs, so they are super important to pay attention to.

Ascender vs. Descender

In typography, an ascender is an upward stem of a lowercase letter that extends beyond the meanline and x-height of a font. These are sometimes referred to as arches, stems or hooks and the most common letters with ascenders include: b, d, f, h, i, k, l and t.

As you might be able to guess, descenders are the exact opposite. These letters have a stem that falls below the baseline and the most common letters with descenders include: g, j, q, p and y.

Now, I know what you might be thinking… “meanline? X-height? baseline? WHAT?!”

Before you lose it on me, let me give you a visual that really brings all of this together ⬇️

Lorum Ipsum

Lorem ipsum is placeholder text that contains all letters of the alphabet that graphic designers often use to show you how your typography will visually look with certain fonts.

This will often be used in brand guides that are delivered to you when you invest in professional branding ! You also may see this on Canva or other graphic design tools when exploring certain templates included in your brand package.

And that’s a wrap on common typography terms!

I’m willing to bet you’ve seen one or more of these terms at least a time or two in your business owner life and up until now, you might not have known what they mean.

Now you do! But don’t worry, I won’t quiz you.

The point of knowing these terms isn’t for you to be an expert in graphic design. It’s simply to help you communicate with and better understand conversations with your graphic designer so that you can achieve the service that you really need!

The more you know, the more you can strategically relate to your designer, and ultimately your target audience.

Cheers !! ��

Small Biz Guide to Graphic Design Terms: PNG, JPG, TIFF, GIF, SVG, EPS? Find out which file types to use!

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 16:56:53 GMT

Picture this: Sarah, a passionate entrepreneur with a booming bakery business, was finally ready to invest in a visual identity. Thrilled, she hired a freelancer on a popular online freelancing platform and received a flood of files – a confusing mix of JPGs, PNGs, and even some mysterious EPS thrown in.

Poor Sarah. �� When she tried to use her logos for her website and social media, disaster struck!

The logo looked blurry and she had no idea why. She tried other file formats, but got errors when uploading them.

Unfortunately, the designer she hired neglected to explain the file types she was given, and even worse, how to use them.

A simple conversation about file types and their ideal uses would have saved sooooo much time and frustration.

Instead, Sarah is stuck asking Google things like;

"best graphic file formats"
"what image file type has the best quality for instagram"
"how do I get my logo to not be pixilated."

I’m cringing over here!

Let's clear up the confusion and transform you from a file-type newbie to a format pro! We'll dive into the world of JPGs, PNGs, and more, so you can confidently choose the right file for every project.

A Small Business Guide to Image and Logo File Types

Let’s be honest, you’ve most likely landed on this page because you are currently in a situation where you need answers about file types FAST.

While file types aren’t exactly the most thrilling of topics, file types are more exciting than they sound. As brand and website designer it’s absolutely necessary to understand file formats and which ones play well on certain platforms. Once you have this knowledge banked, it will save a ton of time and frustration in the long run.

Understanding File Types

Before we dive into specific file formats, let's quickly touch on the two main categories of image files: raster and vector .

Raster images are made up of pixels. Think of them like tiny squares of color. Photos are classic examples of raster images. While they can look great, they can become pixelated when resized or enlarged.
Vector images are based on mathematical equations that define lines and shapes. Logos and illustrations should be created as vector graphics. The beauty of vectors is that they can be resized without losing quality.

When you choose a file format for your project, consider its primary usage. Here's a breakdown of some standard file formats and their strengths and weaknesses:

JPG (JPEG):

Primary Usage: Photos, web graphics
Pros: High compression, widely supported
Cons: Lossy compression (quality loss), not suitable for text or logos
Platform: Web, Print

PNG:

Primary Usage: Web graphics, logos, images with transparency
Pros: Lossless compression, supports transparency
Cons: Larger file size than JPG
Platform: Web, Print

SVG:

Primary Usage: Logos, icons, graphics
Pros: Scalable without quality loss, small file size
Cons: Not universally supported by older browsers
Platform: Web, Print (Vector editing software)

PDF:

Primary Usage: Documents ideal for preserving formatting and layout
Pros: Preserves formatting, widely supported
Cons: Can be large file size, not easily editable
Platform: Web (with PDF viewer plugin), Print

EPS:

Primary Usage: Vector graphics and complex design projects
Pros: Highly editable, scalable
Cons: Large file size, requires specific software to open
Platform: Print (Vector editing software)

WEBP:

Primary Usage: Web images where file size is a major concern
Pros: Smaller file size than JPG or PNG, supports transparency and animation
Cons: Less widely supported than JPG or PNG
Platform: Web (with browser compatibility check)

GIF:

Primary Usage: Simple animations and graphics
Pros: Supports animation, lossless compression
Cons: Limited color palette, larger file size than JPG or PNG
Platform: Web (Limited animation support on some platforms)

Choosing the Right File Type

Resolution and Quality

You want your designs to look sharp, right? That's where resolution comes in. Think of it like the number of tiny dots that make up your image. For print stuff like flyers or business cards, you need a ton of those dots - we're talking around 300 dots per inch ( dpi ). Any less, and your image might look like a pixelated mess.

On the other hand, web images typically require a much lower resolution, usually around 72 dpi. This is because computer screens have a lower resolution than print. High-resolution images used for print that are placed on a website would be unnecessarily large, slowing down page loading times. Using a large image on the web can significantly impact your website's speed and user experience.

Color Modes

There are lots of different color modes out there, but we'll stick to the main players: RGB and CMYK. RGB is for your screens - that's your computer, phone, and tablet. It's like mixing different colors of light to create millions of hues. CMYK, on the other hand, is for print. It's how printers mix inks to match your colors. So, if you're designing for the web, stick with RGB. But if you're sending your artwork to a printer, make sure it's in CMYK.

Transparency

Imagine your sleek logo surrounded by an ugly white box. Not a good look, right? That’s where transparency comes in. It’s like magic for your designs, allowing your logo or image to blend seamlessly into any background. PNG and GIF files are your transparency heroes. They let you save images with transparent backgrounds, so you can place them anywhere without those pesky white boxes. If you have an image with one of those pesky white bounding boxes (or really anything in the background of an image), Adobe has a free tool to remove it.

So, we've covered the basics of resolution, color mode, and transparency. These elements are crucial for creating visually appealing and effective designs. Next, we'll dive into file size, which is just as important for ensuring your designs perform well, whether they're online or in print.

FILE SIZE

We've touched on how image size and resolution can impact your files, but let’s dive a little deeper. Huge files can be a real drag on your computer, phone, and especially your website. Imagine trying to load a page with a bunch of heavy raw images. It's like trying to run a marathon while carrying a backpack full of bricks - not fun!

When it comes to web graphics, JPEGs are often the go-to choice because they balance image quality with file size. However, if you need to preserve image quality and transparency, PNG is a better option. Aiming for image file sizes under 300-400 kilobytes (KB) is ideal. It might sound small, but it can make a world of difference in website loading times. Trust me, nobody likes a slow website.

Some file formats are naturally larger than others. For example, raw image formats like TIFF or PSD contain a ton of information and layers, resulting in huge file sizes. On the other hand, formats like JPEG and PNG are designed to compress images, making them much smaller.

For quick and easy compression, check out TinyPNG . It's great for reducing the size of JPEG and PNG images without sacrificing too much quality. If you prefer an all-in-one solution, Online Image Optimizer is worth exploring. It allows you to resize, compress, and convert images in bulk. Plus, it provides insights into file size reduction and image quality. This is what I use for my website clients.

For documents, PDFs are popular because they maintain formatting and can include images. However, they can also be quite large, especially if they contain high-resolution images. You can reduce the size of a pdf with Adobe’s free PDF compresser.

Practical Tips and Tools for Your Brand Files

You've got the knowledge, now let's put it into practice! There's a world of online tools ready to help you optimize your files.

Remember, these are just a few examples. There are countless other tools available, so feel free to explore and find the ones that best suit your needs. By taking the time to optimize your files, you'll not only improve your website's performance but also enhance the overall user experience.

To recap everything, here’s a quick list of free tools to help you master your files:

Filenames Cheatsheet - Free PDF from Studio A
Find the DPI of an image - DPI Checker
Remove a background from an image - Adobe Background Remover
PDF Compressor - Adobe PDF Compressor
File Size Compression - TinyPNG
Bulk Image Optimizer - Online Image Optimizer

Understanding file types might seem like a small detail, but it's a crucial piece of the design puzzle. By mastering these concepts, you'll be equipped to collaborate more effectively with designers and vendors, optimize your digital assets, and ensure your brand looks its best across all platforms. Remember, knowledge is power, and when it comes to file types, knowledge is key to creating stunning visuals that drive results.

Ready to slay your small biz game? Get THE A LIST newsletter straight to your inbox by signing up here !

Your designer friend always,

Small Biz Guide To Graphic Design Terms: Color Explained

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:35:44 GMT

While color seems like it should be simple, it can be really frustrating when you are expecting your website colors to match your business card colors…and they don’t.

You might not know this about me, but one of my first jobs out of college was in the prepress department at a local commercial printer. Along the way, I had my share of mishaps with color in my own designs, but I also saw a gamut of “color issues” that I had the assigned task of fixing, which has made me an expert on the topic of color.

P.S. This post is part of my “Small Biz Guide to Graphic Design Terms” series. Check out Typography and Filetypes too!

Common Color Terms Used in Print & Web Design

I’m breaking down the color terms every small business owner should know to help you make sense of the different color modes, jargon, and common questions I get asked often as a brand & website designer . Whether you are working with a commercial printer or battling your own office printer, I’ll help you understand color a little more so you can feel more confident when you send over your print files.

Color Modes Made Simple

If you've ever created something on your computer, hit 'print,' and ended up with a color that looks nothing like what you saw on your screen, you're not alone.

While it would be nice to have one color mode for all outputs, unfortunately, screens and printers see color differently . Screens use light (RGB), while printers use ink (CMYK). One is additive (mixing light to make white), and one is subtractive (mixing ink to absorb light and create colors).

That’s why the same color can look bright on screen but dull on paper, and why we need different color modes to get the best results in each format. I am always up for the challenge when I’m creating brands that include brand books, so clients are aware of the potential issues with their colors matching across different brand touchpoints and how to avoid them.

Here is a breakdown of the different color modes seen most often:

RGB (Red, Green, Blue)

Used for anything you see on a screen, like websites, email graphics, and social media posts. RGB colors are created using light, which means they appear more vibrant.

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)

Best for print projects like business cards, brochures, and packaging. This mode uses ink instead of light, which can make colors appear more muted compared to digital screens, but it ensures your printed materials look consistent.

HEX Code (e.g., #E91E63)

These six-digit color codes are used mainly in web design and digital tools like Canva. They’re a web-standard way of pinpointing an exact color. Great for brand consistency online.

Pantone (PMS)

The gold standard for color consistency in print. Pantone solid colors are pre-mixed inks used when you need a perfect match across multiple materials, like branded merchandise or large print runs. Not always necessary for small projects, but helpful when precision matters.

Check out this quick reference color mode chart to see the output formats recommended between those color modes:

What type of Printers Affect Color?

Not all printers are created equal. Here’s how they stack up for small business use:

Inkjet Printers:

Most common for home use. They’re affordable but not always precise. Colors can bleed slightly and be inconsistent, especially on thin or uncoated paper.

Laser Printers:

Great for text-heavy documents and fast printing. Can be used for color printing but is less reliable for rich, saturated color prints.

Digital Printers:

Used by local print shops. High-quality, flexible, and great for short runs. Usually, your best bet for flyers, postcards, or business cards.

Offset/Press Printing:

Ideal for large quantities. Uses actual plates and ink. This is where Pantone colors shine. More expensive but offers precision and consistency.

Color Terms You Might Like to Know

Color lingo is fun for designers like me (in case you haven’t noticed by my work ). But once you understand the basics, non-designers like you will be tossing around words like "saturation" and "tone" like a total pro.

Check out this quick glossary and chart

Hue = base color
Tint = hue + white (lighter)
Shade = hue + black (darker)
Tone = hue + gray (muted)
Saturation = how bold or soft a color is
Contrast = how different two colors are (important for readability and accessibility!)

Color FAQs for Real Life Small Biz Owners

These are the most common questions I get from clients with some straight forward answers to help things click for you.

Q: Do some colors print more accurately than others?

Yes! Some colors convert from screen (RGB) to print (CMYK) more smoothly, while others shift dramatically. If you’ve ever been surprised by how dull or different your printed colors look, this could be why.

Colors that tend to print well:

Mid-range blues (dark blue to navy)
Greens from emerald to forest
Muted neutrals (grays, taupes, browns)
Medium reds (not too bright or dark)

Colors that often shift noticeably in print:

Bright neon tones (electric pink, lime green, highlighter yellow)
Very saturated oranges (often appear browner)
Purples and violets (tend to skew blue or look muddy)
Light pastels (can disappear on certain paper types)

�� Pro tip: If your brand is strictly used digitally, take advantage of the ultra-bright colors. If you’re going to be carrying your brand between print and web, use ultra bright/neon colors as minimal accents, and stick with mid-to-dark tones, which convert more accurately.

Q: What if I’m DIYing my brand and don’t know which CMYK values to use for printing?

There are some simple tools that can help. If you have chosen your brand colors in HEX or RGB mode (like from Canva), you can find the CMYK values using online tools like Minify or Colorffy. Just remember: the result might not be exactly the same in print, so always request a proof or test print when possible and ask your printer to help you with color matching.

If you’re using Canva Pro, you can specify CMYK colors in your Brand Kit which will convert when you download a print-ready PDF using CMYK . This is an important missed step. For DIYers using the free version, ask your local print shop to help with conversion or send them your HEX or RGB values and ask them to match it as closely as they can on their end.

For setting up your Brand Kit, check out Canva Pro Tips for Building Your Brand Kit.

Q: Why does the color look different when I print at home?

Your printer uses CMYK, but most of what you design (like in Canva or Word) starts in RGB. Home printers also vary wildly in quality, ink levels, and settings.

Q: When I insert my logo to Canva or Word, why does the color look completely different?

These programs default to RGB, so expect some shift. If your designer provided you with a CMYK file and you upload it in Canva or Word, the color may not be the outcome you expected.

Q: What if I want to print my Canva file at home?

Canva now lets you download PDFs in CMYK, but only if you have a Pro account. For best results at home. Download as a PDF first before you start printing anything – File > Download > PDF with Best Quality or Color Matching options on will give you a more stable result than printing straight from the browser.

Q: Why does my social media graphic look different on my phone vs. my desktop?

Screens are calibrated differently. Phones usually make colors appear warmer and more saturated. That’s normal, so just make sure your brand palette works across devices.

Q: How do I make sure my logo colors look the same everywhere?

Ask your designer for brand colors in HEX (for web), RGB (for digital), CMYK, and PMS (for print). Save them in your brand guide and paste them into Canva and other templates for consistency.

Q: Should I worry about Pantone colors?

Only if you’re printing large quantities, packaging, merch, signage or want a very accurate color match. For everyday business cards or flyers, CMYK will usually do the trick.

Q: What paper should I choose to get the best color results?

Paper makes a huge difference! Glossy finishes make colors pop, matte is more subtle but can add some sophistication, and uncoated paper can absorb ink and make colors look duller. Always ask your print shop for paper recommendations based on your project.

Q: What vendors do you recommend for printing & production in Central Iowa?

I love working with local printers in central Iowa because they offer physical printed proofs before printing your full project and they take extra care knowing your business means a lot to you.

A few vendors I trust are as follows:

SignPro - Outdoor & Indoor Signage, Vehicle Graphics
Heuss Printing - Commercial Printing & Promotional Items
Integrity Printing - Des Moines

If you feel confident in your colors and output, here are a few online ordering options:

Moo
Sticker Mule

Bonus: Get your Filetypes Cheat Sheet

Color is one piece of the puzzle, filetypes are another, yet they go hand in hand if you are producing something with the right color mode and the right resolution. If you've ever wondered which version of your logo to use or why a designer keeps sending you .EPS files, I’ve got you.

Grab the free Filetypes Cheat Sheet to decode which file to use, for which color mode, when and where.

⬇️ Download the Freebie

Want more tips for branding your small business life? Be sure to subscribe to THE A LIST.

Ready to take your Iowa small biz brand from DIY to strategized so you can start attracting the customers you truly want? Fill out my contact form , and I’ll send you a link to book a free consulting call.

Your designer friend always,

Google Business Profile: The Local SEO Tool You’re Underusing

Mon, 19 May 2025 03:53:40 GMT

If I asked you how long it's been since you've looked at or updated your Google Business Profile (GBP) what would you say? If you're saying "uh-oh" right now, you're not alone.

Many businesses haven’t touched their listing since they set it up, yet it’s truly one of the most underutilized tools in local SEO. And I'm not trying to bring the vibe down, but I also need you to know that your listing will keep falling down the rankings if you don't actively manage it. Kind of like your website , but that's for another blog post.

Tweaks & Tips for Ranking Higher on Your Google Business Profile

The good news is, you don't have to do a complete overhaul or take a bunch of time to keep your GBP up to date. With just a few intentional tweaks and updates, you're letting Google know that you are still a relevant and active business.

P.S. If you're a new business, you can create your listing HERE.

In this post, I’ll show you how to maintain and optimize your listing so it ranks higher on Google and brings more traffic to your business, whether it be by foot, through socials or your website.

Claim It, Verify It and Nail the Basics

Google might auto-create a listing for your business , especially if you’ve been around a while. But that doesn’t mean you own it. Until you officially claim and verify your profile, you can’t control what people see and Google won’t fully trust you either. Which means you're likely not showing in the coveted top three local pack . So even if someone is looking for exactly what you do, they won’t find you. ��

To claim and verify you're listing, you’ll go to google.com/business , find your listing, and walk through a short verification process. Usually it’s a code sent by mail or phone. Once verified, you can start editing and optimizing your listing. Take 5 minutes to check the basics:

Business Name – Use your real, consistent business name (don't keyword stuff!)
Address – Especially important if you serve local customers at a physical location
Phone Number – A local number builds trust and performs better in search
Website – Link directly to your homepage or a specific service page if it makes more sense
Business Hours – Keep these updated, including seasonal or holiday hours

Pro Tweaks:

Make your home-based biz count! You can hide your address and still appear in searches using a “service area business” setup. Check out my home-based biz listing at this link.

Exact matches across the web matter. Make sure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) match exactly everywhere, your website footer, Yelp, Facebook, Chamber listing, etc. Google loves consistency and all of this validates that you're exactly who you say you are.

Add holiday hours in advance. Businesses that keep their hours updated especially around holidays or unexpected closures tend to rank better. Plus, it shows customers that you’re reliable. The last thing you want is for a customer to arrive at your store because your listing shows that you're open when in fact, you're closed.

Use the Words They're Searching For

Naturally working in the terms your customers are actually typing into Google, makes it easier for the algorithm to connect the dots and reward you with a better spot in local results.

Here’s where to sprinkle in the right words (without overdoing it):

Business Description
Include your location + services in natural, conversational language.
Example: “Iowa-based wedding photographer specializing in outdoor ceremonies and candid, joy-filled moments.”
Services + Products Sections
Add every core service and product, using search-friendly wording.
Example: “ Bridal Makeup Trial ” instead of just “ Trials. ”
Posts + Updates
When you publish offers or event announcements, add terms people would be Googling. Even if it’s a short post, treat it like a mini blog.

Pro Tweaks:

Use local phrasing. Instead of “ graphic designer ,” say “g raphic designer in Iowa City ” or “ brand design for Iowa businesses.”

Don’t keyword stuff. It looks spammy and actually works against you. Write "human first" and sprinkle in your core terms naturally.

See how people are finding you. (Love this one!) Access your profile through google search or google maps. Log into your GBP dashboard and look under “Insights” or "Performance" section to see what search terms people used to find your listing. Use those!

Get Specific with Your Categories

Your Google Business Profile category is one of the strongest signals you can send to Google about what you do. Don't skip this step!

Choose a Specific Primary Category
This is the most important one. It should reflect your core offering. What you want to be known for. For example: “Nail Salon” (not “Beauty Services”), “ Brand Designer ” (not just “Graphic Designer,” if branding is your focus)
Add Supporting Categories Sparingly
You can choose more than one, but don’t overdo it. Add 1–2 that support your primary offering without diluting your focus.
Example: A yoga studio might also choose “Meditation Center” if they offer those classes regularly.

Pro Tweaks:

Check out what your competitors are using. Search your own service in your town and see what categories the top listings are using. You might discover better options you haven’t considered.

Add services beneath each category. When you choose a category like “Photographer,” Google lets you add detailed services (like “Family Sessions” or “Product Photography”). Take advantage of that. It builds relevance and search visibility.

Add Visuals that Build Trust

If your Google Business Profile only has a logo or a grainy storefront pic, it’s time for a visual upgrade. Photos are part of your SEO strategy and Google favors listings that show signs of real life.

What to upload (and Keep Updating):

Exterior shots: Help customers recognize your building from the street
Interior shots: Let them see your space, vibe, and cleanliness
Your team: People connect with faces. it builds trust fast
Your work: Products, services in action, before-and-afters
Signage and branding: Show off your style and professionalism

Pro Tweaks:

Add real file names to your photos. Before uploading, name your file something descriptive like iowa-city-wedding-photographer.jpg instead of IMG_3827.jpg . It’s a subtle SEO boost.

Adding photos is probably the quickest win in this entire post. The impact both in search and first impressions is huge.

Collect Reviews and Respond

Reviews are great for providing the credibility you deserve but did you know that Google uses the frequency of reviews, their keywords and even whether you respond as a ranking signal?

After your customer has provided a review, make sure you respond as immediately as possible in the comments section of their review. Google loves it when you respond in a timely manner and it's the perfect opportunity to express your sincere gratitude for their review.

Ask often. And don't be shy. Did someone say, “This is amazing!” while holding your product or walking out of your office? That’s your cue. Send a quick email or DM with your direct link.
Respond like a human, not a robot. “Thanks!” is fine… but “So glad you loved your branding session, Amy! I had a blast designing for your new coffee shop in Cedar Rapids” = better. Google sees those keywords, and Amy feels seen.
Don’t panic about bad reviews. A weird 3-star review from someone who clearly misunderstood your service? It’s fine. Just reply with grace and move on. It's so much better than not responding.

Pro Tweaks:

Google likes consistency. Aim for a few new reviews per month rather than begging everyone in your life to leave one tomorrow.

Create a ‘review shortcut’ link. Google gives you a custom review link from your profile dashboard. Save it, shorten it, or turn it into a QR code you can slap on receipts, thank-you cards, or your front desk sign.

Keep Your Listing Alive with Posts

The Posts feature is your way of showing Google (and real-life customers) that you’re active and have something worth paying attention to.

Here are some ideas of things you could post to keep it fresh.

Promotions or seasonal specials
Event announcements
New blog posts or service launches
Behind-the-scenes or process updates

Pro Tweaks:

Set a reminder to post every 7–10 days. Google Posts expire after about a week in the main preview, so keep a rhythm going.

Include a photo or graphic. A quick Canva graphic or snapshot of your product adds color and makes the post pop.

Use the CTA buttons. “ Call now, ” “ Learn more, ” “ Book ” buttons are all available. Make it easy for someone to take action.

Answer the Questions Before They Even Ask

There’s a little spot on your Google Business Profile called “Q&A.” Most businesses totally ignore it and it's a missed opportunity.
The Q&A section is a built-in FAQ and people really do read it. And the best part is, you can ask and answer your own questions (Google-approved).

Think of the questions people DM you, ask in your contact form, or bring up in person. Now put those answers right on your listing where Google (and your future clients) can see them.

Examples:

“Do you offer evening appointments?”
“What’s included in a brand strategy session?”
“Is your parking free?”
“Do you sell gift cards?”

Pro Tweaks:

Seed your own Q&A. Yep, you can log into your personal Google account, ask a question, and then log into your business account to answer it. It might seem a little weird, but it's not and it's totally legit.

Use keywords in your answers. Just like your description or reviews, these answers are indexable by Google. That means adding phrases like “branding for Iowa small businesses” is a smart move.

Your Website + Google Business Profile = Local SEO Dream Team

Think of your website and Google Business Profile as the dynamic duo of local SEO. Individually, they're awesome tools, but together they create a trustworthy online presence to both Google and potential customers.

Content Consistency : Here I am again with that word consistency. But seriously, it helps Google verify your business's legitimacy and improves your chances of appearing in local search results both in the local pack and google's general search results too.

Improved Local Rankings : A well-optimized website can boost your GBP's performance. For instance, linking your listing to your location-specific landing page on your website can improve relevance for local searches.

Increased Engagement Opportunities : Use your website to host a blog, share customer testimonials, and provide in-depth information about your services. Then, share snippets or highlights on your GBP through posts or updates, driving traffic between the two platforms.

Pro Tweaks:

Use Schema Markup: Implement local business schema on your website to help search engines understand your business's location and service. This gives google yet another avenue to connect the dots about who you are. Each website builder is different, so check with their help tools to find how to set it up.

Leverage GBP Insights : Monitor the analytics provided by your GBP to understand how customers find your listing. Use this data to inform your website content strategy, focusing on popular search terms and customer interests. Just go to the google maps app on your phone and tap the business tab and check out your listing's performance.

Small Tweaks, Big Wins .

These tweaks are such simple things that you can work through to make you business pull ahead of most of the businesses in your area who set it and forget it.

Take 15 minutes this week and log into your profile. Update your hours. Post a quick offer. Add one new photo. Respond to a review you’ve been putting off. It's never to late!

Your Business Deserves to Be Found Online! Fill out my contact form to schedule a free consultation to explore how an SEO-optimized website can drive local business growth and visibility in your Iowa community.

Your designer friend always,

DID YOU KNOW GOOGLE HAS A FREE MARKETING KIT? LEARN MORE >

Canva-Flodesk Integration: Effortlessly Edit & Sync Your Emails

Fri, 02 May 2025 20:23:02 GMT

I only share about companies that I truly believe in. Some of the links in this content are affiliate links. I am a Flodesk Partner, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them.

You may have seen my recent post about how I built my email list from zero with Flodesk. Well, I'm baaaa-aaack to let you know about a new feature I'm loving that just came out in my favorite email platform.

And I'm obsessed.

Toggling back and forth between platforms is kind of my life as a brand and website strategist . I hate to think about how many different times I go from one thing to another throughout my workday. So when Flodesk and Canva went ahead and made one less step where I don't need to download my designs and then upload them to Flodesk...needless to say, I was thrilled!

Now, you can create stunning email designs in Canva , then sync them directly into Flodesk ( the best email platform for small business entrepreneurs) and make real-time edits all within the same workflow . This integration is a dream for we business owners who need to save time without sacrificing the quality of our marketing materials.

So, let's take a look at the the one integration I didn't think I needed...but now can't live without, shall we?

Why You’ll Love the Canva-Flodesk Integration

Better Brand Consistency

OK, are you really surprised that this is #1 on my list? �� Consistent visuals and messaging is the key to providing the best brand experience, especially when building relationships with your audience. With Canva's brand kit and Flodesk’s email templates, you can ensure your emails are not only visually on-brand but also reflect your brand’s personality . Whether you’re using Canva’s pre-built templates or designing from scratch, the integration allows you to maintain a high level of professionalism and brand consistency which is so important for developing audience trust.

Save Time and Storage Space

For anyone who has spent time editing designs, uploading them to a different platform, and then tweaking them over and over again, you know it can not only be a time-suck, but a serious detriment to your computer's downloads folder. (File Storage Beware!) The Canva-Flodesk integration removes that extra hassle by allowing you to edit your designs directly in Canva and sync them straight into Flodesk, without any manual downloading or uploading. It's awesome!

Easier Collaboration

If you have a team or collaborate with designers, this integration is a game-changer. Designers can create email graphics in Canva, and team members can access them instantly in Flodesk for email scheduling and automation. The ability to sync designs instantly means that everyone stays on the same page and there are fewer chances for mistakes or miscommunication.

>>> Try Flodesk at THIS LINK . No credit card required! If you love it and decide you want to start utilizing this and other amazing Flodesk features you'll get 50% off your first year of Flodesk with code "STUDIOADESIGNS"

How to Setup & Use the Canva-Flodesk Integration

Using this integration is SO simple, but first, you'll need to connect your Canva and Flodesk accounts.

Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Connect Canva to Flodesk

Log into your Flodesk account and go to the "Settings" section.
Find the Integrations tab and select Canva .
Follow the prompts to sign in to your Canva account and grant the necessary permissions.

Step 2: Create Your Design in Canva

Once your accounts are connected, you can start creating your email design directly in Canva . Canva offers thousands of templates designed specifically for email headers, banners, and full email layouts, but you can also design custom content from scratch.

Choose your design size based on your email layout needs (Flodesk supports the standard email width, but you can also create custom sizes).
Customize your design with images, logos, and text that reflect your brand’s personality.

Step 3: Sync Your Design in Flodesk

After you’ve completed your design, you can easily send it to Flodesk.

Go back to your Flodesk account and insert an image into the body of the email
Choose insert from Canva and choose your design

Step 4: Edit as Needed between Canva and Flodesk

After you’ve inserted your image you'll have the ability to go back and forth effortlessly from Canva to Flodesk, and from Flodesk back to Canva again with a few clicks.

Step 5: Test, Send or Automate

Once you've tweaked and your email is designed and ready to go, it’s time to either send it immediately or schedule it to send at the optimal time. Flodesk also allows you to automate your emails, so if you’re running a workflow campaign or nurturing your leads, this integration makes it easy to stay consistent with your email marketing.

Designer Tips for Maximizing the Flodesk-Canva Integration

Now that you're familiar with how the Canva-Flodesk integration works, I've got a few pro tips that'll help you make the most of this powerful integration.

Don't Create Emails That Are ONLY Images

Relying solely on images can hurt your email performance. Text dominant emails are more accessible and have a better delivery rate! Think of this integration like using images to compliment your message, not replace it.

Optimize for Mobile

While you're designing, check the mobile view to ensure your design is mobile-friendly and any text included on your graphics are readable and look great on all screen sizes. Since a majority of email opens happen on mobile devices, always preview and test your emails on mobile and desktop before hitting send.

Use Flodesk's Brand Setup & Canva's Brand Kit

If you haven't already, set up your brand in Flodesk and Canva. It's a huge timesaver...plus, you guessed it....to keep your emails AND brand graphics as on-brand as possible.

Don't Overcomplicate Your Design

Simplicity is key when it comes to email design. While Canva offers a lot of design options, remember, you're email's purpose is to connect with your audience. Avoid using too many elements in your graphics that may distract from your message or CTA. A cluttered email can confuse your audience and dilute your brand's impact.

Test & Preview

I know I already said this, but before sending your email, preview it in Flodesk, and send test emails to confirm your email looks great in the hands of your people. It's always good to double check how the design appears in the emails when they are actually delivered versus how they look in Flodesk.

Ready to Try Flodesk For Your Small Business Brand?

The new Canva-Flodesk integration makes it so much easier and faster to create professional, branded emails without jumping between platforms. Whether you’re a solopreneur or part of a team, this feature is a must-try for anyone looking to streamline their email marketing efforts.

By syncing your Canva designs directly with Flodesk, you can save time, improve consistency, and create emails that look great!

If you start growing with the most on-brand email platform on the market, T ry Flodesk free for 14 days! No credit card required, just beautifully simple email marketing that actually works.

Your designer friend always,

Why Local Branding is Your Business Superpower

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 18:25:16 GMT

Running a small business in Iowa, there are differences about this place that you probably don’t think about every day. We talk about the weather, we buy sweet corn out of trucks, we wave at strangers in our cars because, well… we’re friendly like that.

And in a place like Iowa, where relationships drive referrals, your brand has the power to connect on a whole different level. Whether serving a close-knit rural town or making waves in a bigger city, your connection to your community is your greatest strength.

This is where the magic of local branding comes in.

How to Turn Local Pride into Your Biggest Brand Advantage

Let’s break down how to make this whole local branding thing a little bit easier for yourself. These next steps will help you build a brand that feels right for you in your area without blending in, but standing out among other local businesses and the big box stores.

What is Local Branding, Anyway?

Local branding, simply put, is how a business builds a strong, familiar face within its specific geographic community. It’s showing up more like a neighbor than a business on the block.

Does local branding mean you have to be native to the area and someone who grew up in your community to utilize local branding?

Absolutely not!

No matter your background, you’ll need to understand the emotional connection to the area, the culture, and the connection points that make up your ideal client.

A local brand is also more than a logo , too. It encompasses the tone of your messaging, the kind of photos you use, consistency in showing up, your collaborations with other local businesses, your presence out in the community, and even how you show up in local search results.

Local branding goes deep. It connects with the people right around you in a way that feels real, relatable, and deeply rooted.

When done well, local branding makes your business feel like the one people think of first and trust the most, even over the big box stores.

While all branding (big city or small town) aims to build recognition and trust, local branding has its own flavor. Here’s how it stacks up against more widespread branding:

What are the Benefits of Local Branding?

Your Brand Feels Like “One of Us”

Whether your business is in a small town where friendly folks wave from their front porch or a busy street in Des Moines where your connections happen through outdoor festivals and farmers’ markets, branding that reflects where you live and work builds trust. You’re not some faceless company. You’re the business people talk about at the soccer field or recommend in their neighborhood Facebook group.

People Remember the Familiar

When your brand includes real clients, real stories, and visuals that feel grounded in real life, it sticks. Maybe it's the way your copy sounds like something your audience would actually say, or the way your photos reflect your day-to-day. That sense of familiarity makes people feel like they know you—and that’s powerful.

You Can Infuse Maximum Personality

Local branding lets you show up as you . Quirks, charm, and warmth are the difference between sounding like a corporate script and sounding like an actual human. Whether your unique brand leans more casual, cozy, witty, or bold, your brand voice can connect with your community and stand out at the same time.

You Don’t Need a Massive Budget

When your brand is rooted in your community, word-of-mouth works harder. People naturally want to support the businesses they connect with, especially when you’re consistently showing up with clear messaging, a recognizable look, and content that speaks directly to local life. Visibility grows, trust deepens, and you didn’t have to run a single ad to get there.

You Become a Brand People Want to Support

When your brand feels like a trustworthy neighbor rather than just another option, people root for you. You’re not just a florist, or a baker, or a contractor, you’re their go-to person. That kind of loyalty is gold, and local branding is how you earn it. Customers know that when they support local businesses, they aren’t just buying a product or service; they’re helping support families, fuel local growth, and keep their favorite spots thriving. Your brand becomes part of something bigger, and people feel good being part of it, too.

Local Iowa Business Owner? Binge These 6 Local Podcasts for Well-Rounded Inspiration

How to Tap Into Local Branding for Your Business

Know Your People – Like, Actually Know Them

You might think you have a picture of your “ideal client” in your head, but have you really thought about the deep emotional reasons in their life for why they would choose you? Have you thought about what they deeply care about? What makes them proud to shop with you? What they fear? What they stand up for? The more you understand the appeal you need to become a local destination, the easier it is to create a brand that feels like it belongs to the customers you want walking into your store or inquiring with you on your website.

Make Your Visuals Resonate

Local branding doesn’t mean you need to plaster your town's water tower on your website or design a logo with a kitchy corner-store aesthetic (unless that’s your vibe - then go for it). Think subtle nods: a typeface that feels approachable, photography that captures the real people behind your brand, etc. You can still look modern, refined, AND belong right here. The goal is to create visuals that resonate with your local audience without sacrificing your style.

Uncover your Local Wow-Factor

Every small business has that thing . There is some unique detail, story, or vibe that makes people say, “Oh, I love them.” Maybe it’s the way you talk, the personal touches in your service, or the fact that you’re the only business in town doing what you do (and doing it well). Fill in the blank… “My brand is the only local business that ________.” Maybe you’re the only one with a bold, modern aesthetic. Maybe you specialize in a niche nobody else is touching. Whatever it is, that’s your wow-factor —and it deserves a front seat in your branding.

Be Findable, Online and Off

If people can’t find your info in under 15 seconds, they’re heading somewhere else. (Rude, but true.) Local SEO can do some heavy lifting, but you need to meet it halfway: Make sure your Google Business Profile is set up and clean with up-to-date hours, your website includes location-specific keywords, and you’re listed in local directories. If you have a thriving chamber of commerce in your area, consider joining. Don’t stop there! Showing up in real life—on community boards, at events, or through local sponsorships creates more “oh hey, I’ve heard of you” moments.

Tell the Stories Only You Can Tell

This is a favorite of mine. You can become an advocate for your community by sharing customer wins, local shoutouts for other businesses, or behind-the-scenes moments that show your wow-factor. Your community is full of stories , and when you tie your brand into them, even just by sharing what other local brands are doing, you become part of the story too.

Why Local Branding is Your Superpower

Here’s the thing: You’ve got something those widespread brands don’t —real nurturing relationships and a brand that can show up like a neighbor, not just a name.

Local branding helps you build trust faster and connect on a level that no slick ad campaign can touch. When you show up with clarity, consistency, personality, and a strong sense of place, you’re not just running a business—you’re creating a brand people care about.

That’s your superpower.

Related Blogs for Local Brands

〰️ How Much Brand Strategy Does an Iowa Small Business Really Need?
〰️ How Your Business Impacts Branding, Website & SEO Strategy
〰️ 5 Reasons You Need Branding, Even If You Don’t Need More Customers
〰 ️ DIY SEO for Your Small Business Website: YES, You can Do it Yourself!
〰 ️ Freebies Galore! Check out all these freebies for small businesses just like yours!

Your designer friend always,

My Top Marketing Books Recommendations For Small Business Brands

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 04:59:57 GMT

If you're anything like me , (and I'm guessing you are since you landed here ��) you're constantly learning. From courses, reels, podcasts, and those late-night scrolls through your favorite creators’ tips, there is certainly no shortage of information overload.

But my forever go-to is �� books.

Especially the ones that help small business owners (like you and me) build brands that actually connect and grow.

When I started my small business, I started reading all sorts of books to learn what building a business and strong brand looks like and since then, I keep coming back to a list of favorites that I truly believe EVERY business owner needs.

Now before you eye roll at yet another business book list from someone on the internet... hear me out.

This isn’t a list you’ll find in a generic roundup. It’s tailored for real-deal small biz owners trying to build something meaningful.

While I stand by what I said and believe that every business owner could benefit from these reads, I do think it’s important to qualify a few of these to help you make a strategic reading decision.

Because let’s face it: your time is valuable and it would be impossible for you to read every single business book out there.

My hope with this list is to help you use your time wisely and pick the books that make the most sense for YOU!

As I present this list, you won’t just find the name, author, and brief description. Instead, you’ll find who it is and who it is NOT for so you can build your book bucket list with ease!

6 Book Recommendations For Small Business Branding and Marketing

Building a Story Brand | Donald Miller

WHO THIS IS FOR: if you’re new to the whole branding thing and haven’t ever spent much time building your brand's story strategically with your customer in mind, this book is a MUST!

WHO THIS IS NOT FOR: already have a strongly identified brand that your audience connects to? You can probably skip this one! It’s still a great read, but you may find that your time is best spent elsewhere.

___

I’ll be honest… it’s hard to be in the business or branding world without hearing someone talk about this book at least once.

And as a brand strategist myself that’s all for making sure your story is inundated throughout your brand messaging, I have to agree!

In case you’re unfamiliar, in Building a Story Brand, Donald Miller introduces a framework based on the concept of the hero's journey, where the customer is the hero and your brand plays the role of the guide.

He emphasizes the importance of clearly communicating how your product or service can help customers solve their problems or achieve their goals.

The book outlines seven key elements for creating a compelling brand story, including identifying the customer's problem, presenting a clear solution, and inviting customers into a journey where your brand serves as a guide.

Miller's approach aims to simplify marketing messages, making them more engaging and effective by speaking directly to the customer's needs and desires.

MARKETING MADE SIMPLE | Donald Miller

WHO THIS IS FOR: if you’ve built your brand based on the Story Brand principles and want to take your marketing funnel a step further with all of those things in mind, I’d highly suggest this one!

WHO THIS IS NOT FOR: if you’re confident in your marketing funnels and already have something in place that’s WORKING, you may not need this one.

___

Following the iconic Story Brand book, Donald Miller has another great read – Marketing Made Simple.

This book serves as a practical guide that builds upon the concepts introduced in the book above.

So essentially, don’t read this one UNTIL you’ve read that one!

Marketing Made Simple focuses on implementing a clear and effective marketing strategy using a straightforward framework that Miller simply calls the Marketing Funnel which consists of five stages: awareness, engagement, subscription, conversion, ascension.

In the book, he emphasizes the importance of clear communication, identifying your customer's needs, and positioning your brand as the guide that can help your audience achieve their goals.

It’s filled with practical advice, templates, and strategies so you can effectively implement each stage of the marketing funnel, making it easier for you to create and execute successful marketing campaigns.

STORIES THAT STICK | KINDRA HALL

WHO THIS IS FOR: if you know that you need to implement more storytelling into your marketing strategy and messaging, but don’t know HOW, this book is a great starting point.

WHO THIS IS NOT FOR: already a master at storytelling? I love that for you! You could skip this one.

___

Storytelling has been the name of the marketing game for years and I don’t see that trend dying anytime soon.

People are over the faceless brands that post aesthetic carousels and tweet graphics non-stop.

Instead, they want REAL human connection. They want to know the person behind the screen on a deeper level.

This is why building your brand with storytelling in mind is so important!

This book explores the power of storytelling as a tool for communication, connection, and influence. She presents a framework to help individuals and businesses harness the compelling nature of stories to enhance their messaging.

Throughout the book, you'll learn the real impact of stories, how to identify your stories, storytelling techniques, applications of storytelling , and the power of connection.

Overall, this book serves as a guide for you to harness the persuasive and engaging nature of storytelling, helping you craft narratives that leave a lasting impact on your audience.

The Brand Flip | Marty Neumeier

WHO THIS IS FOR: if you’ve ever felt like your audience just isn’t connecting with your content or your brand as a whole, it may be time to reconsider your approach and this book can help you get started with just that!

WHO THIS IS NOT FOR: if you’ve already worked to make sure that your customers and audience are front and center of your brand, great job! You may not need this read – although, it’s still incredibly valuable and could serve as a great reminder to keep doing what you’re doing.

___

The Brand Flip by Marty Neumeier explores the evolving nature of branding in the digital age and the shift from traditional branding strategies to a more customer-centric approach.

I LOVE this book because he demonstrates such a huge and important shift for how business works in this day and age.

It’s less about what YOU love as the business, but more about how your AUDIENCE perceives it.

(The technical term for this is “brand perception” and that’s another blog post for another day!)

Overall, the book emphasizes the importance of understanding and engaging with your customers, creating exceptional customer experiences, and building relationships based on trust and authenticity.

All things that might sound pretty obvious, but are actually commonly overlooked when people are building their brands.

Essentially, he encourages you to shift your focus from a company-centered approach to a customer-centered mindset and let that guide all that you do!

The ONE-PAGE MARKETING PLAN | ALLAN DIB

WHO THIS IS FOR: if you’re just starting out in business and are overwhelmed with all of the ways to market OR feel like you’ve been trying different things, but nothing is working, this book can help you start from scratch, evaluate your goals, and create a one-page, simple to understand plan that you can easily implement.

WHO THIS IS NOT FOR: if you’ve been in business for awhile and feel like you have a pretty good grip on your marketing and your efforts are already working, you can probably keep doing what you’re doing without this book!

___

As a business owner, there’s a LOT that you have to figure out on your own. Most of us didn’t go to business school or major in entrepreneurship, which means that half the time, we’re just guessing and hoping that something sticks.

While this approach can be perfectly fine when you’re just starting out – after all, we all have to start somewhere – as you continue to grow, you want to make sure that you’re making intentional, informed, and strategic decisions especially when it comes to your marketing.

If you’re stuck on what a marketing plan should look like for you, The One-Page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib simplifies the process of creating a comprehensive marketing strategy into a single, easy-to-understand document.

It starts by helping you define your ideal customer (commonly referred to as your ICA) and then focuses on identifying what makes your product or service stand out from competitors.

The book covers various marketing channels and strategies, providing guidance on choosing the most suitable ones for YOUR target audience and budget.

It also dives into converting leads into customers, retaining them, budgeting for marketing efforts, and tracking key metrics for assessing campaign effectiveness.

Throughout the book, you’ll get practical exercises and actionable steps to assist in developing your one-page marketing plan.

COMPANY OF ONE | PAUL JARVIS

WHO THIS IS FOR: if you have the desire to stay a “one man show” and receive affirmation that you can still grow with this approach, this book is a MUST read!

WHO THIS IS NOT FOR: if you know that you desire to have a large company with team members, this book may not be the best fit.

And last but not least because I think this one might be my absolute favorite from this list, Company of One by Paul Jarvis.

When you find yourself in the business world, you may be caught in between the dilemma of, “do I keep doing this solo or do I build a team?”

And there’s no right or wrong answer. Depending on your goals and vision, a team might be something you need to grow.

But if you really love being a solopreneur who utilizes contractors instead of hiring employees, this book is a GREAT resource!

In his book, Jarvis challenges the belief that bigger is always better in business and instead suggests that intentionally staying small can lead to success – despite what the world sometimes makes us believe.

He explores how small businesses and solopreneurs can achieve sustainable growth , emphasizing efficiency, adaptability, and profitability without the pressure to constantly expand.

The book encourages aligning your business goals with personal values, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and finding fulfillment in running a business that prioritizes quality over sheer size.

Overall, it's a guide advocating for a more deliberate, purpose-driven approach to business, focusing on sustainable growth and happiness in work.

My hope is that this book list guides you into choosing the next read that will serve you best.

The reality is that we’re all at different stages in our business, which means we all need different things.

No one book list fits all, so take what you need and leave the rest.

And if you’re in search of consistent reading concerning branding, websites, and small business, you’re in the right place – click here to binge my blog and subscribe to the A-List to be the first to know when a new post is published.

Happy reading! ��

Your designer friend always,

Creative Ways to Generate the Best Name for Your Business

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 14:33:19 GMT

Naming a business is hard . There are a lot of things to consider, and the pressure of getting it right…it’s almost unbearable. As a creative business owner, you want something catchy but not cheesy, original but not confusing, and memorable without sounding like you tried too hard.

