What is a brand? A brand is what represents exactly what you do. It is your symbol and first and foremost it is how you are recognized. In reading this I presume you already realise how important a well -considered and developed brand actually is.
So, the big question, how do I visually define my brand?
Step 1:
Well, it all starts somewhere, often somewhere really vague and uncertain. From this starting block you will be able to pull out elements that will come together to create and define your brand. The best way to start is by mood boarding. (Check out my recent guest post for Knead to Dough:Creating A Brand Moodboard.)
This is your opportunity to research in a super fun way. What brands do you love? What do you think works well together and most importantly what reflects your brand’s theme?
Step 2:
What are you trying to portray? Consider your brand’s content, you want to be displaying a clear message. After all, if we have no idea what your blog or business is about, what will draw us in? This is really important and something not to be missed! Your findings may look gorgeous but they are worthless if they don’t do the job well – sorry, sometimes we have to be a little ruthless!
Step 3:
My next task for you is to write down the first five words that come to mind when you think about your brand. This is a really useful exercise to pull out your initial imagery and feelings.
Now it’s time to reflect that in your mood board, whether that’s a collage stuck to your wall or a board on Pinterest, I would love you to spend 15 minutes really considering how you can visually portray these words through images.
Step 4:
Your brand is starting to come together! It’s time to narrow down everything you have collected, it’s time to really pinpoint exactly what reflects your brand.
What colours are most suitable? What keeps it clear and simple? Is there one specific signature element? Identify the odd ones out because, although they might look pretty, we don’t need to be hanging on to things that aren’t going to help rocket our brand – which WILL happen by the way!
Step 5:
We now have one remaining style. I want you to look at what’s left and ask yourself if that really represents your brand? Is it coherent and consistent? If yes – YAY, well done!!! If it’s a no, re-address step 4 and consider other elements you might narrow down to. Sometimes this takes a bit of time. There are so many options and its totally normal to not pick the best one first, stick at it – you’ll get there!
Step 6:
Form a modified mood board, these are your final elements that you feel visually represent your brand and express your brand’s personality – yes, your brand has feelings too!
You now have a wonderful resource to constantly fall back to which expresses exactly what you do and how you do it. Maybe you’re having a mind blank and need some inspiration to write, maybe you’re feeling slightly un-attached or maybe you’re just so pleased with what you have produced you cant’ stop going back to it! Whatever it is, it’s a fabulous resource to have and a wonderful way to keep a consistent and strong brand for the world to see!
There is no one way to define your brand style but, I hope these simple steps make it that little bit simpler, clearer and far more exciting!
Get your hands on your FREE brand board template:
Very nice thread. This has motivated me to start focusing on making my brand visually appealing. Thank you!
Thank you. 🙂 If you ever need a hand, you know where to find me!
Very helpful, sometimes it’s hard to put our brand name into words and ideas into a marketable platform
I totally agree, it’s a process of truly understanding your brand and audience to create designs that work.
I love this, thanks so much for the tips. Definitely going to use the board.
Yes, please do! It collates everything in a much more usable way! 🙂
Thank you for sharing. Great post.
My pleasure, I hope you can take away some tips to define your brand style!
Whoa! However your work is good. You write really well.
Thanks, thats lovely to hear!
Wonderful sharing! Thank you very much for this amazing article. What a good post and I love your good written I will show this to my friends. Glad that you share this
Thanks, Nancy!
Great post, although I don’t consider myself to have a brand I know my girlfriend who is a blogger will find this useful! Will have to pass it on to her!
Hi Scott, thanks for passing this on to her. I hope she finds it super useful!
Thanks for sharing this post. Some great tips here…plus any excuse for a mood board!! lol
Rach – https://rachaelhope.co.uk/
Yes, I love a good mood board!!!
O thanks for this….. It’s going to be my guide building a brand…. I miss no. 4 as i am excited and just throw everything into it….. I need to weed out…..
I have to admit, I could spend all day and night working on my own brand, it’s exciting – I love it! But, its definitely worth taking the time to do it properly! I hope this aids your brand design process and feel free to reach out if you need any advice!
Love the mood board suggestion, never heard of that before. I do have a vision board though.
Vision boards are also really useful tools. Thank Evelyn!
Thank you for sharing! Never thought of a mood board!
Give them a go, you’ll become addicted to mood boarding! I also think Pinterest is a wonderful way too create mood boards.
very helpful! thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome, I am glad you’ve found the post useful!
Defining a brand is a difficult process and very vital for the success of the company. Very useful article especially I am trying to work on my online store. 🙂
Thank you Nina, you are completely correct. Please feel free to reach out if you are after advice or need a hand. 🙂
The step 2 got my attention. One must always strive to consider the content and message of ones brand before one can successfully define it.
For sure! After all, if we don’t know our brand message, how are we expect to create successful design.
Learned so much from this. And will follow some of it. Thanks!
Thanks, Ann! 🙂
Interesting stuff on here. I have never even thought of my brand as such you have started me thinking.
Im so glad I’ve got you thinking, Robert. It’s well worth putting some time and consideration into how you present your brand, visually. Do shout if you need a hand doing so!
Did exactly everything you said to do! I can honestly say I have recentered myself, I was getting kinda lost with my blog, now I know what I’m doing again! Thanks!
Hi Brii, this is AMAZING! It’s lovely to hear you putting it into practice and I am glad it has paid off!
I really would want to define my brand so bad. Here is where your post comes in handy, very timely indeed. Thanks for sharing such a great post.
Hi Sheena, just drop me a message if you want some added guidance! Enjoy defining your brand. I’d love to see how it turns out!
Great tips. I learned a lot of new things from your article. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Neil, thanks! I am glad you were able to learn something.
Thank you so much for all these tips! Sometimes it’s hard to really narrow down your brand, but it’s important if you want to stand out in a specific niche!
That’s exactly it! Everyone can have a ‘nice’ brand but to creating a truly successful one is what will make you stand out.
Thanks for these tips. Your post helped a lot and now I’ll be able to present my travel blog in a better way.
Hi, I am so glad I have been able to help. I’d love to see how it goes for you! 🙂
Finding a name for brand and suitable logo is very difficult. One needs to be creative and think beyond the horizon. Great post.
Thanks! Although it may seem difficult, if you pick it a part, determine your target audience and follow these simple steps, it becomes very doable.
Build up a brand is really not easy!
I hope these steps have made it easier for you. 🙂