How to Know if You're Ready to Work With a Professional Designer
Hiring a professional in any situation will always have pose the question “Is this really worth the investment?”
As a small business owner myself, I know and understand how difficult it can be to “check every box” in the beginning stages of starting your business. There is SO MUCH to do, and when you start digging in to research what you really need to invest in, almost every service available will claim that what they offer is the most essential investment necessary to start off on the right foot. Every business is different, and there is no absolute timeline for when it’s appropriate to outsource certain services. We know this can be tricky to navigate, so we’ve compiled a list of factors to consider when you’re on the fence.
No matter what stage your business is in, branding is the face of your business. Here are a few signs that you’re ready to invest in working with a professional designer:
You want a brand that represents your business well & stands out in a saturated market.
Are you craving a more consistent and professional look throughout your social media accounts, website, and packaging but you aren’t sure how to achieve that on your own? If you scroll through instagram enough, you will start to see a trend among small businesses and the visual elements that represent them online. If it bothers you to see other businesses with extremely similar logos, templates, or other brand visuals, it’s probably time to invest in a professional to create something completely custom and unique for your business.
Your website, packaging, and marketing materials should FEEL like you. This is achieved through patterns, illustrations, and use of color that has been uniquely crafted to appeal to your ideal audience and reflect your values + voice. When you opt out of professional branding, you’re not just cutting down on cost - you’re missing out on what will make you stand out, and ultimately what will drive profits in your business. Your business is worth it!
2. You’re struggling to book clients or sell products with your current brand and online presence.
Here’s the biggest misconception about branding: it’s not about just stringing something together that “looks good”
Most professional designers have spent a decent amount of time developing a fully fleshed out and strategic approach to what we create for our clients. My process begins with a thorough evaluation of my client’s vision for their business through a questionnaire, style research, market analysis, and competitor overview. This ensures that we formulate a brand that not only speaks to your audience, but is strategically designed to stand out from your competition.
Your product or service could be incredible, but if your brand doesn’t reflect that, your audience will be less willing to book or pay premium prices. Our world is online. Nobody wants to shop from a website that feels sketchy. People spend more time on websites or social media accounts that are well put together. Consumers rave about brands that pay attention to detail in order to maximize their client experiences. People trust and build recognition with brands that have a consistent visual presence.
3. You feel like you’re spending a lot of time on developing your own brand
Your time is your most valuable asset! You should be directing it towards your strengths. While DIY’ing design elements is a great option for many business owners on a budget, it is extremely time consuming. Do you feel like you constantly update your brand visuals because you have new ideas and the final product never fully satisfies your vision? Inconsistency can be devastating to your brand. Let us help direct you and bring your vision to life!
Do any of these sound like you? We know your business is like your baby & that it’s incredibly stressful to find someone you trust with it. We take the time to really get to know you so that we can create something that not only fits your vision, but is also strategically built to GROW your business!