Oh, and it also needs to stand out, build trust, and make people instantly get what you do.

No pressure, right? ��

It makes sense why we obsess over this decision. Your business name is your first impression and you don’t want to screw up. After all, the hope is that your name will spread like wildfire as people rave about you to their friends.

Struggling to Name Your Business? Try These Creative Approaches.

You and I both know that you don’t want to be explaining or apologizing for a bad business name five years from now. That would stink. So, I’m here to help you with some creative ways to generate a name for your small business.

The “Secret Sauce” for a Strong Business Name

Let’s break down how to make this whole naming process feel a little more manageable. I’ve got a few ingredients to keep in mind as you start brainstorming. Come back to these as you begin narrowing your list because this is a process, my biz friend.

Differentiated & Unique

I might be stating the obvious here, but it must be said. Your name needs to stand out , not blend in. This is why this whole creative process is so important.

Before you fall in love with a name, do a little research on your competitors.

You don’t want to be the third business in town with “Blue Sky” in the name, even if they are in a different industry. Your audience will feel how generic that name is if they already associate it with another business. Plus, they might mix you up with them, and you’ll have to work twice as hard to stand out.

It also helps to avoid names that feel generic, corporate, or overdone. Ya know, the ones that sound like they were pulled from the “Business Name Generator 101” list?

Cliche/overused business names to think twice about:

Next Level Fitness: Next level to what?
First Choice Consulting: If you have to say it, is it actually true?
Royal Solutions: Are you really serving royalty? What solutions are you offering?
Johnson & Associates: Is this a marketing firm, a consulting agency, or a law firm? Does it tell anyone what you do?

Instead, aim for something fresh, distinct, and true to your brand.

Easy to Say, Spell & Remember

If people can’t say it, spell it, or remember it, they definitely will not be recommending it to anyone else.

True fact: simple names stick!

Try this: Say your business name out loud. Try saying the name and introducing your brand to a friend. How does it sound when you say it? Does it feel forced?

Sticking to around 5-7 syllables as you brainstorm is a good rule of thumb. Too many consonants or complex words can trip people up.

Aligns with the Brand You Envision

Your business name should feel like you. It should match your mission, values, and overall brand personality. A strong and strategic brand creates an emotional connection between you and your audience, which can be instantly felt.

Ask Yourself:

If your brand personality is bold and energetic, does your name reflect that?
If your business is about trust and professionalism, does it sound credible?
If you're a fun and quirky brand , is your name packed with personality?

Scalable & Stands the Test of Time

It’s tempting to name your business based on how it looks and feels today, but your brand will likely evolve . A name that’s too specific or limiting can cause trouble later. Picture your business 10 years from now. Do you still love the name? Does it make sense?

A future-proof name gives your business room to grow while still making sense right now .

Popular Business Naming Strategies

Coming up with the perfect business name can be a mix of creativity, strategy, and a little bit of luck . Here are a few different types of business names you could explore to get the creative juices flowing.

Descriptive & Literal

A descriptive and literal name instantly communicates what you offer and what your business does.

Zero guesswork is required.

It’s straightforward, clear, leaves no question in a person’s mind about what you do, and is easy to remember.

Examples of Descriptive & Literal Names

Sunnyside Bakery: A bakery specializing in breakfast pastries - clear and inviting.
Elite Auto Repair: Communicates quality and service in three words.
CultureBuild: A business consultant who helps shape and strengthen business culture.

〰️ Strategy Tip: If you end up going with a literal name, consider adding a unique touch to make it more memorable. For example, Gold Spoon Gelato works for a luxurious twist on a typical ice cream shop. Wild Mane Salon works for a bold/edgy hair stylist.

Invented or Blended Words

Some of the most iconic brands out there aren’t actual real words. Think Google, Verizon, Spotify. Instead of using a straight-up descriptive name, you can get creative by blending words, tweaking spellings or just plain making something up.

Creative mashups of words can set your business apart, make it memorable, and it can be easier to trademark.

Examples of Invented or Blended Words

Netflix : blend of “internet” & “flicks”
Shopify: blend of “shop” & “simplify”
Groupon: blend of “group” & “coupon”
Lululemon: Just a fun made-up word

〰️ Strategy Tip: Don’t overcomplicate. If it doesn’t roll off your tongue or requires too much time or explanation for someone to “get it,” it’s likely not the right fit.

Personification & Character-Driven Names

Sometimes, a name isn’t just a name. It’s a character with a story.

Personification and character-driven names bring so much life and personality to a brand, product, or even an inanimate object (like a Volkswagen bus ). These names make things feel familiar, nostalgic, and full of charm.

Examples of Personification & Character-Driven Names

Mailchimp: Uses a monkey mascot to make email marketing friendly and fun
Siri: Personified as a voice assistant with a name that sounds like a human
Dahlia Darling: A Volkswagen bus with playful vintage charm ( CHECK OUT THIS BRAND HERE )

〰️ Strategy Tip: If you’re using personification, lean into it. Personification works best when you want a brand that feels alive, relatable, and fun .

Geographical/Location-Based

A geographic business name ties your brand to a specific place, making it locally centric to the culture and history.

So, if you want your business to scream, “We’re local and proud of it,” these names can anchor your brand, making it instantly recognizable in your community and building big-time trust with the locals.

Examples of Geographical or Location-Based Names

Iowa Taproom: A brewpub with Iowa-sourced beer and food
Ames Chiropractic: Chiropractic care for residents of Ames, Iowa
Heart of Iowa Marketplace: Gift shop featuring Iowa-made products and gift baskets.
Ames Bottle & Can: Do I need to explain this? �� Bottle and Can Redemption in Ames, Iowa. ( CHECK OUT THIS BRAND HERE )

〰️ Strategy Tip: Geographical names are a great option for certain businesses. Just make sure you are thinking ahead before you make that decision. If you think you might expand later, consider a name that hints more to a region and not a specific city.

Metaphorical or Symbolic Names

Names with underlying meanings can spark curiosity, which is exactly the kind of intrigue you want from your ideal client.

A metaphorical or symbolic name may tell a deeper story that evokes emotions and imagery.

Examples of Metaphorical or Symbolic Names

Nike: Greek Goddess of Victory, perfect for an athletic brand
Amazon: Symbolizes big, bold and ever-expanding, just like the business
Newpoint Law Firm: Symbolizes a fresh start to help clients move forward in the right direction with a clear-pointed focus ( CHECK OUT THIS BRAND HERE )
Tuneful Journey: Represents music, harmony and progress in growth and learning ( CHECK OUT THIS BRAND HERE )

〰️ Strategy Tip: When using metaphorical or symbolic names, align them with your brand’s mission and personality so the name tells a story about your brand. Does it inspire action or transformation or trust?

Founder-Based Names

Sometimes, the business name is the one you already have.

Yes, I’m talking about naming your business after your very own name.

Using your own name can make your business feel authentic and trustworthy. As long as you don’t plan on stepping away anytime soon (or rebranding later), it’s a great option.

Examples of Founder-Based Names

Ford Motor Company: Named after Henry Ford and still going strong
Joanna Gaines Interiors: Interior design firm with the iconic TV star
Virtually Brady: Virtual assistant for small businesses ( CHECK OUT HER BRAND HERE )

〰️ Strategy Tip: If you have a complicated or long name, consider shortening it to something more digestible, like your first name if you have a long last name or a nickname if your first name isn’t your favorite. If you want to grow, consider adding “& Co.” at the end of the name.

Creative Brainstorming Techniques

Mind Mapping

Grab a notebook, a whiteboard, or a voice recorder on your phone and head to your favorite coffee shop. Start with one core word that represents your business, and then let your mind start to wander. Write down LITERALLY every word that comes to your mind. Don’t overthink this step. There are no wrong answers.

Build a Word Bank

Narrowing down your favorite words from a long list or from your mind-mapping exercise can help you start to shape the feel of your brand. From those words, look up synonyms with a thesaurus. Find the definitions of your favorite words.

Trust me! Sometimes, a deeper meaning of a word can spark more ideas. You could even explore cultural associations like movies, books, or songs that connect with these words to see if they connect with the vibe you are going for or trigger more ideas.

Leverage Online Tools

If you’re feeling stuck, technology is your friend. A few free basic name-generation tools can be really helpful for inspiration in the beginning stages of the naming process.

Try these AI and business name generator tools to help get you started.

Namelix uses AI to generate modern (and even typeset/logoed ) names.

Namesnack spits out both names and domain availability so you don’t get too attached to a business name without making sure it also has a domain associated with it.
ChatGPT allows you to prompt it with as much information about your business as possible first, then you can ask it to provide you with a list of 20 business names. Continue prompting after the answers it provides to refine your list.

If you like having a lot of options, these tools spit out a bunch of words in a matter of seconds, so you’ll want to personalize it to fit your brand’s identity and long-term vision.

Step Away & Take a Break

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your brainstorming session is … walk away from it. Seriously!

After spending hours staring at words, it can easily make you feel stuck. That’s why stepping away for an hour or even a whole day can help clear your mind and allow ideas to surface naturally.

Some of your best ideas could pop up in the shower, while driving, or my favorite, right before bed. Be ready to capture them with a notebook voice note or text yourself in the moment.

Check Availability & Legal Stuff

You’ve brainstormed, tested, and fallen in love with your business name—but don’t forget to make sure it's legally yours before you slap it on business cards and websites .

Hold your naming list loosely until you complete this step. There are so many businesses and registered names.

Domain & Social Media Handles

To check online availability, try these tools.

Namechk.com checks domain and social media handles in one go.
Namecheap.com helps you find out if your preferred .com is available.
Look up @YourBrandName on the social platforms you want to use to confirm availability. Don't force weird spellings if your exact name isn’t available. If @newpoint isn’t available, just try adding a relevant word like @newpointlaw instead.

Business Registration & Trademarks

If you’re serious about protecting your brand, check for trademarks before you commit:

Your State’s Business Registry: See if the name is taken locally.
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: Search for existing trademarks at USPTO.gov .
Hire a Trademark Attorney: If you want long-term protection, consider legal help. Indie Law and Influencer Legal are both trademark lawyers.

Finalizing Your Business Name

You’ve brainstormed, tested, and fallen into the internet rabbit hole (we’ve all been there).

Now you’ve got a good list of name contenders you love.

So, how do you make the final call and confidently launch your brand into the world?

Here are some pointers to help you make that final decision.

Narrow Down Top 3-5 Contenders

By now, you should have a short list of business names that feel unique and memorable, align with your brand values (remember that emotional connection!), have available domains and social handles and pass the “Say it Out Loud” test.

Before committing, see how your top choices look and feel in action.

Say it in a sentence. “Hi, I’m [Your Name] from [Your Business Name]. Does it work? Does it sound easy and not forced?

Type it out. How does it look in an email signature, website URL, or Instagram handle?

Imagine it as a logo. Type it out in Canva and apply a typeface as a starting point. How could it look on a sign, a business card, or brand merchandise?

Trust your gut, and when you’ve found the perfect fit for your business, OWN IT! Success is just a matter of time.

Make it Official

Once you’ve chosen the one, don’t wait to lock it in!

Register Your Business Name with your state
Snatch up that domain and those social handles ASAP!
Consider trademarking if you plan to scale or want to protect your brand long-term.

Need Help with Naming and Branding? I’ve got you!

Feeling stuck on the naming? I can help! If you’ve gone through all the brainstorming exercises and still feel like nothing is clicking, it’s OK. As I said, naming a business can be overwhelming when you’re so close to it.

That’s why I offer business naming services as an add-on to my branding packages. If you need expert guidance, strategic and creative name ideas and someone to help you through the heavy lifting of launching your business brand, I’m here for you.

Your business name is the foundation of your brand, so let’s make sure it’s one you love! Book a free call HERE and let’s find a perfect name together.

Your designer friend always,

Brand Perception: How to Find & Fix Reputation Blind Spots

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 21:44:54 GMT

Last fall, I attended a networking event. As a solopreneur, walking into a room full of strangers alone can be intimidating, but I grabbed a bite to eat, made conversation, and ended up having a great time.

It wasn’t until hours later and probably over twenty or so interactions, that I came home and looked in the mirror and I saw it.

�� A giant piece of kale stuck in my front teeth.

And no one bothered to mention it to me. Not. One.

As you may know, my smile is quite teethy. There’s no way it went unseen.

Why didn’t anyone say anything?

That’s kind of how brand perception blind spots work. You think everything’s going fine until you realize people have been seeing your brand in a completely different way than you intended.

Let me ask you an honest question:

〰️ If I polled a random group of your customers and potential customers, what would they say about your brand?

〰️ Does this answer match what you want them to say?

If you're not 100% sure, or if those questions made you nervous, you’re in the right place.

I’m here to help you find ways to determine your brand's blind spots and uncover what people truly think about your brand (before it becomes a full-blown kale moment .)

How to Determine What People Really Think of Your Brand

Brand perception isn’t just what you want people to think about your brand. It’s what other people see, feel, say and experience when they interact with your business. It’s an immediate feeling the public has when they hear your business name, see your visuals or interact with your brand.

It’s that gut feeling people get when they:

Hear your business name
Scroll through your website
Interact with your content
Read your reviews
Work with you directly

Brand perception is shaped by your visuals, messaging, customer experience and even the way people talk about you when you aren’t in the room.

Simply put. It’s your brand’s reputation.

Reality Check: You Don’t Own Your Brand’s Perception

Yep, you heard me right-you don’t have control over your brand perception.

Your audience does. Because it’s based on their experiences and interactions with your brand.

Which is why it is so important to get right!

Just ask Taylor Swift! She allegedly pays her publicist millions a year to manage her brand perception.

So, the question is:

Does the way people see your brand match what you want them to see?

Why Brand Perception Matters

Brand perception has a direct impact on the success of your business.

Here is why it’s a big deal:

It Determines Whether People Choose You or Someone Else

As Seth Godin says: “People don’t just buy products or services, they buy relations, stories and magic.”

The way people perceive your brand determines whether they trust you, remember you and ultimately hire or buy from you.

It Affects Word-of-Mouth Reputation

If people have a strong, positive perception of your brand, they’ll shout your name from the rooftops. But if your brand is seen negatively, it can cost you in sales and valuable referrals.

It Impacts Your Pricing Power

Perceived value = actual value. If your brand is seen as high-end or premium, they expect to pay more. If they see inconsistency or uncertainty, they expect discounts.

It Shows What Needs Fixing

There’s absolutely no shame in course correcting . Like I said before, once you know you have kale stuck in your teeth, you can actually do something about it.

It Shapes Your Marketing (and Makes it Easier!)

Setting the tone, planning ahead, and aligning the perception you want with intention make your marketing efforts way more effective and then your brand perception improves.

Here’s the first bit of good news: If you follow these steps and find that your brand is already winning hearts, keep doing what you’re doing! You’re executing your brand well.

And here’s the second bit of good news: If you don’t get rave reviews, you can know your blind spots and do something to fix them.

Define How You Want to Be Perceived

Deciding your ideal brand perception is determined during brand strategy sessions with a brand expert or can be done on your own. Before you analyze what people currently think about your brand, take a step back and ask yourself a few questions.

What’s the Goal?

Do you want to be seen as premium and polished or approachable and relatable?
Do you want your brand to be known as no-fluff and direct or warm and supportive?

What do you want to be known for?

Do people immediately associate you with your strongest skills, services, or expertise?
Do they see you as an expert or thought leader in a niche or is that unclear?

Do a Gut Check: What do you Hope People Say About You?

If a past client was describing your brand to a friend , what do you hope they say?
If your brand were a person , in three words, describe what you would like them to be.

Get Inside Your Ideal Customer’s Head

Clearly, we’re not mind readers here (wouldn’t that be cool though?) But there are some very actionable ways you can uncover what people who experience your brand really see when they look at your business.

Let’s dig in!

Ask Direct questions (But in a Way that Gets Real Answers)

People love to be nice (especially in Iowa!), so you have to give them permission to be brutally honest.

Instead of asking, “What do you think of my brand?” try:

“What’s the first thing you’d trust me to help you with?”
“Would you describe me as an expert or a generalist?”
“If you didn’t hire me, what held you back?”

Social Listening (How People Describe Your Brand When You’re Not in the Room)

People are more honest when they don’t think you’re listening. The way people are talking about your brand on social media or to a friend is often more revealing than direct feedback.

Check these things:

Observe how people introduce your brand in public, in DMs or group chats. Are they describing you the way you want to be known for?
Look at your social media mentions. Are they saying things like “branding expert or just “she does branding.” Is the language consistent with your brand goals?

Read between the Reviews

Reviews, when read closely can reveal what’s not landing. If your strongest skills or key messages aren’t showing up, it’s a sign your branding isn’t as clear as you think.

Instead of just looking at what’s there, look for what’s missing.

Are customers mentioning your strongest skills? If not, they may not see them as your strengths and they aren’t being showcased enough.
Are compliments actually red flags? If people say you’re affordable but you want to be seen as premium, there’s a branding issue.

Analytics Don’t Lie

Your website and social media tell a story about your brand, but is it the right one?

A quick look at your analytics can reveal if your messaging is attracting the right people or leaving them confused.

Look at your website bounce rate. If people are leaving fast, your message or brand perception may not be resonating.
Check out your most-clicked pages. Are people engaging with what you want them to or are they ignoring the good stuff?
What keywords lead people to your site. Are they finding you for the right reasons?

Compare Yourself to the Competition (Your Audience Already Is!)

If you’re not intentionally differentiating yourself, your audience will lump you with everyone else.

Use your competition to your advantage by:

Seeing how your competitors position themselves. Do you sound exactly like them? If so you’re blending in.
Look at reviews and see what customers love/hate. Can you fill a gap that’s missing.
Check their visual brand. Would someone struggle to remember who is who between your competitors?

Do the “Stranger Test” (See Your Brand With Fresh Eyes)

You’re too close to your brand to see it objectively. A fresh perspective can really tell you if people are getting lost or confused.

Let a stranger be your compass.

Find someone who has never heard of your brand. Show them your website, brand and social media for 5 seconds and then ask what they think you do.
If their answer is off, your brand is not clear.

Fixing Brand Perception Gaps/Blind Spots

What happens if you uncover that your brand perception isn’t what you’d hoped? Maybe customers see you as cheap when you want to be premium, generic when you want to be unique, or confusing when you want to be clear.

Pinpoint the biggest disconnect

Before you fix anything, you need to figure out the things people are misunderstanding about your brand.

Ask Yourself:

“What are people misunderstanding about my brand?”
“Where am I seeing consistent feedback or confusion?”
“Does my brand (emotional connection, messaging, visuals and customer experience) match the reputation I want?”

For example: If a business coach wants to be seen as a high-level strategist , but her audience perceives her as a business mentor like the rest of the coaches out there, she knows now that she needs to refine her messaging to highlight her unique frameworks and strategic depth .

Refine Your Messaging

If your ideal audience doesn’t see your brand the way you intended, you might not be saying it plainly, clearly, or often enough.

Ask Yourself:

“Can I more consistently communicate what I want to be known for? What schedule could I keep for this?”
“Am I using strong, and intentional language to shape the perception I want? Could I be b older or with more of a hook ?”
“Are my brand statements (Mission, Positioning, and Values) strong enough, and are they actually communicated through the messaging?”

For example: I f a business coach wants to be seen as a high-level strategist , but her audience perceives her as a business mentor like the rest of the coaches out there, she needs to refine her messaging to highlight her unique frameworks and strategic depth . Updating the messaging on each of her offers and sharing high-level case studies instead of beginning tips will reflect premium positioning.

Upgrade Your Visual Brand (Because Looks Matter)

Your logo, color palette, website and overall aesthetic need to give the right visual message immediately before they read a single word.

Ask yourself:

“Do my visuals match the level of professionalism or uniqueness I want to convey?”
“Does my website look and feel like my brand’s personality?”
“If I raised my prices tomorrow would I feel confident that my visual brand could back it up?”

For example: If a photographer wants to be seen as a luxury wedding photographer , but her DIY website and inconsistent Instagram feed make her look like a budget-friendly option, she can invest in a high-end, sophisticated website, cohesive branding, and a polished Instagram aesthetic that aligns with the experience she offers.

Improve the Customer Experience

Brand perception isn’t about what you have to say about your brand, it’s what people actually experience when they interact with you.

Ask yourself:

“Do I make working with me smooth, easy, and professional ?”
“Are my clients or customers ever confused, frustrated, or feeling lost in the process?”
“Do I need to add more clarity, automation, or follow-up touchpoints ?”

For example: If an online clothing boutique wants to be known for high-quality, premium fashion , but customers are frustrated with long shipping times and lack of order updates. They could consider adding automated order tracking and premium packaging that reflects the brand’s high-end positioning.

Get More Social Proof & Showcase It (Let Others Shape Your Reputation)

If you want people to see your brand differently, let your customers and clients do the talking for you.

Ask yourself:

“Do I have strong testimonials that reinforce my expertise?”
“Are my best reviews showcasing the transformation and results I provide?”
“Am I actively collecting new social proof —or just relying on old feedback?”
“Can I frame questions that will help customers answer in the way I want my brand to be perceived?”

For example: If a marketing consultant wants to be known for helping small businesses grow revenue , but her testimonials only mention how “nice” and what a good listener she is, so she asks past clients to update their reviews with specific revenue increases, audience growth, or tangible results .

Stay Consistent and Be Patient (Brand Perception Takes Time to Shift)

Changing how people see your brand doesn’t happen overnight. Keep reinforcing the right message until it sticks.

Ask yourself:

“Am I consistently showing up with the same brand message across all channels?”
“Do I need to stop talking about things that don’t serve my positioning ?”
“Have I given this shift enough time , or am I expecting instant results?”

For example: If a candle brand wants to be seen as eco-conscious and sustainable, they will want to start eco-friendly sourcing as a key part of their branding, from website copy to packaging inserts and continually mention this in their messaging.

Perception versus Reality

Branding is what closes the gap between your vision & how the world sees you. It’s not just what you put out into the world, it’s how your audience receives it. If after doing some of these brand perception exercises and you feel there is a disconnect, the good news is, you can pivot!

Take the next step!

1️⃣ Define how you WANT to be seen.

2️⃣ Pick one way to gather real feedback this week.

3️⃣ Compare the results—and make small shift where needed.

Your brand isn’t just what you say it is. It’s what people believe it to be. Make sure those two things match!

Your designer friend always,

How Much Brand Strategy Does an Iowa Small Business Really Need?

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 15:38:49 GMT

When I started Studio A as a work-from-home Mom, my goal was simple: make a little money to support my family. Early on, I took on any project I could get through referrals. I didn’t have the budget or the time for marketing.

I did what many Iowa entrepreneurs do: I bootstrapped my way to Studio A with nothing but a DIY website, a logo made after bedtime, and a dream fueled by way too much coffee. It wasn’t perfect, but it taught me the power of showing up and making the most of what I had.

That same scrappy culture runs deep all over our great state. I’ve seen Iowans turn empty schoolhouses into beautiful wedding venues, old mason jars into charming centerpieces, and cornfields into backdrops for music festivals. That’s the kind of heart and grit it takes to be an Iowa small business owner, and that’s why I love it here.

But when it comes to branding, I’ve noticed something. Entrepreneurs are a little confuzzled (iykyk) about how much branding a small business actually needs.

Questions like these come up all the time during my complimentary consultation calls .

When is a logo enough? ( Hint: A logo is not a brand )
When do you need a visual identity beyond a logo?
And when is it right for your business to have a complete brand strategy?
How do my website, social media, and everything else fit into the bigger brand picture?

If these questions sound familiar, you're not alone. I’m here to help get some clarity about where your business stands in the branding process.

How Much Brand Strategy Does an Iowa Small Business Actually Need?

Whether you’re bootstrapping through a big idea or finally ready to go all-in, the question isn’t if your business needs brand strategy...it’s how much and when.

The DIY Iowa Small Business: When it Works

I admire and encourage DIY or low-cost beginnings. Some of my favorite clients started with a Canva logo, a DIY Squarespace website, or yes, even their cousin who’s “dabbling in the hobby of design.” (Gasp…I see you!��) If you’re in this stage, it's totally fine...hear me when I say...it’s often the smartest move.

Here are some solid reasons why starting small might be the right call:

You’re still figuring things out. It’s common to have a general idea of what you want to offer but aren’t 100% sure of the bigger picture, like what is going to work for you long-term. Why invest in big bucks when you’re still testing the waters?
You are experimenting with offerings. There’s a decent amount of trial and error in the early stages. Maybe you're testing out a few different products or services to see what resonates most. Until you know what sticks, a DIY approach gives you flexibility.
You don’t fully know the target audience. Figuring this out is a huge part of brand strategy, but sometimes, it’s hard to pinpoint when you're just starting. You may have an idea, but it may feel more like a guess than a strategy at this early stage.
You need something quick. Sometimes, just looking like you’ve got it together is enough. Plus, when you’re launching, there’s a lot to juggle, and you may just need something that looks professional to help you get your name out there.

Starting small with DIY branding can set the foundation to learn and grow at your own pace. Once you've been in business for a few years though and the time comes to level up and invest in professional strategy and visuals, you can be in a stronger position to make those decisions with clarity and confidence.

If the thought of creating your own logo and website makes you break out in a cold sweat, keep reading. My Visual Brand Starter package is a great alternative for businesses that want a polished look from day one without the commitment of a full brand strategy.

When It’s Time to Invest in Professional Branding

Small business brands often struggle to connect with their audience and grow due to a mix of internal and external factors. Whether it’s playing it safe or lacking emotional connection, your existing (or non-existent) brand might be holding you back from making real progress.

Here are some signs your business might need more than your existing brand or DIY visuals.

You are not interested in starting small. Small can be good for some businesses when they are ready to launch, so they can get their feet wet and not grow too quickly. But this isn't every business's goal. If you are ready to scale quickly, a professional brand strategy is a great way to establish credibility, clarity and vision right away and leave a fabulous first impression.
You’re overly confident in DIY solutions. Amateurish branding and cookie-cutter templates that lack personality can feel cheap or unoriginal, undermining credibility.
You’re afraid of real authenticity. Playing it safe is the quickest way to alienate customers. Your story, values, and unique voice make your brand stand out, but if you’re afraid to embrace them, it’s a missed opportunity.
You want to grow but feel stuck. If sales and engagement have plateaued, it might not be your offerings—it could be your brand. Without emotional connection and clarity, it’s hard for customers to trust and engage with you.
People don’t understand what you offer. If your services or products have evolved, but your brand hasn’t kept up, you’re likely confusing your audience. A professional brand can help clarify and communicate what you offer.
Your visuals are inconsistent. Mismatched visuals, templates from various sources, fonts, and design elements scream inconsistency, which can cause brand confusion. Customers may not trust a brand that looks like it’s still figuring itself out.
You blend in with competitors . If you act and look just like your competitors or try to be everything to everyone, your brand's impact will be diluted. A strong brand sets you apart in the sea of “sameness” and attracts the right customers.

Recognizing these signs is the first step. If you see your business in any of these scenarios, consider working with a professional to create a cohesive, strategic brand that helps you grow with confidence.

Ways Studio A Can Help Your Iowa Small Business Brand

No matter where your business is on its journey —just getting off the ground or ready to scale to the next level—branding closes the gap between your vision and how the world sees you.

From professional visual branding to in-depth strategy sessions, let’s find the perfect starting point to tell your story and connect with the right audience.

Option 1: Visual Brand Starter

If you’re just getting started and need polished visuals that scream 'professional' without blowing your budget, the Visual Brand Starter is for you. In just 4–6 weeks, we’ll get your brand up and running with a cohesive, standout visual identity that lays the foundation for future growth.

The Visual Brand Starter includes: Logo Suite / Logo Icon / Typography / Color Story / Pattern / Mini Style Guide

Here’s a peek inside Studio A’s Visual Brand Starter:

We start with a detailed questionnaire and kick-off call to discuss your local business. We will look at some examples of visual inspiration, and I’ll get your feedback to ensure we are on the same page with your visuals.
I translate all we’ve discussed into a visual identity that you & your audience will connect with.
I send over the concept so you can review it and provide feedback.
Once everything is approved and completed, I will send your final package. This package includes your mini guide with color builds, typography specifications, other visual guidelines, and a link to your final art files, which you can start using for your new brand.

Studio A Client Example - Starting Slow

A young mom with a growing Instagram following came to me wanting to represent her brand professionally without rushing her growth. The Visual Brand Starter gave her the polished identity she needed to feel confident about her next steps.

Option 2: Signature Brand Strategy

For businesses ready to take it to the next level, the Signature Brand Strategy has a full-service, in-depth approach; this package is for those who want to connect deeply with their audience and build a brand for long-term growth and loyalty.

The Signature Brand Strategy includes: 1:1 strategy sessions / research / analogies / purpose findings / tone of voice / 'local wow factor' / key phrase statements / messaging examples / multipage style & strategy guide / logos / patterns / icons / color story / typography / brand elevations

Here’s a peek inside Studio A’s Signature Brand Strategy:

We start with a detailed questionnaire and kick-off call to dig deep into your local business. Before I do any design, some crucial steps must be taken. We all love brand visuals, but phases 1 & 2 are where the *magic* happens.
First is the Brand Heart phase , where I’ll help you uncover your brand's soul and the driving force behind its purpose. This includes identifying your local “wow-factor” positioning in the market, values, and emotional connection points for a confident and strong brand foundation.
Next is the Brand Messaging phase . I’ll develop a powerful communication strategy to help you attract & retain ideal customers. This phase focuses on defining your brand voice & how you can inject key phrases & personality into real-life examples across various channels.
Finally, in the Brand Visuals phase , I’ll translate the brand heart & messaging into a visual identity that you & your audience will connect with. I’ll present two visual design concepts to choose from with logos, icons, patterns, typography & color story.
Once you decide which concept you love more , I’ll design brand elevations of your choice, such as social media and email marketing templates.
We'll meet one more time for a launch coaching session . We’ll brainstorm ways to get you to see your new brand and strategies for maintaining brand consistency.
Once everything has been approved & completed , I’ll send a guide that includes links to files, strategy guidelines & videos walking you through your deliverables.
Lastly, we coordinate a launch date so we can celebrate publicly together.

Studio A Client Example - From Idea to Signature Brand Strategy

A client contacted me because she knew the discovery process would help her understand her business and learn how to emotionally connect with her audience immediately. In fact, she was ready to move forward with her website to ensure her brand reflected well there, too, so she chose to add a website to her brand. She wanted a grand opening for an “all-in” experience to start winning sales and making a profit as soon as she could.

Studio A Client - From DIY to Rebrand

After years of DIY branding, one client came to me ready to level up. With a store relocation and new services on the horizon, the Signature Brand Strategy gave her the tools to capitalize on these changes and position her business for growth.

Add-ons to Take Your Brand Further

Done For You Website

A website is your brand's coolest sidekick. It is on call 24/7 and reaches new customers beyond your hometown. The right messaging and keywords turn browsers into buyers, making your brand a statewide destination that helps you connect with your perfect audience.

Content Creation Packages (*NEW*)

*inquire for introductory pricing

Let’s be real—no small business owner has endless hours to churn out content. That’s where my new Content Creation Packages come in. Think posts, reels, and carousels (INCLUDING CAPTIONS) delivered in a polished, ready-to-post form tailored to your brand’s vibe and audience.

Additional Brand Elevations
Brand elevations are like the bonus features for your brand, a custom touch to make your presence even stronger. Templates and marketing materials are designed to work seamlessly with your brand and make implementation a breeze.

Questions to Help You Find the Right Fit for Your Brand

Not sure where to start? These questions will help you figure out what your business needs right now. These yes or no answers will point you toward the best path forward—whether that’s rolling up your sleeves with a DIY approach or working with me for professional branding.

Do you feel your brand is holding you back from connecting with your ideal audience?

Yes , you’re ready for the Signature Brand Strategy , which will explore strategy, messaging, and visuals that elevate your business.
No : Consider the DIY approach or Visual Brand Starter to keep things simple while you grow.

Does your business need a polished, cohesive look fast—but you’re not quite ready for a full branding overhaul?

Yes: The Visual Brand Starter is a quick, cost-effective solution to get your brand off the ground.
No : If you need the whole package—strategy, messaging, and design—the Signature Brand Strategy is your best fit.

Do you already have a DIY logo or visuals that feel mismatched or inconsistent?

Yes : The Signature Brand Strategy will reimagine your brand into a cohesive, professional identity.
No : If you’re starting from scratch, the DIY approach or Visual Brand Starter is the best way to lay the groundwork.

Are you comfortable creating your logo and visuals, even temporary ones?

Yes : The DIY approach is a great way to start small, save money, and experiment with your ideas.
No : The Visual Brand Starter gives you a polished, professional look without a huge commitment.

Are you ready to invest in a brand that builds emotional connection and long-term growth?

Y es , the Signature Brand Strategy provides the tools and guidance to connect with your audience on a deeper level.
No . The DIY approach , or Visual Brand Starter , offers options for growing at your own pace while maintaining professionalism.

Where Do You Go From Here?

Iowa small business owners are some of the strongest people I’ve ever met. You know how to make things happen, no matter your resources. You have a lot of heart, and your brand should reflect that.

What’s your next move? If you’re ready to take the leap—or even if you just want to dip your toes in—let’s chat. I’d love to hear about your business, your goals, and how I can help you grow.

Book a free consultation by filling out my contact form today.

Your designer friend always,

How I Built My Email List from Zero with Flodesk

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 15:31:38 GMT

I only share about companies that I truly believe in. Some of the links in this content are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them.

If you think no one reads emails anymore, I totally get that...because I used to believe that, too. I mean, we’re all drowning in unread emails, right?

But here’s the kicker: my biggest sales as a brand and website designer haven’t come from Instagram, Facebook, or any social media platform. They’ve come straight from my email list. To be honest, it's the one platform I almost ignored.

In fact, one particular promotion based workflow of emails recently generated substantial sales from subscribers who were already engaged in The “A” List email community. My modestly small (less than 500 subscriber) bi-weekly email is designed for Iowa small business entrepreneurs and they showed up . Keep reading for more on that.

My Email List has Consistently Driven More Sales than Instagram Ever Has

While I know there are many businesses out there that generate sales from social media, and that's GREAT! And don't get me wrong, both social media and email lists have their place in my marketing plan. I’ve connected with some amazing people on social media. But social media algorithms can take away your audience whenever they want. One day, your post could reach 500 people; the next, it’s buried under a sea of cat videos, ‘TikTok made me buy it’ reels, or “ suggested posts ” I literally care nothing about. ��‍♀️

Meanwhile, my emails land directly in my subscribers' inboxes with no algorithm to try to work around.

The best part about an email subscriber is that they have voluntarily signed up to hear more from me (on their own terms) and they are “warmed up” to me and ready to engage.

In this post, I’m breaking down features I've used created an engaged email list, and how you can do the same with Flodesk, my favorite platform EVER. It’s the game-changer that made email marketing easier, from designing beautiful emails to automating list-building and seeing results.

Quick tip if you're short on time...Skip the scroll and click here to see my favorite *NEW* seamless Canva-Flodesk sync integration.

Start your no-obligation trial using THIS LINK . No credit card required! If you love it, use code STUDIOADESIGNS at checkout to get 50% off your first year of Flodesk!

Why Flodesk Works for Small Business Entreprenuers

I always knew email marketing was important, but every platform I tried felt like a second job—complicated dashboards, hidden pricing, and templates from a 1999 corporate newsletter. No thanks! I tried to make them work, but my inner designer was screaming. Then, I found ✨Flodesk,✨ and it was like the clouds parted and angels sang. *Que heavenly hallelujah music!*

Easy & Aesthetically Beautiful Email Builder

Sending aesthetically pleasing emails is crucial for any business owner who wants to build trust and look professional. I’m not just saying that because I’m a designer . �� It does make a difference to potential buyers. Flodesk’s click-and-drag builder makes it easier than ever to create beautifully branded emails (no coding or design team required).

One Monthly Price, Unlimited Subscribers

Unlike competitors, Flodesk doesn’t penalize you for growing your list. You can have unlimited emails and subscribers for one flat rate. Whether you have 200 subscribers or 200,000, there are no billing surprises!

You Don’t Have to Rely on a Website to Bring in Sales

If you’re just starting out with your business, you may not have a brand presence or website yet. And that’s okay! Flodesk’s Checkout feature is online selling without the hassle. You can simplify product sales, service bookings, and digital purchases without needing a website or sales platform; creating an easy-to-use checkout becomes a beautiful customer experience from start to purchase to email confirmation.

Automated Workflow Templates

With Flodesk , you can set up automated sequences (welcome emails, sales funnels, follow-ups) to work for you 24/7. I’m not talking about generic, over-the-top sales emails here. The workflow templates available are deeply personalized and created with sales conversion in mind.

Core Features Beyond Email List Building

From link-in bio pages to video forms, countdowns, and freebie signups, these standalone landing pages (again, no website required) engage your audience and encourage them to take action. Flodesk forms can help you entice your audience to join a waitlist, subscribe to a free resource, or make a reservation.

How Flodesk Helps Me Grow My Business (Without a Massive Email List)

I had just a few subscribers when I started email marketing, and I honestly wasn’t sure what to send. I didn’t start out using all of the amazing features Flodesk offered, because I just wanted to do SOMETHING to get going, but I decided to give it a good year and commit to consistently showing up in the inboxes of those excited about hearing from me. Flodesk made the process easy with customizable and creative templates that were easy enough for beginners like me.

I’ll never forget the first Black Friday promotion I had ever done. I had hyped it up on social media…��crickets. I posted, I engaged, I refreshed my notifications like a maniac…nothing. As a last-ditch effort, I sent an email that ended up selling four booked VIP Design Days in a matter of a week. It was uh-maz-ing, to say the least. I attribute this to my connection with my subscribers and the trust I had built before prompting the offer.

Fast-forward several years, and I’ve tweaked, modified, and started utilizing more Flodesk capabilities to continue my growth. Here are some of my favorite ways Flodesk helps me grow my business.

I Aim for Personalized Messaging, Sales Second

No one wants to feel like they are a part of a mass-marketing blast. Rather than constantly pushing offers that feel generic, I use my emails to educate, inspire, and build trust with my subscribers, speaking directly to them so it’s a conversation between friends. Flodesk makes this easy with a library of beautifully designed templates and personalization options to match my brand. The “A” List content usually includes branding, SEO & website tips, personal stories, lessons as a small business entrepreneur, client wins, and special offers.

I Utilize Lead Magnets That Attract the Right People

While sometimes the words “Join my email list,” are enough, I also offer free resources that are useful to my audience. Flodesk makes it easy to create high-converting opt-in forms and automate the delivery of my freebie—so I can build my list on autopilot.

I Focus on Analytics & Conversion

Sending emails is great, but I want to know what’s actually working. Flodesk has built-in analytics that helps me track open rates, click-through rates, best-performing subject lines, and which subscribers are most engaged, to help me test, tweak, and improve future emails and offers.

I Use Link Actions & Workflows

Flodesk’s link actions help me track engagement and personalize workflows even further. Creating link actions automatically tags subscribers based on their clicks, allowing me to see who is interested in a specific topic. It can even trigger follow-up emails based on that engagement for a personalized experience. For example, if someone clicks on a link about branding, I can send them additional content or a special offer relating to that service.

I Organize Subscribers Using Segments

Not every subscriber wants the same thing from me, which is why I use segments to send targeted emails to different groups. Flodesk’s segmentation tools help me group subscribers based on interests (e.g., Branding vs. Website Design, or VIP Design Day Openings). This helps me keep my engagement up and send tailored promotions to only those who find them relevant.

Why Flodesk? Because it Works!

I’m living proof that you don’t need a massive email list to see sales results. Flodesk makes it easy to grow your list, increase engagement, and send emails that look and feel personal and professional.

Ready to stop fighting with social media algorithms and start growing a list that actually wants to hear from you? Try Flodesk for free (No credit card required), no commitment, just beautifully simple email marketing that actually works.

Your designer friend always,

Studio A’s Most Popular Blog Posts in 2024

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 00:54:08 GMT

With 2024 in the rearview, there’s nothing I love more than starting the year with a latte in hand and geeking out with all kinds of business Metrics and Google Analytics . Seeing what resonated with you most inspires me to bring you even more value-packed content as I look ahead.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane and revisit these scroll-worthy blog posts that sparked ideas, influenced your ambitions, and hopefully made your journey a little bit easier.

What You Loved Most: Studio A’s Top 10 Blog Posts from 2024

Below is a quick link list that will take you directly to the blog post. If you want more info about what each post covers, keep scrolling, friend.

Reach Your Goals Faster with a Digital Vision Board (free template included)

It’s the blog post that has stolen the #1 slot for three years, and for good reason. A digital vision board (especially at the beginning of the year) is one of the hottest trends in goal-setting. It’s a creative and intentional way to visualize your goals. The blog post guides small business owners through narrowing their dreams into clear categories like health, finances, and career and provides a free Canva template to bring their goals to life.

My Top Book Recommendations For Small Business Brands

Spot number two proves what I already know about ambitious entrepreneurs. They are lifelong learners. In this post , I share my all-time favorite book recommendations as a brand and website designer. This list works no matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey because it breaks down who the book is for (and who it’s not for) so you can choose just the right book for your goals.

Designer tells all: 5 Things to Avoid in Canva

We all love Canva, but we don’t always realize the pitfalls or mistakes that small business owners often make. That’s why it’s helpful to have a designer help you avoid a few simple things so you can design like a pro. This post covers five key missteps to dodge and offers strategies to make sure your designs reflect your brand.

How Color Theory Impacts Branding and Examples of Brands That Are Doing It Right

I don’t think it’s much of a secret that I like color. After all, “Vibrant Brands for Iowa Small Businesses” is front and center on my website’s homepage . In this blog post , I dive into how trends and blah color palettes alone can dilute individuality, but that color can influence emotional feelings.

6 Ways to Level Up Your Contact Form Thank You Page

You had better believe that the thank you or confirmation page on the contact form is one of your website's most underrated (and overlooked) parts of your website. If your current setup is a basic “Thanks, I’ll be in touch,” this blog post is for you. There’s a unique chance to wow your leads and keep them engaged while waiting to hear back from you. Think intro videos, juicy testimonials, freebies they can’t resist, and even a calendar link to book with you instantly. From a branding standpoint, turning that after-submission snooze fest into a lead-engaging space could be the difference between a customer choosing you over competitors.

Canva Pro Tips for Building Your Brand Kit (w/ step-by-step screenshots)

This post walks you through setting up your Canva Pro Brand Kit to save time, stay consistent, and keep your business looking polished. Uploading your logos and colors, assigning fonts and saving branded templates are easy with step-by-step instructions to help you organize all your design assets in one place. It’s the ultimate way to keep your branding cohesive and professional. Plus, I sprinkle in a few pro tips along the way to make sure you’re getting the most out of Canva Pro.

Create an email signature in Gmail using Separate Clickable Icons (freebie templates included)

In this blog post , I will show you how to take your email signature from “meh” to representing your brand like a pro. Using Canva and Gmail, I show you how to design a polished email signature complete with clickable icons for your website and social media. I break down each step, from creating your layout with a free Canva template to linking icons in Gmail, so you can create a signature that’s both on-brand and functional.

12 Free Canva Fonts, Paired for Stunning Designs

This post tackles the all-too-common struggle of font decision fatigue. I show you how to use free Canva fonts and provide you with the best combos so you can create chic designs that reflect your brand’s personality.

Questions Visitors Are Asking When Scrolling Your About Page

Your website’s About Page is more than just a quick bio. In this post , I outline five key questions your visitors subconsciously ask when they land on your About Page. By investigating your visitor's thoughts more deeply, you can improve your storytelling, visuals, and strategic content that keeps them engaged and ready to take the next step.

Local Iowa Business Owners? Binge These 6 Local Podcasts for Well-Rounded Inspiration

I love podcasts, but I love them even more when they are hyper-local-focused! This one got a lot of buzz on social media which only added to the already fun content of t his blog post . I share my favorite podcasts tailored to Iowa small business owners seeking entrepreneurial stories and insights that hit close to home. Each show delivers a unique mix of advice, motivation, and community-driven strategies to help you grow your business.

As we wrap up our little stroll through Studio A’s most loved blog posts of the year, I hope you’ve found some great nuggets to help your business grow. Each of these posts was written with your Iowa business in mind. Keep pushing boundaries, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have topics you’d like to explore. I’m all ears. �� Cheers to your journey ahead! Here’s to crushing 2025!

Your designer friend always,

Favorite Small Biz Freebies to Keep Your 2026 Goals on Track!

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:07:48 GMT

As a “Type A Creative, ”I’m a sucker for the start of the year. It’s a time of reflection and getting focused on your goals. And I find myself looking ahead with hope and inspiration for beaming opportunities in the year ahead.

Your goals can include many categories depending on the type of small business you run. Whether you’re tackling SEO, setting up back-end systems, or building a business blog, there is something here to keep you motivated and moving forward.

Check out these freebies to help your small business grow in 2026 and beyond.

01. Vision Board Template

Studio A

This free digital vision board template is a fun and creative way to map out your 2026 dreams. It’s perfect for “at-a-glance” focus and inspiration as you keep pushing toward your goals.

02. Free Legal Bundle

Indie Law

-
Protect your business with contracts for your business, created by pros who know their stuff. They are perfect for solopreneurs, small businesses, and freelancers.

03. Beginners Guide to Blogging for Your Business

Natty Writes

This resource is great for anyone who is new to blogging and wants to use it as a tool to grow their business and connect with their audience.

04. 5-Day Backlink Challenge to improve your SEO

Duo Collective

This challenge can be done on your own time to improve your SEO by building high-quality backlinks. Backlinks are often an often overlooked piece to optimizing your web presence.

05. Free Business Counseling

Iowa Small Business Development Center

Who doesn’t want personalized advice? Access free one-on-one counseling to help you tackle business challenges and plan for growth, regardless of the stage you are at in your business.

06. Workflows and Systems Starter Bundle

Harper Hadley Creative

-
Streamline your business processes so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel over and over again. It’s packed with tools to help you organize your workflows and create systems that work!

07. Small Tweaks for Small Business Growth

Virtually Brady

Simple actionable tips are all you need to grow your small business with minimal effort. It’s perfect for busy entrepreneurs who are looking for easy wins.

