Hellooo my friend, happy MAY! How did we get here so fast? Thanks for being here, and welcome (if you're new) or welcome back to Vol. 003 of the Design Download! As a creative designer, maker & multi business owner for the past 10 years, I've gained a lot of knowledge on SO many different things related to branding, design & all things digital. My goal is to share my best tips that you can apply right away in your own biz.
Grab your coffee & note taking tools, let's go!🌟
VOL. 003 // APR. '24
How to maintain consistency between your brand & website
Branding, Logos, Pattern/Texture & Hand Drawn Illustrations for Made in Minny, my maker business
1. Branding first, website second
If you're tackling your own branding or rebrand, prioritize that FIRST before designing your website. It's a process that requires time and a clear system. A good rule of thumb is to establish your color palette, fonts, logos, patterns/textures, illustrations. Build out your entire brand identity system so you can easily transfer all of that over when it's time to work on your website. This sets the foundation for a cohesive online presence, ensuring you won't be staring at a blank website for hours, feeling overwhelmed!
2. Know your color palette & stick to it
Last month we talked about the importance of color palettes and I included some resources for discovering colors that connect with your brand (I love the Coolors Palette Generator). Have these colors set in stone before you even move on to editing your website. Then when it comes time to work on your site, you'll know the exact hex code #'s. You can save your colors to the back end of your website and/or save them to your Canva favorites. Take the guessing game out of it and just stick to your palette—it makes everything sooo much easier!
3. Illustrations, patterns & textures
It's time to get creative! Beyond your primary & secondary logos, you should establish some simple patterns and textures to reinforce your brand's visual identity throughout your website and social media presence. These are what add some depth and personality to your brand, so have fun with it! You can use your patterns, textures, and illustrations as backgrounds on your website banners, stories, or highlights.
Using Pinterest for your biz
Here's what it looks like when you 'Promote a Pin'. It's so so easy to set up & a great way to reach new customers who are already looking for your product or service.
1. Pin it all!
Here's the thing, you've already invested time creating content—whether it's a photo, video or graphic. Why not repurpose it and leverage this platform to expand your reach and grow your audience? It's such an underutilized space with incredible longevity—pins can last for years! I still have pins being pinned organically daily that I saved in 2016. That blows my mind!
2. Connect your IG to automatically post for you
Have you heard? Everyone NEEDS to get this set up! By connecting your IG account in your Pinterest Settings, Pinterest will seamlessly auto-pin your posts/reels from the last 30 days and continue to do so moving forward every time you share to Instagram. It's a no-brainer, and such an easy way to extend your content's reach and visibility across platforms (without having to lift a finger). Here's how: inPinterest, navigate to Settings > Claimed Accounts > Claim your Instagram
3. Promote a Pin (it's easy!)
If running an Ad on social media sounds intimidating, I totally get you—I've been there. But I have to say, promoting a pin on Pinterest is seriously easy to set up. (See the photo above for a look at what the promote a pin screen looks like.) With just a few clicks, you can select your target audience based on their interests and location, set your daily spend limit, and choose the duration of your ad campaign. It's a powerful tool to get new eyes on your business, products, and drive engagement.
How to know you're ready to invest in a brand designer
1. You're feeling the DIY burnout
Your business is growing, and you're at a place where you can't do it all anymore. You know the importance of creating a cohesive brand experience, but you're feeling overwhelmed with managing so many tasks, and you don't have the time to dedicate to DIY branding and website development. Outsourcing these tasks allows you to focus on what you love most, while your designer takes care of the heavy lifting.
2. You need a clear path forward
Ever felt like your creative journey is all over the place? A brand designer can turn your scattered ideas into a beautiful and organized brand identity system. There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to branding your biz, and you're ready to let the expert bring your ideas to life. Working with a brand designer provides the clarity and direction needed to align your brand with your business goals. If you’re craving that professional image, a crystal-clear identity, and stand-out status in your niche, these are all signs you're ready to invest!
3. A quick checklist of things you might want to have in your back pocket before hiring a brand designer
• Start by defining clear business goals, & know your ‘why’, this helps steer the creative design journey • Pinpoint your budget range to make sure you and your designer's visions align • Know your audience inside out—demographics, interests, and pain points • Lay out your brand’s core—its mission, values, and purpose—to give our collaboration a solid foundation. Know at the basic level your brand's vibe & the essence you want to convey. • If your business involves products and a website, plan ahead for product photography and prepare for a photoshoot to capture your unique products or yourself • Set a realistic timeline and reach out in ample time before your launch date! While these aren’t a requirement before investing in a designer, these essentials will help ensure your branding and design project unfolds seamlessly and you can jump into the process without overwhelm.
✦ Ready to stand out? Let's design your brand identity!
Imagine a world where your brand and website truly reflect your business's heart and soul. That's where I come in! Through purposeful and strategic branding, I'll turn your brand into a captivating story. The process is not only seamless but also fun and exciting. Your new identity will resonate with your audience, fueling both business growth and confidence. If you are ready to take the next step, click the button below to get started with me & we'll hit the ground running in May!
If you're not sure on where you stand, but you're curious about getting the ball rolling in the right direction, I'm offering FREE 30-minute Mini Strategy Sessions in May! This is such a great opportunity for you to take the first step to creating clear direction in your business. The goal of this session is to discuss your brand, website, or any specific challenges you are facing in your business. The session will be focused and collaborative, with the aim of providing actionable insights and strategies for you to move forward with in your business! You can schedule your session by clicking the button below!
That wraps up this month's edition of The Design Download! You're now stacked with some great info & resources to get started with in May. From understanding the importance of maintaining consistency between your brand and website to knowing when you're ready to invest in a brand designer, I hope you feel I've provided some valuable insights and practical tips to empower your journey. Now it's your turn to dive in, get creative, and get to work! Also, don't forget to connect your IG to Pinterest!!! Have an amazing May & I'll catch you again with VOL. 004 of The Design Download at the end of the month. Thanks for hanging with me & happy creating!
Client Branding Spotlight COURAGE & CLAY
Meet Brittany, the creative force behind Courage & Clay, a Minnesota-based maker specializing in handmade artisan clay jewelry. Courage & Clay embodies an edgy, chic, and modern aesthetic, inspired by simplicity and artisan craftsmanship. Brittany's jewelry celebrates clean lines and natural shapes, appealing to women aged 28-40 who value quality, authenticity, and timeless design.
I worked with Brittany in February & March and it was an absolute blast! Brittany opted for my Brand Intensive Journey package, the quickest option designed for established businesses ready to refresh their branding in just three days! This package is perfect for entrepreneurs who understand their brand's essence and audience, and would like to launch quickly with a comprehensive brand identity system and a clear path forward.
(and I love supporting other small business owners!) Meet Naomi. A Minnesota-based brand and website designer known for bold, modern, and artistic designs. My passion lies in crafting captivating brand narratives and inspiring others to pursue their creative dreams! Let's get creative together!
