Do you ever feel like something is missing from your brand, but you can never figure out exactly what it is?

Maybe you feel…

• Completely overwhelmed with crafting a signature brand that magnetizes your dream clients.
• Your messaging is disconnected from the actual value you provide.
• You’ve had a graphic designer create 50 different logo mockups, and none of them feels right. 
• You can never settle on your website and you’re constantly making changes.

I’ve been there! 

Early in my business, it seemed as though I spent every wedding off-season rebranding.

I was constantly doing things like…looking for a better website template, changing my logo, and trying desperately to create a cohesive brand.

The problem was I hadn’t spent nearly enough time thinking about my overall brand strategy. And it showed!

The biggest lesson I had to learn to start building my brand was a shift in my thinking about what branding was, and what elements mattered the most.

A strong brand strategy magnetizes your dream clients, sets you apart from your competition, and will inform all decisions for your brand, from how your brand feels to who you hire on your team.

To start building a strong brand for your small business, here are some of the do’s and don’ts to keep in mind.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Small Business Branding

Don’t start with your brand aesthetics. DO Define your business goals and mission.

Before you start any branding process, you need to establish your business goals and core values. Who are you? What do you stand for? When establishing these cornerstones of your brand, make sure they reflect the unique mission of your business–not what other people are doing in your industry.  Stay in your lane and ensure your foundation is rooted in your true values.

 

Don’t think short-term. DO Consider the bigger picture.

Focus on what you’re building and keep your target audience in mind. You don’t just want to create a visually beautiful online presence; you want to craft an experience that resonates with people on a deeper level, and that is reflected both online and offline. Creating your brand isn’t something that happens overnight; it is a process. You want your brand strategy to stand the test of time.  Pro tip: perform audits as your business grows and evolves to ensure your brand flows with it. 

 

Don’t send mixed messages. Be consistent.

Once you’ve created the core elements of your brand that will define your business, make sure are consistent in all of your communication and across all platforms. From social media to website design.

 

Don’t speak to everyone. DO Clarify your message.

Clarity is key! It’s not always easy, but spending time clarifying your message makes every other aspect of growing your business that much easier. A clear message helps you speak to your ideal client. This message should be consistent across all of your marketing. And be sure to use the same language your target audience uses. From your website to social media, you want your dream clients to listen when you speak. They will listen because when you use their language, they KNOW you are speaking to them.

Don’t get distracted. DO Resist shiny object syndrome.

It’s easy for business owners to get distracted by shiny objects or trends without considering how it fits into their brand’s core values. Make sure your decisions are consistent with the core of who you are, not just because it looks good on paper or because everyone else is doing it. You never want to force your brand to be something that it’s not.

And here’s the thing, It all starts with an intentional focus on your brand strategy! 

The critical pieces that are ACTUALLY responsible for magnetizing clients to you.

I’m talking about things like your brand messaging and marketing, your mission, how to position yourself, and the elements which elicit a connection with your dream clients. 

Figuring out where to start, what to focus on, and how to connect the pieces of your brand can be challenging.

That’s why I created the Magnetic Brand Blueprint Masterclass! 

Whether you’re just starting out, making a big shift, or somewhere in the middle, you’ll navigate important and avoidable branding mistakes.

I’m sharing the EXACT steps and paradigm shifts needed to create an impactful brand, take your business to the next level and not waste precious time and money on the wrong things!  

This is the ‘save-you years/decades’ approach to dial in your brand for growth and longevity.

You can watch the masterclass at: Blueprint.shawondavis.com