08. Services Page Worksheet

Ashlyn Writes

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If you’re struggling with writing the words for your business website, this worksheet is for you to help you create copy for your services page that converts browsers into buyers.

There you have it. These just are some of my favorites! I’ve used nearly all of these resources or hired these amazing businesses to help me with things at one time or another in my business, so you can trust the reliability and integrity of their content. You don’t have to be a seasoned entrepreneur to take advantage of these freebies. There’s something for everyone.

Here’s to crushing 2026!

Your designer friend always,

Small Business Owner? Do Your Own Brand Audit!

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 17:22:52 GMT

If you're in a season of reflection, cheers to you! Allowing yourself some space for a slower season of life and business is awesome.

Because let’s be real – as a business owner, it’s so easy to put off all the things you know your business needs and instead put all of your time and energy into your client work.

And trust me, I totally understand this. You want your clients to see you as someone they can depend on and trust to get the job done.

But if you spend ALL of your time, pouring into your clients and leave no room for your business, you can miss out on some really amazing growth opportunities.

I learned this the hard way a long time ago, which is why I’m SO intentional about it now.

As business owners we should create a system to do this quarterly at the very least.

Sometimes, it’s not always feasible, but if you don’t MAKE the time for it, it will rarely happen.

Before I get into the brand audit list, I want to encourage you to consider how you can do more throughout the year.

Some people love to implement CEO days every single week where they devote their time to only things for their business.

Others prefer to dedicate one week each month to their business alone. And others design a quarterly system that works well for them.

Whatever it is for you, decide what it looks like and block that time on your calendar. That way when clients begin to inquire or projects start piling up, you already know exactly when you can say yes.

There’s no trouble trying to “fit it in.” It’s already been pre-decided and plugged in so that it becomes a non-negotiable!

Now, back to the list of things I believe every business owner should audit at the end of every year and ideally keep their pulse on every quarter at least.

10 Ways To Audit, Update, or Optimize Your Brand At The End of Every Year

Is it just me or does every business owner have an “eventual to-do list?”

Meaning it’s nothing urgent, so it just sits on a list hoping that one day you’ll have the time to get around to it.

I’ve seen some people call this a backburner list and I really like that word because that’s essentially what these types of tasks are.

They’re the types of things that are kind of important, but not enough to be a huge priority, so you’re comfortable with just putting them off until “one day.”

Here’s what I know about backburner lists like this: they can sit for months, or maybe even years, without actually being touched.

Which means that you can put off some work that really could impact your business in a positive way for a reallyyyyy long time without realizing the effects.

It’s tasks like these that make really good projects or action items for your end of year brand audit, but like I said before – ideally you would be giving these items some of your attention at least quarterly.

However you decide to do it, here are a few things that make really great focus areas during times that you’re able to spend on YOUR business:

Update your website

This should honestly go without saying, but as a website designer, I see people go farrrr too long without actually updating their website.

Many times, I actually see people directing people to the first iteration of their website with little to no updates.

While this might not seem like a huge deal, it actually IS! If your website is not updated with fresh photos, fresh content, accurate pricing, and updated offerings, you run the risk of confusing your audience.

And as the saying goes – a confused person takes no action at all.

When things change in your business, your website should be among the FIRST places the changes are reflected.

At the very least, ensure that you’re reviewing your website at the end of every year so you can enter the new year on a fresh slate!

Review and update your current email funnels

Raise your hand if you’ve ever launched a freebie, written a welcome sequence to go along with it, and then never looked at it again… guilty ��‍♀️

Listen, MOST of us are like this. And honestly, it’s not your fault.

Email funnels very easily become a “set it and forget it” type of thing and while I’m a big fan of automation, that doesn’t mean you really should set it and forget it.

Make it a practice to review your current email funnels and update them consistently so that, similar to your website, they are always accurate!

Create a new lead magnet

If you’re feeling creative and want to channel that energy, one of the best things you can do is to create a new lead magnet (aka freebie) for your audience.

This could be a great project to work on in December and launch at the beginning of the year in order to bring momentum to your business right away.

Of course this shouldn’t be something that you do “just because,” but if there’s good reason for it and it makes sense for your business, spend some time creating something fresh for your audience and have a new asset that can serve your business for years to come.

Optimize your social media profiles

When’s the last time you changed your profile picture or updated your social media bios? If you’re like me, it’s probably been awhile. ��

These are things that can easily go unnoticed, and while they may not seem of high importance to you, they ARE important to your audience – especially new people who are entering your world.

Spend some time on ALL of your social media profiles – including the ones you might typically ignore, like LinkedIn for example – to ensure your profile photo is up to date, your bio accurately reflects your business, and the links you direct people to are the most important and relevant.

Optimize or update your internal processes

Let’s be real… it’s really hard for creative business owners to spend time on seemingly boring business tasks, like internal processes.

We’d much rather spend our time creating and ideating, and I GET IT! Truly, as a brand and website designer, I find much more joy creating brand boards and designing websites than I do optimizing workflows in my CRM.

But the moment that I made this a priority in my business and spent some dedicated time optimizing my internal processes, such as onboarding and offboarding, my business was able to run much more efficiently and actually gave me MORE time to focus on the things I love.

Instead of having to manually type emails to client inquiries or create Zoom links for discovery calls, now I have systems that do all of that for me and I can honestly say that the work was SO worth it!

So, if you’ve yet to do the same for your business, add this to your annual audit list and if you’ve already implemented this for your business, spend a short amount of time ensuring that these processes are updated and accurate!

Review your data analytics and let those inform your next marketing actions

One thing about me is that I’m a BIG fan of data – and honestly I’m not sure how many people can say the same.

Data, analytics, and numbers of any kind typically cause people to run the other way, but in this blog post , I explain why digging into your analytics is actually one of the best things you can do for yourself!

When you review your data and have an accurate picture of what’s going on in your business, you can then use those numbers to guide your next steps, specifically when it comes to your marketing .

If you’re not sure where to start with looking at your analytics or you’re unsure of what to do with your data once you have it, click here for a full breakdown of Website Metrics 101!

New brand photoshoot

As mentioned above, one of the best things you can do during this time is to update your website. In addition to the content on your website, consider the creative.

Are you still using stock imagery? Do the photos of you reflect what you actually look like right now?

If your website shows you rocking the cutest bob ever, but now you have long extensions, it’s time for a new brand photoshoot, my friend! ��

Gather client testimonials from the past 3-6 months

Gathering client reviews and testimonials is one of those things that *should* be included as an automated process in your business, but it’s often something that’s overlooked.

It’s not until you reallyyyyy need a review to display on social media or on your website that you realize, “CRAP! I don’t have any.”

Spend some time during a slow season gathering client testimonials from the past 3-6 months, so that you have a bank of words from your clients that you can use whenever you need.

The key here is to make this easy on you. I’d suggest creating a Google form or something similar in your CRM so that your past clients can simply fill it out based on certain questions that you ask and you have one designated spot for all of their answers.

BONUS: spend extra time adding this into your offboarding process, so that you never have to think about it again!

Make a plan for your content marketing

Ahhh… that thing that every business owner knows they *need* to do, but it’s hard to find the time to do it.

Content creation.

A true necessity to market your business, but it quickly becomes overwhelming when you realize all of the possible channels that you can create content for.

There’s the blogs, the emails, the social media – which in and of itself is a whole ballgame.

While your content marketing can definitely be something that feels stressful, I’ve found that when I make an intentional plan for it at the end of every year, it becomes something that is totally manageable!

For me, I’ve chosen to prioritize blogs and email and let that content guide what I create for social.

The past two Decembers, I’ve made it a point to sit down and decide how many blogs I want to publish for the ENTIRE year. Then, I’ll take a look at my data to help inform what content topics I want to create.

And then, because I’m a big fan of outsourcing when I can, I call on my favorite blog writer to help create the content for both my blogs and emails.

From there, I can decide what topics I will focus on when, allowing me to create a clear, actionable plan for social media.

This sets me up with clear focus right from the start and takes some of the overwhelm out of it!

If you’re not in a spot to do this for the entire year at one time, try doing it quarterly at first. I promise it’s a game changer!

Intentional goal setting

Lastly, the end of the year is of course the ideal time to do some fresh goal setting. And I know… this is what everyone tells you to do.

But this isn’t just any type of goal setting – it’s INTENTIONAL goal setting.

I prefer to use a vision board method where I focus on very specific categories and ask myself very specific questions in order to create clear and concrete goals for what I want to achieve in the new year.

And spoiler: you can do this process at ANY time! There’s nothing magical about a new year.

So, regardless of when you’re reading this, don’t skip looking into this method of se tting intentional goals for y ourself .

Overall, December serves as a great time of year to FINALLY spend time on those overlooked or avoided tasks that have been piling up all year long.

Ideally, you wouldn’t put any of these things off until now, but as a business owner myself with a heavy client load, I understand that sometimes it just happens.

My hope is that this list gives you a guide on how to spend a somewhat slow season in your business and inspires you to make MORE time for some of the seemingly unimportant tasks in your business, whether that be by implementing a CEO day or week throughout different times of the year.

Your business can’t continue to grow without the intention from YOU, so give yourself the permission to take some time off client work and divert your energy into the business that you worked hard to build in the first place!

P.S. If brand or website design is something that’s been sitting on your backburner list and you’re looking to outsource, I’d love to connect! Click here to review my services and to see if we’d be a good fit.

Your designer friend always,

Things Your Visitors Actually Want to Learn on Your About Page

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 11:13:13 GMT

True Confession: I'm a website visitor who goes straight to the About Page when looking for a business to work with or purchase from.

And I'll admit, sometimes, I get there and am met with a lackluster staff bio, a quick mission statement, or, worst of all…little to no personality or brand representation.

Here's what I usually do next…

I exit the website.

Listen, I'm an Iowa nice girl. I don't mean to sound like a drama queen, but it's a deal-breaker for me when an About Page fails to show brand personality and how the business benefits me.

The Importance of an About Page, Specifically for Small Business

As a seasoned website designer, I often hear my clients express concerns when building their About Pages. Common phrases include, "I don't want to talk about myself," "My story isn’t exciting," or "I feel like I'm bragging."

While your personal story can add context, the primary focus of an About Page should be the chance for your visitor to find the connection between the two of you.

By focusing on your customers' internal questions, you can create an About Page that resonates with your visitors and creates a lasting impression—and as a humble business owner, it doesn’t have to be framed like it’s all about you!

If I haven't already convinced you of its importance; check out these important About Page facts:

〰️ High Traffic: The About Page is often among the most visited pages on a small business website, second only to the homepage. This is NOT the case for large corporations, associations, and organizations…which means we have a unique opportunity here, friend.

〰️ Long Dwell Time: Visitors spend more time on the About Page than on other Pages, indicating its importance in building trust and credibility.

〰️ High Conversion Rates: A well-done About Page can significantly influence conversions. It helps visitors understand your "why" for being in business and the reason they should choose it over competitors.

Questions a Visitor (subconsciously) Asks When Scrolling through Your About Page

Imagine your target client just landed on your About Page. They start at the top and you have their full attention. Let’s make sure we answer these questions for them and give them the confidence to keep scrolling and engaging.

Alright, let’s dive in!

1. Am I in the right place?

Help them know they are in the right place by literally telling them plainly. If they align with the services you provide and how they can benefit from you, they will keep engaging on the page.

ANSWER WITH THIS:
〰️ Offer Visual Confirmation
The website above clearly shows heartwarming photos of a sweet little furry friend receiving a light therapy treatment, which visually answers questions about what a treatment might look like and how noninvasive and gentle the approach is.

〰️ Start with a Direct Headline
If that isn't enough, the headline text states, "If you are looking for a veterinary specialist who supports integrative and Western veterinary medicine, I am excited to meet you and your furry friend."

Someone who supports this veterinary philosophy and has a friendly face to go with it will immediately feel excited to know more.

____________________

�� DIY SEO for Your Small Business Website

�� 6 Ways to Level Up Your Contact Form Thank You Page

�� The Best Metrics to Tr ack to Determine Your W ebsite Success

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2. How does this brand make me feel?

Feeling an emotional connection with a brand is a big component visitors look for when they are on an About Page. They want to find a point of human connection that makes them develop trustworthiness with you.

ANSWER WITH THIS:
〰️Show Don’t Tell
A great way to keep customers engaged with your story is through video. An "about video" at the top of the page showcasing a brief history and customer stories (see above) is a great touch to help visitors understand what it would be like to work face-to-face with the real estate professionals at Bock Real Estate.

〰️ Use Storytelling
While there's nothing wrong with including your mission statement on your About Page, sharing personal stories about your life that brought you to this point in your career can resonate even better with visitors. Adding professional photography, video, and social proof like testimonials speaks volumes.

3. What makes this brand different?

Differentiators make your business stand out so visitors know why they should choose you. You can differentiate your brand through company culture, values, giving back, specialized services, who you've worked with or your unique strengths and expertise. Remember, this may be their first interaction with you, so make sure you lead by captivating them with your unique brand qualities.

ANSWER WITH THIS:
〰️ Reveal Your Culture
Highlighting your brand's values, mission, and the unique atmosphere within your organization can really work if you can do it in a way that gives a true glimpse into the work environment, employees and the culture of the business.

〰️ Share Community Impact
New Point Law Firm provides specific examples of how social responsibility differentiates their firm (see above). Philanthropic efforts and individual awards show their commitment to making an impact in the community beyond their legal services.

Are you in the planning stage of your website?
Get Your FREE WEBSITE CONTENT PLANNER WORKB OOK !

4. Does this business understand my needs?

Show them what you can expect working with you. Provide case studies that share stories from satisfied customers describing how your product or service solved their problem. Create a frequently asked questions (FAQs) section, and touch on your offerings. Use language that shows you understand your customers' challenges and frustrations. Go the distance to show how you can work together to solve pain points.

ANSWER WITH THIS:
〰️ Empathetic Language

Vida Travel Co. speaks directly with her visitors about how seriously she takes helping people with their travel experiences and acknowledges that vacations are pivotal and memorable moments.

〰️ Summarize the Solution
Your Services Pages contain an extended version of the services. Still, a highlighted section on the About Page with a summary of products or services clearly addresses the types of travel packages that address specific customer needs.

5. What is the next step?

A Call to Action (CTA) is usually toward the bottom of the page where your visitor has scrolled through your website and determined they are interested in learning more. This could look like a button to contact you, a newsletter signup, or directing them to a favorite blog post. The goal is to get visitors to another page to continue their engagement.

ANSWER WITH THIS:
〰️ Make it Easy to Take Action

Make sure your CTA is clear and straightforward to encourage visitors to go somewhere else on your site so you can continue telling your story. Use a strong and compelling CTA like "Schedule a Free Consultation" or "Subscribe to Our Newsletter," for example.

〰️ Use Strong Action Verbs
In Studio A's website above, you can see the headline before the buttons, including verbs to set them up to take action. The verbiage "STOP guessing, START growing" creates a sense of excitement and urgency to help motivate the visitor to take the next step.

Your About Page is a Hidden Gem

Your website’s About Page is more than just a digital brochure, it's a great opportunity to boost your website engagement, increase conversion and build a relationship with your customers.

Schedule a free 30 minute consultation with me so we can discuss how we can take your Iowa small business website up a notch!

Your designer friend always,

12 Free Canva Fonts, Paired for Stunning Designs

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 11:59:28 GMT

Imagine you've just launched your dream business and you're pumped to start creating killer content. You find a template in Canva that's totally your vibe, but the fonts? Not so much. So, you keep scrolling, searching for the perfect match.

But here's the thing: every time you find a new template, you're faced with a whole new set of fonts.

It's like trying to decide between your favorite pair of jeans and a new trend that's totally not you.

You may be all for certain trends, but perhaps the horseshoe denim trend is too far out of your comfort zone! �� #iykyk

Let's ditch the font fatigue and create visuals with free Canva font pairings consistent with your favorite pair of (classic) jeans.

Trust me, font flip-flopping can be a major branding blunder. Inconsistent fonts can make your visuals look chaotic and confuse your audience.

I’m not exaggerating when I say there are thousands of fonts out there. But I’m here to help simplify your search so you can get back to your small business zone of genius faster.

6 Chic Canva Font Combos for Stunning Designs

You’ll want to read to the end of this post because first I’m showing you how to choose complementary font pairings so you can save time and guesswork out of your endless font scrolling.

Keep scrolling because I’m also sharing some of my favorite pairing examples and how to apply them to your designs.

The Benefits of Assigning Fonts to Your Visual Brand

In the world of branding, consistency is key. A strong brand identity is built on a foundation of recognizable elements, including your logo, colors, and, of course, fonts. Consistent font usage plays a crucial role in reinforcing your brand's personality and making a lasting impression on your audience.

Brand Recognition: When customers see your brand's fonts, they should immediately recognize this component. Consistent font usage helps to create a strong association between your brand and its visual identity.

Visual Appeal: A cohesive visual aesthetic is essential for a professional and memorable brand. Consistent fonts contribute to a harmonious and visually appealing look that reflects your brand's personality.

Professionalism: Consistent font usage conveys a sense of professionalism and credibility. It shows that you've put thought and care into your visuals and are committed to maintaining a high standard.

Tips for Choosing the Best Font Pairings

You might feel like a font is a small design detail, but I’m here to tell you it is WAY more important than you might think. I share more detail about the importance of good typography and understanding common terms in my blog post here —> Small Biz Guide to Graphic Design: Typography Edition . Let’s dig into my top tips for choosing the best font pairings.

Contrast is Key:

Serif vs. Sans-Serif: Combine a serif font (with small strokes at the ends of letters) for headings or titles with a sans-serif font (without these strokes) for body text, or vice versa. This creates a visual contrast that is both pleasing to the eye and easy to read.

Weight and Size: Varying the weight (boldness) and size of your fonts can also create a visually interesting and harmonious look. For example, you could use a bold heading font with a smaller, regular body font.

Complementary Styles:

Similar but Different: Choose fonts that have similar characteristics but differ in subtle ways. For example, a serif font and a slab serif font (with thicker, slab-like serifs) can complement each other.

Complementary Moods: Consider the mood or emotion you want to convey. For example, a playful script font paired with a modern sans-serif font can create a fun and energetic vibe.

Avoid Overwhelm:

Limit Font Choices: Stick to two or three fonts maximum to avoid a cluttered and confusing design.

Consistent Hierarchy: Use different font sizes and weights to create a clear hierarchy within your design. This will guide the viewer's eye and make your content easier to read.

Consider Readability:

Legibility: This is a big one! Make sure your chosen fonts are easy to read, especially at smaller sizes. Avoid fonts that are too ornate or difficult to decipher.

Spacing: Pay attention to line spacing and letter spacing to ensure that your text is easy to read and doesn't appear cramped or crowded.

Pro Graphic Design Tips for Using Free Canva Fonts

Maintain a Consistent Hierarchy: Use different font weights and sizes to create a clear hierarchy within your designs. This will help guide the viewer's eye and ensure your message is delivered effectively.

Test and Iterate: Experiment with different font pairings to find combinations that work well with your brand. Don't be afraid to test and iterate different designs until you find the perfect match to put out in the world.

Consider the overall aesthetic of your brand: When selecting font pairings, ensure that they complement the overall aesthetic of your brand. For example, if your brand is modern and minimalist, you might choose clean, sans-serif fonts. If your brand is classic and elegant, serif fonts might be more appropriate. Consider the colors, imagery, and overall tone of your brand when making your font selections.

Suggested Font Pairings for a Clean and Sophisticated Brand

Let’s say you are a modern and minimalistic brand that’s looking for a sophisticated pair of fonts to use. Here are some examples I’d suggest.

1. Yeseva One + Glacial Indifference

Yeseva One is a bold, slightly serif font with a playful and energetic feel. Glacial Indifference is a clean, sans-serif font with a modern and minimalist aesthetic.

〰️Why they work together: The contrast between the bold, playful Yeseva One and the clean, minimalist Glacial Indifference creates a visually exciting and dynamic pairing.

〰️Suggested uses: Yeseva One is perfect when used as a display or heading typeface, while Glacial Indifference, especially when in all caps, is ideal for subheading text. In addition, Glacial Indifference can be used without all caps with tighter letter spacing for paragraph text.

2. League Gothic + Lora Italic

League Gothic is a bold, condensed sans-serif typeface. Lora Italic is an elegant serif typeface that exudes a sense of sophistication and warmth.

〰️Why they work together: The combination of the bold, geometric League Gothic with the classic, elegant Lora Italic creates a sophisticated and timeless pairing.

〰️Suggested uses: League Gothic can be used as a display or heading typeface, while Lora Italic is ideal for subheadings and callout text. Lora Regular could be a pro option for paragraph text.

3. Austria + Luthier

Lustria is a script font with a flowing and elegant style. Luthier is also a serif font with a modern and minimalist aesthetic.

〰️Why they work together: The contrast between the flowing, elegant Lustria and the clean, minimalist Luthier creates a visually interesting pairing.

〰 Suggested uses: Lustria can be used as a display or heading typeface while Luthier is ideal for subheadings and/or body text.

4. Arvo + DM Sans

Arvo is a serif font with a clean and modern aesthetic. DM Sans is a sans-serif font with a geometric and minimalist style.

〰️Why they work together: The combination of the clean, modern Arvo with the geometric, minimalist DM Sans creates a sophisticated and contemporary pairing.

〰️Suggested uses: Arvo can be used for headings and subheadings, while DM Sans is ideal for subheadings or body text.

5. Vidaloka + DM Sans

Vidaloka is a serif font with a classic and elegant style. Alegreya Sans is a sans-serif font with a modern and minimalist aesthetic.

〰️Why they work together: Combining the classic, elegant Vidaloka with the modern, minimalist DM Sans creates a sophisticated and timeless pairing.

〰️Suggested uses: Vidaloka can be used for headings and subheadings, while Alegreya Sans is ideal for subheadings or body text.

6. Baron + Open Sans Condensed

Baron is a serif font with a bold and impactful look. Open Sans Condensed is a sans-serif font with a clean and modern aesthetic.

〰️Why they work together: The combination of the bold, impactful Baron with the clean, modern Open Sans Condensed creates a strong and visually striking pairing.

〰️Suggested uses: Baron can be used for heading typeface while Open Sans Condensed is ideal for subheadings. Consider Open Sans Regular (non-condensed) for your body text.

Now, it's time to get creative!

Experiment with different font pairings and see what vibes with your brand. Canva has a ton of free fonts to choose from, so have fun exploring.

Want to dive deeper into the world of typography and consistent visuals? Check out these awesome resources:

〰️ Free Mini Style Guide: Use this awesome reference tool I created for you so you can keep your brand fonts and other assets consistent across platforms.

〰️ FontPair: This site has resource that takes the guesswork out of pairing Google Fonts together with visual pairings laid out for you.

Go forth and create amazing visuals! Your brand will thank you.

_________________________________

At Studio A Designs, I believe in challenging big corporations with powerful local branding. Your brand and website should attract and retain customers who prefer Main Street & local Iowa businesses over big box giants. Ready to turn customers into loyal fans who say, "I love local, I love you, and I'll definitely be back"?

Contact me today , and let's talk about how brand transformation for your business can strengthen your Iowa community!

Your designer friend always,

How Your Business Location Impacts Branding, Website & SEO Strategy

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 22:13:06 GMT

Hey there, Iowa business owner!

You 100% know that your ties to your community are vital to business opportunities and sales. As a local entrepreneur, you contribute to the fabric of your town by fostering connections, knowing your neighbors and calling people by their first names. All of that greatly impacts your brand 's loyalty whether you're consciously thinking about it or not. Those in-person connections and valuable relationships are PRICELESS.

BUT...in today's digital-first world, a solid brand, and online presence are essential to reaching MORE of your target audience to continue driving growth and sales.

Did you know that nearly 56% of Google Business Listings remain unclaimed ( source ) despite a staggering 99% of consumers relying on the Internet to discover local businesses ( source ) ? Ugh. It makes me so sad. There are missed opportunities left and right when it comes to getting local business seen online.

Here's How to “Leverage Local” When it Comes to Growing Your Business

By understanding how your business's location can impact your branding, website, and SEO strategies, you can effectively reach your target audience and drive growth.

strategic elements with the community in mind can help you stand out from national/big-box competitors and resonate more deeply at a local level.

Let's explore the unique opportunities and challenges that come with being a local business in Iowa.

Understanding The Area To Inform A Brand’s Personality & Values

Your business location is like a treasure trove of insights about your customers. By understanding the local vibe and culture, you can create a brand strategy that resonates with them on a deeper level. But remember, aligning with the status quo isn't always the answer. Sometimes, challenging the norms or breaking the mold can make your brand stand out and attract attention.

〰️ Get to know your neighborhood

Immerse yourself in the local culture to gain a deeper understanding of its values, traditions, and preferences. Get to know your competitors too. This knowledge will help you with your branding decisions so you can create a more authentic and relatable brand that stands out.

〰️ Align or challenge the status quo

Once you have a feel for the local scene, you can decide whether to align with or challenge the status quo. If you believe that aligning with local values will resonate with your target audience, you can incorporate these elements into your branding. However, if challenging the status quo can set your brand apart, you can adopt a more disruptive or innovative approach.

Client Example: ABC Cans , a bottle and can redemption facility totally flipped the script. Instead of following the "basic and boring" brands they were seeing from local competitors, they went all-in with goofy dad jokes to align with the target customer and a colorful vibe that makes can redemption feel FUN!

It was a "challenge the status quo" move and it paid off big time. Locals love ABC Cans' quirky brand personality, which feels like a friendly neighbor, not just a place to drop off recyclables. And since their opening in January of 2023 in Ames, Iowa they've grown and opened a second location in Ankeny, Iowa. It's so exciting to watch their brand grow.

Incorporating Local Visual References To Create Nostalgia

Depending on what your business does, you could sprinkle a little local flavor into your branding. Maybe throw in a nod to a local landmark, a reference to a hometown hero, or even a quirky saying that everyone around the area is familiar with. It doesn't have to be obvious – just a little touch of local love can go a long way.

〰️ Use Local Design Elements

Fonts, colors, and imagery can all evoke a sense of place. Consider incorporating local landmarks, landscapes, or historic references into your branding to create a more authentic and memorable connection with your target audience.

Client Example: JSC Legal, a law firm in Cedar Falls, Iowa , subtly incorporates UNI Panthers' colors into their branding as a nod to their local clientele and emphasis on location.

〰️ Hire a Local Photographer or Artist

Collaborate with them for your website, environmental graphics or other visual elements that represent your community. This can add a unique and personal touch to your branding materials and help you connect with your local audience on a deeper level.

〰️ Use a Local Designer

Collaborate with a local designer who understands the area to create custom strategy and design for your brand. This can help ensure that your branding aligns with local tastes and preferences, making it more relatable to your target audience.

Client Example: Homegrown, a downtown Ames, Iowa gift and apparel shop , stands out with a brand that truly captures the impact of shopping local. By featuring products from local makers, they’re able to double down on their community impact, creating a powerful ripple effect.

To amplify the "local" essence, Studio A designed illustrations that celebrate state-recognized symbols and icons, along with easily recognizable local graphics. This approach perfectly underscores their proudly local vibe.

Collab With Local Business Influencers To Broaden Your Audience

Think of your local community as a giant network of people connected by shared experiences and interests. By teaming up with other local businesses and influencers, you can tap into this network and expand your reach. Collaborating with local businesses and influencers is not only a great way to promote your brand, but it also helps to strengthen the local community as a whole.

〰️ Collaborate on promotions and events

Work with complementary businesses to offer joint promotions or host shared events. This can help you reach a wider audience, increase brand awareness, and strengthen your relationships within the community.

〰️ Buddy up with local influencers

Partner with local influencers who align with your brand's values and target audience. Influencers can help you reach new customers and build credibility within your community.

〰️ Support local initiatives

Support local volunteer initiatives to show the heart you have for your community. Get involved to demonstrate your commitment. This can help you establish yourself as a trusted and respected community member.

Leverage Local Website SEO to Bring The Right People to You

Think of local SEO as your business's personal GPS, guiding customers right to your doorstep. By optimizing your online presence for local search, you're making it easy for people to find you and say, "Hey, I need that!"

〰️ Find the right keywords

Determine what keywords your customers are typing into Google by using free tools like Keyword Surfer to discover the magic words that'll bring them your way. Once you've got your keywords, assign them to different pages throughout your website, from titles and descriptions to blog posts and product pages. Consider long-tail keywords since voice search optimization is on the rise.

Client Example: The Sherry Group , a consulting agency in Boone, Iowa helps not-for-profit organizations grow through fundraising, camp consulting and more. It was important for them to be found by local Iowa non-profits through specific keywords. Together we found the right keywords for their needs and optimized their website for the best statewide search results.

〰️ Claim your Spot with Backlinks

Make sure your business is listed on popular online directories like Google Business Listing, Yelp, and Bing Places but think beyond that with local chamber of commerce listings, local sponsorships, and organizations that will link your business back to your website. Backlinks are such a helpful tool to get your business noticed by Google.

〰️ Create Locally Rich Content

Make sure your business is listed on popular online directories like Google Business Listing, Yelp, and Bing Places, and make sure your business description is consistent with local keywords everywhere online.

The Real Local Powerhouse: Google Business Listing

Your Google Business Listing (formerly Google My Business) is your online business card. A well-optimized profile can help you stand out in local search results and attract new customers. By keeping your profile up-to-date and encouraging reviews, you can create a positive impression and build trust with potential customers.

〰️ Fill in the blanks

Make sure you claim your Google Business Listing profile and complete it so it is up-to-date. Include photos, services, and hours of operation. This will help your business appear more credible and trustworthy in search results.

〰️ Encourage reviews

Send happy customers a direct link to your Google Business Listing and ask them to leave reviews. It's like getting a digital high-five! Positive reviews can help improve your business's online reputation and attract new customers.

Client Example: V ida Travel Co. a travel consultant in Huxley, Iowa has been getting rave reviews on her Google Business Listing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ She is not only consistently getting 5-star reviews as a testament to her brand, but she is also REPLYING to each individual review to signal to Google that her business is active and engaged with its customers, improving her chances of appearing in local searches.

〰️ Keep 'em posted

Share updates about your business, like new products, events, or promotions. Regularly posting content on your social media channels and website can help you stay "top-of-mind" with your customers and attract new followers.

No matter what you do for a living, understanding your location's unique perks and challenges is a must. By leveraging your local identity and optimizing your online presence, you can create a brand that's not just relevant, but downright irresistible to your community.

So, whether you're a restaurant, shop, office, or anything in between, these strategies can help you thrive in today's competitive landscape. Let's unlock your business's full potential together!

_________________________________

At Studio A Designs, I believe in challenging corporations with powerful local branding. Your brand and website should attract and retain customers who prefer Main Street & local Iowa businesses over big box giants. Ready to turn customers into loyal fans who say, "I love local, I love you, and I'll definitely be back"?

Contact me today , and let's talk about how brand transformation for your business can strengthen your Iowa community!

Your designer friend always,

Local Iowa Business Owner? Binge These 6 Local Podcasts for Well-Rounded Inspiration

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 20:35:40 GMT

As a small business owner juggling a million things, I crave efficiency. Can you relate??

Podcasts and audiobooks are my secret weapon for multitasking. Whether I'm brewing coffee, hitting the gym, or stuck in traffic, I'm soaking up knowledge and inspiration through these amazing *hyper-locally-focused* podcasts. We’re talking highly specialized to our Iowa market and I’m so excited to share them with you.

Top Podcasts for Iowa Small Business Owners: Inspiration on the Go

With years of supporting Local Iowa businesses here in our state, I know firsthand the challenges, triumphs, and everything in between that come with business ownership. It's really nice to know as I listen along that we don’t have to feel alone in our entrepreneurial journeys.

I’ve done the work for you to find the �� cream-of-the-crop�� local Iowa podcast recommendations I think you’ll really relate to.

Let's put those AirPods in, hit play, and see which ones might become your new podcast obsession! I’ve listened to countless hours of audio gold to bring you this curated list of podcasting goodness.

1. Local Marketing School

CHECK IT OUT>

"Local Marketing School" is your go-to resource for hyperlocal marketing strategies. Hosted by Des Moines Native, Emily Steele, CEO and Co-founder of Hummingbirds, this podcast covers the most effective ways to drive brand awareness and sales using localized strategies. Tune in to learn from Emily and her guests as they discuss what’s working in local marketing today.

This would be a good listen for you if:
You want insights specific to local marketing tactics.
You're looking to boost brand awareness and sales in your community.
Pass on this one if:
You prefer marketing strategies that are applicable on a national or global scale rather than focusing on local tactics.
Favorite episodes:
Building a Holistic Local Marketing Strategy - If you only listen to one episode here, this is a FAVORITE of mine!
Staying True to Your Brand Values & Showing Up with Intention

2. How I Built My Small Business

CHECK IT OUT >

Entrepreneurs share their journeys, challenges, and successes in this inspiring podcast. Each episode dives into the nitty-gritty of building a small business from the ground up. You'll hear from a diverse range of business owners who candidly discuss their ups and downs, providing a wealth of insights and lessons learned. This podcast is perfect for those who love a good entrepreneurial story and want to learn from the experiences of others. It's like having a coffee chat with a fellow entrepreneur who’s been there and done that.

This would be a good listen for you if:
You love hearing personal success stories and learning from others' experiences.
You're in need of some entrepreneurial inspiration.
Pass on this one if:
You prefer more structured, tip-focused content.
Favorite episodes:
Can Creativity Cure Disconnect? How “Late Night Art” is bringing people together IRL
DIY Marketing Secrets for Local Businesses from “Epic Nine”

3. Main Street Business Insights

CHECK IT OUT >

Focused on the unique challenges of Main Street businesses, this podcast (powered by the non-profit Main Street America) covers everything from local marketing to community engagement. Hosted by industry experts, it’s a treasure trove of insights into the downtowns of America, specifically tailored for brick-and-mortar businesses. The episodes explore strategies to drive foot traffic, create local partnerships, and engage with the community. It’s an excellent resource for anyone looking to strengthen their presence on Main Street and become a vital part of their local economy.

This would be a good listen for you if:
You run a brick-and-mortar business.
You're interested in community-driven business strategies.
Pass on this one if:
You're solely focused on online business.
Favorite episodes:
The Art of Understanding Local Markets
Coping with Isolation & Building Community

4. Building in a Small Town

CHECK IT O UT >

“Building in a Small Town,” hosted by Shelby Smith of Colo, IA shares conversations with hometown Iowa entrepreneurs, community leaders, and policymakers about how they are developing businesses and communities in small towns. Each episode dives into the stories and experiences of those shaping the future of small-town America, exploring both the challenges and opportunities that come with it.

This would be a good listen for you if:
You’re interested in small-town business dynamics.
You want to hear from hyper-local Iowa entrepreneurs and leaders.
Pass on this one if:
You prefer a focus on larger urban markets.
Favorite episodes:
From Dental Assisting to Selling Tea at the Farmers Market to Having a Local Storefront - Mary Lewellin
Coffee & Carpet Cleaning - Mel & Russ Terhaar

5. The Found Podcast

CHECK IT OUT>

"The Found Podcast" with Molly Knuth is dedicated to women who are building and discovering their businesses online. Molly shares her journey from a stay-at-home mom to a social media marketer and business owner. The podcast focuses on personal growth, unique business strategies, and the balance of work and family life. Molly's mission is to help women create fulfilling lives and impactful businesses.

This would be a good listen for you if:
You're a female entrepreneur looking for inspiration and practical advice.
You want to balance business growth with personal well-being.
Pass on this one if:
You prefer male-oriented or corporate business content.
Favorite episodes:
Taking Risks in Business & Life
3 Things I Wish Small Business Owners Knew About Their Marketing

6. Small Business & Startup Stories DSM

CH ECK IT OUT>

"Small Business & Startup Stories" features conversations with entrepreneurs who share both their victories and failures on their paths to success. Produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, this podcast provides valuable insights into the journeys of small business owners and startup founders in the DSM area.

This would be a good listen for you if:
You enjoy hearing authentic stories of business success and challenges.
You're interested in the local startup scene in Des Moines.
Pass on this one if:
You prefer stories from larger, more established businesses.
Favorite episodes:
Starting Her Own Practice: How Courtney Buhrow build Revive Physical Therapy & Wellness
Working to Give Rural Communities the Opportunity to Thrive - Another favorite of mine growing up as a rural Iowan

BONUS! Give them all a listen! Go to my podcast playlist on spotify and binge the whole list at your multitasking leisure. Add it to your library to save it for later!

There you have it, friend—my top 6 favorite podcasts for local Iowa small businesses! Each of these shows offers something unique, whether it's actionable advice, inspiring stories, or expert insights. Give them a listen and see which ones resonate with you.

Happy listening, and here’s to building a stronger Iowa!

______________________________________

Contact me today , and let's talk about how brand transformation for your business can strengthen your Iowa community!

Your designer friend always,

Create a Marketing Plan for your Small Business Brand

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 14:48:55 GMT

Does your small business marketing feel like a guessing game? �� You, my friend are not alone! Many of us face challenges in achieving true marketing results. But with the right approach, your marketing plan can play to your strengths and drive growth.

In this post, I’m here to help you clarify your marketing goals, breaking down the process of creating an actionable and well-defined marketing plan into 5 simple steps.

I can just about imagine what you're thinking, friend. I know it takes time and extra effort that us biz owners already don't feel we have the capacity for, but hear me when I say that it might actually be easier for you than what you are currently scrambling to do to promote your business. And no, you don’t have marketing experience for this! The plan you design will play to your strengths so you can actually start moving the needle.

A solid, single-focused marketing plan can be your secret weapon to;

Increased sales and brand awareness
Targeted marketing efforts that reach the right audience
Improved customer engagement and loyalty

And best of all, it's easier than you think.

So, let’s look at a few ideas that have worked well for my own business and can help you feel confident about using your business-savvy strengths to your advantage in marketing.

STEP ONE: Marketing Audit

Before diving into creating a new marketing plan, it's crucial to take stock of your existing efforts and do a little “spring cleaning.” A marketing audit helps you declutter the mess, identify what's working (and what's not!), and ultimately build a stronger, more focused marketing plan that gets results.

Brand Alignment Check. Think of your brand as your business’s personality! Brand strategy sets the foundation for successful marketing. Make sure your marketing messages and content are consistent with your brand voice and resonate with your target audience. Do you understand your ideal customer? A strong brand strategy defines your audience and helps you craft targeted messaging.

Performance Deep Dive. Time to dig into the data! Review your key metrics like website traffic , conversion rates, and social media engagement . Identify trends and look for patterns in what content and funnels have been working and what isn’t moving the needle.

Marketing Avenues. Not all marketing channels are created equal. Figure out which ones are driving the most results for your business. Is it social media, email marketing, or good old-fashioned in-person networking? Once you know where your audience is hanging out, you can invest your time and budget more wisely.

Partner Power. Have you collaborated with other businesses in the past? Review the success of partnerships or collabs. Have they been mutually beneficial? Identify potential new partnerships that could expand your reach and enhance your marketing efforts.

Customer Conversations: Your customers are your biggest fans! Listen to what they are saying about your business. What do they highlight as your strengths? Use this feedback to refine your marketing strategy and emphasize the qualities that resonate most with your audience.

Completing a thorough marketing audit will give you a clear understanding of your marketing landscape. This will set the stage for a targeted and successful marketing plan in the next steps.

STEP TWO: Aligning Strengths with Ideal Client

Every small business has a unique set of skills and resources. The key to successful marketing is aligning your team's strengths with the needs and interests of your ideal customer. This creates a marketing strategy that resonates and gets results.

Here's how to find the common ground between your team and your ideal client:

Brainstorm Team Strengths: List everything you or your team excels at within marketing. Consider content creation, community building, data analysis, event planning, public speaking, or any other relevant skills.

Identify Ideal Client Needs: Think about the challenges and aspirations of your ideal customer. What kind of content would be valuable to them? What platforms do they frequent? Do they prefer in-person interactions or online engagement?

Find the Sweet Spot: Now comes the magic! Match your team's strengths with the needs of your ideal client. For example, if your team thrives in social media engagement and your ideal client spends a lot of time on a specific platform, this is a natural fit!

Here's an example:

Team Strength: Your team has a knack for creating engaging videos.

Ideal Client Needs: Your ideal client is a busy professional who prefers to consume information visually.

The Sweet Spot: Develop a video marketing strategy to share valuable tips and insights that resonate with your ideal client and leverage your team's video creation skills.

By aligning your team's strengths with your ideal client's needs, you create an authentic and effective marketing strategy.

Remember, it's not about being everything to everyone. Leverage your unique strengths to attract and connect with the right audience!!

STEP THREE: Charting Your Goal

We've talked about understanding your strengths and your ideal client. Now it's time to chart your course by setting a clear marketing goal. What do you want to achieve with your marketing efforts? (P.S. Don't worry; aiming for "achiever" status isn't necessary! This is always the hard part for ( the Enneagram 3 ) me. Start with one realistic, measurable goal and go from there!)

Here's how to set a strong marketing goal:

Focus on Impact: Think beyond just numbers. How will achieving your goal benefit your business? For example, increasing website traffic might lead to more leads and ultimately, more sales.

Choose One Main Goal: Focus your energy on achieving one primary goal at a time. This will help you create a more focused and effective marketing plan.

Let's explore creative and cost-effective marketing channels specifically designed for small businesses.

Provided below are some specific and measurable examples that can inspire you to find the goal that works for you, so you can continue building genuine relationships for getting your brand noticed.

GOAL IDEA #1: INCREASE WEBSITE VISITORS

Your website is your digital hub. Ensure it's optimized and gets the eyeballs it needs to start making new connections.

Goal Inspiration:
- Increase website visitors by X% in six months through targeted SEO strategies.
- Rank in the top X search results for X target keywords within six months.
- Drive X new visitors per month using a social media ad campaign.
- Attend X Industry meetups to network with potential collaborators who can guest post and/or link back to your website.

GOAL IDEA #2: CONNECT WITH A NEW AUDIENCE
Engage with your audience on the platforms they use most. Consider your brand voice and content style when choosing platforms.

Goal Inspiration:
- Capture X new leads per month through a targeted campaign.
- Raise social media followers by X% in six months.
- Increase engagement rate by X% on Instagram within three months.
- Improve email open rates by X% in the next quarter
- Engage in your community networking.

GOAL IDEA #3: INCREASE YOUR REPEAT CUSTOMER RATE
Loyal customers are the lifeblood of any small business. Create a community around your brand to foster repeat business.

Goal Inspiration:
- Increase customer retention rate by X% over the next year with a loyalty program
- Re-engage with past customers with a targeted email campaign
- Incentivize existing customers to refer new business
- Host In-Store Events
- "Miss you" Campaigns

GOAL IDEA #4: INCREASE FIRST TIME SALES

Focus on building trust, showcasing your value proposition, and making it easy for potential customers to discover and purchase your products or services.

Goal Inspiration:
- Achieve an X% increase in online sales in the next quarter.
- Participate in local farmer’s markets, popups, or other events to showcase products and connect with customers.
- Partner with micro-influencers to promote your products through social media.
- Enter a new geographical market with digital advertising and acquire 100 new customers in six months.
- Generate 100 pre-orders or wait list emails before your upcoming launch date.

GOAL IDEA #5: INCREASE BRAND AWARENESS IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
Become a familiar face and a positive force! Participate in local events, support community initiatives, and showcase your brand's personality to build recognition and trust with potential customers.

Goal Inspiration:
- Sponsor local sports teams or support a charity event
- Offer free workshops or speak at an event or conference to build trust or recognition
- Volunteer in things you are passionate about to demonstrate your commitment to local community, evaluate favorite events 6 months

Keep in mind these are ideas. You know your business better than anyone, and the items listed above may not make sense for you. Did any of these ideas spur some creative ideas of your own? Find something you know you’d benefit from growing in. They key is to set S.M.A.R.T. ( S pecific, M easurable, A chievable, R elevant & T ime-bound) goal and stick with it. Jot down your top 5 and then take some time deciding where to start by choosing one single goal to move forward with, write it down and then head to step 4.

STEP FOUR: Build Your Action Plan

Now that you have a clear marketing goal and a good understanding of your target audience and strengths, it's time to craft your marketing action plan officially and put it down in a document, a calendar, a notebook or whatever works best for you! This plan will be your roadmap to achieving your marketing goals.

There are several resources available to help you get started, including:

Free Online Templates: Many websites offer free marketing action plan templates with pre-defined sections to guide you through the process. Smart Sheets or High Peaks Studios have great fillable printables available for free. Canva also has templates for marketing plans available to edit.

Marketing Blogs, Articles, and Podcasts: Read articles and blog posts from marketing experts like Amy Porterfield or J.J Peterson to learn best practices for creating action plans. Searching terms like “Small Business Marketing Plan” can help you find a starting point for your document.

Try AI: While “the robots” can’t create a perfect plan for you, they can provide a sample template and some helpful prompts to get you started.

Here's a key point to remember: Your marketing action plan is a living document. You may need to adjust it as you go based on your results and learnings. The most important thing is to take action and get started!

Here are some additional tips for creating your marketing action plan:

Focus on Specifics: Break down your overall goal into smaller, weekly or monthly tasks.

Set Realistic Deadlines: Be realistic about how much you can accomplish in a given timeframe.

Track Your Progress: Monitor your progress and adjust your plan as needed.

STEP FIVE: Implement Your Marketing Plan

You've created a fantastic marketing action plan – now it's time to put it into action! Just like a beautiful garden needs consistent care to flourish, your marketing efforts require dedication to achieve your goals.

Here are some key steps to take action and watch your marketing garden grow:

Schedule Dedicated Marketing Time: Block out specific times in your calendar each week to focus on marketing tasks outlined in your plan.

Start Small & Be Consistent: Don't try to do everything at once! Focus on completing a few key tasks each week and celebrate your progress.

Track Your Results: Monitor the results of your marketing activities and adjust your plan as needed. There are many free and paid analytics tools available to help you track website traffic, social media engagement, and other important metrics. You can grab a copy of my Free Website Metrics Google Doc here .

Embrace Experimentation: Don't be afraid to try new things! Test different marketing tactics and see what resonates with your target audience.

Above is an example of how I customized a Canva template create by Blancalab Studio and made it my own.

TIP:

Feeling Overwhelmed? There’s NO shame in hiring a professional if this isn’t your forte. Maybe investing with a marketing professional like Sort Projects for the planning of your marketing, or Cowles Creative for social media management or Tamarack Creative for content creation or digital advertising. Virtual assistant Virtually Brady can also help you organize all the step-by-step execution of your marketing.

Creating a growth marketing plan for your small business doesn't have to be daunting. You can transform your marketing efforts into a focused, strategic, and effective plan by breaking it down into these six simple steps.

Set clear, actionable goals, build a detailed action plan, and dedicate weekly time to implement your strategies. By tracking your progress and being open to experimentation, you’ll find what works best for your business.

With the right approach and a bit of dedication, your small business can achieve growth and success. Happy marketing!

Your designer friend always,

Create an Email Signature in Gmail using Separate Clickable Icons

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 16:58:35 GMT

Is your email signature as exciting as watching paint dry? ��

Well, I’m here to help you inject some design aesthetic AND tech into your “digital handshake” so you take your email signature from snooze-fest to an on-brand hub for connecting your people to your online kingdom.

With clickable website links and social media icons, your email signature becomes a quick reference for connecting with you across the digital landscape. So, carve out some time (it will be worth it).

I’m here to show you how to Canva-fy your way to a clickable signature using Gmail with a few simple steps.

LET'S GET STARTED

What you'll need:

A Canva account (free or Pro)
Image editing software or steal and edit my email signature template

Steps to creating a top-notch email signature

1. Design the Body of your Signature in Canva

Open Canva and create a new design. Choose a size suitable for email signatures (around 400 x 200 pixels is recommended).
Design your signature layout (or steal mine HERE and swap out my text and images with your own). Include your name, title, company information (optional), and contact details in a professional and visually appealing way.

Design Tip:
Be mindful of your brand. Of course you’ll swap the contact info, but you’ll also want to switch fonts and colors as needed so it reflects your style and personality.

2. Download the Body Part of your Signature

Once your signature design is completed in Canva, download your file individually.

Go to "Share" > Download and choose "PNG" as the filetype.
Click the Select Pages drop-down and check the signature you want to use
Click Done
Click the download button - It will save to your downloads folder on your computer or your photos app in on your device
You'll access this file in few minutes after the next couple of steps

3. Edit Your Icons for your Email Signature

Create another new design for icons in Canva. (50x50 pixels are good dimensions for that). You can use Canva's library of icons or upload your own social media or website icons. I created a Canva template that uses the most common icons HERE . You can edit them using your own brand colors.

Important: Don't add hyperlinks to the icons within Canva in this method (this functionality is only available for Canva Pro users). You will be adding hyperlinks later.

4. Download Your Icons as Separate Images

Once your icon designs are complete, download all the icons you want to use individually as PNG files.
Go to "Share" > Download and choose "PNG" as the filetype.
Click the Select Pages drop-down and check the icons you want to use
Click Done
Click the download button - It will save to your downloads folder on your computer or your photos app in on your device

5. Set Up Your Signature in Gmail:

To access Gmail settings, click the gear icon at the top right corner and select "See all settings."
Navigate to the Signature section: Under the "General" tab, scroll down to the "Signature" section.
Create or Choose a Signature: Click "Create new" to create a new signature or select an existing one.

6. Insert Images & Icons:

Insert Body Signature Image: Click the "Insert image" icon for the body signature first.
Quick Tips:
Do not drag your image from your desktop into the signature field. It won’t work, you have to use the “insert image” icon for each image you insert.

You may want to adjust the size if you feel it is too large - I adjusted mine to reduce down to the “large” size.

After inserting the body signature, arrow over so your curser is at the right side of the body signature image and click the return button on your keyboard to hard return to the next line to prepare for inserting your icons.
Insert Clickable Icons:
Insert your left-most icon PNG image file individually
Highlight the image icon: Select the image icon by highlighting it
Add Hyperlinks: Once the icon is highlighted, click the "Insert Link" icon (paperclip symbol) and paste the website URL you want to link the image icon to. Click "Save".

Repeat this process for each icon, inserting the icon png and then linking each individually to their corresponding website URLs.
Quick Tips: If you would like to link something other than a URL like a click-to-call or an email address, use these:
For a clickable phone number
Use tel and a colon and a plus sign before the phone number
Example: tel:+0000000000 (do not use dashes, spaces or dots to separate any characters)
For a clickable email address
Use mailto and a colon before the email address
Example: mailto:amanda@mail.com (no space between the colon and your email address)

8. Finalize and Save:

Adjust Image Size and Position: Resize and position each uploaded icon image appropriately within the signature box to match your design. Use consistent spacing and alignment between your text labels and icons for a polished look.
You can move any icons by highlighting and dragging them to a different position. Position your highest-priority icons start at the left side.
Choose When to Apply Signature: Select if you want the signature to appear automatically for all emails or only for new messages. Standard practice is for a new message to have the full signature and reply emails to have an abbreviated version of the signature.

Save Changes: Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click "Save Changes."

9. Test Your Signature:

Compose a new email to test your signature. Click on each text label to verify it links to the correct website URLs.

Way to take your Email Signature up a notch!

So there you have it! With a little Canva magic and these handy steps, you've transformed your email signature to a clickable hub connecting you to your online world. Now, go forth and conquer those inboxes! Remember, a stellar signature is like a digital business card – it speaks volumes about your professionalism and personality. So use your creativity, personalize your design, and get ready to wow everyone you email!

Bonus Tip: Feeling overwhelmed by the clickable stuff? Don't sweat it! Canva offers a plethora of pre-made email signature templates to inspire you if you don’t want to worry about this particular template. Just remember to swap in your information and brand colors to make it your own.

Here’s to making your brand as on-brand as possible!

Spread the word! Share this post with your network to help others ditch the drab email signatures.

Your designer friend always,

How to Get the Most out of your Brand Photoshoot

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 11:00:01 GMT

Ever scroll through your social media or website design and see brands with photos that just ooze their vibe?

They scream confidence, professionalism, and everything your brand aspires to be.

Maybe your last photoshoot left you feeling a little...meh. Or the stock photos you’re using on your socials and website are not capturing the heart and magic you know your brand has.

Don't worry, friend! I’m spilling the 7 secret weapons I use to guide my brand clients when they are planning their own brand photoshoots. These tips help them not only communicate well with their photographer but also gain the confidence they need to conquer this big day.

And if you know me, I like to organize everything to make sure there are no missed opportunities to get the most bang for my investment .

As a business owner and brand strategist , I understand the crucial role of visual factors in telling an impactful brand story.

Did you know that up to 90% of purchases are influenced by visual factors? And….if you present your visual brand consistently, regardless of the platform, it can increase revenue by up to 23%.

Preparing well for your brand photoshoot can make the difference between good and great results.

It’s not just about snapping beautiful pictures; it is about creating a visual story that reflects your soul and style. Hint…the more personality you can bring out, the better.

Whether you're a fellow small business owner, an aspiring creative, or someone who loves personal branding, I hope this sparks your own creativity.

7 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Brand Photo Shoot

Define Your Brand's Story

If you haven't worked with a brand strategist before, here are a couple of basic brand story questions to help you.

a) “Who is your target audience?” This question gets thrown around a lot, but I’m telling you, it gets thrown around a lot because it’s IMPORTANT. If you have not gone through the brand strategy process before, think through a few key questions about your people.

Imagine your dream client walks through the door. Who are they? What emotions do you want your ideal client to feel when they experience your brand? Can you describe the visual style that resonates with them (Classic, Modern, Fun, Colorful, etc.)? What are some challenges they face that you can help them solve and how can these scenarios be captured in a photo?

While brand strategy is a more involved process than just knowing your target audience, this is a great starting point.

b) “What is your brand’s personality?” Crafting your brand personality is like giving your brand a voice. Think about the core values that drive your business and the emotions you want to evoke in customers. Understanding your ideal audience will help you pick personality traits that resonate with them. With these in mind, brainstorm adjectives that describe your brand's character.

Need help defining your brand’s story? I’m your gal fo r brand strategy and design.

Create a Shot List and Planning Document

Now that you’ve defined your brand’s story, creating a shot list is easier. To get the creative juices flowing, you may start with a simple Google Doc or a Pinterest board.

If you’re Pinterest user, create a board and gather your faves. Here are a few search terms to try: {your industry} Brand Photo Shoot Examples, {your vibe} Photo Style ideas, Pose Reference, Photo Editing Style Examples, {your industry} Brand Photo Prop Examples.

Your photographer may present you with a document or questionnaire to help you communicate the vibe you want them to capture. They may also want to collaborate with you to create a shot list.

When creating your shot list, communicate the platforms you plan to use the photos on. Some examples could include business website design, Instagram posts, Facebook covers, Pinterest graphics, guest blogging, business cards or email signatures. Make sure you consider size, orientation (portrait or landscape), and white space if you are planning on layering text over images when making your shot list.

Choose and Collab with your Photographer

There is no shortage of photographer talent out there. Finding the best photographer for your brand comes down to personal preference but here are a few things that can help you weigh your decision.

Look at online portfolios of work so you can get a feel for the editing style, composition, flattering and unique vantage points, and tone that is right for your brand. It won’t make a lot of sense to choose a photographer who creates light and airy photography if your brand’s vibe is dark and moody, you know?

Your photographer will have some recommendations about location, and you can bounce ideas off each other if you have some thoughts on location, too.

Most importantly, make sure you feel comfortable talking to them about your desires for the shoot, the must-have photos want to capture, and any concerns you might have. Communicating well prior to the shoot can help ease your mind if you have jitters, too.

Plan Your Outfits

This is a big one! Clothing can take your brand to a whole new creative place.

My advice? Find outfits that are confident-boosting and on-brand (think color palette, style, and personality), but take it up at least one notch. This can make you stand out against competitors and ultimately help your brand’s personality shine through.

In my most recent brand photo shoot with Ashley Brooke Collective , I took my own advice and took it up a notch (okay, maybe two or three) with a full bright pink satin pantsuit and colored snakeskin heels. I also added a disco ball as a prop. I feel like the photos brought a fresh, modern, and confident vibe.

Would I wear that suit in real life? Probably not. Hillary Clinton can keep that trend going, �� but it was perfect for a brand photoshoot.

Plan Your Props

Bring the industry-specific things you use every day that tell your story. For example, a realtor might bring a “sold” sign to their shoot. Consider props for flatlays (photographs taken from a bird' s-eye view) and other details that might be helpful when you are creating content for your brand.

Product-based businesses have an opportunity to capitalize on lifestyle product photos to further capture the essence of the brand.

For service-based businesses, asking a friend to be an “extra” in your shoot can help showcase the way you interact with your customers, especially if your brand personality has a lot to do with the care of your customers.

Take it a step further by infusing your brand with more personal, authentic elements. Think of hobbies and quirks outside the business that relate to or bring out your personality with your audience. In my recent photo shoot, my photographer brought confetti and champagne and I brought my turquoise roller skates.

Scout the Perfect Location

When selecting a location, there are definitely some things to consider. First, it needs to be a location your photographer feels comfortable with.

For example, if your location idea is on-brand but has less-than-ideal lighting, it may not be the right fit. Talk with your photographer and make suggestions to find just the right spot.

Once you’ve found a few places with good lighting and ample spaces, narrow it down from there with the location that compliments your brand well and suits your budget.

For me, finding this cute Airbnb in Des Moines, Iowa helped bring the creative vision to life. I turned a brand photoshoot into a two night work retreat for myself and it cost about the same as a couple of hours in a rented photography studio.

Prepare Your Mindset

Feeling a little camera shy? Totally normal! But remember, the photographer is there to capture your awesomeness, not judge you.

A few things that might run through your mind prior to your shoot could cripple you. Don’t dwell on your insecurities. Set your mind to rocking this shoot with confidence.

The best things you can do are get enough sleep, stay hydrated, steam your clothes ��and focus on feeling fantastic!

Approach the shoot with the idea that you’re on a fun adventure. Your photographer will direct you, so you can trust the process. This is a chance to celebrate your brand and all that you’ve worked so hard for.

BONUS TIPS:

Plan out the Beauty Essentials: Things like haircuts, nails, makeup, spray tans, etc all need advanced planning. So give yourself some time to think it all through.

Bring Snacks and Water: Stay hydrated and energized throughout the photoshoot.

Enlist Helpers: I invited my amazing virtual assistant to help me with setting up and taking behind the scenes content during the shoot. I also had another friend help me with setup the evening before the shoot.

Review the Contract: Double-check the details of your contract with the photographer, including deliverables, usage rights, and cancellation policies.

Bring a Hype Playlist: Music can help set the mood and keep you pumped up during the shoot, especially if you want to include some power poses. I also wouldn't judge you if you turned on that music in front of the mirror for a little practice before the big day. Here is fun playlist that works for my brand, but you may want to create your own!

So there you have it, bosses!

These 7 steps and bonus tips will have you rocking your next brand photoshoot with confidence and creativity. Remember, this is YOUR chance to show the world the magic behind your brand. Don't be afraid to infuse your personality, have fun with it, and let your unique awesomeness shine through!

Want to chat more about showcasing your brand or website? Hit me up!!

And if you take action on these tips and slay your brand shoot, be sure to tag me on social media .

I can't wait to see your brand come alive through photography!

Your designer friend always,

Canva Pro Tips for Building Your Brand Kit (w/ step-by-step screenshots)

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 10:45:00 GMT

Let’s be real. Small business owners wear many hats.

They're outrageously creative, skilled at multitasking, managing time, orchestrating workflows, handling social media, and balancing work-life. Some even venture into graphic design. ��

Thankfully, we have our sweet little platform, Canva. Here, the technical side of design becomes just another manageable task on the list.

I do know two things that save a bunch of time in designing for your business:

Having specific branded templates to repeatedly use for different brand communications
Access to your brand’s logos, colors, typography, photos, icons and more

While copying and pasting from other designs does get the job done, it’s not really the most efficient way to make your brand cohesive and professional.

Well, friend, designer or not, it’s time for me to help you get your brand ORGANIZED once and for all using Canva Pro.

If you’re currently using the free version of Canva and it’s been working for you, that’s awesome. However, if you do a lot of graphical creation, I recommend purchasing the Canva Pro Version .

A few of my favorite features I use consistently with Canva Pro are:

Video and Image Background Remover
Access to so many additional images and templates
Magic Resize
Text Animation
And of course, my favorite…The Brand Kit

Here are some tips for setting up your brand kit

There are a few things you’ll need to have ready before you get started:

A Canva Pro Account

You can sign up for Canva and receive a free 14-day trial or if you already have a free Canva account you can upgrade to Canva Pro

Your Brand Files

If you’ve worked with a professional brand designer , they’ve likely sent you a package with everything you need to set up your brand kit with ease.

This might include:

Brand guidelines or style guide
Details about your brand’s voice
Strategic messaging
Logo files
Color builds
Typography specifications
Photos that represent your brand
Icons
Graphical elements

If you haven’t worked with a designer yet or created a logo, Canva has some basic options to get you started if you don’t have a budget for a brand (yet). You can start there and use my FREE mini style guide to get yourself started.

Let’s sign into Canva and dive in! ⬇️

Tip: I would set up your brand kit using a desktop computer since most of your brand files are likely saved to the cloud or a hard drive.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your Canva Pro Brand Kit

Create Your Custom Brand Kit

After you’ve logged into the Canva account, navigate and tap the brand tab on the left-hand menu.

Tap the “Set up your Brand Kit” button.

Name your Brand Kit by tapping the edit button.

Upload Your Logo Files

Upload your logo variations by either dragging each logo file from your computer or clicking the add new button.

Add Your Colors

Click the + symbol on the swatch area in the color section. Continue adding all of your brand colors.

You can add either a solid color or a gradient (which is a group of colors that fade into one another). There are two different color build specifications. Since Canva is a digital platform, the main colors are HEX color values (ex: #000000). Hex colors are used for on-screen viewing. Adding the CMYK version of your brand colors is another helpful idea. CMYK colors are used for printing.

Assign Your Fonts

Assign fonts, their sizes and attributes for each. The title should be the largest font size and get smaller down the line.

If your brand fonts are not included in the standard canva menu, you can upload fonts you have purchased licenses for.

Add Your Brand Voice

Include a couple of sentences about how you want your brand to sound when communicating with words to add your brand voice.

Upload Your Brand Photos

Add the photos that represent your brand. This could be stock photography or your own brand photography.

Upload Your Graphics

If you have specific graphics you plan to use to make your brand cohesive, upload them to the graphics section.

Upload Your Icons

Custom icons that represent your brand can be added in the icons section.

Save your Canva Projects as Brand Templates

You can add existing designs to your brand templates by navigating to a Canva design and publishing it as a brand template. When you do this, it appears automatically in the Brand Templates section and you can use them as a starting point for new designs.

Check on team settings

If you share your Canva account with a team, you may want to specify how much freedom your team can have with your brand. You can specify permissions on the Brand Controls page.

So, there you have it—a complete guide to getting your Canva Pro brand kit in tip-top shape!

Remember, investing a little time now to set up your brand kit can save you loads of effort down the road, ensuring everything you create is on-brand and professional.

Why not make your life easier and your brand stronger?

Ready to take your brand to the next level? Don't forget, I'm just a message away if you need a cheerleader or a bit of guidance.

Let's make your brand unforgettable together!

Your designer friend always,

5 Ways To Boost Your Website Domain Authority

Mon, 20 May 2024 17:24:38 GMT

As a website designer, I notice a common theme among business owners and brand builders when it comes to designing and launching their websites…

There is a misconception that once you launch your website, you can check it off your list and not really think about it again.

While it’s true that simply getting your website out into the world is a BIG deal and is definitely a project you can check off your list, I never want people to assume your website is a “one and done” type of thing.

Because honestly, it’s the very opposite of that.

I’m not just saying this because I’m a website designer, I’m saying this from business owner to business owner: your website is truly the thing that can work FOR YOU, just as an employee would, and should be something that evolves and grows as your business evolves and grows.

It’s the thing that you should constantly be tweaking and adding to in order to boost your presence in the online space.

But that doesn't just happen by chance. The only way it can happen is when you actively work to make your website THE place to be.

The place where potential clients and customers feel seen and heard. The place where your audience can flock to for information and education about topics in your industry.

The place where people are pointed to from Google search to find exactly what they’re looking for. The place where you’re displayed as an expert in your industry.

How do you make this happen you might ask? Well, it all starts with your website domain authority and lucky for you, there’s a really easy way to build it!

What Does Website Domain Authority Mean?

If you were to think of Website Domain Authority in a real life sense, it’s kind of like Regina George in Mean Girls. The queen bee. The popular girl that everyone wants to be friends with. ��‍♀️

Just like Regina wanted to be at the top of the popularity list, as a small business owner, it’s natural to want to be at the top of website rankings.

But lucky for all of us, your domain authority is nothing like that of The Plastics.

In the technical sense, Domain Authority (DA) is a metric developed by Moz – a well known SEO company – that quantifies the perceived authority or credibility of a website on a scale from 0 to 100.

Essentially, your Domain Authority predicts how well your website is likely to rank on search engine result pages. The higher your DA, the greater the potential for your website to rank well in search engine results.

SEO Tools To Calculate Your Website Domain Authority

Knowing this, you might be wondering… “well how do I know what my Domain Authority is?”

Good question!

Since Domain Authority is something that was created by Moz, you can use their online tool, Open Site Explorer, to check your DA.

It’s as simple as navigating to their site, entering your website URL, and reviewing the results!

Other online SEO tools that can also deliver this score, include Ahrefs , SEMrush , and my personal favorite, UberSuggest .

While these different tools may use slightly different algorithms and factors to calculate their metrics, any of these can give you a pretty good idea of where you rank!

5 Ways to Boost Your Website Domain Authority

Once you know your current website Domain Authority, you’ll likely want to take action to improve it. But before I get into HOW to do that, just know that this process takes time.

You’re not going to go from 1 to 100 in Domain Authority overnight. That’s not how it works!

In fact, the odds are low that you’ll ever reach 100 Domain Authority as a small business owner and that’s okay.

As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to aim for a 20-40 range.

The good news is that you have more control over your DA than you might think, which is why I always say that your website shouldn't be treated as “one and done.”

Once your website is launched, there’s a few things you can consistently do to boost your website Domain Authority little by little, including:

Infuse keywords on your website organically

If you’ve ever heard someone talk about SEO, you’ve likely heard them mention keywords, and for good reason!

For your site to effectively rank in search results, you want to make sure you’re consistently using appropriate keywords throughout your website.

This not only means your website copy is infused with keywords, but it also means you're creating fresh and unique content on an ongoing basis that continues to tell Google that you’re relevant in a specific space.

My personal favorite way to do this is through consistent blogging !

Many times when people hear this talk of keywords, their main question is, “but how do I know what keywords to use?”

And that’s a valid question. There are TONS of SEO and keyword tools out there, but some of the most popular ones that are the most effective and easy to use include UberSuggest , Keywords Everywhere , Keyword Surfer , Answer The Publi c , and Google Trends .

The KEY here is that you don’t keyword stuff, meaning you don’t overload your website with an excessive amount of keywords or key phrases in an attempt to manipulate search engine rankings.

This practice is considered unethical and is against the guidelines of major search engines, including Google, which means you could actually penalize your website and do the exact opposite of what you want for your Domain Authority. ��‍♀️

Actively work to drive traffic to your website

If you’re not working to actively drive traffic to your website, that’s kindaaaaa like telling Google and other search engines that your website isn’t useful.

But you and I both know that’s not true. So, it’s time to change your ways!

Many times as business owners it’s easy to get caught up in the world of social media and put a lot of your focus there. While you SHOULD have a social media presence, make sure that you’re social media and other avenues to direct people to your website as much as you can.

A few ways to do this can include:

➡️ making sure your social posts directly correlate to content on your website and use links in your stories to direct people there

➡️ linking to your website in your newsletters or other marketing emails

➡️ ensuring your link in bio features a page on YOUR website, not LinkTree or something similar

Fix broken links

One of the best ways to DECREASE your Domain Authority? Have a site with a lot of broken links. ��

This is one of the most important website maintenance tasks you can do on a consistent basis because it directly impacts the way people can (or can’t) find you on Google.

And if you aren’t sure how to know if your website features broken links? There’s a tool for that!

Most of the SEO tools I mentioned above have a way to help you determine if your website has any broken links, giving you clear direction on what to fix!

Optimize your website for mobile

Mobile optimization is a HUGE overlooked component of website design and it’s not something you want to skip! ��

In fact, Google predominantly uses the mobile version of a site’s content for indexing and ranking! Google recommends responsive website design because it’s the easiest to maintain, and keeps things consistent between mobile AND desktop formats.

While mobile use for websites can vary from person to person, generally speaking, mobile makes up over half of global internet traffic, meaning if your website isn’t optimized for mobile, you could be missing out on a LOT of traffic.

Not only does this impact the user experience, but it also directly impacts the way your website ranks, so if you want to boost your Domain Authority as soon as today, take a peek at your mobile view and make tweaks accordingly!

Grow your backlinks

Lastly, one of the best ways to boost your Domain Authority for your website is to grow your backlinks.

In the website world, there are internal links and there are backlinks.

Internal links are hyperlinks that point from one page to another within the same website domain. So, let’s say you were to write a blog post and link to another page on your one website – that’s an internal link!

Backlinks, on the other hand, are links that come from one website to another.

Both types of links work to grow your SEO and Domain Authority, but backlinks hold a higher importance because they tell Google that OTHER people also find your website to be useful.

Similar to keywords, however, you don’t want to manipulate backlinks. Many people use sketchy platforms to pay for backlinks, thinking it will boost their DA. But guess what? Google is smart and can tell when you’re being inauthentic!

Some of the most effective ways to grow your backlinks include:

➡️ Guest podcasting – have a friend in the industry with a podcast? Ask if you can be a guest! Not only do you get the opportunity to share your expertise with their audience, but you’ll also likely gain a backlink from their digital show notes.

➡️ Guest blogging – similar to guest podcasting, guest blogging is a great way to get in front of another audience and gain a backlink along the way.

➡️ Member directories – want a lower effort option? Consider what member directories you could potentially land yourself on simply by joining for a low fee or even creating a free profile. Your chamber of commerce is a GREAT place to start!

➡️ Resource / referral pages – if your past clients or close colleagues have a resource or referral page, ask if you can land a spot on their list!

Overall, simply designing and launching your website isn’t enough.

YES, it’s the first step, but in order to truly be found, you always want your website working for you.

Once you’ve launched your website into the world, make sure you implement these techniques to ensure search engines view your site as useful and your Domain Authority continues to grow overtime.

And if you NEED a website before you can focus on these things? I can help with that. ��

With my website design service , you’ll receive:

1:1 strategy session to provide clarity and direction for the content, calls-to-action and conversion goals
Customized messaging and visuals to give your audience a first impression that will knock their socks off
A focus on taking a visitor on a journey through your website to maximize buy-in
Competitor research so your audience finds you first
Keywords, linking strategies, SEO titles, descriptions, heading tags and more to ensure your website has a healthy relationship with Google
Navigable page designs for simple usability
Coaching call so you can get prepare and plan for your audience to get excited about your new website
Post launch support after your big launch
Annual hosting, security certificate and an email support line that goes straight to me for added peace of mind
A simple user log-in to edit your website along with training video tutorials so you have the freedom to make updates anytime

CLICK HERE to connect to see if a website design project is a good fit for you!

Your designer friend always,

How Color Theory Impacts Your Branding and Examples of Brands That Are Doing It Right

Mon, 06 May 2024 11:45:00 GMT

I’m not big on hot take marketing, but I must admit I have a hot take of my own that I think it’s time I share… ��

There are some really boring brands out there. And there are also a LOT of brands that look the same.

This doesn’t necessarily mean the brand isn't successful or that they don’t generate results, but from the outside looking in, this is simply what I see.

And if you were to scroll your Instagram feed, you’d probably start to see what I mean and agree…

And honestly, I get it.

In a world filled with trends, it’s easy to morph into what you think people are attracted to.

If Pantone claims the color of the year is Magenta, you might think you need to start using more magenta in your brand.

It’s like when TikTok told the girlies back in January that fur coats are back in… what did everyone do? Stock up on their fur coats they swore they’d never buy again. ��‍♀️

See what I mean?

Because of the trendy world we’re so easily influenced by, it can be hard to create a stand-out brand that’s unique and meaningful to YOU.

You might be inspired by design from one brand and then influenced by color from another and it makes it nearly impossible to create something that accurately represents you in the market.

This is where working with a professional brand designer can come in handy.

They can help you ditch the trends of what everyone else is doing and hone in on specific brand aspects that make sense for you, depict who you really are, and help you effectively stand out in your industry, just from your brand design alone.

So, let’s get into what brand design really even is and then dive into the psychology behind bold and colorful brands, along with a few companies who I personally believe do this really well!

What Is Brand Design?

First things first, I want to be clear on what I even mean when I say brand design, because I’ll admit, that can feel like a jargon filled word if you’re not in the branding or marketing world.

Put simply, brand design is a strategic and creative process of crafting a visual identity that represents your brand's values, personality, and unique attributes.

And no, it’s not JUST your logo! Yes, your logo is included in your brand design, but it also involves other visual elements that collectively communicate your brand's essence to your target audience.

Essentially, brand design aims to create a consistent and memorable visual language that distinguishes your brand in the market.

Key components of a brand design often include:

Logo design
Color palette
Typography
Imagery and Graphics
Packaging design (for product based businesses)
Brand collateral (such as business cards or other printed or digital materials)
Website design (although website design is often a separate project from brand design, it’s still important that the two are seamlessly connected)

There’s so much that could be said about each of these elements of a brand design, but for this blog post specifically, I want to hone in on color. ��

Colors for your brand shouldn’t be chosen at random and it’s important to fully understand what each color means before you use it as a part of your brand.

And yes, colors have meaning. In fact, there’s an entire psychology behind them. ⬇️

An Overview Of Color Psychology and How Certain Colors Impact Your Brand

Let me preface this by saying: by no means am I claiming you can’t have white, black, beige, or brown infused throughout your brand if it makes sense.

But I would much rather you do so if it’s done with reason and strategy – not just because that’s what someone else in your industry is doing and you think you should, too.

The best brand colors are chosen with a clear purpose in mind, so let’s dive into the color psychology of some of the most popular colors you’re probably used to seeing.

If you’re unfamiliar, color psychology suggests that different colors can evoke specific emotions, moods, and associations. While it’s true that individual perceptions may vary, there is a general rule of thumb associated with every color on the color wheel.

For the sake of this blog post, let’s review the 10 most popular colors:

Blue
Meaning: Trust, calmness, stability, and professionalism.
Associations : Often used by corporate brands to convey reliability and by healthcare brands for a sense of calm.
Red:
Meaning: Passion, energy, excitement, and urgency.
Associations: Used by brands to grab attention and create a sense of urgency, often seen in sales and clearance promotions.
Green:
Meaning: Nature, growth, health, and eco-friendliness.
Associations: Commonly used by environmentally conscious brands, health-related products, and companies promoting sustainability.
Yellow:
Meaning: Happiness, optimism, energy, and warmth.
Associations: Frequently used in brands related to food, entertainment, and to convey a positive and lively image.
Purple:
Meaning: Luxury, sophistication, creativity, and royalty.
Associations: Often chosen by high-end brands to convey a sense of exclusivity and elegance.
Orange:
Meaning: Vibrancy, enthusiasm, and energy.
Associations: Used by brands to create a lively and friendly image, common in the food and beverage industry.
Pink:
Meaning: Romance, sweetness, and playfulness.
Associations: Commonly used in products targeting a female audience or to convey a sense of warmth and compassion.
Black:
Meaning: Elegance, sophistication, and power.
Associations: Often used by luxury brands to convey a sense of exclusivity and by tech companies to project a sleek and modern image.
White:
Meaning: Purity, cleanliness, and simplicity.
Associations: Commonly used in healthcare, technology, and lifestyle brands to convey a clean and minimalist image.
Gray:
Meaning: Neutrality, balance, and sophistication.
Associations: Frequently used in corporate branding to convey a sense of professionalism and stability.

It's important to note that color meanings can also be heavily influenced by cultural and personal factors.

Either way, the context in which certain colors are used plays a significant role in how your audience will perceive your brand as a whole!

This is why when creating your brand design, understanding color psychology can help in making intentional choices that resonate with the desired emotions and messages you want your audience to perceive.

Examples of Bold and Colorful Brands That Are Doing It Right

Once you understand color psychology and are ready to choose which colors you incorporate into your brand, it’s not as simple as saying, “I’m going to use red as my primary color,” like Coca-Cola has done or choosing to make pink your thing, like T-Mobile.

Sure, these are examples of how brands have chosen a color to be known for and while that can be effective, when I do my work as a brand designer, I prefer to take it further with a sophisticated, modern, and well-designed identity system that is 100% backed with reason and strategy.

Again, your colors shouldn’t be chosen at random or just because they’re trendy. Forget about the proposed color of the year and choose colors that truly align with what you want to convey.

Ultimately, your brand should be able to grow with you and establish you as a unique spot in the marketplace.

Billie Razor ��

Billie Razor is known for its disruptive and inclusive approach to women's shaving products. The brand gained attention not only for its high-quality razors, but also for challenging traditional beauty standards and promoting body positivity.

As a whole, the brand takes a minimalist approach and promotes a clean aesthetic, which is 100% conveyed through their color choice as well.

Through a combo of bold and pastel colors, the brand effectively conveys the emotions and associations that they want their audience to perceive, including femininity with the hot pink, cleanliness with the light blue, and a sense of sophistication with the bold red.

Bubble Skincare ��

Bubble Skincare is disrupting the skincare industry with their new-school approach to skincare in an old-school skincare world.

And this “new-school” approach is SO evident in their branding!

When Bubble first launched, their CEO even said, “the goal was to create a skincare brand with an affordable price point while forging an emotional attachment among young consumers” and they’re doing just that through the colors they choose for their products and their overall fun branding.

Poppi ��

What once began as “Mother Beverage” in 2018, is now the well known company that has set out to take over the soda industry – and I personally think they’re doing a great job of it!

Beyond their pop art inspired designs alongside their bright color palette and fruit inspired graphics, Poppi is the perfect example of a rebrand gone RIGHT.

The original focus on the company highlighted apple cider vinegar as the main component of the drink and honestly, the branding looked dated and uninviting.

Now, instead of highlighting apple cider vinegar as the main component, they list fun flavors on their cans to lead with a prebiotic soda drink instead.

Because let’s be real… who really wants to drink apple cider vinegar? No one. But people DO want to drink a healthier version of Classic Cola, Root Beer, and Dr. Pepper.

Insert Poppi’s version!

Be honest: which of these would you be more apt to grab at the grocery store? I know which one I’d pick. Poppi uses bold colors to boost the appeal, especially among younger generations!

Sugarfina ��

Sugarfina is a luxury candy boutique known for its upscale and stylish approach to confectionery.

As a whole, Sugarfina is recognized for its elegant and sophisticated packaging that displays pastel colors, gold accents, and high-quality materials to create a luxurious and gift-worthy appearance.

The way they’ve designed their branding conveys their upscale approach and positions them in the market as not your average convenience store candy.

The colors they’ve chosen to use in their logo and throughout their product packaging convey a sense of sweetness and elegance, which both align with the brand’s high quality identity in the candy market.

Overall, Sugarfina's branding is designed to attract a premium and sophisticated consumer segment and they set out to achieve this through the emphasis on quality ingredients, stylish packaging, and unique flavor combinations which all positions them in the luxury confectionery market.

ABC Cans ♻️

Lastly, a personal favorite, and yes… I may be biased as this is a client project that I was so honored to work on!

When owners of Ames Bottle and Can, JL and Evan, contacted me about the upcoming opening of their local redemption center, it was apparent that both owners were savvy business people. I immediately knew we were a good fit when they talked about their love for giving back to the community and how much they believed in the importance of branding for small businesses.

During our brand strategy, we discovered they were up for having a bit of fun conveying their brand and messaging.

When you typically think of can and bottle redemption, you probably think of the gross, sticky, smelly can machines you have to feed, one by one. Most people don’t like this experience and probably don’t view it as very fun.

But Ames Bottle and Can? They are on a mission to make recycling feel FUN, so it’s important that their branding conveys that very thing!

That’s why when working with this business, I opted for bold colors and fonts paired with aesthetic and fun feeling icons so that the company could lead with their fun messaging and have a brand identity that went along with it.

The moment you navigate to their website , I can almost guarantee that you’ll feel different about recycling right away.

That my friend truly the power of branding, but color specifically!

A Short Exercise To Determine What Your Brand Conveys To Your Audience

Overall, your branding should not be something you choose by random. All parts of your brand identity – including your logo, colors, fonts, and icons – should be designed with strategy in mind.

It’s so important to consider how you want your audience to feel and what message you want to convey to them.

As crazy as it might sound, color alone can be the thing that makes or breaks your brand positioning in the market.

So, with all of these things in mind, I invite you to observe your brand as if you were looking at it as a potential customer or client for the first time. Ask yourself:

➡️ Does my brand convey what I want it to convey?

➡️ How do the colors in my branding make me feel?

➡️ Does my logo and other brand identifiers (such as icons, etc.) align with my brand messaging?

Your answers to those questions can really help you determine how your brand comes across in the marketplace and if you don’t like what you’re seeing… don’t worry!

A few simple changes can go a long way.

Maybe it’s time for a full rebrand. Or maybe a small brand refresh is what you need.

Either way, I’m here to help you navigate the wonderful world of branding so you can feel confident when you show up online!

CLICK HERE to learn more about my brand design services and to see if we’re a good fit.

Your designer friend always,

5 Ways To Give Your Brand The Ritz Carlton Effect

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 19:55:23 GMT

In the book, The New Gold Standard, the author describes how The Ritz Carlton hotel aims to go above and beyond for every single one of their guests.

Throughout this book and many others, you learn of different ways The Ritz empowers their employees to create magical moments and experiences for every person who steps foot on their grounds.

Some of the stories are truly mind blowing and it’s hard to imagine such a large company going the extra mile to do some of these things.

It’s almost like these small acts of service and kindness have been lost, so as humans, we’re wowed when we see them being done.

For example, one story shared how all guests are greeted by name from the moment they pull onto the property to checking in at the front desk and every step in between.

Sure, it’s a small gesture, but it adds up in a huge way and truly makes the stay unforgettable.

Especially when the staff has to go to great lengths to know your name before you ever even arrive.

Other stories are a little more remarkable and involve the staff helping guests search for a lost wedding ring and making sure it’s found and waiting for the couple at their breakfast table the next day.

The point is, The Ritz Carlton understands customer experience and they know that all of these efforts combined add up to make their brand memorable.

Even me, someone who doesn't frequent The Ritz, knows they value their customers and it makes me a little more interested in staying at one of their properties one day.

You might be thinking what all of this has to do with you…

Well my friend, YOU have the opportunity to do the exact same thing for your clients and customers.

And no it doesn’t mean you have to have some huge budget or create a bunch of grand gestures all the time.

I believe the most memorable brands are actually made by doing the simplest things.

Sure, there might be a time and place where it makes sense for you to go big, but all in all, there are a few small things you can implement – that don’t cost a whole lot of extra money or time – to make your brand just as memorable!

Here are a few of my favorite ways to add The Ritz Carlton Effect to your brand. ⬇️

5 Ways To Give Your Brand The Ritz Carlton Effect

Get to know your customer BEYOND just their business

As service providers and business owners, many of us are doing work for other business owners, so it’s natural when working with them to learn the ins and outs of their business.

It’s often required for us to do our job well.

For example, I can’t successfully help someone with branding or website design unless I really know about their business.

That’s pretty obvious, right? While of course you’re going to get to know your customer from a business standpoint, I believe it’s important to take that a step further and get to know your customer from a personal standpoint too.

No, this doesn't mean you have to become besties and chat about what’s going on in your child’s lives. That’s not the point of this!

The point is that you get to know their personal likes and dislikes, such as their favorite food or beverage, the music they listen to, the shows they love to binge, etc.

And NO, this is not that fluffy ideal client avatar stuff. This is more so for you to know AFTER they’re already a client.

You can gather this information in an onboarding form and have it in your arsenal to use later on!

Create a budget for gifts or freebies

Let’s be real… everyone loves a surprise gift that just randomly shows up in the mail! ��

Imagine how your client would feel when they receive a specially curated gift just for them to show up on their doorstep either before or after working with you.

Sure, things like this take a little bit of extra time, effort, and money, but when you PLAN for it, it simply becomes a part of your systemized process.

And remember: special client gifts don’t have to be extravagant.

A sweet treat they love (which could be included on the onboarding form mentioned above) and a handwritten note go a long way!

For more tips on client gifting, I recommend reading this blog post from Wonderfully Made Gift Co.!

Create some sort of trademark your brand is known for

Some of the most memorable brands out there have something they are specifically known for and people talk about those things all the time.

For example, Chick-fil-A is known for their infamous saying, “my pleasure!” Although that’s not a physical gift, everyone LOVES this type of service and it has undoubtedly made their brand more memorable.

Same goes for DoubleTree Hotels. They’ve become known for their delicious chocolate chip cookies that are always available in the lobby.

Both of these things are proof that it really is the simple things that make the biggest difference!

For you, it could be a number of things, such as a signature fragrance in the packaging you deliver your product in or a special note at the start of the project.

Again, grand gestures aren’t always what people are looking for. They often want small acts more than anything.

Use personalized interactions

Just like The Ritz Carlton puts an emphasis on learning and using their guests names, you should 100% do the same.

This is a perfect example of something that costs no extra money and hardly any extra time.

Anytime you communicate with a customer or client, whether via email, Slack, or phone, USE. THEIR. NAME.

It’s kind of like if you were to go to a coffee shop and they referred to you as “honey cinnamon latte girl.”

Ummm, my name is Amanda, but thanks!

Send a birthday card (or at the very least TELL them happy birthday)

I’ll be honest… when I’m working with someone as a client, I don’t expect them to tell me happy birthday or much less even know when my birthday is.

But if they DID?! It would feel really special!

Everyone loves to be recognized and acknowledged and simply knowing your customers birthday and taking the time to wish them a happy one (either digitally or via a physical card) can really make a huge difference.

They’ll remember you for that!

Psst: go ahead and add this question to your onboarding form too!

Overall, there are a TON of ways to give your brand The Ritz Carlton Effect and my hope is this blog post gave you some fresh ideas to start implementing in your own business.

Your clients expect you to deliver on the product or service they purchased, but they can truly be blown away when you go the extra mile.

And that’s what produces repeat business and word of mouth marketing.

So if you think it’s not worth it… think again.

I’m curious – do you have anything special you do for clients and customers that makes your brand a little more memorable? I’d love to hear about it!

Connect with me HERE , so I can cheer you on. ��

Your designer friend always,

The Best Metrics To Track To Determine Your Website Success

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 20:10:13 GMT

Most business owners know that having a website is important. It’s the thing that tells your audience and potential clients that you're professional and legit.

It provides an extra sense of credibility that sometimes solely relying on social media can’t do.

That’s one of the main reasons that I encourage EVERYONE to build and launch a website as soon as they can… after you do these 9 things of course !

And I get it – sometimes it feels like a massive undertaking and a project that will take you yearssss to complete.

But the sooner that you can get SOMETHING launched into the world – even if it’s not exactly what you want it to be right away – the sooner you can tweak, refine, and refresh it to be the thing that becomes your employee of the year.

And yes, I’m referring to your website as being an employee.

Because when you build it to work for YOU, it’s the thing that works while you’re sleeping, while you’re on vacation, or even when you’re taking a well deserved personal day.

But the question is – how do you know if your website is truly working for you? How do you know what needs to be tweaked, refined, or refreshed?

To put it simply: you track it!

Having a website is one thing, but making sure that it’s working optimally is another. And I know what you might be thinking… “Great, another thing I have to add to my already mile long to-do list.”

While I know that tracking your website data can feel like just another thing you have to do as a business owner, it’s actually more simple than you think!

In this blog post, you’ll learn the ins and outs of how to track your website data so that you can effectively determine your website's overall success.

I’ll be covering:

What website metrics to track inside Google Analytics
How to track them consistently with ease
What to do with the data once you have it

Let’s dive in. ⬇️

The Best Metrics to Track for Website Success

What Website Metrics To Track Inside Google Analytics

When it comes to tracking your website metrics, the most important thing that you consider is your goals and what is most important for you specifically.

There are LOTS of things that you can track, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you have to track all of it.

Instead, think about the goals you have for your website specifically and then back into your data from there.

Generally speaking, most people are interested in knowing how many visitors their site is attracting, where that traffic is coming from, how visitors are using your site and what pages people are visiting most.

With this in mind, here’s a quick guide on how to track your website data using Google Analytics based on common questions that you likely have.

If you’re unfamiliar with Google Analytics, it’s the platform that provides a wide range of metrics and reports to help you analyze the overall performance of your website.

This platform is free and anyone can create an account – and if you have a website, you SHOULD be using this tool.

How many people are visiting my site?

In Google Analytics, you can easily find this number by navigating to Reports > Life Cycle > Acquisition > Overview.

The more users you see listed here = greater reach!

I recommend tracking this month over month so that you can accurately see growth over time. ��

You can also run a report comparing this year to last year by clicking the “add comparison” button and selecting your date ranges. This is one of my personal favorite features!

WHERE IS MY WEBSITE TRAFFIC COMING FROM?

To find this information, navigate to Reports > Life Cycle > Acquisition > Traffic Acquisition.

This helps you learn the ways someone has found your website, whether it be direct (meaning they type the url directly into a browser window), organic search, social media, email or other efforts.

AM I REACHING MY IDEAL AUDIENCE?

Once you know that your website is effectively attracting people, you’ll likely begin to wonder… are they the RIGHT people?

To get a closer look at this, you can navigate to User Attributes > Overview. Here you’ll find important demographics, such as location, age and even interests.

If you’re having trouble finding this information within your Google Analytics Dashboard, there is a threshold that needs to be met in order for Google to track this and you can find more info on that here.

HOW LONG ARE VISITORS STAYING ON MY WEBSITE?

Getting people to your website is one thing, but making sure they stay around is another!

To get a closer look at this data, you can navigate to Reports > Life Cycle > Acquisition > Traffic Acquisition and look closely at Engagement Rate.

Engagement rate tracks how much an audience actively engages with your content. A good engagement rate is around 60-70%.

WHAT ARE MY VISITORS CLICKING ON MY WEBSITE?

It’s important to understand the types of action that people are taking on your website, so being able to see this data is very valuable!

To have a better understanding of what people are clicking on your website, you can navigate to Engagement > Events.

This section of data will tell you if they’re scrolling, clicking play on a video, clicking a specific button on a certain page, filling out a form, etc.

Knowing this information can allow you to adjust your website pages as needed to ensure that your visitors are being led to actions that are aligned with your goals!

WHAT PAGES OR BLOG CONTENT PIECES ARE MOST VISITED?

In addition to knowing the actions that your users are taking, it’s nice to know what pages your visitors are navigating to the most. To find this information, you can navigate to Engagement > Pages and Screens.

This can help you know which pages are most attractive to your website users and what blog content is the most popular, so you can better determine your efforts for future content!

Personally, I keep track of every blog post each week, so I always know what is performing well and can adjust as needed!

Remember, these are just a few of the most common things that people typically want to track when it comes to their website, but Google analytics can give you insight to SO much more data depending on what you want to know specifically.

If you’re just getting started with tracking your data, I highly recommend starting here first!

HOW TO TRACK YOUR WEBSITE METRICS CONSISTENTLY WITH EASE

Now that you have a general idea of what website metrics to track inside of Google Analytics, you’re likely wondering HOW exactly you do this.

And I’ll be honest – there’s not just *one* right way to track your data.

How you track your website metrics really comes down to what works for you specifically.

Everyone absorbs information differently and the key here is that you implement the option that you’re actually going to look at and use on a consistent basis.

For example, how many times have you tried to implement a strategy or tactic that someone shares on Instagram just to find that you really don’t vibe with it at all?

It’s sort of like when someone that’s a tried and true paper planner person tries to switch to digital and it disrupts their whole life.

That is not the goal here!

With that said, here are some options for how to track your website metrics:

USE THE PLAIN ‘OLE GOOGLE ANALYTICS DASHBOARD

Some people prefer to simply use the Google Analytics dashboard that’s provided for them to keep up with their analytics on a consistent basis. And if that’s the route you choose, that’s totally cool!

With this option, you would simply navigate to Google Analytics each time you want to check your metrics and navigate the dashboard from there.

So that Analytics starts tracking your data properly, when you first launch your site, you simply have to add a small snippet of code (I promise it’s easy), so that Google can do its thing.

Check out these easy instructions on how to do that!

Once the platform starts tracking your data, you can login at any time to see your website's performance.

CREATE A HANDY DANDY SPREADSHEET

If you’d rather not have to rely solely on the Google Analytics dashboard itself, you can make a handy dandy metrics spreadsheet to keep track of everything that you’re specifically interested in on an ongoing basis.

This is the option I choose solely because I like to be able to glance at everything in one place since the Google Analytics dashboard itself can be a little overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking at.

The spreadsheet I created is nothing fancy and gets the job done!

If you’re interested in using a similar method, C LICK HERE to make a copy to use for yourself.

GET FANCY WITH A CUSTOMIZED DASHBOARD IN LOOKER STUDIO

And then, some people want to get a little extra fancy and create a customized dashboard using another amazing (and free) tool, Looker Studio .

Looker Studio turns your data that’s originally tracked and collected by Google Analytics into informative, easy to read, easy to share, and fully customizable dashboards and reports.

This is a great option if you’re really only interested in looking at certain data regarding your website and aren’t worried about the rest.

I know a few people who have chosen this route and it seems to work well! I’m not an expert in this arena, but here’s a great resource .

If this is something you prefer, just know that it will likely take longer to set up and customize the dashboard, so it may not be the thing that you start with first, but you could add it to your list to look into later!

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR WEBSITE METRICS ONCE YOU HAVE THEM

Now that you know what metrics to track, what they mean, and how to do it, you’re probably wondering… “What exactly do I do with all of this data?!”

And that’s a great question. Because you don’t want to just track data for no reason – instead, you want to turn around and actually do something with it.

The way I want you to think about your website data is that it’s sort of like the answers to a test.

If you’re wondering how many viewers your website attracts each month, the data will tell you. If you’re wondering what page gets the most views, the data will tell you. If you’re wondering how long someone stays on your site, the data will tell you.

The data will truly tell you everything so you can have actionable insights that inform your decisions.

Remember how I mentioned that once you launch your website, you can then tweak, refine, and refresh? Well, knowing the data is how you do it!

Without it, you won’t know what to tweak, refine, or refresh.

To use your website metrics most effectively, you must go back to the GOALS that you have for your website. And no, not everyone has the same website goals!

Is it to directly book more clients or discovery calls? Is it to drive more email subscribers? Is it to improve your blog readership?

The goal of your website comes down to the personal strategy that you’ve created and every website should be rooted in one.

(If that sounds complex to you and you aren’t sure how to build a website that’s backed in strategy, that’s exactly what I help my clients do! Click here to learn more about my website design services .)

Once you know your goal, you can then use your data to tell you if that goal is being achieved! And if it’s not? THAT is when you can decide to make specific tweaks.

DONE-FOR-YOU WEBSITE STRATEGY AND DESIGN

If you already have a website that you use and love, I LOVE that for you! My advice is to make sure you’re tracking your metrics consistently and making tweaks and updates as needed to keep it working for you.

And if you’re not a fan of the website you have OR if you’re in need of one from scratch, you’ve landed in the right place.

With my website design service, you’ll receive:

1:1 strategy session to provide clarity and direction for the content, calls-to-action and conversion goals
Customized messaging and visuals to give your audience a first impression that will knock their socks off
A focus on taking a visitor on a journey through your website to maximize buy-in
Competitor research so your audience finds you first
Keywords, linking strategies, SEO titles, descriptions, heading tags and more to ensure your website has a healthy relationship with Google
Navigable page designs for simple usability
Coaching call so you can get prepare and plan for your audience to get excited about your new website
Post launch support after your big launch
Annual hosting, security certificate and an email support line that goes straight to me for added peace of mind
A simple user log-in to edit your website along with training video tutorials so you have the freedom to make updates anytime

CLICK HERE to connect to see if a website design project is a good fit for you!

Your designer friend always,

Questions To Ask a Brand and Website Designer Before Hiring Them For A Design Project

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 22:08:34 GMT

Hiring a brand and website designer is a BIG deal! Whether you’re hiring for the first time to build your brand or website from scratch OR if you’re hiring for your rebrand, it’s a big step.

And it’s not something that you should do on a whim.

There are a LOT of brand and website designers out there and it’s important that you choose to hire the one who gets you, your mission, your values, and of course the vision that you have for your brand or website.

Many times as a business owner, you have an idea in mind for how you want your brand and website to look and feel, but bringing that to life can be another story.

That’s one of the main reasons people outsource this task.

Even if it’s something you can’t do right away in your business, it’s usually something that comes once you’ve reached that one-year mark.

(And P.S. – speaking of making investments like this at different stages of business, I have a whole blog post about Small Business Milestones and The Investments To Make As Your Brand Evolves in case you need more guidance on when to do what.)

When you decide it’s time to hire a brand and website designer, there are a few questions you want to ask when choosing who to hire.

And my best advice? Shop around! Interview a few designers. Most designers offer free discovery calls and it’s always best to take your time and hire the person that is the best fit for YOU and your business.

I’m not for everyone and everyone isn’t for me, so I’d much rather a potential client come to a call with questions like this so that together we can decide if it’s a good fit!

General Questions To Ask A Brand and Website Designer Before You Hire Them

What sets you apart from other designers?

As menti oned above, there are a LOT of brand and website designers out there and each of them will have a unique tilt.

It’s impor tant to understand what makes them different to understand how they will best serve you as a client.

Have they been in the industry for a long time? Have they worked with other clients similar to you? Do they typically work with a certain industry?

These are examples of what could potentially set them apart from the rest!

What is the project timeline?

Some designers work with multiple clients at once, while others keep their workload small to focus on one project at a time.

Your project is important to you and you naturally want it to be important to the designer, so understanding their timeline and how their specific process works is key!

How many design concepts do I get for review?

When you’re hiring a brand and website designer, you’re putting trust in their hands to bring the vision that you have to life… but what if they don’t get it right on the first try? Are you able to revise, give feedback, and make edits? Will I be presented with multiple brand design concepts to choose from?

If not, you could find yourself in a situation where you’re compromising on a project that really doesn’t deserve to be compromised on.

Make sure you understand their rules for review beforehand!

How will we communicate during the duration of the project?

When working with anyone, it’s important to have clear communication guidelines and knowing these ahead of time can save you a whole lot of frustration in the long run.

For example, if you prefer to keep work communication via email, but a designer communicates solely via text, they may not be a good fit for you! You also may prefer zoom or in-person calls instead of other forms of communication. As small and silly as that may sound, it really can make a huge difference in your overall experience.

Do you do the work or do you outsource some of it?

Some designers have teams that help them produce a portion of the work for certain projects. Some people are okay with this, while others aren’t.

Consider this for yourself and then make sure you receive clarity on it before deciding to work with someone!

What type of feedback would you like from me?

Lastly, it’s important to understand where YOU come into the equation. Most designers prefer a certain type of feedback (speaking from experience!), so it’s nice to have a clear understanding of this before you move forward with a working relationship.

I’ve personally found that guiding clients on how to communicate their feedback saves us both a LOT of time and makes the project as a whole much more fun and effective collectively – here’s my take on it!

Specific Questions To Ask A Brand Designer Before You Hire Them

When hiring for brand design specifically, there’s a few other questions I would suggest you ask before you hire them!

What is your experience in brand design?

Before hiring anyone, you likely want to know what their experience is. This includes how many years they’ve been working in the industry, the types of projects they’ve worked on, the type of people they typically work with, etc.

Pro tip: don’t just hire based on years of experience! While yes, designers with more years in the field might have more knowledge, that doesn't automatically mean that their skill level is what you specifically need for your project.

What matters most in my opinion is that a designer is able to understand YOU and what you’re looking for and sometimes that means hiring someone with less experience but more skill in a specific area.

What do your brand services include?

Brand designers aren’t created equal and neither are their services. This means that one brand designer could have a package that includes strategy, visual identity, and support after project completion while another brand designer could have something totally different.

For example, my brand design services include:

Confidence building 1:1 brand strategy session to provide clarity and direction for the messaging, voice and visuals for your biz
Target audience strategy to attract the actual customers you are trying to reach
Competitor research to find your unique place in the market
A full brand strategy - a documented plan that outlines how you represent your business, including ways to build relationship, memorability and a reputation that connects with your dream audience
Aesthetically user-focused visual brand identity to communicate the credibility you deserve - this could include multiple logos, graphical elements, word marks, logo icons, graphical icons, color palette, patterns and typography
A brand guidelines document that I call a "brand book" to help you nail that first visual impression with your customers
Brand launch 1:1 coaching so you can get prepare and plan for your audience to get excited about your new brand and introduce it to the world
Brand elevations to jumpstart your brand launch - things like social media templates, business cards, product packaging, etc.

Again, this comes down to choosing the person who is going to provide what YOU need!

Do you create completely custom designs?

Some designers create from scratch, while others might use templates or other pre-made designs to help kickstart your project.

If you’re solely looking for custom work, it’s important that you clarify this!

What will the initial concepts include?

Lastly, similar to understanding their review process and their service deliverables, you’ll ultimately want to know what the initial concepts will include for your project and this varies by designer quite a bit.

“Concepts” are essentially just a fancy word for showing what the brand could be from a visual standpoint. It’s the overall presentation that encompasses the vision for the brand.

Typically, the designer will come up with multiple “directions” the visual brand could go based on strategy and then will send to you as the client to receive feedback based on the different ideas presented.

Some designers provide a full brand strategy and get that part nailed down before they move onto the visual strategy. Once the brand strategy is finalized, then they’ll often provide multiple visual concepts for the client to choose from.

Some designers, on the other hand, are considered “1 concept designers” which means they believe in a one-concept approach for a holistic and targeted design.

And then other designers could provide 10-20 versions of a logo and will get feedback from the client that way.

The way designers present the concepts differ as well – some will provide full blown examples of all of the elements they will be given at the end of the project, while others opt for mockups or mood boards.

Basically, every designer’s process is a little different, which is why it’s important to understand how they work so that you can choose someone that aligns best with you!

As for me at Studio-A Designs, I work with clients on the heart and messaging first and foremost, and then from there I create two visual concepts, which typically includes a primary logo, secondary logo, logo marks, word marks, service icons, typography, and color specifications, along with multiple mockups of the visual brand in real world examples.

Here’s what this might look like in action when delivered to a client for review:

CONCEPT ONE:

CONCEPT TWO:

From there the client chooses one they believe resonates with their target audience most!

Specific Questions To Ask A Website Designer Before You Hire Them

Similarly, when hiring for website design specifically, there’s a few other questions I would suggest you ask before you hire them!

What do your website services include?

Again, not all website designers are created equal and since web design is a BIG project, it’s really important to understand exactly what you’re getting when you hire a website designer.

Because think about: when you’re building a website, not only do you need the actual creation of the site itself, but oftentimes you need branding to go along with it, copy and content (aka the words that will fill your site!), brand photography, domain hosting, and more.

With that in mind, you’ll need to know what’s required of you up front.

Some designers are a one stop shop and offer packages for design, development, user experience, copywriting and more, while others are solely designers and outsource other aspects of the project. It’s for this reason that you want to be clear on what YOU are looking for and then seek out the people who can offer that.

At Studio-A Designs, I offer website design packages that include:

1:1 strategy session to provide clarity and direction for the content, calls-to-action and conversion goals
Customized messaging and visuals to give your audience a first impression that will knock their socks off
A focus on taking a visitor on a journey through your website to maximize buy-in
Competitor research so your audience finds you first
Keywords, linking strategies, SEO titles, descriptions, heading tags and more to ensure your website has a healthy relationship with Google
Navigable page designs for simple usability
Coaching call so you can get prepare and plan for your audience to get excited about your new website
Post launch support after your big launch
Annual hosting, security certificate and an email support line that goes straight to me for added peace of mind
A simple user log-in to edit your website along with training video tutorials so you have the freedom to make updates anytime

Are there additional or ongoing fees?

In addition to the service package fee itself, you always want to understand if there are any additional or ongoing fees that you’ll also incur.

For example, some designers charge extra for add-on services, such as copywriting, SEO optimization, or post launch support. Some may ask you to set up google analytics and others will want to set it up for you.

Moral of the story: every designer is different, so don’t assume that you understand the details. Ask the questions up front so that you’re not left surprised in the end!

Do you use pre-built themes or are they custom designed?

Similar to custom branding, you'll often want to know if your website designer creates custom sites or if they use pre-built templates or themes.

And let me be clear – from a website designer perspective, there’s no right or wrong way to conduct this part of your business, it simply comes down to YOUR preference as the person outsourcing.

Generally speaking, 100% custom designs will likely be a larger investment and sometimes that’s okay with people! Other times, people are willing to save when working with a template instead.

Do you optimize websites for mobile?

Did you know that over 55% of website traffic comes from mobile devices?!

This is why it’s SO important that your website is optimized for mobile and this is one of the things that gets overlooked in a website design process.

While most designers understand the importance of it, that doesn’t mean that they include it as a part of their service.

Do yourself a favor and get clarity on this upfront, so you can ensure that your website is properly designed for both – desktop and mobile!

Do you optimize your designs for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) purposes?

Having a website is one thing, but having a website that can actually be FOUND is another!

When you launch your website into the internet world, you want to know that you’re going to populate in Google searches. The only way that can happen is when your site is optimized for search engines.

There’s a lot that goes into SEO, but one of the major factors is the design of your website, which is why understanding how a designer takes this into consideration is key.

Because here’s the thing: a designer can make a pretty website all day long, but if your site is just pretty and can't be found… there's really no point. ��

So a website designer MUST have knowledge and understanding of SEO to create a website build with proper structure and searchability.

Do you take user experience into consideration when designing?

When it comes to website design, there is SO much more that goes into it than just aesthetics.

While of course you want a site that looks good, you also want it to be backed by strategy. And when I say strategy, I mean careful consideration for how the site is designed, so that your user is guided through an intentional journey when visiting your site.

This is often referred to as user experience (UX), which is essentially the overall experience that a user has when interacting with your website. It encompasses a variety of factors that contribute to the user's satisfaction, usability, and enjoyment while navigating through the site.

When choosing a website designer, you want to ensure that they take UX into consideration so that your website visitors are guided through a strategic path of getting to know you and gaining trust, so that they’re more inclined to eventually reach out for your services or buy your products!

Will I be able to make updates after the site launches?

Launching your website is a great first step, but for your site to continue to serve you and your audience, you want to make sure that you’re consistently updating it as your business grows and evolves.

(Btw, one of my favorite ways to consistently update websites is by posting fresh blog content – here’s why this works!)

With this in mind, you’ll need to understand if and how you can make updates in the future. Do you have to go through them? Or will the virtual keys if you will, be handed over to you to handle all future site updates?

Ideally, YOU would have full control once the site is published and launched, but it’s always better to confirm what you don’t know instead of assuming!

Ready To Hire A Brand and Website Designer?

Overall, choosing to hire a brand or website designer is a BIG step for any business owner and if you’re in that space right now, I first want to say congrats. ��

That means that you understand the importance of having professional brand and website design and you’re taking action to make it happen.

My hope is that these questions can help you navigate the hiring process and make it a little easier to choose who to work with.

If you’re not sure where to start your search, I’d love to connect with you and hear more about your specific project needs. If it’s not a good fit, I’ll be the first one to tell you and I just might know who to refer you to instead!

CLICK HERE to schedule a free discovery call. I'd love to chat about your biz with you!

Your designer friend always,

How Blogging Increased My Traffic and Leads Organically (with Google Analytics Screenshots)

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 18:58:23 GMT

When working with website clients, I primarily help them launch from the ground up for the first time OR help them redesign an existing website for a rebrand.

I’m the person who’s really helping them in the initial launch phase, but there’s something not talked about enough…

Your website isn’t just something you launch once and call it a day. Instead, it’s supposed to grow, evolve, and change as your business grows, evolves, and changes.

Continuously updating your website with fresh content is key!

This includes adding any new brand photos when you can, editing the copy when needed to make sure it’s aligned with your overall message at all times, and on a more consistent level, it also means creating valuable content and resources on your website.

As business owners, we are so easily pulled into the sea of social media and often believe those channels are where we should show up to add the most value.

And trust me, I’ve definitely fallen victim to that at different points in my business.

But the reality is, you don’t own those channels like you own your website.

If you want to have more authority over your content to ensure it lives in a place that will NEVER expire, you want to make sure your content is being housed in a place where you have full ownership…

which is ultimately the website you worked really hard (and maybe paid a lot of money) to build and launch.

So, what exactly does that look like? BLOGS!

And I know what you might be thinking… blogs?? Are those still relevant?

Yes, they 100% are and I’ve got stats to back it up!

Before we get to those though, I want to share 4 ways that blogging in your business can boost your traffic and increase leads.

4 Ways Blogging Can Boost Your Website Traffic and Increase Leads

Search Engine Optimization

When you launch a website into the world, you ultimately want it to get found right? Well, that doesn’t just happen by chance!

There are certain strategies you can implement to make sure your website populates in certain search results, with the main strategy being SEO – search engine optimization.

And guess what? Blogs are one of the biggest contributing factors to boost your SEO!

By consistently publishing high-quality content that targets relevant keywords and topics, blogs can improve your website's search engine rankings, meaning more visibility, leading to increased organic traffic.

Establishing Authority

As a business owner, there’s a good chance that you want to be seen as an authority figure in the eyes of your audience.

There are various ways you can make that happen, but from personal experience, I’ve seen that by consistently providing informative and valuable content through blogs, you grow authority in your industry.

Over time, people grow to know you as a go-to person for specific education and information, which results in more eyes on your content, increased leads, and eventually more sales.

Building Trust and Credibility

In addition to establishing authority in your industry, your blog content can also be the thing that builds trust and credibility for your audience, making them more inclined to buy from you in the future.

In the world of online business, people are being fed content and introduced to thousandssss of new people on the internet daily. And when it comes to buying from someone, they want to know that they can trust the person and that the person is credible.

Your blog content gives you a chance to share your expertise in a way that is valuable for your audience while also helping them get to know you on a deeper level.

And the more consistent your content is, the more they can see that you’re serious about what you do, you can and want to help them, and you are someone they can trust to do it.

Conversion Opportunities with Strategic CTA’s

One of the reasons I LOVE creating content for my website (more than for social media) is because you’re able to strategize every step of the way and really guide your audience into the next best decision for them.

Let’s be real: social media is crowded and there are a lot of actions someone can take. They can like, comment, share, DM you, click the link in your bio… and then choose what actual link to click.

It’s a little exhausting as a consumer, isn’t it?

Well, when you create content on your website, specifically in the form of blogs, you have the ability to strategically link to other relevant pages on your website and guide your readers toward certain conversions.

And no, those conversions don’t always have to mean a paid offer. It could mean subscribing to your newsletter, reading another relevant blog post, or contacting you for more information.

Ultimately, you get to determine your goals for your website and can then work to create blog content that directly connects to those goals.

Now back to my personal experience with all of these things…

My Results From Consistent Blogging In My Business

But first a backstory… in December of 2022 I really started to feel the pull to start implementing blogging in my business again.

I had outsourced this work prior and received less than ideal work, so I was convinced that it was just something I would have to do myself.

The only problem was, I really didn’t have the time to do it myself… so, I never did it.

Luckily, my internet world collided with Natty Writes and I decided to place my trust in yet another contractor to see if we could make this part of my business come back to life!

And when I say that I was BLOWN AWAY, not only by the work I received but by the results that came from it… holy cow. ��

If you’re on the fence about implementing blogs in your business and adding them as a core component of your website, let me be the first to say: IT. WORKS.

And yes, I have the proof to back it up. ⬇️

Let me preface this by saying – all of the data I’m about to show you is all ORGANIC traffic – I’ve not implemented ANY paid advertising.

I started adding consistent blog content to my website in January of 2023 and the year comparison looked like this:

That’s a 211.4% increase in engagement time, meaning the time a user spends on my website.

That’s pretty amazing in and of itself, but what blew me away the most? The fact that my NON-BLOG pages were also seeing an increase in traffic:

A 1,207.69% increase on my About page alone?!?!

And a 1,777.78% increase on my Services page!

This is proof that blogging isn’t *just* about providing information and teaching someone how to do something.

While that’s great too (and you do want to do this through your blog content), it’s also about building brand trust like I mentioned above and strategically guiding your website visitors to other relevant pages on your site, which can ultimately lead to converting sales!

After seeing stats like this, of course I was interested in what was driving the most traffic to my site as a whole… and wouldn’t you know that ORGANIC SEARCH (aka Google) was the biggest driver.

This is the power of using blogs to boost your SEO!

I saw a 3,836.2% increase in organic search traffic from 2022 to 2023 and the MAIN difference is that I added blogs back to my website!

So, getting users to your site is one thing, but I was also interested in seeing how I was retaining those users and if I was attracting NEW people along the way.

When I started blogging consistently, I noticed a 2,314.3% increase in NEW users and a 3,455.6% increase in RETURN visitors compared to when I wasn’t blogging.

Overall, there was a 2,376.79% increase in users compared to not blogging!

And lastly, just for fun, this is a stat pulled from Dubsado that shows that next to repeat business, Google is the TOP lead generator for me.

Which means not only is my site something that simply exists on the internet… it’s also something that is actively getting found. Which is exactly what we want when we launch your site into the world!

I don’t say all of this to toot my own horn. That’s NOT what this is about! This is simply to show you that how you use your website matters.

Yes, the initial creation and launch is important (and I LOVE helping people with that ), but how you continue to use your website after it’s launched is just as important.

Blogging is something I plan to keep doing for my business. I encourage you to consider what it can look like for you as well!

The coolest part? YOU get to choose what blogging consistency looks like. You don’t have to do it daily or weekly if you don’t want to. The key is to simply find a rhythm that works well for you and your business and make it a core part of your content marketing strategy.

And if you don’t know what that should look like for you, well… I know a girl!

Before working with Natty, I felt so annoyed that I had all these ideas but not enough time to execute them! After we started working together, I felt so relieved to find someone who gets the type of content and writing style that matches with the rest of my website copy and brand messaging.

Outsourcing something like this CAN work and the results that you receive from it might just blow you away. ��

Your designer friend always,

Do These 9 Things BEFORE You Build Your Website

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 17:03:33 GMT

It’s no secret… I believe that EVERY business owner and brand needs to have a website.

After all, I’m a brand and web designer, so what kind of person would I be if that wasn’t my advice?!

But what if I told you there are actually a few things I want you to do FIRST? ��

Wait what…

The girl who preaches the importance of websites over and over and even designs them for clients is telling you to do something else BEFORE you create your website?

Yep, you read that right.

But I promise it’s for good reason.

Your website is a massive piece of your business and brand and serves a huge role, which means you want to do it RIGHT.

And the only way you can do it right is to take a few preliminary steps first.

So, if you’re in the midst of wanting to create and launch a new website, stop what you’re doing and follow the list below to make sure it’s done thoughtfully and strategically.

9 Things To Do BEFORE You Build Your Website

Carve out LOTS of time ⏰

I don’t think you need me to tell you that creating and launching a website is a BIG task. It’s not something you can just whip up in a day, press “publish”, and celebrate with your feet kicked back.

Although sometimes I wishhhh it were that simple, a website built on STRATEGY is a website that will convert, which means it’s going to take you some time.

From the copywriting, site map building, and then the actual creation (not to mention your launch plan), building your website is something you want to spend quality time on without rushing through it.

So, before you sit down on a random Monday and proclaim it to be the day you finally mark “build website” off your to-do list, create a solid plan first!

I recommend working backwards by first choosing the date that you will ideally launch your website into the world.

From there, you can craft an intentional website to-do list that allows plenty of time to mark off each task. One week you can work on copy, the next you can focus on your site map, and so on.

Determine the Goals for Your Website ��

When people think about building a website, they often think they need it solely because that’s where they’ll connect with potential customers or make sales.

And while both of those things *can* be goals of your website, there are actually a lot of other things your website can do as well.

Depending on the type of business you have and what you personally want to achieve, you will likely have various goals for what you want your website visitors to do when they visit.

For example, if you primarily sell in your emails, you may have the goal of building your email list. In that case, your website should be written and designed to help you achieve that.

Someone else may have the primary goal of driving their audience to their blog. In that case, you would want to ensure that your blog is something that is consistently promoted throughout your website.

It’s important to note that your goals for your website can also change over time. For example, if you’re launching a new offer and want that to be front and center for a time, you can do that!

Overall, keeping your website goal(s) in mind before you actually sit down to build it is key!

Conduct Competitive Research ��

When you’re planning to build your website, it’s nice to have an idea of what others in your industry are also doing. Now, competitive research is not something you want to do so that you copy or mimic someone else.

But instead, it can give you an idea of what’s working (or what’s not) in your niche, so that you can apply and implement your own unique strategy to some of those things as well.

When creating websites for clients, I do competitive research to find out how others are finding them so that they can have a "leg up" on them and build their website with better searchability.

For example, if a client's competitor has specific individual services pages similar to your offerings, you better have them too if you want to compete with them in the rankings.

Over time, I’ve also found that looking outside of your own industry can be a great thing too!

Some of my best ideas come from what I’ve seen others doing who aren’t directly involved in my field and creating a way to apply it to my own line of work.

Create Your Site Map ��️

Earlier I mentioned a site map is a big part of the website creation process and this is actually something I encourage you to build before you ever even sit down to work on your website.

Knowing your goals before creating your site map can also be helpful to ensure you craft an accurate journey for your website visitors.

If you’re unfamiliar, a website site map is a diagram that outlines the structure of your website, showing the organization of its pages, content, and how they are linked together.

It’s essentially like a blueprint that helps both users and search engines navigate through the site more easily.

Here’s what a site map typically looks like:

To help you create your own, CLICK HERE for my free template!

Write Your Website Copy ✍��

In addition to your site map, the actual words you’ll include on your website is a HUGE component… like 90% of it!

Which is why you want to write your website copy and have it ready BEFORE you start designing your website.

Oftentimes people will try to do both at the same time, but you’ll want allll of your copy written beforehand because the words will actually impact and drive the design.

Need a roadmap for putting together your website content? Get my Free Website Content Planner!

Secure Your Domain ��

Next up, you’ll want to secure your domain.

I can tell you firsthand how frustrating it is to want to name your website one thing and then once you navigate to NameCheap or another domain platform, you find that it’s already taken.

Pretty annoying, huh?

To AVOID that scenario, make sure you secure your domain long before you ever start building your website.

And if you aren’t sure what I mean by “domain,” it’s the human-readable address used to access a website on the internet. It's part of the URL that people type into their web browsers to visit a specific site.

A domain name consists of two main parts:

Your domain name which is the unique identifier (Ex. studioa-designs in my website URL: ( www.studioa-designs.com )

Followed by the top-level domain (TLD) – the extension that follows the domain name, such as .com, .org, .net, .edu, .gov, etc.

Together, the domain name and the TLD form the complete website address.

Ultimately, the domain you choose plays a big part in your branding, making it easier for your audience to remember and access your website.

Need some guidance on how to choose the best website domain name for your brand? CLICK HERE for my top tips!

CREATE YOUR GOOGLE BUSINESS LISTING ✅

A Google Business Listing is one of the MOST overlooked platforms by brands and business owners, but it truly has sooooo much power.

Think about it – when you search for something online, typically the first thing you’re served is a list that looks like this:

Before any other search results, this is what you see. And these are all examples of businesses who have active Google Business Listings.

So why do you need this as a business owner or brand? So that Google recognizes YOU as a credible business. This is especially important for

Even if you don’t yet have a website, you can create a Google Business Listing and start experiencing some major SEO benefits!

And then, when you *do* create and launch your website, you can add it to your listing and level up the search results even more.

Take Brand Photos ��

IWhen building your website, you want to make sure your brand is infused throughout the entire thing and one great way to do that is by including brand photos throughout your site.

Your brand photos help your audience put a face to the name of the person behind a computer screen and add a little more personality to your website as a whole.

Ideally, you’ll have a few professional brand photos to use, but sometimes the investment needs to come later, which is totally fine.

Either way, make sure to include a few photos of yourself throughout your site so your audience is served more than just words on a screen.

Choose Your Website Builder ��️

Finally, for your website to come to life, you of course have to have a place to build it, and lucky for you there are LOTS of options!

Some of the most popular website builders include: Wordpress, ShowIt, Squarespace and Wix.

All of these can be great options, but if you’re DIY’ing your website, I encourage you to choose a builder that has easy templates to work from and doesn’t require code for design, such as Squarespace or Wix.

Another huge thing to consider is if the website builder you choose also supports in-house hosting. Many builders do, but some don’t! If you find that yours does not, you’ll want to buy your hosting elsewhere, such as Amazon Web Services..

Need a Hand?

If you’re ready to build a website, but you aren’t sure the DIY life is for you, that’s where I can come in!

Together we can work to not only check these tasks off your “website to-do list,” but ultimately launch your website into the world in record time.

With my website design service, you’ll receive:

Personalized direct service and a project roadmap for the clearest communication
Content and calls to action based on a conversion first (aka: money making) mindset
Customized, strategic ( SEO driven ) messaging and visuals to attract your specific audience
Post launch support so you won't immediately feel alone after your big launch
An aesthetically user-focused design to give your audience a first impression that will knock their socks off
A simple user log-in to edit your website along with training video tutorials so you have the freedom to make updates anytime

CLICK HERE to connect to see if a website design project is a good fit for you!

Your designer friend always,

Does Your Business Need a Rebrand? Here are 7 Signs That All Point To Yes.

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 19:47:08 GMT

When it comes to growing your brand and business, we all have to start SOMEWHERE.

In this blog post I shared the various phases of business growth and in the first phase – your startup phase – you’re typically establishing your business, conducting market research, crafting your offers, and are really making your initial entry into the market.

It’s during this time that you have little to no budget for investing, so you’re DIY’ing a wholeeee lot of stuff – including your website and branding (most of the time).

Once you reach that one year mark (and celebrate as you should!), you typically start examining where your business is at and can start prioritizing certain investments.

It’s around this time that many people decide to work with a professional brand and website designer to build the brand that they’ve always imagined.

It’s SUCH a fun time of business ownership!

But then eventually, sometimes years down the road, you may start to feel like the brand you first built is no longer connecting.

Maybe it’s not realistically portraying who you are as a business owner or it’s not reflecting the type of business you’ve grown.

It’s in this moment that you might consider a rebrand or refresh.

Knowing when to rebrand can be tricky, which is why as a brand designer, I actually have a “checklist style” list to help you clearly make your decision! ✔️

So, if you’re currently in that spot of wondering if your business has outgrown your brand, or you think you might be there soon, keep reading for 7 signs to look out for.

7 Signs Your Business Has Outgrown Your Brand

1. You aren’t working with or selling to your ideal client.

One of the first and most evident signs that your business has outgrown your brand is if you aren’t attracting the right people.

Because let’s be real… we all have an idea of the perfect client in our head. We know what they do, what they value, and sometimes even what they look like.

After all, ideal client avatar work is one of the first things business owners are taught to do!

So if you aren’t reaching those people, there’s a chance your brand isn’t representing your business well and it’s time for a change.

This actually happened with the famous e-cigarette brand, Juul. They claimed they wanted to help middle aged smokers kick their habit, yet Juul launched a huge marketing campaign inspired by old tobacco ads, using brightly colored branding with teens using the product to increase the “cool factor”

The only problem with that? Most teens aren’t even old enough to buy the product. Unfortunately, their brand strategy worked, and hooked thousands of kids on this highly addictive vaping product!

The FDA swooped in and said nope – you can’t market this way. For more on this story, I encourage you to watch The Big Vape documentary .

Talk about an epic brand failure. Although your brand likely isn’t experiencing anything this extreme, it’s still something to consider if you feel like you aren’t reaching your target audience.

2. People don’t understand what you do.

Picture this: you open Instagram and there’s that lovely red dot that we all love to see in the top right hand corner.

You have a DM! And it’s from someone who could potentially be a great fit for your services.

But then… they start asking a whole lot of questions about what you do and what you offer and it’s clear that they don’t “get it.”

After a few back and forth messages, they ghost. ��

Ugh, what gives? It’s likely that your brand messaging isn’t clear.

Ideally, your website should be able to do the majority of the selling for you in a way that’s clear and concise so people have no question what you do and how it can benefit them.

And then the only questions you’re left to answer are logistical.

If you’re running into this issue, it’s a surefire sign your branding needs some work!

3. Your visual brand is dated.

In the online business world, relevancy and innovation are KEY! When people land on your website or even your social media pages, they want to see updated styles that feel in tune with the current time period.

For example, you know those infomercials from the 90’s? Wellll, they still exist and if you were to land on their website , you might wonder if it’s a scam and you probably wouldn’t spend much time there.

That’s the EXACT opposite of how you want people to feel when they see your brand which is why keeping your brand fresh and relevant is so important!

This includes using innovative fonts, designs, imagery, and more.

4. You’re struggling with growth and scalability.

Most businesses in the startup phase (years 1-2) tend to experience slow, yet steady growth when it comes to leads, followers, and even paying customers.

As you start to move into your growth phase (years 2-5), this growth should continue on a healthy basis, but if you’re seeing that your business is actually trending backwards, it could be a sign your brand isn’t resonating and some adjustments need to be made.

5. You lack focus.

Have you ever felt like you’re doing allll the things as a business owner and while “success” might be there in terms of money in your bank account, you constantly feel like you’re just spinning your wheels?

You could be unfulfilled, have no clear mission, say “yes” to every opportunity that comes your way, and ultimately are just lacking laser focus in your business.

If so, that’s a sign your brand is lacking clear core values and a well defined vision to keep you on track and only doing the things that make the most sense for your business!

In the beginning of your business, it’s normal to feel this way. But as you grow, you should be able to settle into a more relaxed day-to-day and have a crystal clear vision of where you’re going and what you’re doing.

If that’s not the case for you, it could be time for a brand refresh to get you moving in the right direction!

6. Your offers have changed and evolved.

As your business grows, it’s normal for your product and service offerings to change.

Sometimes you’ll add new ones, while others will retire and some may actually stay the same, but only get better.

Either way, as your offers change and evolve, your brand may need to as well!

For example, let’s say you first started out as a copywriter who offered website copy, sales pages, and content marketing (like blogs and emails).

As you grow and develop a solid client base, you may realize that content marketing is where your joy lies, so you decide to pivot into just offering blog and email writing services.

Your brand would need to reflect those changes! You’re no longer a general copywriter available for any type of project. You’re a specialized service provider.

7. Your company is changing and your employees need to understand the updated culture.

Lastly, if you run a company with a team of employees, it’s very common for you to experience a season where your employees simply don’t understand the culture.

You could be trying so hard to cultivate a certain culture in your business, but your employees may have trouble connecting to that, especially if they’ve been around a while and aren’t used to the change.

When you find this happening, it’s a sign that your brand needs to be refreshed soEVERYONE can start from a clean slate with a crystal clear idea for the mission, vision, and culture of the company.

I’ve personally helped various clients through this process and they all happened for various reasons! One was going through a merger, while another underwent new ownership, and another expanded geographically.

All of these are perfect examples of how the entire culture of the company would be changing and the brand as a whole needed to reflect that!

Ready For A Rebrand?

If you’ve been wondering if your business needs a rebrand or refresh, I hope this list provides you with some clarity!

If you’re still not sure, I can help you make that decision – simply connect here and we’ll talk about your season of business, what challenges you’re experiencing, and can create a plan of action for you specifically.

If you ARE ready to get started with a rebrand or brand refresh in 2024, I’m currently booking spots for March 2024!

CLICK HERE to inquire!

Need a Full Brand Design?

If you’re still in the startup phase and are simply looking to invest in professional branding for the first time, you’re also in the right place!

With my brand design service, you’ll receive:

Personalized direct service with a project roadmap for the clearest project communication
A confidence building brand consultation to pinpoint your messaging, voice and visuals with clarity
Target audience strategy to attract the actual customers you are trying to reach
A visual identity (including a guidelines document) to help you nail that first visual impression with your customers
Aesthetically user-focused design elements to build brand equity and communicate the credibility you deserve
Brand elevations with your new brand applied to jumpstart your brand launch

CLICK HERE to learn more .

Here’s to making your brand the thing that catapults your business forward this year. ��

Your designer friend always,

The 4 Phases of Business and How They Guide Your Investments

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 19:14:24 GMT

When you jump into the world of entrepreneurship, it can be overwhelming because you’re suddenly responsible for allll. the. things.

Aside from the actual things you have to do to grow your business and build your brand – like building a website, creating a social media strategy (and then actually showing up on social media), crafting your offers, oh and then delivering on those offers – there’s also all of the “boring” things you probably never thought of before.

Like taxes and bookkeeping… yep, no one is there to handle all of that stuff for you. It’s all on you.

The list could go on for all the hats you wear as a small business owner, but instead of dumping all of that on you and possibly making you feel even MORE overwhelmed, I want to talk about the exciting part of this…

While I’ll of course admit that yes, in the beginning, when you’re responsible for all of these things AND you have little to no budget to invest in tools, tech, or a team to help you, it can feel like you’re drowning.

Been there, done that.

But here’s the good news… (because I’m all about finding the light in what feels like a very dark tunnel) ⬇️

It’s only a season.

If you’re in the thick of that season right now, let me be the first to say that I KNOW it feels like you’ll never come out of it and it will feel this hard forever.

But the truth is, as you continue to work and grow, you will find yourself in a new season where even more is required of you, BUT you have more options to help you streamline and systemize.

Here’s the problem though…

Oftentimes as business owners, we’re not the best at recognizing when we need help. And then, when we DO recognize we need it, we’re slow to act on it.

Because after all – you’ve been grinding on your own for so long that it FEELS like you can handle and do it all. But when you fail to recognize when you need help and then fail to act on it, you can actually do your business and brand more harm than good.

So, to help you recognize WHEN it might be time to outsource – even if it simply means investing in a platform or resource to take some small tasks off your plate – I’ve rounded up the 4 main phases of business growth along with a list of the most common investments you might want to consider during each one!

Small Business Milestones and The Investments To Make As Your Brand Evolves

Generally speaking, every business goes through similar stages and phases. It’s important to understand these because it can save you from the comparison trap.

For example, let’s say you’re a brand new business owner who’s just starting to market on Instagram. Naturally, you have few followers and your engagement rate likely isn’t as high as you want it to be.

Like most of us do, you probably start to follow and watch a lot of business owners who are ahead of you.

And then the comparison trap hits…

“Her content does so much better than mine.”

“Her services are constantly booked out.”

“I’m not sure if I’m cut out for this.”

“Does anyone even want what I’m offering?”

These are the questions that start to flood your head and when that happens it can feel extremely defeating.

But that’s not what I’m about over here. ��‍♀️

Because guess what? That business owner that seems to be killing it probably has a team (or at least some tools and resources) helping her a wholeeeee lot.

But like you, that’s not where she started. Phase by phase she got to that point and YOU will too. ��

The 4 Phases of Business Growth

Startup Phase (~1-2 Years)

This is the phase that you’re likely all too familiar with. In fact, it might be the phase you’re in right now! And if so, that’s great – this is a SUPER important phase of business because it’s often the phase where you will gain the most clarity.

During this phase, you’re typically establishing your business, conducting market research, crafting your offers, and are really making your initial entry into the market.

Most of the time business owners during this phase don’t have a ton of money to spend so they’re bootstrapping and doing whatever it takes to make their idea work.

This phase typically lasts 1-2 years, but at that one year mark, I want you to do something…

And that is CELEBRATE. ��

Everyone’s business journey looks different, but making it one whole year in business is a BIG deal and I don’t want you to overlook that.

THEN, I want you to evaluate where you’re spending the majority of your time and think about if those things are where your time should truly be spent.

If not, it’s time to get honest with yourself and decide where and how you’re going to start outsourcing or streamlining your systems.

That can look like hiring help (even if it’s just a contractor) or investing in various platforms to help you implement certain systems so you don’t have to do everything manually.

Common business investments to consider during the startup phase incl ude:

Canva Pro Account – Canva is truly like every business owner's best friend (no matter what you do!), and trust me when I say the pro account is SO worth it!
FloDesk – my preferred email marketing platform! If you’re looking for an inexpensive AND aesthetic way to send your emails, FloDesk is the best option in my opinion. And that link will get you 50% for your first year, making it only $19/month.
Dubsado (or similar client management system) – one of the best things I ever did for my business was to get my onboarding and offboarding systems in one place so everything was streamlined and organized and nothing had to be done manually!
Calendly (or similar scheduler) – most client management systems like mentioned above have schedulers built into them, but if you’re hosting a lot of calls, it can be wise to invest in something like Calendly, so you can automate the process!
Zoom – speaking of calls, you may find the free version of Zoom is no longer cutting it for you! An upgrade might be in store as your business grows.
Social Media Scheduler – the theme of most of these recommendations is that you no longer have to do small, tedious tasks manually. Don’t underestimate the power of an automation tool! For social media specifically, I use and love Later !
DIY Website Builder – if you’re not yet ready to invest in website design, I suggest using a simple builder like Wix or Squarespace to create what I like to call your “phase 1” site. And if you aren’t sure what exactly your website should look like, CLICK HERE to download my free Website Content Planner!
DIY Visual Brand – if you’re still in the DIY stage, I get it! This Mini Style Guide can help you build the basics until you’re ready to level up with help from a designer – I’ll be here when you’re ready ��
Visual Brand Starter Package – ready to invest with a professional to get your brand identity looking like you’ve always dreamed?! This is a great place to start if you are a brand new business owner.

While that might look like an extensive list, all of these things are great options to start with when you’re investing so that you can enter your Growth Phase with peace of mind and full confidence that you’re on the right track.

Growth Phase (~2-5 Years)

After year 2, you’ll likely find that you’re feeling in a good groove with your business and you know exactly what you want your brand and business to achieve.

You have clear goals, a strong mission, and you’ve typically found your footing in the marketplace.

This is typically where you’ll be growing your audience the most, refining your offers (and possibly introducing new ones), and increasing your revenue. ��

While phase 1 might feel like it’s the most challenging to get through, don’t be fooled – EVERY stage has its challenges!

For example, in phase 1 you were likely trying to figure out how to get clients. But now that you have them, you might be in the midst of making sure that your client management and client experience is top notch.

It’s around this time that most business owners have acquired more of a budget to invest in various professional services and are ready to present themselves as more “legit” online.

(Not to say you weren’t legit before – you TOTALLY are! But now it’s time for a level-up.)

Common business investments to consider during the growth phase:

Professional Branding – your DIY'd Canva logo can get you pretty far, but most of the time people are ready for some professional branding backed by strategy at this point!
Professional Website – same goes for your website! I truly believe there’s nothing wrong with a DIY’d starter site, but again, most people are ready for an upleveled site with SEO driven copy, storytelling, and well-organized service offerings at this stage of business.
Virtual Assistant – you know how I mentioned that as an entrepreneur you wear a lot of hats? Well, at some point you have to hand some of those hats off. If that scares you (trust me, I can relate!), hiring a virtual assistant is a GREAT place to start! You can decide what and how much you want to hand off and scale those tasks as your business continues to grow.
Various Service Providers – similar to hiring a virtual assistant, you may find that you’re ready to invest in a very specific service for your business. And the good news is there are a plethora of service providers to choose from for your needs! Common ones include copywriting , social media management , Pinterest management , bookkeeping services , etc.
Business Coach – full transparency, I didn’t do this early enough and it was a HUGE missed opportunity for me. I waited until I was almost 14 years into business and if I would’ve invested in one sooner, it would’ve saved me SO much stress and heartache. Here’s the gal I recommend!

Expansion Phase (~5 years +)

Did you know that 45% of businesses fail within the first 5 years? There’s a variety of reasons why this happens, but many times it’s because growth happens TOO fast and they can’t keep up.

As an entrepreneur, it can be really easy to find yourself in a situation of “too much, too soon” and feel like you’re drowning.

Which is the VERY reason that I preach investing in the right things at the right time!

During this phase, you’re typically focused on scaling, potentially entering new markets, and ultimately seeking sustained growth.

When you make it to the expansion phase and beyond, your investments become very specific to your needs and are often laser focused based on a certain goal you have in mind.

For me, this looked like hiring a Systems Workflow Expert, which is SO needed if you’re in the service business with lots of steps in your processes. Here’s my go to girl for this in case you’re in need of something similar!

Additionally, this is when I started attending business conferences for my industry to expose myself to new networks and started working with a content manager and blog writer !

This phase will ultimately look different for everyone investment wise.

Maturity Phase (~10+ years)

Similar to the expansion phase, the maturity phase of a business is when you’ve finally established yourself in the marketplace and experiencing slower but stable growth.

It’s during this time when you’re consistently evaluating your current operations and systems and are working to continuously improve them.

This could involve switching platforms you use or adding new ones so everything keeps functioning well both internally and externally.

Additionally, at this point of business, you may explore new strategies and ways to stay relevant as new competition enters the market. In order to do so, you may consider hiring a business coach or consultant to help you navigate any desired changes.

Lastly, around this time, you may also find that you’re ready for a rebrand in order to stay fresh in the eyes of your audience!

Overall, these phases and timelines are approximate and can significantly vary based on industry trends, market conditions, and the specific trajectory of your business.

Some businesses might experience rapid growth in a shorter period, while others might progress more steadily through each phase.

Ultimately, investing and outsourcing can play a vital role at each stage by allowing you to focus on very specific areas while trusting that other tasks are handled!

The most important thing to keep in mind is that the phase of business you’re in should determine what you invest in and how you prioritize outsourcing.

Oftentimes we WANT certain things, when we really NEED something else, so my best advice is to be honest with yourself and fully consider what will impact your brand and business the most during this season!

And remember: don’t compare your season of business to someone else’s. Your time will come. Stay focused and keep doing the work that you set out to do. ��

P.S. When you’re ready for a Brand or Website Designer, I’d love to chat! Connect with me here and until then, know that I’m cheering you on!

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links, which means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you and I only ever recommend products and services that I personally use and trust!

Your designer friend always,

3 Non-Salesy Ways To Promote Your Brand Launch

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 23:14:43 GMT

Picture this: you’ve been following along with someone you really align with on Instagram.

You opt into their freebie, thus making you a part of their email list.

At first, you’re cool with it. They don’t seem spammy or annoying.

They provide value and offer different ways you can work with them without it feeling slimy.

Until…

They re-brand, launch a new website, and have new and improved service offerings.

What once felt like a genuine relationship, now feels like something they’re shoving down your throat all because it’s new.

Not the vibe you’re here for, right? Yeah, me either!

Being presented with a forced sales pitch and immediately being turned off because the delivery feels pushy is NOT what you want as a consumer and it’s not what your audience wants either.

So, how can you go about promoting your brand launch in a way that feels genuine and true to who you are as a business owner?

Well, I’ve got some tips for ya! Because after all – when you spend months pouring your heart and soul into your brand, of course you want to promote it.

And there’s a way you can do that while connecting with your audience in a non-salesy way!

3 Non-Salesy Ways To Promote Your Brand Launch

If you’re working on developing your brand from scratch or if you’re rebranding to make things fresh and clean, there’s a chance you’ve had the thought, “how the heck do I launch this thing?”

Do you just wake up one day and suddenly say, “hey! I’ve got a new website for you.” or “ oh look, a new logo!”

Not exactly…

If you’ve read any of my content before, you probably know that my favorite S word is “strategy” and I believe that everything you do for your brand and business should be backed with it.

And that includes the way that you launch your brand (or rebrand) into the world.

You don’t want it to be some shocking surprise that no one expected.

Instead, you want to strategically bring them on the journey WITH you, so that they feel included and excited for the big reveal!

So, how do you make this happen? There’s a few ways you can do it ⬇️

1. Tell your story (with your face)

In the world of business, telling your story is often described as “sharing your why.”

Why do you do what you do? Who do you help? How do you help? How did you get here?

These are the things that people want to know and they want to hear everything from you personally – not just from words they read on a computer screen.

The reason this matters so much is because people may decide to follow you because they were interested in something you were promoting, but the reason they STAY is because of who you are and the value that you bring to their life specifically.

Genuine connection on an ongoing basis is what builds loyal followers who want to stick around.

In the midst of building your brand or rebrand, involve your audience and let them know what you’re up to.

Keep it casual and natural while sharing behind the scenes when you can, so that it feels low pressure yet exciting for them!

If you struggle with telling your story (many of us do), I encourage you to refer back to your branding guidelines and clearly define your core values, mission, and vision.

If you have to, print them out, hang them on your office wall, and ultimately embed them in your heart so that the sincerity of what you do and why you do it begins to naturally ooze out of you in every conversation, in every content piece, and in every transaction.

Telling your story is truly the heart of your messaging and people want to work with enthusiastic people who actually care.

So, take this as your sign to proudly start telling your story more – whether that’s through your blog posts, podcast episodes, or on Instagram stories – and when you do, talk directly to that target client.

What value can you bring to them? What problems can you help them solve?

When you focus on helping that target client, it will help you shine with authenticity and it will feel less like you're making a sales pitch.

2. Give a sneak peek

As mentioned above, you don’t want your brand launch to come as a surprise to people.

You want them to be expecting it and for them to be excited for it.

The way you can make this happen is by taking your audience behind the scenes when you can and giving them a sneak peek into what you’re creating.

Talk about what you're working on each day on Instagram stories. Share any roadblocks you’re running into. Share a snapshot from your branding photo session. Give a glimpse of your new business stationary. Or simply post a photo of your current office workspace.

All of these things make your audience feel like they’re creating something WITH you.

When you can do that, they will feel involved in the process and will have a better response when you launch your brand for the world to see.

And if you want to take this a step further, allow opportunities for early access to special giveaways, incentives, or exclusive peeks at what is to come.

If you choose to go that route, I encourage you to make that an incentive for joining your email list and treating your email subscribers as your VIPs – the people who hear the news first and have first dibs on special offers.

If you’ve yet to create an email list, I encourage you to check out FloDesk – it’s a simple and aesthetic email marketing platform that makes building your list and communicating with them on a regular basis fun and easy!

3. Set up a countdown timer across various platforms

As you anticipate the date you've set to release your new brand into the world, get people excited by setting up a countdown timer.

You can do this on various platforms, including your website, social media, and even in your emails.

For social media, I encourage you to post on stories every few days leading up to the brand launch and display the countdown so people know when it’s coming.

Additionally, it’s smart to create a few static posts for your grid leading up to the brand launch so that any new followers you may receive can easily get up to speed on what’s happening and join the fun.

As for actual launch day, make sure that you’re fully prepared and equipped with updated graphics to showcase your new brand to your audience right away!

To make it simple for you, I recommend using Canva to easily create your designs.

PRO TIP: save all of your fonts, brand colors, and logos in Canva so you can easily edit designs, so that everything is on brand and aligned!

For email, I encourage you to stay consistent with your content even throughout the building of your brand, so that you stay top of mind for people and they aren’t caught off guard when you pop back up in their inbox on launch day.

For example, if you’re known to send an email weekly, keep that your standard and simply adjust your content as needed to include some of that behind the scenes, sneak peek style content leading up to your launch day.

As the day gets closer, implement a countdown timer in your emails, so they can feel the anticipation and get excited for what's to come!

Lastly, as you’re building out your new website or making edits to your current site to reflect a re-brand, incorporate a countdown timer on your current site to make your users aware of when changes will be live.

This ensures that they know changes are coming and know when exactly to expect them!

Need a Hand With Your Brand?

If you landed on this blog post, there’s a chance you fall into one of two groups:

A new business owner looking to build a well-defined brand
A seasoned entrepreneur in need of a potential rebrand

If you’re in group one, this is exciting because you get to start off on the right foot.

This blog post is a great starting point for defining your brand strategy and getting things moving in the right direction, but I'm always here if or when you need extra help!

If you’re in group two and think it’s time for a rebrand, I’m glad you’re here! As your business grows and evolves, so should your brand and my brand design service could be the very thing you need.

With my brand design service, you’ll receive:

Personalized direct service with a project roadmap for the clearest project communication
A confidence-building brand consultation to pinpoint your messaging, voice and visuals with clarity
Target audience strategy to attract the actual customers you are trying to reach
A visual identity (including a guidelines document) to help you nail that first visual impression with your customers
Aesthetically user-focused design elements to build brand equity and communicate the credibility you deserve
Brand elevations with your new brand applied to jumpstart your brand launch

LEARN MORE HERE.

Here’s to building your brand strategically and launching it intentionally!

Your designer friend always,

A Client’s Guide to Providing Effective Feedback For Brand and Website Design

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 16:57:54 GMT

Deciding to work with a brand and website designer for your business is a BIG deal! It’s a huge step for your business and it’s one of those investments that will keep serving you for years to come.

Your brand as a whole is the overarching entity that people recognize and identify you with – and it’s not a tangible product or service.

Instead, it’s a mixture of visuals and feelings working together to create an experience with every touchpoint of your business to impact the perception that people have of you and your business.

This means that your brand is NOT just your logo, color palette and fonts – even though all of those things play an important role.

Your brand IS a an all-encompassing combination of:

what you stand for and why
the words, phrases and tone of voice you use
how people feel when they interact with you, your team, your website and even your social presence
all design elements (and the strategy and deeper meaning behind them)

Sometimes people find that creating a brand and website that incorporates strategic design is hard to do on their own, so it’s very common to outsource this piece of your business.

But just because you outsource, that doesn't mean that you aren’t a major part of the process!

Oftentimes as a business owner, you know what you want your brand and website to look and feel like, but you might have trouble bringing it to life. This is where a brand and website designer comes into play.

Together, you can work to bring to life the picture that’s in your head in a way that your audience immediately feels drawn and connected to.

As a client, there is a way to work with your brand and website designer to make this happen effectively and one of the best ways this happens is through the feedback that you deliver throughout the entire process.

In this blog post, you’ll learn effective ways to work with your brand and website designer to get the result that you’re really hoping for AND you’ll learn how to provide effective feedback so that the process goes smoothly from start to finish.

Effective Ways to Work With Your Brand and Website Designer

As mentioned, it’s very common for you as the business owner to have a solid idea of what you want your brand and website to look and feel like, so you call on a designer to bring your dreams to life!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sent over proofs to clients just for them to come back with phrases like, “this doesn't’ feel like me” or “can we jazz this up a bit?”

Again, I understand you may not know how to fully articulate what you want, but being as specific as possible will help your designer make changes more effectively.

Instead of saying, “this isn’t my style,” call out what specifically doesn’t feel right to you and describe what would or instead of saying, “make it pop, ” describe what you want a certain section to look or feel like and be as descriptive as possible.

Because of this, it can be very easy to expect the designer to do exactly what you want and while it’s important for a designer to listen to your wants, it’s also important to remember that they are the professional.

Sometimes what you want for your brand and website may not be the most strategic option to generate results.

This is something you want to keep in mind, which is why my first tip is to TRUST that your designer has your best interest at heart and second, LISTEN to their explanation of work before giving feedback, asking questions or requesting changes.

As a brand and website designer, it’s my job to gather as much information before the project begins in order to fully understand your desires and hopefully avoid any unnecessary or drastic design changes after the initial proofs.

Without this communication from the very beginning, it's easy for both of us to be blindsided and that’s definitely something you want to avoid. With this mind, my third tip is to speak openly with your designer and be up front with your thoughts in a respectful way.

I personally believe that creativity is a collaboration and I always want the design process to feel that way! Both you and your designer can have great ideas and there can be a place for most of them in your project.

Just like you have expertise and experience in your field, your designer does too, so always go into a design relationship knowing it will be a collaborative effort.

Through collaboration, you can ensure that all of the thoughts and ideas shared are aligned throughout the entire project and it gives your designer the chance to gain more clarity and ask good questions if things are unclear.

All of these things bring me to the feedback piece of the process. At the end of the day, providing effective feedback throughout your brand and design project allows your designer to do their best work.

Without effective feedback, it’s hard for them to know if they’re achieving what you are envisioning. There’s a right and a wrong way to provide feedback to your designer, so if you want to make the most of your design project, I encourage you to follow these guidelines!

How To Provide Effective Feedback To Your Brand and Website Designer

I’ll preface this section by saying: I understand that not everyone is a designer by trade, so knowing how to communicate what you really want can be difficult – even if you have the perfect image in your mind.

With that, there are a few ways to be more effective when providing feedback, so your designer can make changes in a timely manner and quickly achieve what you’re hoping for.

Before we get into each of those specifically, I want you to remember: you can save yourself from having to give a ton of feedback when you collaborate with your designer before the project proof is sent.

Being open and honest with your designer about what you’re looking for, providing examples of what you are hoping for and giving as many details as possible before your project begins can allow your designer to achieve what you want even faster! This puts the designer and the client on the same page and the outcome will be more positive for everyone.

With that in mind, when feedback is necessary, remember to apply these tips:

KEEP ALL FEEDBACK IN ONE PLACE

There’s a good chance your designer has systems and processes in place for you to submit feedback when asked and it’s important for you as a client to honor their processes to ensure that all feedback is kept in one place.

Personally, I love to use Asana and its setup so that clients can provide the feedback needed when necessary.

If you try to send feedback via email, text, Slack or even Instagram DM’s, it’s very easy for things to get complicated and confusing for your designer, so make sure that you stick to the systems they’ve worked hard to set up so that the project can run smoothly.

Start with the Positives

If a designer is doing their job, they have prepared well enough to have made several good design choices. Affirm your thankfulness in their efforts for the project work as a whole by verbalizing those things.

Some examples might be:

Thank you so much for your time and the work you invested in this.
I really appreciate how you made this {Insert design decision} based on what we discussed earlier.
I believe we are going in the right direction. I'd like to chat more about {insert design decision}.

Give Visual or Audible Feedback

Since it can be difficult to explain what you want from a design perspective, it can be beneficial to provide feedback visually or audibly.

Expert brand designers often do initial proof reveals in-person or zoom call so they can get real time feedback. It's so helpful for your designer to read social cues and really listen to initial gut reactions to the concepts.

Additionally, feedback on remaining rounds of revisions can be done through proofing audible remarks via proofing or project management software. Tools like this can make it easier for you to explain what you do or don’t like about your design proofs and allows your designer to make more effective changes right away.

Keep Your Ideal Client in Mind

As a business owner, it's normal for your brand and website to feel really personal and close to your heart, making it easy to forget who you’re really doing this for.

While YOU of course want to love your brand and website design, the most important thing is that your ideal client connects to it.

Having a designer alongside you through this process can help you make sure that your CLIENT will connect, relate and align with the end product. When giving feedback, always keep your ideal client in mind and focus on THEIR experience!

Provide Examples and Offer Specific Solutions

Oftentimes, the best thing you can do when providing feedback to your designer is to provide examples or offer other solutions, instead of simply saying, “I don’t like this.”

Remember, this is a collaborative team effort and even though your designer is the professional, they value your support and will appreciate the extra direction.

If you've seen designs or elements that you like, share those examples with the designer so they can better understand your aesthetic preferences. Again, this would ideally be done before your project kickoff to avoid any drastic changes!

Additionally, instead of just pointing out problems, try to suggest potential solutions so your designer has a new starting point and understands your vision.

RESPECTFULNESS GOES A LONG WAY

Lastly, and most importantly, be respectful! While it’s true that your designer is an expert in their field, that doesn’t mean that they’ll always get it right.

A sk questions about a design, versus making judgements. For example, let's say you don't love the color choices on a design.

You could ask a question first:

"Can you tell me more about the color palette choice you made on the design?"

Then pause for the designer to explain.

If you are still unsure about the design choice, tell them the mood it puts you in. Example: "The color choices feel a bit dark to me. Could I see a version of this lightened up a bit or maybe with some cheerier colors?"

There’s a lot of effort that goes into a brand and website design and providing feedback in a respectful and constructive manner will keep the working relationship positive and allow you to receive the outcome that you really desire!

And there ya have it – a client’s guide to providing effective feedback for brand and website design!

Looking for a Brand and Web Designer?

If you’re looking for a designer to link arms with for one of the most important projects for your business, I’d love to meet you.

As a brand and website designer, I help people like you convert lookers into customers through strategic design!

CLICK HERE to connect to see if working together would be a good fit.

Your designer friend always,

Strengthening Local Community Through Design: A Deep Dive Into Studio A's Commitment to Giving Back

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 19:18:51 GMT

As a brand and website designer, I have the pleasure of meeting a lot of new people online, thanks to our friend Instagram and other social platforms.

I find that to be super normal for a lot of online business owners and service providers because the concept of working with ANYONE across the world is pretty amazing.

As I’m riding bikes with my kids in our neighborhood in Ames, Iowa, a client of mine could be waking up to their ocean view in California or heading into their office in New York City.

It’s so cool to me that we can so easily be connected to people who live such different lives from us.

With that, however, I knew that when I started my business I didn't want to lose the local aspect. I love where I live and there are people right down the road who own amazing businesses that I also want to support and be a part of.

So even with the boom of online business and the ability to work with literally anyone in the world, my heart is in Iowa, specifically our small town of Ames, and I strive to give back to my community year round through my design work.

If you’re an online business owner or service provider and you have gotten swooped up in the online or digital aspect without paying much attention to your local community, I encourage you to consider how you can get involved and support those businesses, too.

Because while some of my most favorite clients (and even some of my best relationships) have been cultivated online, there’s just something about being involved with your local community that the online world can never replace.

Many local businesses are the ones I’ve been going to for the last decade.

They’re the places filled with people who know my name and face and go out of their way to serve me specifically.

They’re the places that make our town what it is and I know that my life in Ames wouldn’t be the same without them.

I’d be willing to bet that a lot of the same is true for your local community too, so if you’re looking to get involved locally, but aren’t exactly sure how, there’s a few things I encourage you to seek out.

4 Ways To Get Involved With Your Local Community As An Online Business Owner

Join your local chamber of commerce

I know what you might be thinking… “The chamber? Are those still a thing? Aren’t they just for corporate organizations?”

Yes, the chamber of commerce is most definitely still a thing and no, they aren’t just for corporate organizations.

Your local chamber of commerce exists to serve the community through promoting various local businesses and allowing members of those businesses to meet and connect with each other.

The chamber is one of the easiest (and usually most cost effective ways) to get involved with your local community, meet other business owners in your area, find volunteer opportunities, and ultimately get your name and business into the eyes of more people in your area.

If joining the chamber of commerce feels weird to you because you don’t have a physical space or office that people can visit, just remember that your local chamber is FILLED with other business owners who just might be interested in the product or service that you offer… but they might not know you exist yet.

Joining the chamber, attending their events, and actively putting yourself in the position to meet members of your community can change that.

Find a local networking group

If the chamber isn’t your thing, consider joining a local networking group. And if you think that networking groups are boring, too professional, and really don’t lead to any results, I’d encourage you to reconsider.

The way people network has changed in many ways and there are often lots of local opportunities that you can attend for free or at a low cost that aren’t the boring, corporate style networking that you might be used to.

Coffee dates, happy hours, and even valuable workshops have become more of the norm.

If you aren’t sure how to find opportunities like this, revisit #1 above OR simply conduct a Google search. You’d be surprised at what you can find!

Volunteer with your local schools or churches

If you want to get involved with your community in more ways than just networking and meeting new people, consider volunteering at your local schools or churches.

Schools and churches are almost always looking for volunteers to fill different roles and it’s a great way to simply get involved with your community without expecting anything in return.

Schools are often in need of donations, mentors, class helpers and more, while churches have various needs throughout the year including donations, help with events, etc.

Find an organization that aligns with your values and give back

Lastly, if you want to get involved and give back to your local community, you can find an organization that aligns with your personal values as a business owner and get connected with them to see how you can support them best.

For example, many shelters, ministries and other organizations are constantly looking for more people to get involved with their mission, whether it be through hands-on volunteering, donations or sometimes financial support, there’s almost always a way for you to give back.

Organizations I Love To Support In Ames and Central Iowa

As a brand and website designer, I’m committed to giving back in my own community of Ames, Iowa and there’s a few organizations that I love to provide financial support to and work with for various projects throughout the year, including:

Rethinking Online Business

Overall, I love the concept of online business and believe that it’s a great thing. But as much as I love connecting with new people online, I never want to lose sight of my local community.

I’ve found that all of these efforts actually help me stand out even more online and I really believe they can do the same for you!

Here’s to being known locally AND virtually. ��

Your designer friend always,

How to Choose The Best Website Domain and URL For Your Brand

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 22:24:09 GMT

When it comes to building and designing a new website for your brand, there’s a lot of decisions that go into it.

One of the first steps is determining your overall brand strategy and brand identity, which includes discovering your unique heart, messaging, target audience and visuals (ex: logo, fonts and brand colors).

Each of those elements are important to know first so that your website can properly reflect your brand as a whole.

Then, there’s the copywriting followed by the design.

Not to mention all of the other seemingly small parts of creating a new website, such as a fresh brand photoshoot for photos that accurately represent your brand and fun design elements that grab the attention of your audience.

Oh and let us not forget… your website domain and URL.

Your website URL seems like a small detail and IS often overlooked but it's a vitally important part of your website.

When working with clients, I often find that this part of the website design process is an afterthought for them.

And I really do understand why this happens…

As a business owner, it’s so easy to get caught up in the “fun” parts of any process. And usually choosing a website domain and going through the process of purchasing it on GoDaddy or Google Domains doesn't fall into your category of fun.

I want you to know that overlooking seemingly small details (such as your website domain and URL) could cost you BIG time in the future.

A huge part of your brand and website strategy is making sure that every single detail – even the small and not-so-fun ones – are carefully thought through.

You MUST intentionally consider all parts of the process, including the actual name/URL of your website.

After all, if you’re hoping to send more people to your site and generate new traffic through search, it needs to be right… right?!

If you’re planning a new website launch soon or are launching your website for the very first time and have yet to give your domain much thought, I’m here to let you in on why this part of the process is SO important and give a few insider tips for choosing the best domain and URL for your brand specifically.

5 Reasons Why Choosing the Right Website Domain is So Important

Branding

It should come as no surprise to you that this is my first reason in this list! A lot of times people don’t realize how something small like your domain name plays a significant role in your branding efforts.

Here’s why: this is often the first thing people see and remember about your website or business.

It’s usually displayed on your business card, in your email signature, your Instagram bio and is often the first thing you direct people to in conversation.

A catchy, unique and memorable domain name that is CONSISTENT with your brand can help create a strong brand identity and leave a lasting impression for your audience.

Credibility

A professional and relevant domain name can enhance your credibility and trustworthiness, because it shows that you are serious about your online presence and are invested in providing a quality experience to people.

A poorly chosen domain name, on the other hand, can make your website appear untrustworthy, unprofessional or even as an afterthought that you don’t prioritize.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Did you know that search engines consider domain names as a ranking factor when it comes to SEO?

Many people correlate SEO with blog posts and other keywords on their website, but this applies to your website domain name as well!

Incorporating relevant keywords in your domain name can help improve your website's visibility in search engine results which can potentially lead to more organic traffic.

Now, this doesn’t mean you should choose a domain name solely based on keywords for SEO purposes. Your domain should follow a few guidelines that I’ll get to in just a minute!

User Experience

User experience is a HUGE part of the website design process, but it doesn’t just apply to when someone is actively on your website.

The user experience begins the moment someone starts searching for your website on Google or typing in your website URL.

You want your audience to have a positive experience from the very beginning, which means that your website domain should be easy to remember, spell and pronounce.

A complicated or confusing domain name may result in users mistyping it or having difficulty finding your website, which can lead to an automatic negative experience and directly impact their decision in working with you in the future.

Business Expansion

When you’re choosing a website domain name for the first time, it’s very easy to just think about where you’re at in the present moment. What people often forget to consider is the future of their business and how their business could expand.

This is why when choosing a domain name, it's important to consider your long term goals and select a domain name that allows for scalability and expansion as your business evolves.

By being intentional about this from the beginning, you can save yourself from having to rebrand or change your website domain name later on.

How to Choose the Best Website Domain and URL for Your Brand

Now that you know why strategically and thoughtfully choosing a website domain is so important, I want to provide a few website designer insider tips for choosing the best website domain for YOUR brand!

Define your brand strategy and brand identity.

I know, I know… of course I would say that since I’m a brand strategist and designer. But hear me out!

If you choose your website domain name BEFORE you define your brand strategy and brand identity, you run the risk of choosing a website domain that doesn't align with your brand at all.

In fact, one of my good friends experienced this when she was first launching her business. When building her website, she originally chose her name as the website domain.

At the time this made a lot of sense and she saw a lot of other business owners doing this, so what could be the harm? As time went on and her business began to grow, she realized that she was actually going to call her business something totally different.

You see, she had built her brand primarily on Instagram and her audience started to know and refer to her as her Instagram handle… yet her website didn't reflect that at all.

About a year into her business, she finally invested in brand strategy and this resulted in her changing her website domain and completely rebranding to ensure that everything aligned.

While this wasn't the end of the world for her, it was a huge project that could’ve easily been avoided if she would have defined her brand strategy and brand identity FIRST.

Now, when you’re first starting out in business like my friend was, sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know and you’re just trying to get something off the ground. I understand this – I really do.

But if at all possible, I encourage you to start with your brand FIRST and let your website come SECOND.

Use the RSM Formula – Relevant, Simple, Memorable

For the record, the RSM Formula is something I totally made up, but that doesn't mean it’s not legit advice. ��

After you’ve defined your brand strategy and brand identity and it’s time to choose your website domain, you want to make sure it's relevant, simple and memorable.

First up, relevancy. Your domain name should accurately reflect the nature of your business and should be relevant to your industry, products or services.

If you know your brand strategy and brand identity (which includes the actual NAME of your business), it’s much easier to choose a relevant domain.

Next up, simplicity. You know those people who have super complicated last names and always have to spell it out for people over the phone and you just know there’s a ton of confusion that comes with it?

Well, that’s equivalent to what can happen when your website domain is complex, hard to spell or hard to pronounce! As a business owner, you want to be able to easily say your website URL and for people to immediately understand what you said.

This allows for easier word of mouth marketing and, as mentioned above, provides a positive user experience from the start.

Lastly, make it memorable. Now, I don’t want you to mistake memorability for complexity.

Sometimes people want their website domain to be super unique and creative so that it stands out and while I know that might seem like a smart strategy, always remember that clarity is greater than cleverness.

In my experience, the website domain and URLs that are the most simple, clear and straightforward, are also the ones that are the most memorable!

Check for availability.

As a brand and website designer, I can honestly say that one of the most heartbreaking moments is when the URL you want to use is already taken. ��

And while I know that in this moment you might feel like the world is ending and you won’t possibly be able to find a new URL that matches your brand, I encourage you to adopt the “everything happens for a reason” mentality (as cliche as it might sound) and trust that it WILL work out.

Because spoiler: it always does!

When you’ve landed on a URL that you love, contain your excitement and conduct a URL search on your domain registration site, like GoDaddy. From there, you’ll quickly be able to see if the URL you want is available.

If it is available: YAY! You’re on your way to building a strategic website that aligns with your brand.

But before you move forward, you also want to consider a trademark search . Just because a URL is available for the website domain that you want, that doesn't mean the name or phrase you want to use isn't already trademarked.

This is SO important to check so that you don’t infringe on any registered trademarks and you aren’t forced to rebrand in the future.

If it’s not available: again, don’t fret just yet. Most of the time, domain registration sites will generate a list of possible options for you and sometimes they are great alternatives.

Other times, you may need to rethink your domain name and consider a variation that still achieves what you’re looking for.

Use domain extensions wisely.

Speaking of alternative domain names, let’s chat about domain extensions real quick.

A domain extension is the suffix at the end of a domain name, like ‘ .com, .net, .org ’ and more.

When the original domain name that you want isn’t available, people often jump straight to choosing an alternative domain extension.

While sometimes this is a fine option, you want to choose your domain extension wisely because it directly ties into the relevancy, simplicity and memorability of your website.

For example, ‘.org’ is often associated with non-profit organizations. Even though it’s not a strict rule that has to be followed, you may not want to opt for this if your business doesn’t align.

Another example is ‘.co.’ Many people will use this domain extension if ‘.com’ isn’t available, but you have to consider the confusion this could potentially cause for your audience.

Again, although this appears like a seemingly small part of the process, it’s incredibly important and needs to be chosen carefully!

Overall, choosing the right domain name is an important decision that can majorly impact your brand's online presence.

This is why it’s vital that you take your time, conduct thorough research and consider the factors mentioned above to select a domain name that accurately represents your brand!

This is just one of the website puzzle pieces that I help my website design clients navigate, so if you’re looking for more guidance throughout this entire process, I’m your girl!

I'd love to chat with you about my website design services and see how we can work together to achieve a website that not only looks cute, but generates real results for you, too. ��

Your designer friend always,

3 Factors That Impact the ROI of Professional Brand & Web Design

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 17:13:16 GMT

“But what’s the ROI?”

You can go ahead and file that under “most commonly asked question” for any business owner or service provider selling something.

This is often the thing that your potential clients want to know first and it’s a valid question. I also like to know what I can expect to receive out of an investment.

As a brand and website designer, I get this question quite often because it’s no secret that your brand and website is an important investment for your business.

There’s a lot of time and energy that goes into the development of both, and it’s not just something that you can throw together in a few days… not unless you want it to be done effectively that is!

When I get this question, it’s quite honestly hard to answer because I can’t always prove that clients can expect to receive a certain number of bookings from their new website or a certain amount of new followers from their brand design.

What I can confidently say is that your brand and website design DOES impact and support your sales and revenue goals because when done strategically, this investment enhances your brand perception, improves user experience, boosts SEO (hence increasing website traffic) and leads to higher conversions from your website directly.

Overall, your brand and website are like the foundation of your business and are the things that help you build and become exactly what you want to be.

Just like a house must have a solid foundation before it can become a beautiful mansion, your business is no different!

This is why when someone asks, “well what’s the ROI” regarding brand and website design...

I have to take a step back and help them understand that the return on their investment is a team effort that involves strategy from your designer AND a few factors that YOu impleMEnt as a business owner.

I know that might sound weird and maybe not what you expected to hear, but let me explain. ⬇️

As a brand and website designer, I care very deeply about the clients that I work with. I approach their business just as I approach mine, which means I take a LOT of things into consideration throughout the entire process.

I don’t do things “just because.” Meaning, I won’t design a logo just because it looks cute. I won’t design a website just because it looks cool. I won’t choose certain colors just because they’re your favorite.

That’s not how I roll! My process involves a lot of strategy – that’s my favorite S word. ��

This means that when you work with me for brand and website design, you can expect it to be done in a way that CAN effectively generate an ROI…

But the design alone won’t get you there. If that were the case, you could just whip something up on Canva and call it a day.

To TRULY get the most out of your brand and website design investment, you want to make sure you’re doing your part, too.

3 Factors that impact the ROI of your Brand and Website Design

STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION

Since I’ve already briefly mentioned the strategy side of things, let’s start here.

As mentioned, if design were the only factor, you could easily DIY your design on Canva instead of investing your hard earned money into working with a professional.

But we both know it’s not that simple.

Strategy is a HUGE piece of brands and websites and it’s important to know that not all designers are strategists.

When it comes to your brand and website, you want to make sure you have BOTH. This is why finding someone that offers an all in one option (like me ��) will be so valuable for you!

When your design is backed by strategy, you can trust that every single detail and decision is made with intention.

Remember how I said earlier that I don’t do things “just because?” This is what I mean!

A clear brand strategy involves different components that give you full clarity about what you do, your why/your story, who you specifically serve and what sets you apart from others in your industry.

All of those elements will directly impact the copy for your website AND help guide your website design.

For example, let’s say your story is an extremely important part of your business and you know that many people connect to your story before they buy from you.

From a strategist and designer standpoint, I can make sure that your website users are strategically guided from your Home page to your About page so they can read your story and then be strategically presented with a button that leads to purchase.

That flow may not make sense for everyone, which is why having someone that can adjust the strategy and design based on YOUR specific needs is so crucial.

This factor alone can majorly boost your ROI, but it’s not the only thing to consider…

YOUR COMMITMENT

This is where you come in my friend! I’ve already mentioned that I approach my clients business the same way I approach mine – with dedication and commitment.

But your brand and website designer can’t be the only one committed to this thing!

As a business owner, it’s really easy to fall into the trap of believing that “if I just invest in this thing, my problems will be solved.”

“If I just hire someone to redesign my website, people will start buying.”

“If I just rebrand and hire someone to make me a new logo, I’ll attract more followers.”

It’s this mindset of “if I’m paying for ____, I should experience ____” almost like a magic pill that will solve all of our struggles.

And trust me, I’ve been guilty of this before, too!

While it would be awesome if this is how life and business worked, this simply isn’t always the case. Now, there are probably some things out there that do work this way, but I have to be real with you and let you know that brand and website design is NOT one of them.

Your brand and website design is one piece of the puzzle and won’t work on its own. To really get the most out of your brand and website design, YOU have to show up too!

Luckily, I don’t want you to have to figure all of this out on your own, which is why my branding packages include a brand launch coaching and brand implementation 1:1 session to help you know how to actually apply the brand and set yourself up for success.

Quality investmenT

Lastly, a major factor that impacts the ROI of your brand and website design is the quality of your investment.

To put it bluntly, not all designers are created equal. This isn’t to say that all designers can’t produce great work, but not ALL designers can create good work for YOU specifically.

All designers have their own style and way of doing things, which is why it’s so important to seek out the person who is a good fit for you and your brand.

This involves doing your research, looking at their portfolio of work, asking questions, understanding their process AND being open to pay the price that’s needed to achieve what you’re looking for.

I can’t tell you how many clients I’ve worked with who have chosen a cheaper option for their brand and website design just to turn around in a few months to have it completely redesigned.

If you want quality work that lasts, you’ll likely need to invest more money. Now, that’s not to say you need to fork out thousands of dollars for a top tier designer if it’s truly not in budget.

All I’m saying is that if you want a quality return on your investment, you want to consider the amount you’re willing and able to invest upfront!

Overall, the return on investment of professional brand and website design can be astronomical, but it’s not something that just happens by chance.

It’s something that happens when both YOU and your designer are committed to the project as a team and work together to ensure that the design is something that allows for long lasting results in your business.

It requires strategy, commitment and quality choices, which are all three things that I take into major consideration when designing for my clients.

If you’re in search of a brand or website designer for your business, I’d love to meet you! connect WITH ME to see if we could be a good fit for each other. If not, I may be able to point you in the right direction of someone who is!

Your designer friend always,

Why LinkTree Isn’t Enough and What To Do Instead

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 16:54:31 GMT

We’re all familiar with the Instagram posts that end with the call-to-action of “click the link in bio” for more details.

And I’m all for that! After all, the whole idea of marketing on social media is to get someone interested enough that they actually click to your website.

But something that I see happen all too often is that the “link in bio” doesn’t actually lead to their website…

Instead, it leads to a LinkTree or other link in bio service that has promised the ease of displaying multiple links on one page so that people can click what they need specifically.

Now, let me be clear – the concept of this is great! There are lots of people in your audience who need or want different things.

One person might want to download your freebie, another might want to read your blog and another might actually want to enroll in your course.

It makes sense that you would want all of these options easily available for them, but what you may not realize is that all of these options could do more harm than good.

3 Reasons LinkTree Isn't Enough

It INTERFERES WITH YOUR BUYER JOURNEY

Every business and brand has a very specific buyer or customer journey and it’s essentially the process that a customer goes through before ultimately buying from you.

When you use a LinkTree or other link in bio service, it heavily interferes with your buyer journey and actually can prevent people from taking the action you want them to take.

If you’re unfamiliar with what a LinkTree looks like, it typically looks like this:

As you can see, there are a LOT of different links that a user could click, which could lead to distraction and even overwhelm.

When someone becomes distracted or overwhelmed in this instance, there’s a chance they’ll be faced with decision fatigue and take no action at all.

When it comes to marketing on social media, the ultimate goal is to get them OFF of the app they’re currently on and into a space that YOU, as the business owner, own – aka your website – so that you have more control over their experience.

A LinkTree does the exact opposite of that because it’s essentially another app that you don’t have much control over.

When you use a specific page of your website for your link in bio instead, you’re able to properly guide your audience into the decisions that are best for them and provide strategic resources that could eventually lead to a sale.

It interferes with your branding.

As a brand designer, you know that I’m constantly concerned about staying on brand – for myself and for my clients.

And unfortunately, LinkTree makes this very difficult to do, even if you have the paid version of the platform.

With LinkTree and other link in bio services, you’re limited on what types of customizations you can make, which means you’re often forced to use their colors and fonts.

Without consistency in your brand in every single place you show up – whether it be on social media, in your emails, on your website, and even at your link in bio – it's hard to build your brand recognition, which is the thing that makes your audience recognize you among the rest.

Even though it might seem small, your link in bio is a key part of your brand strategy and needs to be thoughtfully considered!

It doesn't support your SEO efforts.

SEO stands for search engine optimization and it’s the process of improving your website to increase its visibility on Google and other search engines.

One of the things that actually boosts your SEO is when people click to your website from social media because it shows that people are finding value in your content and want to explore more.

When you use a LinkTree or other link in bio service, you completely erase the possibility of Google to track this information because LinkTree becomes the one capturing the clicks… NOT your website. ��

So now you might be wondering, “then what’s the solution Amanda?!”

Glad you asked!

There is a way for you to give your audience exactly what they need and want through the link in your bio WITHOUT sacrificing your buyer journey, branding or SEO.

What to use instead of LinkTree

Short answer: use your website.

But make it strategic! (If you don’t know, that’s my favorite ‘S’ word. ��)

“But Amanda, what if I still want to share multiple links?”

YOU CAN!

Like I mentioned earlier, the concept of LinkTree and other link in bio services is great – that’s not what I have a problem with.

I just have a problem with NOT moving your social media audience onto your website where you have way more control over their experience.

One of my favorite solutions that I’ve implemented for myself and for my clients is creating a page on your website that’s designed like a LinkTree, but doesn’t compromise your branding, buyer journey or your SEO.

Here’s mine and it looks like this:

With this strategic design, you have much more control over what the page looks like, can ensure it's cohesive with your overall branding, and know that your website is getting all the love instead of another third party platform.

Also, instead of this page just being a list of links, you can also take it further and include a mini-about section (sort of like I did) so that your audience can instantly get to know you better and feel more inclined to take the desired action.

Here’s another example of this solution from one of my favorite marketing strategists – Jenna Kutcher

As you can see, she designed this page to be very similar to any other page on her website, complete with a quiz, intro paragraph, links to her latest posts and updates, and THEN all of the possible links that her audience might need.

That’s an A+ in my book!

Need Help With Web Design?

After reading this, you might feel like your website is not in top notch condition to put in front of your followers like this.

And if that’s you, first I want to say that you’re not alone. As a business owner, you wear a lot of hats and sometimes you just have to publish a website that’s “good enough.”

While I totally understand this, I want you to know that prioritizing your website and making sure it’s strategically designed with your buyer's journey in mind is one of the best things you can do for your business.

But if you don’t have time to figure it out on your own, that’s okay too – because that’s exactly what I’m here for!

My website design service includes:

Personalized direct service and a project roadmap for the clearest communication
Content and calls-to- action based on a conversion first (aka: money making) mindset
Customized, strategic (SEO driven) messaging and visuals to attract your specific audience
Post launch support so you won't immediately feel alone after your big launch
An aesthetically user-focused design to give your audience a first impression that will knock their socks off
A simple user log-in to edit your website along with training video tutorials so you have the freedom to make updates anytime

Your business deserves to have a digital billboard that not only attracts your ideal audience, but also converts them into real customers.

That’s what a strategic website can do for you, so if you’re in search of just that, I’m your girl. ��

I'd love to connect and see how you can go beyond a LinkTree and have a link in bio that truly works for you!

Your designer friend always,

Forgotten Essentials after a Rebrand: 4 Must-Do Tasks

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 13:57:38 GMT

It’s the moment you've been waiting for… you invested in new branding and a new website, you have beautiful new colors, fonts and photos to show the world and it’s finally time to hit “publish” so everyone can see what you’ve been up to for months.

But wait - did you think through how you’re going to launch your rebrand? Have you implemented the changes internally? Are you prepped to communicate what this means for your audience?

You see, many times people think that a rebrand is just this casual thing you do whenever you get tired of the way your website or brand aesthetics look. But that couldn’t be further from the truth!

A rebrand is a BIG deal and involves so much more than just changing your colors, creating a new logo or leveling up your website.

It’s a process that really involves digging into what you want to convey to your audience, how you want them to feel when they find your website or social media and ultimately how you can tell your unique story with strategic messaging.

Because of this, you want to make sure that you have steps in place to cover all of the bases AFTER your rebrand to ensure that your current audience stays engaged, your existing customers are reengaged AND you attract NEW customers!

After working with tons of branding clients and being in the world of branding for quite some time, I’ve noticed that the “after” is where people tend to go wrong and a few common things tend to be forgotten.

To help you avoid that in your own rebrand, here are the 4 most common things that small businesses overlook after a rebrand:

4 of the Most Common Things Small Business Brands overlook after a Rebrand

1. Strategically Announce your Rebrand

Picture this: you spend months working with a brand strategist to craft the rebrand for your business, you have beautiful new photos to use on your website and social media accounts, your logo has been refreshed and looks more “you” and your website is insanely user friendly and a great resource for your audience.

You’re so excited to launch your rebrand to the world, so you whip up some images on Canva and click “post” on Instagram with a caption saying something like, “NEW BRANDING, WHO DIS?!”

And the crowd goes quiet… ��

Why? Because it’s not strategic. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen this scenario and as a brand designer , it makes my heart break a little because I know the amount of time (and money) it takes to bring a brand to life.

The last thing you want is to invest in a rebrand just for your audience not to respond. As mentioned, your brand is more than just new pretty colors and an awesome new logo.

It really serves as an improved way to communicate your unique story and capture your ideal audience. But the only way you can do that is when you tell people what your rebrand means for them.

Are you offering new services? Did you get rid of old services?

Are there new ways to work with you 1:1? Do you have a new course or membership?

Did you launch a new blog or podcast with your rebrand? Maybe a newsletter?

What’s the best way for them to use your website?

All of these things should be strategically communicated through your rebrand launch so that it actually engages people instead of just giving them a pretty picture to look at!

If you aren’t quite sure how you should go about announcing your rebrand, I break down 3 “non-salesy” ways to promote your brand launch in THIS blog post .

2. Adjust Your Messaging

Oftentimes when people decide to rebrand, they’re doing so because something is changing about their business and they want to attract the right people to it.

This often comes in the form of new products or services, a new course or something of the sort.

For example, let’s say you’ve been a done-for-you service provider for years and you’ve primarily worked with people 1:1, but now you’re pivoting your business into courses.

That’s going to attract different people, which is why you have to consider how this affects your messaging.

This won’t be the case for every single rebrand, but you want to make sure that you’re not just updating your colors, fonts and logos, but you’re also communicating any changes in your messaging by clearly calling out who you specifically serve and who your services are perfect for.

3. Make Internal Changes

When you think of branding, you naturally think of all of the external things that your audience will see - your website, social media, contact forms, etc.

But what tends to slip the mind when rebranding are all of your internal pieces that are just as important!

This includes things like your email signature, slide decks, any branded client communication forms (such as invoices, proposal sheets or onboarding forms), merch, stationary, etc.

Any piece of collateral that isn't necessarily front-facing to your audience on a daily basis still needs to be rebranded so that your brand stays 100% cohesive!

Now, I completely understand that brand design involves A LOT, so if you can’t get to all of these things at once, that’s okay. Just make sure that you have a plan in place to revisit them when you have the time so that you don’t compromise the lack of consistency for your audience or clients.

This is one of the main reasons I encourage working with a brand designer so that nothing falls through the cracks and you’re completely taken care of from start to finish!

4. Update All Collateral

Lastly, that brings me to all of your collateral. As I just mentioned, you want to make sure that every single thing throughout your business is cohesive and on brand.

For example, if someone finds you on social media and navigates to your website and the two have completely different vibes, they’re probably going to be a bit confused.

This is the exact opposite of what you want, which is why updating ALL of your collateral, which is essentially the collection of media that promotes your brand, is key.

Here’s a quick fire list of common collateral pieces to include in your rebrand:

Website and Landing Pages
Logo
Business Cards
Brand Photos
Social Media Templates

And if you love a good visual like me, here’s a more in depth look for your brand touchpoints:

That’s just a few of the most common pieces, but if you want my take on collateral pieces that are most overlooked for brands, CLICK HERE !

Overall, deciding on a rebrand is just one piece of the puzzle. Don’t be tempted to stop there!

Use your rebrand to your advantage by attracting your ideal people and guiding them through your customer journey very strategically.

And if all of this sounds a little too difficult for you to manage on your own, I’m always here to help!

Your designer friend always,

You Don’t Need a Logo to Launch Your Business - You Need a Strategy

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 05:39:45 GMT

When I first started working as a brand designer nearly 16 years ago, I learned one thing very quickly: people are CONFUSED about what a brand actually is.

This honestly didn't come as a shock to me though because as a business owner myself I can clearly see why this confusion happens.

When you’re starting out in business, you tend to hear similar advice of what you need to do first.

Create your logo.
Build your website.
Choose your colors.
Have a brand photoshoot… so you can post cute pics on Instagram for “marketing.”

No wonder people think that a brand is simply a logo and a color palette! That’s what people are teaching them.

As a brand designer, this makes me cringe because your brand is SO. MUCH. MORE.

And it’s really freaking important!

If you can relate to thinking that your brand is:

✔️ simply about the logo in the corner of your website

✔️ the colors that you use on your Instagram highlight covers and CTA buttons

✔️ or the fonts that you use on your website and social media posts

Keep reading because we’ve got some work to do! ⬇️

You Don't Need a Logo to Launch Your Business, You need a Strategy!

What is a Brand?

First things first, let’s start simple and define what a brand really is.

There’s a few definitions of the word “brand” including:

Merriam-Webster: Brand (noun) - a public image, reputation or identity conceived of as something to be marketed or promoted
Oxford Dictionary: Brand (noun) - a type of product, service, etc. made or offered by a particular company under a particular name
Random Google Result: Brand (noun) - an intangible marketing or business concept that helps people identify a company, product, or individual

From all of these definitions combined, a few words stick out to me the most that I want you to hone in on: public image, reputation, identify, intangible.

Your brand as a whole is the overarching entity that people recognize and identify you with – and it’s not a tangible product or service.

Instead, it’s a mixture of visuals and feelings working together to create an experience with every touchpoint of your business to impact the perception that people have of you and your business.

This means that your brand is NOT just your logo, color palette and fonts.

Your brand IS a an all-encompassing combination of:

what you stand for and why
the words, phrases and tone of voice you use
how people feel when they interact with you, your team, your website and even your social presence
all design elements (and the strategy / deeper meaning behind them)

Since your brand as a whole is an all-encompassing entity, you can’t possibly skip straight to creating your logo and choosing your color palette without first digging into your brand strategy.

What is a Brand Strategy?

Now that you’re more familiar with what a brand actually is, let’s touch on the strategy piece – because this is truly the most important part for your long-term success in business!

Your brand strategy is truly like the heartbeat of your business and includes 5 main components, including:

Brand Purpose - aka why your business/brand exists and what it stands for
Brand Values - aka your core beliefs and principles that guide your decision-making
Brand Positioning - aka how you are perceived by your audience and customers in comparison to others in your industry (your positioning is your differentiator)
Brand Messaging - aka your tone, core message and visual identity
Target Audience - aka the specific group of people that your business/brand is trying to reach or influence

When you have clarity around each of these and you’ve clearly defined them, EVERYTHING you do flows from this.

For example, if you’re faced with a decision in your business, such as launching a new product, and you aren’t sure if you should do it or not, your brand strategy can help you answer that question.

Does it align with who you are and your brand values?

Is it something that will truly serve your target audience?

Does it match your messaging?

Does it even make sense?

Your brand strategy essentially acts as a filter for everything you do in your business – from using certain colors and fonts in social media graphics to launching new products and services to working with certain clients and even partnering with other business owners for affiliate opportunities.

Your strategy should guide every single decision to make sure that everything aligns and makes sense for your audience!

Without a brand strategy, you just have a business built on aesthetics.

There’s a lot that goes into defining your brand strategy, which is why I have a completely separate blog post just for that !

As mentioned earlier, your brand as a whole is a combination of visuals and feelings – and your brand strategy is what digs into the feelings side of things.

And while the visuals aren’t everything, they are something which is where your brand identity comes in!

What is a Brand Identity?

Brand identity is what a lot of business owners skip to first.

Remember earlier how I said that you’re often taught to create your logo, build your website, choose your colors and have a brand photoshoot?

I want to be clear that I’m not against those things and I’ll be the first to say that YES you need all of those!

But focusing on those things without first focusing on your strategy isn’t helpful.

Your brand identity is all of those fun things that people love to obsess over and it's what creatively aligns your strategy into visuals.

Your brand identity includes:

Logo
Color palette
Typography
Fonts
Graphic elements
Imagery

The reason your brand strategy MUST come before all of these is because your brand identity should reflect your brand strategy, so that the correct feelings and perceptions are created by your audience!

To connect this further, think about all three of these (brand, brand strategy and brand identity) like an outfit:

Brand strategy = a shirt and pair of pants that make up the foundation of your outfit
Brand identity = your accessories that give a little pizazz and extra “umph” to your outfit
Brand = the way someone perceives you because of your outfit (Ex. “She’s so trendy!” or “Her style is super eclectic!”)

Just like you wouldn’t get dressed for the day by starting with your accessories first, you shouldn’t jump straight to the visuals of your brand before digging into the deeper meaning first!

When you start with the foundation (aka your strategy) first, you’re able to intentionally create your identity so that you can successfully evoke the exact feelings that you want people to have about you and your brand as a whole.

Need a Hand with your Brand?

If you’re reading this, there’s a chance you fall into one of two groups:

A brand new business owner that’s super new to the whole brand thing
Someone who has been in business for awhile but has been approaching your brand all wrong

If you’re in group one, this is exciting because you get to start off on the right foot. Now you know what should really come first – ahem, it’s not your logo!

If you need more help defining your brand strategy, this blog post is a great starting point, but I'm always here if or when you need extra help!

If you’re in group two and have realized that you’ve been approaching your brand all wrong, I want you to know that IT’S OKAY! It’s all fixable, my friend, and you don’t have to do it alone.

With my brand design service, you’ll receive:

Personalized direct service with a project roadmap for the clearest project communication
A confidence building brand consultation to pinpoint your messaging, voice and visuals with clarity
Target audience strategy to attract the actual customers you are trying to reach
A visual identity (including a guidelines document) to help you nail that first visual impression with your customers
Aesthetically user-focused design elements to build brand equity and communicate the credibility you deserve
Brand elevations with your new brand applied to jumpstart your brand launch

Here’s to building your brand strategically and intentionally!

Your designer friend always,

5 Reasons You Need Branding, Even If You Don’t Need More Customers

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 17:57:50 GMT

I don’t know who needs to hear this (if you’re reading this, maybe it’s you!), but just because you don’t need new customers right now, doesn’t mean you don’t need branding!

I see a lot of business owners fall into this trap…

In the beginning stages of business, their branding is a core focus. They’ll work hard to establish and grow their brand in order to attract an audience and ultimately gain new clients.

And when they start to see some traction and their business starts growing, they’ll slowlyyyy start shifting their focus away from their brand and brand strategy as a whole.

“I already have clients/customers, so I’m good!”

They may not say those words out loud, but it’s essentially what goes through their mind. Their brand suddenly becomes not that important because they have the followers and they have the clients. Truth be told, I’ve been there myself a time or two… or seven… and I do branding for a living!

But I’m here to tell you, friend, that your brand and your brand strategy isn't just for when you’re starting your business or when you need new clients.

In fact, I would confidently say that your brand is really even more important for the future and longevity of your business!

Your brand is for the people who are sitting in your audience that have yet to make a move. It’s for the people who are just watching right now. It’s for those who don’t even know you exist yet!

And no, your branding doesn’t just mean your logo !

Your branding involves key components that create your strategy as a whole and tells people who you are, what you do, who you serve and how you’re different.

All of those pieces combined inform your marketing activities, which can range from social media posts, blog posts (just like this one!), email, paid ads and more.

In my humble opinion, brand strategy should come before anything else that you do and should continue to be a guide as your business grows. I explain more of the why behind that in this blog post.

For this post specifically, I want to dive into this misconception of only needing branding when you need more customers, because if you’re holding that mindset, it could be extremely detrimental to you in the future.

5 Reasons Branding Matters Even If You Don’t Need More Customers

If you’re at the stage of your business where you really don’t “need” more customers or new clients, as in you are maxed out and satisfied with your client load, that is a GREAT thing and an awesome spot to be in!

But if I know anything about business, it’s that things could change at the drop of a hat and you constantly need to be prepared for any scenario.

I’m not saying that all of your clients or customers are going to disappear tomorrow. I’m simply saying that prioritizing your branding, regardless of the phase of your business, is SO important!

Here’s why:

Maintain Brand Awareness (aka stay top of mind)

You know when you open your Instagram app and you see all of the story bubbles at the top? Usually the bubbles that you see first are the people you interact with the most.

But every now and then, the app will throw us for a loop and show us someone that we haven’t heard from in weeks… maybe even months.

When this happens, you more than likely have the subconscious thought of, “I totally forgot about them!”

And that ⤴️ is the exact opposite of what you want people to say about you.

As a business owner with a full client load or a heavy amount of customers, I know it can be hard to stay on top of allllll the things.

As you get busier, your to-do list gets longer and showing up on socials, sending weekly emails or keeping your website up to date with fresh content probably falls to the bottom of the list.

I 100% hear you and I understand that it can be hard to manage it all! But when you neglect your brand like this, you start to fall off of people's radar.

“Out of sight, out of mind” is a REAL thing, which is why it’s so important to consistently show up in front of your audience with your core brand message.

I’m not saying you have to show up on Instagram stories daily – that’s just one way to do it.

Creating a consistent marketing rhythm that works for you and keeps your brand top of mind for your audience is key!

Build Brand Loyalty
Did you know that repeat customers spend 67% more than new customers?! ��

That stat alone makes me want to be more intentional about building brand loyalty! The cool part is that your brand strategy as a whole helps you create this.

Building a strong brand with a clear purpose and mission and conveying that consistently through all that you do will over time create a sense of loyalty among your customers – especially those who strongly identify and connect with your brand.

When this loyalty starts to happen, your CURRENT customers want to stick around, which leads to repeat buyers and positive referrals. Not only does this help you retain current customers, but it also makes others want to buy from you or work with you even more.

This means that your pipeline can stay healthy so even if a current client or customer drops off, you have others waiting in line ready to make their move.

Sets You Apart From Others in Your Industry
At its core, a huge point of branding is the fact that it sets you apart from others in your industry that do the exact same or very similar thing as you.

If you happen to work in a saturated industry (and spoiler alert: many of us do. Myself included!), your branding can be the thing that makes someone want to work with you instead of someone else.

When you treat branding and marketing as a top priority during all phases of your business, you continue to set yourself apart from others in your industry and attract those who want to work with YOU specifically.

Even if your books are full, people are more than likely willing to wait until they can work with you if you are the right fit for them!

This is when you start to be in demand as a business owner and that’s a HUGE accomplishment – but again, you can only get there if you keep branding and brand strategy at the forefront of what you do.

Additionally, you have to consider the fact that others in your industry are likely everchanging and upleveling, which means that if you don’t do the same, the perception that people have of your brand could be negative which would lead to the exact opposite of what you want.

Attract Ideal Potential Clients for the Future
As mentioned earlier, if there’s one thing I know about being a business owner, it’s that things can change at the drop of a hat.

One minute you can be on the entrepreneur high of your life, feeling like you are absolutely killing it with ideal clients and work you love.

The next you can find yourself in the lowest of lows, feeling confused and wondering how you got here.

It’s a true rollercoaster ride and I’m not going to claim that branding can save you from all of those twists and turns, but prioritizing your branding and having a clear brand strategy can 100% attract more of the RIGHT people to your brand or business and help you build a solid list of people who want to work with you.

In fact, I recently had a client that straight up told me that they believe that due to their lack of branding, they’ve accidentally fallen upon a group of clients that they don’t particularly align with.

But because they were in the middle of an entrepreneurship low (meaning fewer clients than usual), they said yes to working with less than ideal clients simply because having clients was better than none at all in the moment.

This has led to a massive frustration for my client because now they’re in a situation where boundaries are being crossed, their client wants discounted prices and they simply aren’t respecting what my client brings to the table.

When my client explained this to me, it made me that much more passionate about making sure that other business owners don’t fall into this trap – and one of the best ways to make sure this doesn’t happen is to develop clear and strategic branding from the very start.

When you do, you can have the ability to say “NO!” to clients who aren’t a good fit and trust that the right people will come along.

Your branding and your brand strategy will without a doubt attract a certain level of person that 100% aligns with you and as an added bonus, they are typically the ones who will be more than willing to pay premium prices!

Employee Attraction and Retention
Lastly, your branding and brand strategy can also attract and retain your employees.

People are much more motivated to work for companies with positive brand representation because they know that the company stands for something and this generates a culture that people enjoy.

Generally speaking, people want to work somewhere that feels like more than just a job.” They want to feel a deeper sense of purpose and unity with their workplace and a strong brand can help create that.

When this happens with your employees, it will also directly impact the way that your audience interacts with your brand and the way customers want to do business with you.

Overall, even if you don’t need new customers right NOW, your branding and brand strategy can help you maintain and grow your business for the long haul.

Branding and brand strategy isn’t a one time thing that you set and forget. It’s truly the thing that guides everything you do and helps you make decisions that are aligned with your brand and business.

So, if you’ve been putting off branding because you think you don’t need it due to a booming business, I hear you - but I hope this has changed your perspective a bit and you can see how branding is truly an essential part to your business as a whole.

If getting started with branding feels confusing for you, I’m here to help!

In t his blog post I break down the what, why and how of brand strategy specifically, but if you’re in search of more hands-on help for this part of your business I'm here .

Your designer friend always,

Why Knowing Your Enneagram Matters as a Small Business Owner (Plus 10 Lessons I’ve Learned Being an Enneagram 3)

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 16:30:56 GMT

There’s three types of people when it comes to the Enneagram…

Those who have known their number most of their life and let it be a core personality trait (ahem, that’s me ��)
Those who know their number, but don’t really know much about it
Those who have zero clue what the Enneagram is

If you’re among the last group, let me quickly explain what the Enneagram is so you can fully understand the context of this blog post.

If you’re among the group of people who know what it is, but don’t fully understand why it’s important, you can skip to section two!

And if you’re my people who also makes your number a personality trait, you can skip to section three where I talk about 10 things that Enneagram 3’s need to hear… and the lessons that I’ve personally learned being one.

Oh, and even if you aren’t an Enneagram 3, those lessons are still valuable for you, too! ��

What is the Enneagram?

The Enneagram is a type of personality test and the general idea is that everyone is assigned to one type. For this test, your personality is defined by a number: 1-9.

As mentioned above, I’m an Enneagram 3 and I’ll explain more about what that means in just a minute!

Each Enneagram type has an associated fear, basic desire and predictable pattern of behavior in times of stress and security.

With the Enneagram, it’s common to find yourself in all nine types, but ONE of them typically stands out the most and that is what determines your basic personality type.

The nine types include:

The Reformer (Conscientious and Ethical)
The Helper (Supportive and Sincere)
The Achiever (Self-Assured and Charismatic)
The Individualist (Self-Aware and Reserved)
The Investigator (Alert and Curious)
The Loyalist (Committed and Reliable)
The Enthusiast (Enthusiastic and Spontaneous)
The Challenger (Confident and Controlling)
The Peacemaker (Calm and Trusting)

Now that you know what the Enneagram is, you might wonder why exactly this matters…

I believe that for business owners especially knowing your Enneagram is key and here’s why ⬇️

Why Knowing the Enneagram Matters as a Business Owner

Some people prefer to stay away from personality tests because they fear that it will box them into who they are and they won’t feel confident to challenge themselves and get out of their comfort zone.

While I TOTALLY understand this, I want you to know that knowing your Enneagram, especially as a business owner, can actually empower you even more.

I’ve personally experienced this and I want you to experience it, too!

When you take the Enneagram test, you essentially learn your strengths and weaknesses, but it’s done in a way that you can actually use those to your advantage, not let them define you.

I believe that knowing your Enneagram as a business owner helps in 4 main ways:

Self Awareness
First, when you learn your strengths and weaknesses through the Enneagram test, you become more self aware which means you are more in tune with your own tendencies.

For example, I have the tendency to overcommit to work because I’m a natural high achiever. Being aware of this has allowed me to more easily identify and recognize when I’m doing this and then course correct. More on that in a minute!
Work Ethic
Second, you learn more about the way that you prefer to work.

To help you understand this, here’s an example: have you ever followed someone on Instagram and maybe they share a picture of their desk and it’s cluttered with papers and coffee cups? You might think, “how in the world can they work like that?!?!”

When you see that, it might drive you crazy and you think there’s no way you could get any work done in that environment.

But for them, it might be nothing. As humans, we are wired SO differently and knowing your Enneagram helps you discover things like this about yourself!
Communication
Next, knowing your Enneagram helps you improve your communication. When you know your Enneagram, you grow a deeper understanding of your own communication style, so again you can better understand your own tendencies and work to improve those when necessary.

For example, if you're an Enneagram 9 (the Peacemaker), you may tend to avoid conflict and prioritize harmony in your relationships. Understanding this about yourself can help you communicate more effectively by being aware of your tendencies and making adjustments where necessary.

In addition to knowing your own communication style, you can also better understand others. Other people might be more direct and assertive in their communication and instead of taking this personally, you can recognize that their style is simply different than yours!
Motivation
Lastly, knowing your Enneagram helps you better understand what drives you and what you value most in life. This allows you to design your work in a way that will feel most rewarding to you and make sure that you’re staying in your zones of genius as much as possible!

For example, as a 3 (the Achiever), I’m highly motivated by success and achievement. An Enneagram 4 on the other hand (the Individualist), is likely more motivated by the pursuit of authenticity and meaning.

In addition to knowing what drives you, you can also better identify any blind spots you may have and recognize specific areas of growth.

10 Things Enneagram 3 Small Business Owners Need to Hear (and the lessons I've personally learned being one)

As mentioned earlier, I’m an Enneagram 3 - The Achiever. As a 3, I’m driven, success-oriented, ambitious and highly focused on achieving goals.

While the desire to achieve can be a great asset for a 3, it also causes us to overcommit, overwork, be impatient and struggle to rest or say “no.”

Knowing this about myself and being aware of my tendencies, I’ve learned a few things that I think all fellow Enneagram 3 business owners need to hear.

You don’t have to serve everyone (aka you’re allowed to say “no.”)
Saying “yes” to everyone and everything can be a big fault for a 3. We love to please and we love for people to view us as successful. But saying “yes” to serving everyone is a straight path to burnout and it’s just not sustainable.

As a business owner, I understand that you want to serve people and you want people to choose you over the competition.

But I can promise you that when you start saying “no” to people and projects that truly aren’t a good fit, you will thrive even more in your business and experience even more success that’s more aligned.

And trust me – I know that as a 3, saying “no” feels like the HARDEST thing to do! But it’s also the most empowering thing you can do for yourself.

You are not responsible for fulfilling everyone’s needs… even though it might feel like you are. It’s not your job to please everyone (spoiler alert: that’s not even really possible).

When you start saying no, you regain your power as a professional and you’re then able to say YES to things that actually light you up and matter the most to you!

You can hire help and outsource certain parts of your business.
I used to believe that in order for things to be done well, I had to be the one to do them. As a 3, it’s hard for me to hand things off, especially in the realm of business. But I quickly learned that if I wanted to also thrive in my personal life, I absolutely had to hire help and outsource certain parts of my business.

The truth is that I’m not meant to do everything and there are people out there who can do certain things WAY better than I can. When I realized this and started embracing it, I was able to experience a sense of relief and peace because I could truly enjoy all parts of my life again!

Prioritizing rest is non-negotiable.
Enneagram 3’s are doer’s which means that even when we aren’t supposed to be working… we’re thinking about working. This can be a huge challenge when it comes to creating a work/life balance, because we often also value family and our personal life, but we sometimes struggle to truly be present in those moments.

As a 3, I’ve learned that prioritizing rest is a non-negotiable in order to recharge. Constantly “doing” is another recipe for burnout, so I’m constantly reminding myself to pause, rest and come back tomorrow when I’m fresh.

It’s okay to take your time.
As achievers and doers, 3’s tend to be a bit impatient. This trait isn’t necessarily something I’m proud of and is something I really have to work at, both professionally and personally.

I’ve learned that slowing down and taking my time doesn’t make me any less successful and people actually appreciate me more because of this.

Schedule a day with nothing scheduled.
Enneagram 3’s tend to fill their calendar to the brim leaving almost no time to do well… nothing. As people who love to achieve and perform, we often feel like we always need to be doing something productive.

If we aren’t working in the business, we’re tempted to do a project around the house or fill our time with things that still make us feel like we are achieving.

To overcome this, I’ve started scheduling a day for NOTHING! Yes, you read that correctly – I actually have to schedule a day with nothing scheduled. �� It’s just how our brain works.

In addition to scheduling days with nothing, I’ve also intentionally designed my business so that I can take more time off when my kids have school breaks. This allows me to fulfill my value of being present with my family and not feel distracted by my work.

Release the pressure.
As achievers, 3’s are constantly putting a TON of pressure on themselves. The pressure to succeed, to perform, to do well and to create results.

It’s honestly exhausting and when you’re aware of this tendency, you can allow yourself to let go. We often trick ourselves into believing that people around us are putting pressure on us, when in reality it’s often US who are stressing ourselves out the most.

Stop trying to impress.
As silly as it might sound, 3’s really care about their public image. We want people to affirm our work and see us as successful, high achieving individuals.

Because of this, we often want to impress people with what we can do and we crave praise. When we don’t receive that, it often makes us feel like we’ve done something wrong or haven’t done something well.

This is also why we continue to say “yes” because we want people to like us. But again, this is such an exhausting cycle. When you stop trying to impress people and simply live out your real values, that’s when you can experience more joy in your life and work.

Stop overpromising.
Are you seeing a theme here?! ��

The constant “yes” that 3’s say leads to a cycle of overcommitting and feeling stressed and overwhelmed. At the root of this, we simply don’t want to let people down. Ultimately, it’s people pleasing of sorts.

We tend to put others before ourselves and while sometimes that can be an honorable tait, it often leads to regret and resentment that makes us super unhappy.

When you stop overpromising, you can move into a place of true excitement about everything that you do say yes too!

Being with people is life-giving.
Lastly, 3’s often want to be alone and work by themselves because sometimes it feels like additional people can get in the way of our productivity.

This is a scary reality for 3’s because it can lead to isolation and believing that again, we’re supposed to do everything.

Knowing this about myself, I’ve actively put myself in environments where I surround myself with more of the right people and by doing so I’ve realized that makes me even more successful.

Being surrounded by others is not a waste of time and it’s not a detriment to my work or YOURS. We were made to be in community with others and it’s so important to recognize that!

My hope for you is that you now understand why knowing your enneagram matters as a business owner and that you feel encouraged to learn your number and embrace it!

And if you’re a fellow Enneagram 3 reading this, I want you to ultimately walk away with this: don’t put so much pressure on yourself to achieve this list perfectly either.

None of these things are “bad” – it’s simply how you’re wired and honestly, people love you for it. You won’t get all of these things right every single time, but you CAN work on them to create a life as a 3 WITHOUT all of the attached pressure of achieving.

(I’m talking to myself here, too!)

Overall, your Enneagram doesn’t have to define you, but instead it can EMPOWER you to grow even more in your personal and professional life!

Your designer friend always,

6 Reasons I Decided NOT To Niche My Client Base

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 22:23:48 GMT

As a business owner, it’s something you hear all the time…

“If you want to scale, you have to narrow down your niche.”

When I first heard that advice as a branding and website design service provider, I thought, “hmmmm, I’m not so sure that’s something I want to do.”

So I didn’t. This is a super unpopular choice and very rarely advised by brand experts, but after putting much thought into the idea of niching down, I ultimately decided it’s not how I wanted to run my business.

I didn’t want to limit myself to a certain industry and there’s a few intentional reasons for this…

5 Reasons I Don't "Industry Niche" as a Branding Expert and Website Designer

1. I THRIVE ON VARIETY

I’ll admit that the thought of working with various industries might sound crazy to some people. I see so many people who have niched down absolutely killing it in their business and I love that for them!

But after working with several clients in various industries, I realized something about myself: I thrive on variety.

Over the course of my business, I’ve had the honor of working with people in healthcare, real estate, greenhouses (talk about niche!), home and lifestyle, restaurants and the travel industry.

Every single time I worked with these clients, the project was so incredibly unique and I was able to tap into my creativity and create something that was special to THEM.

I wasn’t clouded with what I had done for previous clients because they’re all different and that’s something that I love about the way I’ve designed my business.

2. I believe all Businesses deserve quality and strategic branding.

Oftentimes when people choose a niche, it’s typically a fun, trendy, exciting industry that a lotttt of people want to work with.

And I totally understand that - as a business owner, you of course want to work with fun and exciting brands and businesses.

But something I believe to my core is that EVERY business and brand deserves quality and strategic branding regardless of how glamorous their industry is.

For example, I’ve been able to work with people in industries such as underground utility, land acquisition specialists, bottle and can redemption and more.

Not exactly the most glamorous or “fun” businesses or brands that you typically think of, right?

Maybe not… but in my eyes they are still a business, they have a unique mission, they provide a service that people need and they are worthy of quality and strategic branding as much as my other clients.

What I love so much about working with less sought after industries is that the transformations that these businesses see after working with me are literally 0-100. Typically when I first start working with clients of this sort, they tend to have very basic, DIY'd websites and branding.

So when we work together and go through my specific process , the transformation they see is HUGE and that is what’s so rewarding!

3. I LOVE A GOOD CHALLENGE

As a business owner, it’s really tempting to choose to do the “easy” thing that you’re highly skilled in. I think that’s often why people choose to work with certain industries because they typically understand the industry well and it’s easier to deliver your service.

While I do agree and totally understand why people do this, one thing about me is that I LOVE a good challenge.

When I choose to work with industries that I don’t have much experience with or that require more research on my end, I’m able to unlock parts of myself as a designer that I didn't even know existed.

As mentioned earlier, it allows me to tap into my creativity and come up with unique solutions that I otherwise would’ve never thought of.

It’s sort of like when you’re a little kid and you start discovering a new sport you really love. You put so much effort into becoming skilled in that sport so you can eventually make the team. It’s a challenge that you have to put your mind to and it’s so rewarding every single time.

4. I’m a passionate supporter of ALL small businesses

As a small business owner myself, this is simply who I am. I know firsthand what it takes to start your small business.

It takes guts, courage, commitment and risks and no matter how it looks to the outside, it’s not easy.

There are so many challenges you have to face and so many new things you have to learn as a small business owner. And it can often be extremely lonely.

This is why I’m committed to being the ultimate cheerleader for ALL small businesses and I want everyone to know that they have a place in the market.

What you do is needed. YOU are valuable.

And if there’s ever a time that I can help you see how, I’m right here for ya!

5. IT'S MORE ABOUT THE PERSON, NOT THE INDUSTRY

I believe that working with the right PERSON for you is more important than the industry specifically.

Sure, I could say that I *only* work with business owners in the travel industry, but who’s to say that my personality, communication style and way of working meshes well with every single person in the travel industry?

It’s just not possible!

Before I ever commit to working with a client, we have a call to make sure it’s a good fit - not just for me, but for them too.

If it is, great! But if not, that’s okay, too.

I’m not made for everyone – and everyone isn’t made for me. The same is true for you! When choosing which service provider to work with, I encourage you to focus more on WHO they are versus what industry they serve.

When you do this and choose the person that matches your style, THAT is when you’re able to win. ��

6. The services I offer niche for me

Even though I don’t industry niche on the client side of things, I DO have a very specific niche when it comes to the type of services I offer.

I serve small businesses in two ways: brand design and website design.

THAT’S IT! If people don’t need either of those, then I’m clearly not the service provider they need.

This is truly the only part of my business that is niched down!

With that said, if you’re in search of a branding expert or website designer to help YOU and your small business, I’d love to meet you!

A few DREAM business I’d love to work with next include:

Agriculture/Small Farm
Floral
Culinary
Fitness/Nutrition
Travel
Event Venue
Beauty

And if you aren’t one of those industries, I’d still love to hear from you!

You can view my services HER E or simply connect with me on Instagram so we can get to know each other.

Your designer friend always,

What Brand Strategy REALLY Means and Why It Matters

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 18:02:18 GMT

As a business owner, you likely hear talk of growing your brand or developing your brand strategy everywhere you look.

It’s on your Instagram scroll, in the business books you read, and well… if you’re a reader of my blog (and if you’re reading this, you are ��) or subscribed to my email list , you hear it from me, too!

Although it might seem like the talk of brand strategy is saturated and you might be tempted to give a big eye roll when you hear about it, it truly is one of the most important things for your business.

And I know, I know… of course I would say that as a Brand and Website Designer! But it’s true.

Brand strategy is the foundation of your brand and business and is one of the things that can really create a ton of growth for you over time.

What Brand Strategy REALLY Means & Why it Matters

Because I know that the talk of brand strategy can feel pretty vague, I want to break down what brand strategy REALLY means and why it matters for you specifically, so you can fully understand why spending time on this aspect of your business is so important and worthwhile.

From my own experience, I know that people tend to be super quick to tell you that you need a brand strategy or will talk all day about how important it is, but they leave out the part where they explain what it is.

As a Brand and Website Designer who truly cares about this side of your business, I don’t want to be another one of those people.

Instead, I want you to read this blog post and walk away with clarity on brand strategy AND have the tools to actually implement it.

In order for that to successfully happen, you first must understand what brand strategy REALLY means!

What is Brand Strategy?

As mentioned above, brand strategy is the foundation of your brand and business and when done correctly, it can be the very thing that helps you reach your long term business goals.

Brand strategy involves different components that gives you full clarity about what you do, your why/your story, who you specifically serve and what sets you apart from others in your industry.

These components typically include:

Brand Purpose - aka why your business/brand exists and what it stands for
Brand Values - aka your core beliefs and principles that guide your decision-making
Brand Positioning - aka how you are perceived by your audience and customers in comparison to others in your industry (your positioning is your differentiator)
Brand Messaging - aka your tone, core message and visual identity
Target Audience - aka the specific group of people that your business/brand is trying to reach or influence

Each of these components work together to create your overall brand strategy and allows you to make decisions much more effectively in your business because you have full clarity.

To understand this further, let’s look at an example:

Let’s say you are a copywriter. There are lots of copywriters out there, so your brand strategy can be the thing that really sets you apart.

Your brand strategy as a copywriter might look like this:

Brand Purpose - your business exists to help other business owners write words that sell
Brand Values - you deeply believe that all businesses need personality packed copy in their business and that comes through by using storytelling techniques
Brand Positioning - because of this belief, your differentiator is storytelling. This is how you approach copy for your clients and you use storytelling as your positioning in the market.
Brand Messaging - because you believe in personality packed copy with storytelling being the main factor, your messaging comes off the same way. In everything that you do, you use storytelling techniques, making your messaging casual, personal and playful.
Target Audience - your target audience are business owners who want to add more personality to their brand and sell through storytelling

Without identifying each of those components, you might be tempted to jump at any potential client that comes your way… even if it’s a corporate law firm that values professionalism and wants that to shine through in all that they do.

A client like that is probably not a good fit for you, but you wouldn’t be able to clearly identify that without first developing your brand strategy.

It’s for this reason that you want to make sure you are treating your brand strategy as something that comes sooner rather than later in your business.

When you identify your brand strategy FIRST, you can start confidently making decisions that align with who you are and what you ultimately want to do, while simultaneously driving business growth!

Which leads me to why brand strategy really matters…

Why Does Brand Strategy Matter?

From the example above, you can hopefully see the huge difference having a brand strategy for your business makes.

But in case it wasn’t clear, let’s dive into a few specific reasons brand strategy matters so much!

Direction and Clarity
The first and probably biggest thing a brand strategy does for you is brings CLARITY. And having clarity as a business owner is huge!

When you’re unclear about who you are, what you do, why you do it and who you serve, it makes it really hard for you to produce any real and long lasting traction in your business.

Without clarity, you will likely jump at any opportunity that comes your way (like I described above) without really acknowledging if it aligns with you, your business and your goals.

Defining your brand strategy means that you are becoming crystal clear on your purpose, values, mission and vision, which allows you to make decisions with all of those things in mind!

Sets You Apart
In the example above, I took a very common industry (copywriting) and quickly created a brief brand strategy. That alone set that copywriter apart from others in the industry.

The SAME exact thing can happen for you when you define your own.

Sure, you might do the same or very similar thing as someone else, but I’m willing to bet that the reason and the way you do it is very different.

And those two things are a key part of your specific brand strategy. It can be the reason someone picks you over someone else.

Increases Brand Recognition
When you identify your brand strategy, you start to show up in a very specific way in all you do - from social media content, emails, blog posts, etc.

When you do this, your audience starts to recognize you and become very aware of your brand as a whole!

As you continue to show up consistently overtime, your audience and potential customers will remember you and start to associate you with certain things.

It’s sort of like when your friend sends you a random Instagram post or TikTok video and says, “this made me think of you.” That’s because they identify and associate you with something specific.

The same starts to happen with your brand and business when your brand strategy is clearly defined and THIS is the ultimate goal!

Attracts and Retains IDEAL Customers
The keyword here is IDEAL. When you don’t have a clear brand strategy, you can attract people to your brand or business all day long… but it doesn’t really matter if they aren’t aligned.

Take the example from above – a law firm who values professionalism probably isn’t going to seek out a copywriter who values personality packed copy and storytelling.

They simply aren’t aligned and that’s okay!

Remember: you aren’t for everyone and everyone isn’t for you. And it’s time you STOP trying to be. ��

A well defined brand strategy can help you attract those that are right for you, repel those who aren’t (which is a good thing) and ultimately retain clients for years to come – helloooo, customer loyalty. ��

So, now that you know what brand strategy is and why it matters, you might be wondering HOW exactly you can develop your own.

How To Develop Your Own Brand Strategy

Even though brand strategy might feel like this huge thing that will take you a while to figure out, I’m here to tell you that it’s really not as complicated as it may seem.

To help you get started, let’s look at the basics – grab your journal or open up a fresh Google Doc and answer these questions:

What do you do? Don’t make this complicated or emotional right now. It can literally be a one liner. Simply write down exactly what your business does for people.
Why do you do it? There’s a chance you’ve done “Define Your Why” exercises in the past and I know they can be really hard and feel like some crazy thing you have to define. But again, don’t make it complicated or emotional right now. Just write down a few sentences about WHY you do what you do.
What makes you different? There’s probably a lot of people out there who do the same or very similar thing as you. That’s okay! Write down what makes you different or why someone would choose you over someone else. You might have to dig a little deeper for this one, but simply write what comes to mind. Let your thoughts flow!
Who do you ideally love to serve? The reason I asked this question this way instead of “who do you serve?” is because there’s a chance you’re currently working with people who aren't actually a good fit. Instead of thinking about all of the people that you currently serve, think about the ones that you LOVE working with. Why do you love working with them? Write that down.
What are a few of your core beliefs or values? Again, you might have to dig a little deeper to get these out onto paper, but simply write what comes to mind. There are beliefs and values inside of you that directly impact what you do and why you do it. We just have to get them out of you so that you can clearly make the connection!

When you answer these questions, you’ll be on your way to clearly identifying your specific brand strategy, which includes: brand purpose, brand values, brand positioning, brand messaging and your target audience.

After you complete this exercise, you should have a new sense of clarity around your brand and business, but I know that sometimes it’s nice to workshop this type of stuff through with someone else.

And good news for you, that’s exactly what I’m here for! CLICK HERE to learn more about my Brand Strategy and Design Services.

Or, if you have a simple question that you’re curious about, I’m all ears HERE.

Here’s to developing a brand strategy that is specific to you, friend. ��

Wanna save this for later?! Pin the image below!! ��

Cheers !! ��

5 Elements of a Website that Convert Lookers into Customers

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 20:17:50 GMT

You probably already know you need a website for your business, but did you know there’s a right and a wrong way to design your site?

I see this scenario a lot when working with new clients…

They have a gorgeous website that is filled with beautiful fonts and photos, but it’s lacking one thing: strategy .

And I get it! You want your brand to be pretty and aesthetically pleasing. But I truly believe that no amount of cuteness can convert the amount of people that you truly desire.

Sure, you’ll get some sales that keep you afloat, but when you have a website that goes beyond the aesthetics and is rooted in strategy, THAT is when you get to experience the true magic of website conversions.

TO HELP YOU MOVE FROM A WEBSITE THAT JUST ATTRACTS LOOKERS TO A WEBSITE THAT CONVERTS PEOPLE INTO REAL CUSTOMERS, I'm BREAKING DOWN THE ELEMENTS THAT I CONSIDER TO BE WEBSITE MUST-HAVES.

5 Elements of a Website that Convert Lookers into Customers

1. Social Proof

Did you know that 95% of people read reviews before making a purchase? And 70% of those people will confidently buy based on a recommendation from someone they don’t know?!

Think about it: if you’re purchasing something on Amazon, you’re probably going to read the reviews first. And if the majority of those reviews are 4+ stars, then you’re likely going to move forward in your purchase.

Well, your products and services are no different. You want social proof, testimonials and case studies to be front and center all throughout your site so that people gain the confidence they need to do business with you.

If you don’t already have a proper system in place to capture reviews from your clients, I encourage you to make that a priority! It can be something as simple as a Google Form that you send to your clients during their offboarding.

2. Highly Visible Calls-to-action

When people visit your website, you don’t want them guessing what to do next. Instead, you want them to be guided!

Your calls-to-action all throughout your website get to be that guide and it moves them through your customer journey very strategically.

For example, when someone lands on your website, your home page should briefly introduce who you are and what you do and immediately guide someone along to learn more.

Most of the time, you’ll have a highly visible button above the fold that will lead someone to the next part of your website that you want them to be on.

This can look different for everyone, depending on your goals, but some common call-to-actions for the home page include:

Learn more - this typically leads to your about page or services page so that people can learn more about what you specifically do or what you offer
Subscribe - this is perfect if your goal is to get people onto your email list
Contact - if you want people to contact you directly, this is a great option

Here’s what my homepage call-to-actions look like:

Because I have two core services that I offer, I want those to be clear! The two buttons allow my audience to choose their own journey based on what they need so they can find the exact information that’s made for them.

When people are left guessing what their next step should be, they’re likely going to exit, which completely defeats the purpose of your website!

In addition to your home page, make sure you’re including buttons like this all throughout so that you minimize the risk of losing people.

3. Consistent & Cohesive Branding

I know, I know… I just told you that looks aren’t everything. But looks are something .

What I mean by “looks aren’t everything” is that you can’t pretty your way into a website that sells.

A lot of times people think that if they just buy a website template, DIY their brand with nice colors and fonts from Canva and throw some beautiful pictures on the page, then they can call it quits.

But the truth is that your branding is a part of the overall strategy, which means it needs to be well thought through.

The colors and fonts you choose will evoke certain emotions and feelings for people who land on your website, so you want to make sure that your branding conveys what you want it to convey.

Additionally, your brand should exude your unique personality. People buy from people which means that who you truly are matters and it should be 100% displayed through your brand!

I often see people trying to shy away from this because they don’t want to compromise professionalism, but when you incorporate your personality into your branding, you build an instant connection with your ideal customer and it leads to faster conversions every single time.

4. Powerful Copy & Attention Grabbing Headlines

There’s two main things that make up the perfect website: the copy and the design. You can’t have one without the other and when done correctly and strategically, the two work together perfectly!

The copy on your website is essentially all of the words that you use to convey who you are, what you do and who you serve. It’s your overarching message that will captivate your ideal audience and turn away those that aren’t a good fit.

When you’re creating your website, the copy comes first and that’s because the words will really guide your design.

When you work with a professional copywriter, you’ll notice that none of the words they write are written by mistake. They’re all part of a process that’s designed to again, GUIDE your reader through your website in a strategic way!

It’s rare that someone is going to read your website word for word, which means the copy needs to be written AND designed to grab the attention of your website lookers and this is usually done through intentional formatting and proper headlines.

To help you see what this looks like in action, here are two website homepage examples - which one stands out to you the most?

The one with a large, bolded headline is the clear winner!

When you can effectively capture your audience’s attention right away through your copy, you stand a better chance of them continuing to navigate your site and possibly even capturing them as a real lead.

5. Problem Solving Content

Lastly, one of the most important elements of your website that can convert lookers into customers is the amount of problem solving content that you have available for your readers.

This might be an unpopular opinion, but your website isn’t just a place for you to display how amazing you are and get people to buy from you.

I know, it’s a bit counterintuitive since this blog is about converting people into customers, but hear me out…

Your website should be viewed as a RESOURCE for your people meaning it should be packed full of content that really helps solve their problems.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t talk about your offers on your website - you absolutely should do that. But the key is that you do it in a way that really speaks to what your ideal customer is feeling when they land on your website.

What are their frustrations? Call those out and guide them to a solution.

What’s something they’re currently believing that’s causing a lack of results? Speak to that and help shift their perspective.

Where are they currently at and where do they want to be? Help them see what’s possible.

This is all done through your messaging and it should show up across every single page on your website!

Additionally, you can go deeper into their pain points and help them solve problems with tangible takeaways by guiding them to your blog or email list where you create content around specific topics that relate to your industry - kind of like what you’re reading here!

Overall, your website has huge potential to convert people into customers very quickly when it’s created correctly.

I know it’s tempting to fall for the pretty website templates, but before you do that, I encourage you to think about the real purpose of your website - is it there just to impress people? Or is it there to truly serve them?

If your ready to go beyond aesthetics, but need help getting there, I'm your gal. ��

CONNECT here to see how you can have a website that increases new leads, grows your brand awareness and helps you stand out from your competition!

Cheers !! ��

6 Ways To Level Up Your Contact Form Thank You Page

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 02:46:51 GMT

POV: someone finds you on Instagram, jumps over to your website, briefly notices you might have a product or service they need, they submit a contact form on your website for more information on how to work with you and they’re greeted with a “thanks, I’ll be in touch” with nothing else to support them while they’re there.

��This is a HUGE missed opportunity when it comes to your website, especially if this is the main way that you’re capturing leads. So what do you do to make sure that people don’t just submit a form and never hear from you again?

A thank you page with additional information reinforces why they should choose your service or buy your product. This page can include an introductory video, images of the team, or more details about working together, for example.

Thank you pages are the perfect way to guide someone through your customer journey while they’re waiting to hear back from you, but it’s also one of the main pieces that I see being overlooked when it comes to websites.

And I get it! A simple thank you page that populates after a contact form submission just seems like the natural and normal thing to do.

But if you want to be more strategic and intentional with your leads, there’s a few things you can implement on your thank you pages in order to make sure your leads aren’t being left in the dust and are instead being nurtured.

6 Tweaks to Get The Most Out Of Your Website's Thank You Page

1. Introduce yourself & how you serve people

It's easy to assume that when someone submits a contact form, they are already familiar with you and your services, but this is often far from the truth.

There’s a good chance they aren’t totally clear on who you are or who you serve, so take this chance to introduce yourself and give more background for how you help people.

This is the perfect place to include an introductory video that includes their next steps and what they can expect! This also allows them to put a face to your name and get more connected with you right off the bat.

2. Examples of your work with testimonials or social proof

If someone is already inquiring to potentially work with you, then what better moment to show them your work in action WITH reviews?

95% of people say they read reviews before buying, which honestly shouldn’t come as a shock!

Think about it: if you’re about to buy something on Amazon, what’s the first thing you do? Probably read the reviews to make sure the product is actually worth it.

YOUR products and services are the same way. People not only want to know what they’re buying, but they want to know that it’s worked for people before them.

A thank you page after a contact form submission is a great place to display snippets of your portfolio along with long form testimonials and more casual screenshots that show social proof.

3. A freebie download

If you have an existing lead magnet that is beneficial to your audience, a thank you page is the perfect place to offer that up as a free resource so that:

a) you keep them nurtured until you can act on their contact form submission, but more importantly

b) you get them onto your email list so that you can stay in consistent communication with them in the future

Chances are if people are reaching out to you interested in your services, they’ll also be interested in your freebies, so it’s truly a brilliant way to get your lead magnet out there in a different way.

4. A link to your social media platforms

Along with a quick introduction of you and what you do, invite them to connect with you on the platforms that you spend most of your time on!

Keep your messaging light, fun and casual in order to bring them into your bubble on multiple platforms while also telling them what they can expect from you on those apps.

Give them a reason that’s more than just “follow me” - we can do better than that!

For example, do you go live on Instagram every Tuesday morning? Tell them that and invite them to join you!

5. List your FAQ

If someone is submitting a contact form from your website, it’s likely because they have some sort of question!

While you of course want them to feel comfortable to ask any question they have, how awesome would it be if you could answer those questions ahead of time? Your thank you page can do that!

Keep your wording positive and let them know when they can expect to hear from you, but also add in a “are you wondering these too?” section that addresses some common questions that you receive.

6. Calendar booking for the immediate option to chat with you

I am a lover of automation, so anytime I can implement some sort of system into my business to relieve a few manual steps that have to be done over and over, I do so! And I encourage you to do the same.

If you already know that the next step after someone submits a contact form is going to be an invitation to a discovery call or something of the sort, make things easier on yourself by setting up this workflow in an automatic manner.

This takes more work off of you, but also allows your potential client to feel a little more in control! If you use a CRM like Dubsado , you can embed an appointment scheduler and set up a workflow to automate the lead capture process which simplifies the back and forth communication.

It’s truly one of the most simple and streamlined things you can do!

Overall, thank you pages are a vital part of your entire client process and play a huge role in guiding people through your customer journey in a strategic way, so don’t overlook this piece of the puzzle!

Cheers !! ��

Top 4 Free Stock Image Resources to Use On Your Website

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 22:20:46 GMT

No professional photos for your biz? No problem.

While brand photos are among one of the most important collateral pieces for your brand and I do recommend having a professional photoshoot done, I also know that this isn’t one of the most feasible things that newer business owners can afford.

Not to mention, brand photos don’t do you much good if they don’t accurately reflect your brand’s heart, messaging and visual aesthetic and if you’re just starting out, you may not have all of those things dialed in quite yet.

With that said, using imagery across your website, blog and social media platforms is still needed and super important, so what can you do in the meantime?

First things first, I do encourage you to have a few photos of yourself that you can use throughout your website. People connect with people so having 3-5 images to use consistently will allow people to put a face with your name.

Even if it means using a tripod with your phone to snap a few photos of yourself in your office, at your desk or in a setting that matches your brand, these can suffice until you are able to hire someone for a professional photoshoot.

After that, you truly can get by with the help of a few of my favorite stock image resources that are free for commercial use with no attribution required .

NOTE: you don’t just want to pull images from Google! I think we all know that’s a major no-no. ��‍♀️

Almost all images on Google are protected by copyright meaning the owner of the image has not given permission for their images to be used by others.

Luckily, there are a few resources out there that allow for royalty free use, no attribution to the creator and operate under special licensing so that you can freely use the images as you wish.

Royalty free means the content has been initially secured (typically through payment) and additional uses can be made free of charge.

The way this works with stock image sites is that the creator is usually paid to provide their images and then YOU get to use those images for free!

Top 4 Royalty Free Stock Image Sites for Your Small Business

Pexels.com

Pexels is one of the most popular stock image sites and it’s because they make it the most simple to use.

It’s essentially a search engine for high quality stock photos and videos that are royalty free and are provided by a community of photographers.

With Pexels, no membership or attribution (meaning crediting the creator) is required, you can search for exactly what you need and you can instantly download photos and videos for use as needed.

It’s a great source for blog images, background photos for social media or use as fillers across your website.

Unsplash.com

Unsplash is another popular site used to source their stock imagery and one of the only differences between Pexels and Unsplash is that you have to have a membership to unlock some of the photos on the platform. Filter out the images with the Unsplash+ icon on the image and you'll still be able to use those without requiring any attribution as an instant download. Although Unsplash+ has an inexpensive monthly fee, it can still defeat the purpose of what you’re trying to achieve.

On the flipside of that however, Unsplash tends to have larger search results and you can often find very specific images that you need that other stock image sites might not have available.

Similar to Pexels, Unsplash is searchable and doesn’t require any attribution.

So, depending on what you’re searching for you may find that Unsplash is a better fit!

Pixabay.com

Similar to the two mentioned above, Pixabay is another great choice when searching for stock images to use on your website or social media.

Along with photos and videos, you can also download royalty free music, which can come in handy if you need background music for a video for your brand.

All of the content on Pixabay operates under special licensing, which allows you to use the content royalty free, without attribution to the creator and it can even be used for commercial purposes, meaning for financial gain.

This platform is again very searchable and does not require a membership.

Picography.co

Picography is a lesser known stock image platform where you can also search for photos and instantly download them under a free license.

The images provided on this platform are a bit different than your traditional stock images and often feature beautiful outdoor scenes and settings. This can be very valuable if this relates to your brand!

A huge pro of Picography is that they also have very clear categories making your searches much easier.

A COUPLE MORE QUICK TIPS:

When selecting photos, it's a good idea to find images with a similar lens filter, and color scheme much like I've curated in this post. A highly desaturated photo wouldn't aesthetically compliment a highly saturated one in most cases.

Also, as you are searching, you may notice advertisements on the website that may could lead you to a paid stock photography site. Be sure you aren't inadvertently clicking on previews of images from other paid sites.

While the images on these sites ARE completely free to use without mentioning the photographer, you might consider crediting the creator anyway or contributing a small donation since they are providing this service for free. Afterall, we are all trying to make a living here!

IN CONCLUSION:

The last thing I want for you as a business owner is to let your photos (or the lack thereof) hold you back from showing up where you need to!

Do branded images help you have a beautiful website and aesthetically pleasing social media feed? Absolutely! Do I encourage you to invest in branded photos one day? Also yes!

But do I think that you have to have those immediately in order to start? NOPE!

Don’t be afraid to start with what you have (even if that’s just free stock images from a site listed above) and refine as you go.

When you’re ready to up your branding and incorporate more of a cohesive and aesthetic style into your website, I’ll be herE!

Understanding “Above The Fold” - What It Is, Why It Matters & What To Include

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 22:24:11 GMT

8.25 SECONDS.

That’s how long you have to capture the attention of someone that lands on your website.

Once there, it takes only about 7 seconds for them to form an opinion about you and your business - and you don’t have a second chance at a good first impression.

This is why designers and marketers are so obsessed with content that falls “above the fold.”

If you’re a business owner of any kind, but especially if you're running your business online, you’ve likely heard this term before.

Even though it might sound like design jargon you don’t need to worry about, it’s actually one of the most important things that need your attention if you want to capture more leads and sales (or conversions as we call it).

In fact, addressing this one section on your website, sales page or landing page could totally change the game for the results you see in your business.

And I’m here to help you master it. ��

Understanding "Above the Fold." What it is. Why it Matters and What to Include.

What does "Above the Fold" mean?

Above the fold is a common term used in design and marketing today, but did you know that this term and the concept have been around since the printing press?!

Newspapers have always been printed on large sheets of paper and folded in half to sit on racks at newsstands. Because of this, it became very clear early on that in order to attract the audience, they had to be strategic with what content could be seen once the papers were folded.

Catchy headlines and images are often displayed on the front page of the paper. This isn't by chance! It’s on purpose and it’s the same way to address your website and landing pages.

In today’s time, we could translate “above the fold” to “above the scroll” because that’s exactly what it is: the content that is clearly seen before a visitor starts scrolling.

Anything that requires you to scroll further down the page is considered to be below the fold and the fold is essentially the bottom of the screen.

This means that the fold is specifically determined by the type of device a user is on. The fold on a computer will be much different than the fold on a phone screen, which is why optimizing the format of your pages for mobile is SO important!

Here’s an example FROM MY WEBSITE so you can see this in action:

What should you put above the fold?

Now that you know what “above the fold” actually means, you’re probably wondering what content actually needs to go there.

The actual content that goes above the fold will vary based on your goal for each page, but the format is generally the same no matter which page it is!

When creating website pages for myself and for my clients, I stick to this general format for above the fold:

1. A strong hero section with an image and a headline

I know, I know - more designer language. Hero section?! I’ve got you!

A hero section is simply designer talk for the first thing that someone sees when they visit your website.

It’s the section that falls directly below your logo and menu bar and this section should always include a really strong headline.

This section is where the first impression of your brand is made, so if it doesn’t capture the viewer's attention, chances are they’ll exit out of your website. ��

Since that’s the exact opposite of what I want for you, here’s a few tips for creating an attention-getting headline:

Make it a clear statement of what you do and who you help
List the specific service or product you offer so they don’t have to wonder what exactly that is
Call out who it’s specifically for, because people connect with identities very quickly

You don’t have to include all three of these, but if you can hit on at least two of them, you’ll be on your way to a scroll-stopping headline!

Here’s WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE in action:

In addition to your headline, try to include an image of yourself if you can. People connect with people so it’s important that they can put a face to the offering they’re seeking.

2. SPEAK TO THE RESULTS OR TRANSFORMATION THEY CAN EXPECT

Did you know that emotion drives 80% of our decision-making?

This means that someone will make a decision much more quickly if you can speak to the emotion or feeling that will come with it.

When someone stumbles upon your website, there’s a high chance it’s because they are experiencing a problem that needs to be solved.

The problem they're facing is likely causing them to feel a certain way, whether that be angry, sad, frustrated, etc. and they want the solution to make them feel the opposite of that.

When you speak to that emotion and show them how it’s possible by including a result or transformation statement, the chance of them taking action, whether that be buying, opting in, following, sharing, etc., will be much greater.

Here’s WHAT THIS CAN LOOK LIKE:

If speed of service is important to your customer you can get specific with how fast they can expect that result or transformation!

3. CLEAR CALL TO ACTION

And last but certainly not least, your CLEAR call to action!

How many times have you visited a website and you’re served with a menu with 6 different tabs, a pop up form and 3 buttons above the fold and you’re left wondering what the heck you’re supposed to do?!

As a designer, those scenarios make me cringe. I can’t stress enough how important a clear call to action is.

The only time I’ll let multiple calls to actions slide above the fold is if you have two clearly defined different options and you want the user to choose what they specifically need.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I DO HERE:

A call to action, often abbreviated as CTA, is simply a button that prompts the user to take ONE next action. When created strategically, it’s the thing that will move someone along in your customer journey.

It’s important to know that there are two different types of call to actions: direct and transitional.

A direct call to action is something that often will lead to a sale. These are usually what you see on a sales page for an online course or on a product page. It’s the “add to cart” type of action.

A transitional CTA, on the other hand, is an action that someone can take without spending money. It’s a low-commitment step that’s created to build the relationship and get them connected with you in some way.

Transitional CTA’s are what you’re probably used to seeing almost every day. These usually come in the form of “learn more,” “subscribe now,” or “follow for more.”

Each page on your website should have some sort of CTA that falls above the fold, even if it just moves someone further on your website!

The key with CTA’s is clarity so the person knows exactly what step they are taking. It’s tempting to make the button words cute and fun, but when it’s not clear, that can cause confusion for the user which can lead to no decision at all.

Here are a few clear call to actions to consider:

Sign me up!
Subscribe Now
Save my spot
Learn More
Put me on the list
Send a message
Buy Now
Book My Call

Pro-tip: Opt for CTA buttons that tap into the power of using the voice of the customer, (ex: “I Need Branding” & " I Need a Website") making it irresistibly clickable.

When you intentionally design your above-the-fold sections throughout your website pages, using these three factors, you can increase the chance of people landing on your website, successfully grabbing their attention and moving them into clear action.

Clear action creates more leads, which ultimately creates more sales and as a business owner. I know that’s what you want, isn’t it?!

If so, your ACTION (��) for the day is to go audit your website pages and make sure that the section that falls above the fold is optimized for both desktop and mobile!

Wanna save this for later?! Pin the image below!! ��

Your designer friend always,

What should you put above the fold?

Now that you know what “above the fold” actually means, you’re probably wondering what content actually needs to go there.

The actual content that goes above the fold will vary based on your goal for each page, but the format is generally the same no matter which page it is!

When creating website pages for myself and for my clients, I stick to this general format for above the fold:

1. A strong hero section with an image and a headline

I know, I know - more designer language. Hero section?! I’ve got you!

A hero section is simply designer talk for the first thing that someone sees when they visit your website.

It’s the section that falls directly below your logo and menu bar and this section should always include a really strong headline.

This section is where the first impression of your brand is made, so if it doesn’t capture the viewer's attention, chances are they’ll exit out of your website. ��

Since that’s the exact opposite of what I want for you, here’s a few tips for creating an attention-getting headline:

Make it a clear statement of what you do and who you help
List the specific service or product you offer so they don’t have to wonder what exactly that is
Call out who it’s specifically for, because people connect with identities very quickly

You don’t have to include all three of these, but if you can hit on at least two of them, you’ll be on your way to a scroll-stopping headline!

Here’s WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE in action:

In addition to your headline, try to include an image of yourself if you can. People connect with people so it’s important that they can put a face to the offering they’re seeking.

2. SPEAK TO THE RESULTS OR TRANSFORMATION THEY CAN EXPECT

Did you know that emotion drives 80% of our decision-making?

This means that someone will make a decision much more quickly if you can speak to the emotion or feeling that will come with it.

When someone stumbles upon your website, there’s a high chance it’s because they are experiencing a problem that needs to be solved.

The problem they're facing is likely causing them to feel a certain way, whether that be angry, sad, frustrated, etc. and they want the solution to make them feel the opposite of that.

Here’s WHAT THIS CAN LOOK LIKE:

If speed of service is important to your customer you can get specific with how fast they can expect that result or transformation!

3. CLEAR CALL TO ACTION

And last but certainly not least, your CLEAR call to action!

As a designer, those scenarios make me cringe. I can’t stress enough how important a clear call to action is.

The only time I’ll let multiple calls to actions slide above the fold is if you have two clearly defined different options and you want the user to choose what they specifically need.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I DO HERE:

It’s important to know that there are two different types of call to actions: direct and transitional.

Transitional CTA’s are what you’re probably used to seeing almost every day. These usually come in the form of “learn more,” “subscribe now,” or “follow for more.”

Each page on your website should have some sort of CTA that falls above the fold, even if it just moves someone further on your website!

Here are a few clear call to actions to consider:

Sign me up!
Subscribe Now
Save my spot
Learn More
Put me on the list
Send a message
Buy Now
Book My Call

Pro-tip: Opt for CTA buttons that tap into the power of using the voice of the customer, (ex: “I Need Branding” & " I Need a Website") making it irresistibly clickable.

Clear action creates more leads, which ultimately creates more sales and as a business owner. I know that’s what you want, isn’t it?!

If so, your ACTION (��) for the day is to go audit your website pages and make sure that the section that falls above the fold is optimized for both desktop and mobile!

Wanna save this for later?! Pin the image below!! ��

Your designer friend always,

6 Ways to Keep Your Brand Alive After Launching

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 16:19:45 GMT

You invested in branding, you launched your website and you’re feeling excited… but now what?! The labor of love has officially hit the Internet and the feeds of your followers, so how can you be sure that you keep your brand alive AFTER you launch?

As a designer, this is a scenario I see happen quite often…

Clients come to me to invest in professional branding and they’re so excited about the projects for weeks. We work together to develop the perfect brand, create an eye catching website and even whip up some amazing social templates for them to use going forward.

But after the initial launch of all the goodness that we both spilled so much of our time and energy into, the excitement starts to fizzle and they lose sight of what the ultimate goal was in the first place.

Here’s the thing friend: there’s no such thing as a set-it-and-forget-it brand or website. Your brand is something that lives in the day-to-day interaction with your audience, so launching is JUST the beginning!

What you do after your launch on an ongoing basis is one of, if not THE, most important part of it all.

With that said, I also understand that as a business owner you’re busy and you’re juggling a lotttt of things every single day.

So, to help this part of the branding process feel a little less overwhelming, here are my top tips that you can implement to truly keep your brand alive after the initial launch!

6 Ways to Keep Your Brand Alive After Launching

1. Assign a Brand Manager

When you invest in professional branding, one of the main things you’ll walk away with is a list of brand guidelines.

Brand guidelines are exactly what they sound like - sort of like rules that your business follows to ensure that you maintain a consistent and cohesive look and feel across all platforms you use.

It includes your fonts, colors, taglines, mission, etc. that you frequently use so that your brand can be recognized everywhere you show up.

Your brand manager can be the person who reviews your brand touch points against your brand guidelines to make sure the heart, messaging and visuals align with your overall strategy.

2. Make a Plan with the Buyer's Journey in Mind

If you’re unfamiliar with a buyer’s journey, it’s essentially the path that someone takes to purchase from you. Because let’s be real - even though we would all love for someone to follow us on Instagram and immediately buy, that’s RARELY how it works.

Most people follow a very similar path and it looks like this:

Now, I could go into each step of this journey, but that’s a blog post for another day, so for this post specifically let’s focus on the first step: awareness .

This is one of the most important steps in the process because this is where someone really gets to know you. They discover who you are and what you’re about and ultimately decide if you are someone they want to continue following and maybe eventually buy from.

Your branding plays a HUGE part in this step, so it’s important that you take the time to intentionally think about which platforms you want to focus on the most.

It can be Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, etc. but the point is that you decide where you’re going to spend the most time and carefully create a plan to utilize this platform to bring awareness to your brand.

Too often, I see people trying to do it ALL at once and it becomes very overwhelming. You’ll be better off starting with one and mastering it before you move on to the next.

Oh, and whichever platform you choose, typically your website will flow into that.

For example, let’s say you decide Instagram is going to be the platform that you want to use for brand awareness. You create a plan to show up consistently, your feed is cohesive and value packed and you use stories to really display who you are and how you help people.

From stories, you might drive someone to your website to opt-in to your freebie or read a blog post.

How confusing would it be if your Instagram and website don’t match or convey the same message?

This is why you want to be consistent all across the board which is why having brand guidelines is so important!

3. Utilize a Brand Assets Library

This is something as simple as a Google Drive or Dropbox folder and it contains all of the assets that make up your brand.

Things like:

Your brand colors with their color build codes (RGB, CMYK, HEX, Pantone Colors)
All logo variations
All font variations
Slogans or taglines that you frequently use
Repeated design elements (ex: patterns, graphical elements, and icons)
Your Brand Guidelines PDF document (with instructions on how to use the assets)

You can bookmark it or even save it to your desktop so that the next time you’re in Canva creating a webinar slidedeck you can cross check your guidelines and make sure you’re keeping things consistent.

Or the next time you outsource a project, you can share the folder to ensure that your contractors follow your guidelines as well!

4. Use your Brand Assets Repetitively and Consistently

Did you know that it can take up to 3 points of contact before someone will pay attention to your brand?

Beyond that, it can take up to 7 points of contact before someone takes real action with you, which is why REPETITION IS EVERYTHING ��

If you’re bored of your brand, GOOD - that probably means that everyone else is just getting started. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is changing your branding because YOU are tired of it.

The truth is friend, your branding really isn't about you - it’s about connecting with your ideal audience so that they grow to know, like and trust you… which can ultimately lead to a business relationship!

If you change your branding too soon, you can actually confuse people which will create the opposite result of what you really want.

5. Celebrate Your Wins Publicly

Nothing makes someone feel more connected to you than letting them in on the real sides of your life and business.

Now, I’m not saying you have to share every single detail or part of your life on the Internet, but one way to easily draw people into your brand is by celebrating your wins publicly!

Share fun milestones that you’ve reached, talk about exciting projects you’ve completed and most importantly share testimonials and social proof. This helps people feel like they are a part of your success!

6. Keep Showing Up

I know, I know… you’ve heard this a million times, but it’s true: consistency is key.

Consistency beats perfection every single time, so even if things aren’t exactly how you want them to be, show up anyways and perfect as you go.

If showing up is a struggle for you, remember this: what’s obvious to you is amazing for others.

You live and breathe your business and brand, so it’s easy to think that what you have to say isn’t interesting, but no one else does what YOU do!

People need what you have and not showing up is doing them a massive disservice!

If you need extra help staying on top of all of these things so that your brand continues to thrive after the initial launch, here’s a list of my favorite resources you can snag.

And if you need extra support for the branding side of things, I’ve got you! Click here to connect and see what’s possible for you specifically.

Wanna save this for later?! Pin the image below!! ��

Cheers !! ��

Six Overlooked Collateral Pieces for your Brand

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 03:46:06 GMT

Branding goes far beyond colors, fonts, a cute logo and a pretty website. As a business owner, it can often be difficult to realize what items you truly need… until you find yourself needing it and realizing you don’t have it.

For example, let’s say you attend a networking event and you want to pass out business cards… only to remember that you never created any. ��

Or maybe you want to start sending client thank you cards at the end of each project and you realize how nice it would be if your cards were personalized for your brand.

So, if you’re still in the DIY stage of your business and you want to level up your branding, make sure you consider what I consider to be the 6 most overlooked, yet must-have collateral pieces for branding in your business.

Six Overlooked Collateral Pieces for Your Brand

Personalized Stationery

Like mentioned above, it’s nice to have your own personal notecards and envelopes on hand so you can send client welcome notes, thank you letters, etc.

When you opt for personalized stationary, it allows your brand to connect on a deeper level with your customers and keeps you top of mind. A hand written note goes SUCH a long way.

This is always an option for my branding clients and they can choose if they want a notecard/envelope or a letterhead/envelope design (or both!) to go along with their other branding assets.

Another great item to have on hand are envelope sealing stickers that have your logo printed on them. This will bring your stationary set altogether and really seal the deal… literally!

Email Signature

YES, your email signature is considered branding collateral! It may not be one of the first things you think about, but you’re missing an opportunity to create brand recognition without a branded email signature.

When you’re sending emails, it probably seems natural to have your name and maybe a couple of clickable text links at the bottom.

While you of course want to continue doing that, having an email signature that matches your brand will help people identifying who you are very quickly as you communicate with them.

For this, make sure to include:

your logo
an updated and recent photo of you
clickable social media icons
a link to your website
any other info that is important for people to know (such as your office hours, upcoming out of office dates, etc.)

If you don’t already have a clickable email signature and you want to DIY one, here’s a quick video tutorial showing you how!

Social Media Templates

Oftentimes I see people using Canva templates to create their social media assets. While I’m a huge Canva advocate (which is honestly rare for a designer to say!), using random templates is one of the biggest things I tell DIYers to avoid - I go more into that in this blog post!

Once you’ve developed brand visuals, which means you have your colors, fonts and other design elements, it’s important to create your own social media templates so all of your platforms remain consistent and cohesive when you post.

It’s not just about an aesthetic look (even though I’m alllll for that ��) - it’s really about making it easy for people to recognize and remember you!

Brand Photos

Most business owners know that they need high quality imagery for their website and their social media platforms. What they often miss are photos reflecting their brand.

Oftentimes, people jump straight to a photoshoot before defining their brand’s heart, messaging and visual aesthetic, which results in images that don’t really connect with the brand’s strategy and visual vibe.

For example, if your brand colors are bright blues, pinks and greens (like mine!) and you take photos wearing black and have no color in your photos, you aren’t letting your brand shine.

Check out these beautiful photographs taken by the amazingly talented, creative storyteller Austin Goode .

Aside from colors, location plays a huge part in your photos as well!

Let’s say you’re a nutritionist, but you take your photos on top of a parking garage… that feels sort of random and doesn’t really connect to what you do. What would connect is taking your photos in an actual kitchen and using fun fruit as props instead!

So remember: define your brand colors and the overall aesthetic of your brand first and THEN book your photoshoot!

Video

You’re probably used to creating different styles of video for social media since that form of content has taken over all of the popular platforms, but have you thought about how you can strategically use video for your customer experience on your website?

Just like you use branded images throughout your website, it’s smart to incorporate branded video when you can!

Using video allows people to get to know you aside from just words on a screen. They see your face, hear your voice and even grow to understand your personality - all things that build true connection and build relationships.

This is especially true for when people see videos after purch asing from you. They receive an i mmediate sense of belonging and it shows them that, just like them, you're a human behind the computer screen that genuinely cares and wants to help!

For more formal videos, you can take the editing a step further and include your logo on the screen or you can keep things simple and record in spaces that reflect your brand while sporting your brand colors in order to keep that cohesiveness!

Here are a few of my favorite ways you can use video throughout your website or in your backend systems to level up the client experience:

Thank you pages - after someone purchases your product or books a service, instead of only using text on the thank you/confirmation page, you can include a video that discusses their next steps so they know exactly what to expect.
Tutorial videos - if you deliver projects to your clients that require further explanation, sometimes a video can be much better than long paragraphs in an email. One of the easiest ways to incorporate tutorial videos is by using Loom! Loom is a free video tool that allows you to record your screen and show your face so you can easily communicate with your team, clients or followers.
Your story - i f you want to use video on your website, but you’re unsure what it would look like, a great place to start is the “about” page. Along with the copy of your story / about you section, you can include a video that really brings your story and mission to life for people to hear. This has the potential to convey your message more clearly and connect with people more quickly.

Google Business Profile

Your FREE profile lets you connect with customers across Google search even if you don't have a brick and mortar shop or a website (in which case, GIVE ME A HOLLER ) .

Your Google Business profile can include things like:

your service area
hours of operation
offerings
customer reviews
branded photos/videos (ahem...see above)
special offers

Refresh your profile often with new photos to help tell your brand story.

Other Important Collateral Pieces for your Brand

Remember, these are just 6 of the most overlooked collateral pieces.

There are MANY collateral pieces you can create for your brand, including:

Website and landing pages
Business cards
Posters
Various signage
Brochures and handouts
Swag, such as pens, t-shirts, stickers, water bottles, etc.

E-books
Infographics
Pitch deck
Proposal sheets
Welcome packets
One pagers

When you work with a professional branding designer, you will be guided on what collateral pieces make the most sense for YOUR business.

Because remember: business is personal. What works for your biz bestie might not work for you, so don’t feel pressured to do what others are doing if it doesn’t align with who you are and what you do.

If you’re not quite to the point where you can invest in professional branding services, that’s okay too! You can absolutely DIY your brand as a beginner, so choose one thing at a time and start there.

If you’re lost on where to start at all, I encourage you to use this FREE mini style guide template to guide you through choosing the most important parts of your brand.

Here’s to creating a brand that’s unique to you, friend!

Designer Tells All: 5 Things To Avoid In Canva

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 20:37:32 GMT

When you think of a brand designer, you might imagine someone who uses fancy programs and tools to create beautiful branding and websites that bring the ultimate “wow” factor.

And while I’m all for the fancy programs and fun tools that often play a huge part in my job as a designer, it may come as a surprise to you that I also use and recommend the not-as-fancy things too… with the main one of those things being Canva!

If you’re unfamiliar with Ca nva , it’s basically a small business owner's best friend. It’s a free online graphic design tool that you can use to create social media posts (which is what I use it for), presentations, flyers, posters, thumbnails, you name it - if you can dream it up, you can likely make it on Canva!

The paid version of the platform allows access to additional features that are really great too, but the free version comes with almost everything you need to create that same “wow” effect that you desire when it comes to your branding!

Some designers out there claim that you can’t create what you need to create for your business without the use of Adobe or other complex programs, but as a small business owner myself, I know that programs like this often come with an expense much higher than you’re comfortable paying, not to mention the learning curve that comes with those higher-end programs. As someone with a lot going on, you need quick and efficient and that’s what Canva provides, so it’s for that reason that I am and forever will be a Canva advocate!

With that said, there are a few common mistakes that I see people frequently make. To help you make sure you’re using the program like a pro, I’ve rounded up the top things to avoid in Canva for your small business branding.

5 Things to Avoid in Canva to Maintain a Cohesive Brand

1. Using templates that just "look cool"

One of the best parts about Canva is that if you don’t know where to start for a design, whether it be for a social media post, reel cover, slide deck, etc. the platform has TONS of templates you can choose from.

Though this can be helpful as a starting point, where people go wrong is choosing a template because it looks cool or trendy.

When you use templates that don’t match your brand aesthetic, you lose the cohesiveness when you publish that post or present that slide deck.

And one of the biggest misconceptions about a cohesive brand is that it “looks nice,” but the truth is, it goes far beyond that. When you are consistent with the colors, fonts and designs you use, your audience grows to recognize who you are and you become more memorable.

This isn't to say that you can’t use templates on Canva - you absolutely can!

The key is to let your template be your guide while adjusting it to your brand by changing the colors and fonts used within the template and adding in your brand's own design elements.

2. Starting from scratch everytime you create a design

I know what you might be thinking… “Amanda, didn't you just tell me to avoid templates in Canva?? And now I can’t start from scratch?!”

Hear me out! Once you have a defined brand for your business, meaning you know your colors, fonts and design elements, there’s no reason to start from scratch when creating a social media post, reel cover, etc.

Instead, you can create each item ONCE and then use it over and over and over again while changing a few things here and there.

For example, you may have 5 different variations of instagram reel covers that look similar, but the main colors may be different.

You can create your basic designs and save those as your own personal templates in your Canva account and then use the “duplicate” feature to use them when needed.

3. Going overboard with design elements

As mentioned earlier, Canva has some really cool features that you can use to create amazing designs, but if I’m being honest, things can get real crazy, real fast if you’re not careful.

Again, this often happens if you start using the templates canva provides, then cramming gaudy stickers, arrows, colors and patterns.

For example, i f you find yourself feeling tempted to cram a lot of elements into one social media graphic, instead opt for creating a carousel style post (like thi s on e ) with multiple swipeable images to give your viewers some breathing room. And stick with no more than one graphical element per slide.

This will be easier on the eyes and easier to read so your audience can actually take in your message.

Designer Pro Tip: avoid putting your logo on every slide of a carousel post - save it for the last slide instead!

4. Putting too much text on a design

I’m going to be real with you friend… this is probably my number one frustration with DIY designers, but at the same time I really do get it.

It’s easy to think that putting all of the information in one place is the best thing for your audience so they get all the details, but the truth is it’s extremely overwhelming and causes them to glaze over. Bring clarity by focusing on ONE main point to get them to stop and take notice.

If you have a design piece or social media post where you want to include all of the text in the image itself. Hierarchy of text can really make all the difference.

Another option to avoid this mistake would be to pull out the main parts of your message and use that to create your image like I did here ! This makes your design more shareable and memorable as the reader has one main takeaway from your post!

5. Underestimating the power of simplicity

As a business owner, I know you want to stand out and you want people to recognize your brand as the best of the best.

But hear me when I say that your branding does not have to be complex to achieve that!

Like many things in life and business, simplicity is key and when you lean into the things that genuinely make up who you and your business are, THAT is when you can truly stand out among the rest.

I know it's tempting to give into the trends and fun-looking things that everyone else is doing, but just remember that those things aren’t timeless.

Many things you see on the internet today in terms of design will be here today and gone tomorrow… well maybe not that quickly, but they will change in a matter of time.

The point is that you build your brand in a way that’s true to who you really are and oftentimes that comes in the form of simplicity!

Moral of the story, Canva is a GREAT design tool and you can absolutely use it to create the visuals you need for your business.

The key is to know what to avoid and what to do instead, so your branding remains cohesive and consistent. Those two things together can breed huge success.

Happy designing!

How to Elevate your Visual Brand on Social Media

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 20:27:26 GMT

So you’re looking for ways to elevate your brand on social media. It can be tough to make your brand unique, but by implementing a few of these tactics, you can definitely level up the visual look of your brand. Small businesses use social media every day to drive brand awareness. The most effective businesses have learned the importance of strong, cohesive visuals to help their audience process information quickly. Research shows that people tend to remember 10% of what they hear and 20% of what they read. However, they tend to remember 80% of what they SEE. When you have only a few seconds as your potential customer is scrolling their social feed, striking visuals can make a greater impression with your message.

VISUAL BRANDING, EXPLAINED

Visual branding on social media, simply put, is the aesthetic look to your social media's overall presence.

Cognitively, a strong visual brand helps your message stick with your potential customer with greater comprehension and recollection.
Emotionally , visuals can stimulate attitudes that influence decision-making. Visuals help a brand get to the point fast and simply. Visuals can support your brand's story. If you can think of your brand as an emotional experience you can help your audience understand and resonate with you.

How to Elevate Your Visual Brand on Social Media

01. A mix of graphical & imagery elements

Data visualization, infographics, memes and GIFs, inspirational quotes, videos and more can not only increase engagement but pack a punch visually.

Pro tips for post layouts:

Keep it simple - Include one phrase or grouping of data per slide. Packing too much into a single graphic is overwhelming and makes it hard for the viewer to process. For example, when sharing on Instagram, use carousels for static graphics or reels and stories when incorporating video. Check out a few of the graphics I like to use on my social media. If you can create some B footage video and photos to have on hand for posting you'll save yourself some time when you get ready to put together your content!
Don't be afraid of white space - Less is more. Keep big margins, reduce text and logo size to increase professionalism and aesthetic quality.
Plan ahead for your grid - I like to keep the overall look of my Instagram profile in mind so that multiple posts look nice side by side on my grid. If you're post asks for a video thumbnail make sure you design one that fits with your aesthetic.
Include your logo in your visual designs. It doesn't have to be front and center, but if you can aim to include it as part of your post you'll improve brand recognition.

Less is more.

Maybe you're thinking, "But Amanda, I'm not a designer! I don't know what I'm doing!" Listen, friend, you don't have to be a designer to create visually appealing social media content. You can use the online tools that other pro designers use for their social media posts. I love using CANVA . Canva's pro subscription makes it even easier with the ability to instantly resize graphics, optimized for various social platforms. Take a single graphic and duplicate it for Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, stories, pins, tweets and more. Canva also saves your uploaded brand assets in one place to reuse and repurpose.

Check out my Free Canva template s for some examples of graphical and photographical elements. You can edit the templates with your brand's images, colors and fonts.

02. Font pairings that fit your brand's story

To strengthen your visual story stay consistent with the same set of fonts. If you haven't established your brand's fonts yet, I recommend using one or two fonts throughout all of your brand materials. Purchase proper licenses for the way you'll be using the fonts. When using them for your small business, you'll want to purchase a commercial license. CREATIVE MARKET and E NVATO ELEMENTS are a couple of my favorite websites on which to purchase typefaces.

Fonts are available for free commercial use from GOOGLE, FONT BUNDLES, or within CANVA.

Pro tips for pairing fonts that work well together:

Pair different weights of the same typeface. If the idea of pairing fonts overwhelms you, find ONE typeface with several options for weights. Choose a heavier one to use as a heading and use a light or book version in your body copy them consistently throughout your graphics.

U se one serif and one sans serif typeface. A serif is simply a hook or a small line attached to a letter. Having one of each adds visual interest. Try using a serif headline and sans serif (serif free) body text, or the opposite and see which conveys your brand better.

Make it legible but with high contrast. Don't go crazy with hard to read fonts or a couple of fonts that are so crazy different that they compete with each other. Generally, one more ornate or bold font does well as a heading.

Show some personality. Your brand typefaces should be intentional for the style and message you convey to your audience. Keep in mind the mood of your brand and mimic that with your font choice.

03. Photography with cohesive filter settings

To tell your story well visually, it's important to stay consistent. By imagery I don't just mean photography here, I'm referring to video as well! Facebook posts with images see 2.3 times more engagement than those without images. Creating a brand content library can help you not only keep things visually consistent with the content you post, it will also keep you organized. Some brands like to have a folder in the cloud with brand photos, videos and more. If you have a social media planner like LATER, you can upload them into the library and tag your images and videos.

Creating a content library can help you not only keep things visually consistent, it will also keep you organized.

04. Intentional, consistent color palette

Once you create a palette that is right for you, all branding across all your channels begins to look more cohesive. When people view your website, Instagram, Facebook or any platform you use, they will know it's from your brand. It may seem overwhelming to choose your colors, but just think about what in your life inspires you and your brand. Maybe, like me, you find inspiration in nature, or maybe it's urban landscape or a quilt your grandmother made. Once you find inspiration, translate that into a color palette that is unique to you!

Once you find inspiration, translate that into a color palette that is unique to you!

You may be thinking, "Where do I even start?" Don't fret! There are some great resources for you to use to begin the search on what colors you want. Whether you have some colors in mind or you are starting from complete scratch, these ares some helpful places to look:

The Adobe Color Wheel is a great, interactive site where you can test how different colors look when you pair them together.
Pantone is another place where you can browse hundreds of color options. If you are looking for specific colors, Pantone will have it for you!

05. Put your visual elements together in a mini style guide

Everything can be housed on a one-page quick reference document called a mini style guide to serve you as you continue to elevate your social media visuals. I'd love for you to customize this MINI STYLE GUIDE CANVA TEMPLAT E I created. Play around with it and reference back to it as often as you like!

REMEMBER....VISUALS ARE PART OF A THREE INGREDIENT BRAND STRATEGY RECIPE

There are three pieces to a good brand strategy, including the Brand Heart, Brand Messaging and Brand Visuals.

CONTACT ME AND I'll SEND YOU A LINK TO SCHEDULE A FREE COMPLIMENTARY DISCOVERY CALL. LET'S CHAT ABOUT SOME WAYS WE CAN CREATE A BRAND THAT MAKES YOUR SERVICES SHINE!

Sources: SMALL BUSINESS GENUIS

Does your small business need better branding? 5 questions to ask yourself.

Wed, 05 May 2021 04:07:50 GMT

Did you know it only takes 10 seconds for your potential customer to form an opinion about your brand? 1 Wait...hold up...10 Seconds? Did that just freak you out?

Before we get too far, I want to give you a big high five �� for clicking through to this post. This tells me that you care a lot about your small business and you want to be doing this "branding" thing right. I know it can be overwhelming thinking about what you might be doing WRONG, but I'm not here to shame you...promise. I want to encourage you to read with gentleness to yourself. If you can pick one touch point you can improve on for now, start there. It takes time, and I'm here for you.

HERE ARE A FEW QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF TO HELP YOU DETERMINE IF YOUR BRANDING IS IN A HEALTHY PLACE.

Does Your Small Business Need Better Branding? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself

01. Is your message clear?

Too many branding ideas can make your message watered down, confusing and unprofessional to your customer. The amount of effort and brainpower it takes for a potential customer to determine the benefits of your product or services shouldn't take more than a few short seconds. If it takes longer, they'll likely move to the next brand or worse, your competitor. Define your core brand messaging with the words and visuals to use as your primary message.

02. Are you consistent?

Did you know that presenting a brand consistently across all your communication sources can increase revenue by up to 23%? As a small business owner, you might be too busy to dedicate your time to consistent brand awareness. You might have various employees touching different marketing pieces without any brand standards to follow. Or maybe you have a week where you feel like you're doing an ok job of putting out valuable brand equity pieces, but then you disappear and your audience forgets about you for a few months during your busy season. Trust me I've been there!

03. Does your brand have a strategy?

Your brand is more than just a pretty logo. Every touchpoint you make with your audience is a chance to tell your unique brand story. When your brand messaging and visuals match up with a strategy that makes sense for your target audience you will have a much greater chance of converting them into a customer. Strategy development helps you learn about your target client, digs deep into the heart of your brand, creates intention around your visuals and message and so much more.

Creating a brand strategy can help you create content in a more meaningful way which will feel less overwhelming.

04. Does your brand actually reflect your offerings?

Over time, businesses evolve and change. A growing business tweaks its offerings, tests new things, and is always working to provide customers with exactly what they want. Maybe your business has shifted its offerings enough that your current branding doesn't make sense anymore. You may even want to rename your business or strategically rebrand to align better with your offerings.

05. Are you excited to show off your brand?

There could be many reasons why you might not feel excited to show off your brand. Your brand should be something you are truly proud of, but here are a few reasons that might make you feel like you aren't confident about sharing your brand with others:

You have outdated visuals and messaging. Times change and so does your brand. If it feels stagnant and old, or not with the times, it may be time for a refresh. Outdated brands give your audience the message that the products/services you offer aren't innovative. A logo that was created in the early 2000s without any refreshing likely has an outdated appearance. A website with the same messaging used for several years may not be keeping up with industry or market trends.

You've DIY'd your brand to death. Many entrepreneurs do a ton of "Do It Yourself" branding, purchasing a template here or there on the fly when it's needed for something. Maybe you paid your niece who likes photoshop to create a logo and it's worked fine up until this point. You might feel like you don't have anything that looks as professional as you would like.

You hit the ground running just to get something "out there." Entrepreneurs and small business owners are some of the busiest people. With that, sometimes you don't have time to come up with a strategy and you have to throw your branding or marketing together to make it work within a timeframe or for your opening, launch, special event, social media campaign, website, etc. Chances are, you can look back and feel a little icky about a marketing piece or an email you sent. It's okay, we've all been there.

If you answer no to some questions above, it's OK. You are still an amazing small business owner who is amazing at your zone of genius. You might consider investing in a PROFESSIONAL BRAND DESIGNER who can strategically guide you through a branding process to help you clarify the muddy waters, start resonating with your audience and convert them from lookers into customers.

CONTACT ME AND I'll SEND YOU A LINK TO SCHEDULE A FREE COMPLIMENTARY DISCOVERY CALL. LET'S CHAT ABOUT SOME WAYS WE CAN CREATE A BRAND THAT MAKES YOUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES SHINE!

Sources: SMALL BUSINESS GENUIS

Tools to grow your small business.

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 03:36:49 GMT

I hear the cries of small business owners and entrepreneurs everywhere! They are doing it ALL and are stretched way TOO THIN. They get to use their passions for their careers...so it's worth it...but there's just not enough time in the day to get everything done. I am SO there with you, friend.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME 'LIFESAVER' RESOURCES THAT CAN INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND HELP YOU DO YOUR JOB MORE EFFICIENTLY.

My Favorite Tools to Help You Grow Your Small Business

This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. Thanks!

Over the past couple of years, I've invested both time and money in finding just the right resources to increase productivity. It has been SO gratifying to kick some of my old ways to the curb and infuse more tech into my business. Emailing PDF invoices out of Microsoft Word? Um...no thanks. Using my notebook to log hours? Ewwww.

While it took me quite a bit of time on the back-end to discover my software 'loves' and 'not-so-loves,' I have a tried and true 'favorites list' that really works well for me as a small business owner. I use all of these programs regularly to save both hours and headaches. Of course, the best system/software is the one that works for YOU. Do you have other platforms you enjoy that I've not listed here? I'd love to hear from you in the comments.

BUSINESS ESSENTIALS:

01. Asana

Project Management

Free

Think of Asana as your digital to-do list...on steroids. Create tasks, add deadlines, attach files, and collaborate with clients or team members. It's the #1 tool for keeping all types of projects moving on a timeline without the back and forth emails.

02. DUBSADO

Customer Relationship Management

Free Trial, $35/mo or $350/yr

> 20% off first month or year WITH CODE: studioadesigns

Schedule appointments, create automated workflows, proposals, invoices, online payments and more. I love Dubsado because they are a self-funded, family-owned company with personalized customer service and great education.

03. GRAMMARLY
Spelling and Copywriting

Free

If you write emails, you need Grammarly. If you create documents, you need Grammarly. If you write social media captions, you need Grammarly. I really love the Google Chrome and Mac iOS integrations that catch my typos and make sentence structure suggestions.

04. CLOCKIFY

Time Tracki ng

Free

If you are a service-based business, tracking your time is important, even if you don't charge by the hour. For me, it helps me stay on task and not linger on one project for too long. It also shows me if I'm charging enough or too much for projects.

05. DROPBOX

Asset Management

Free Trail, $19+/month

Small teams and solopreneurs can manage files with real time syncing on multiple devices without the hassle of expensive server management. Easily share folders and files with the click of a button.

06. Jotform

Form Publisher

START FOR FREE, $24+/MONTH

Create surveys, signups, book appointments, sell products, collect online payments, sell subscriptions, events and more. There are tons of customizable templates with integrations available for a variety of needs.

DIGITAL MARKETING:

07. Flodesk

Email Marketing

-
30 DAYS FREE, PAID PLAN $39/MO

> 50% OFF with code: STUDIOADESIGNS

Connect with those who have opted to hear from you with Flodesk. It is 100% the right choice for small businesses marketing emails. I love it for small businesses who don't want all the extra confusion of other email platforms. Flodesk is SO simple to use, you don't even need a website to offer a freebie to start building your list.

08. Later

Social Media Management

FREE TO TRY, PAID PLANS $15+/MO

> GET 10 FREE POSTS

Social media scheduling is a lifesaver, and keeps you from "living" your life on social media. Schedule posts at the beginning of the week or month and automate posts. See a preview of your instagram grid and more!

09. GOOGLE MY BUSINESS

Business Listing

FREE

> MORE DETAILS

If you are a small business and you aren't using Google My Business, you need to stop what you are doing and go signup RIGHT NOW. If you already have an account, you need to log in each week, and ask for reviews to keep your local search ranking up!

10. Canva

Social Media Graphics

FREE

You don't have to be a pro designer to use this easy graphic design interface. My favorite features are the ability to resize posts for different platforms with a click of a button, create animated graphics, incorporate video and more!

11. Adobe Lightroom

Image Editing

FREE

Ya know when you see a social media profile with photos that have all the same filter? Chances are good that they are using Adobe Lightroom to edit their photos for a more cohesive look. You can use the mobile version of the app for FREE. Save your image presets to have beautiful, cohesive social media posts with the click of a button.

12. ZAPIER

Workflow Automation

FREE TRAIL, PAID PLANS $19.99+/mo

It's all about the automation! There are over 2,000 apps to integrate. Zapier connects more web apps than anyone. Set up triggers, actions and executions so your routine tasks can be done without any manual work on your part.

JUST FOR FUN: SPOTIFY FOR CHILL OFFICE VIBES

12. SPOTIFY

Music Playlists

FREE

Music must be playing at all times in the office while working. Take your pic from the playlists below...or listen to all three.

VIDEO TUTORIALS: Making updates to your new website.

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 21:55:15 GMT

I'm over the moon excited for you! You've got a brand new website. Hopefully by now you've had a chance to announce the beauty of it to your clients and followers. I'm so glad to be on this journey with you. Now that you have this awesome website, let's chat a bit about how to edit text, add photos and even create blog posts!

MY DESIRE IS FOR YOU TO FEEL CONFIDENT IN EDITING YOUR WEBSITE WITH EASE AND PEACE OF MIND. LET'S GET TO KNOW THE NEW WEBSITE EDITOR PLATFORM WITH SOME STEP-BY-STEP VIDEOS, SHALL WE?

Video Tutorials: Making Updates to Your New Website

I'm really happy for the opportunity to share these video tutorials with you. You don't have to be super tech savvy or know about html or coding to edit your website.

SPEND SOME TIME GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH YOUR WEBSITE NOW SO WHEN YOU NEED TO MAKE AN UPDATE, IT WON'T FEEL OVERWHELMING FOR YOU.

01. Access the Editor

If you haven't already logged into the editor, please refer to the personal email I sent regarding your log-in information and password setup. Once you have your username and password ready, you can log-in to the editor.

02. Editor Basics

Below is a series of four videos to give you a basic overview of the editor. You'll setup your new account if you haven't yet, explore the interface, edit text, and edit photos and galleries. If you prefer, you can watch the video series on youtube !

03. A to Z Training

Below are three videos for a more in-depth look at specific features of your website editor. You'll learn everything you need to know about pages, rows and columns, inner rows, text editing, image replacement, personalization and more. If you prefer, you can WATCH THE VIDEO SERIES ON YOUTUBE !

Well, what do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts on how it's working for your making edits to your website. PLEASE CONTACT ME if you have any questions as you learn.

If you already have enough on your plate and aren't interested in taking the time to learn something new, I completely get that. Please feel free to check out my standard website care plans or we can create a monthly website care package that suits you perfectly.

I HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR WEBSITE LAUNCH TO THE FULLEST!

"Non-Salesy" ways to promote Your brand launch.

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 04:21:45 GMT

Have you ever been presented with a forced sales pitch and then immediately been turned off because the delivery felt pushy? Didn't it feel completely ingenuine, not to mention tacky?

TODAY, I'M TALKING ABOUT HOW YOU CAN CREATE EXCITEMENT AROUND THE BRAND YOU'VE RELENTLESSLY PUT YOUR HEART INTO BY STAYING TRUE TO YOUR PERSONALITY...SANS SOUNDING LIKE YOU'RE STANDING IN A USED CAR LOT. EW!

"Non-Salesy" Ways to Promote Your Brand Launch

In an email I sent to my subscribers recently , I said the following: "Just go for it! Put yourself out there, already. Just do the thing!"

While I believe in standing beside my clients with encouragement for their passions (as cheesy as that encouragement might be ��) if the message reflects my personality and aligns with my values (ex: instilling brand confidence) it just works because it's AUTHENTIC. So, let's break it down a bit more as it applies to brand launching. As small business owners, we have a lot on our plates. We manage ALL the things. When we get those things done, then we do more things and the list goes on. Guess what, though? I have really good news for you.

LAUNCHING YOUR BRAND DOESN'T HAVE TO BE COMPLICATED. HERE ARE A FEW METHODS I RECOMMEND FOR BUILDING EXCITEMENT AROUND YOUR BRAND LAUNCH.

01. Tell your story...with our face.

People you know are already likely interested and want to know more about what you are doing. Let them know in casual conversation when they ask what you've been up to lately. It's a natural lead in to give them an exciting low pressure, casual description of what you will be doing. So brush up on your "WHY!" Refer back to your branding guidelines and find your core values, mission, and vision. Print them out, hang them on your wall, embed them in your heart, and let the sincerity ooze out of you while you share your passion with others. Telling your story is the heart of your messaging. People want to work with enthusiastic people who actually care. If you're telling your story on social media, talk directly to that target client the value you bring to them. When you focus on helping that target client, it will help you shine with authenticity and it will feel less like you're making a sales pitch.

02. Give a sneak peek.

Give your audience a chance to see what's going on behind the scenes. Share a snapshot from your branding photo session, a glimpse of your new business stationary, or a photo of your office workspace. If you're putting the work into your brand why not share your dedication and excitement with others? Allow opportunities for early access to special giveaways, incentives, or exclusive peeks at what is to come. Consider setting up an email marketing platform to begin sharing news to a more focused down group of leads. If you haven't explored FLODESK is a really simple email marketing platform and creates beautifully designed emails.

03. Setup a countdown.

As you anticipate the date you've set to release your new brand into the world, post on your social media accounts every few days with your countdown. As the launch date gets closer, increase the frequency to build more excitement. Prepare branded graphics ahead of time to keep things simpler. I recommend using CANVA for creating social media graphics. Remember that even though you feel like you're posting often, it doesn't seem that way to your audience.

REMEMBER, TO BE YOU AND ENJOY YOUR LAUNCH TO THE FULLEST!

How to create a professional, clickable email signature.

amanda@studioa-designs.com (Amanda Thompson) — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 21:27:05 GMT

Don't use Apple Mail? I've got a step-by-step tutorial for creating a custom, clickable signature in Gmail.

If you've heard me talk about branding for any length of time, you know my consistent efforts to educate my clients on consistent branding . Each time a customer thinks of you, they need to have a clear visual picture of who you are. When I recently decided to give my own company a rebrand. I freshen up my email signature a bit using some free online resources and a little apple mail formatting, so I'm sharing a step-by-step video tutorial to show you how I did it.

How to Make a Professional Clickable Email Signature in Apple Mail

Here are the three resources you'll need to create your email signature.

1. Your business logo (approximately 600x600px)

The best file formats are jpg or png. If you have photoshop you can add white space around your logo to make it appear smaller in your signature.

2. Mail Signatures

Mail-Signatures.com is an online email template generator. It's a great place to start for creating your email signature.

3. IMGBB

imgbb.com is an online image hosting site. You can upload your logo there and host it there so your image is not an attachment in your email.

Sit down for a few minutes with me, watch and follow along in the video below and get your email signature looking top notch! I promise you, the little things you do to make your brand stand out, the more likely you will be remembered (more on that in an upcoming blog post). Let's focus on this little step in bringing you more confidence in your brand.

I'm proud of you!