It’s only branding…

I am guilty of saying to myself, I don’t do anything exciting, it’s only branding.

And I often describe myself as a colourer innerer because, well first it makes people chuckle. And second that’s what people think Graphic Designers do they colour in. And, that is part of it but it isn’t all of it.

I tend to downplay what I do. I don’t feel like I have this amazing widget that I am selling that will solve all your problems. And I can’t quote that after working with me client X had a 500% rise in work. But I wonder, a little, if good old social media makes us think we should have a big thing that has all bells and whistles.

You may feel the same about the thing you sell, and say “well it is only x” I bet you have thought it!

Now don’t get me wrong this doesn’t mean that I am not passionate about what I do. I am absolutely totally here for it. But sometimes I’m really good at playing it down - wait I need to go work on that!

So, ok, lets have a look at what branding is then. Well we all know we need it, we know it’s important, it works for all those big brands right?

Go on 10 seconds name at least 3 brands

Ready…….go

Apple

Nike

Gap

Burger King

See branding works, we see a logo, a colour or and image and we know.

And we are loyal to our favourite brands, it may be a function, a fit we love, a taste - obviously it depends on what it is, I just want to be clear I haven’t licked my iPhone to see what it tastes like lol!

But these are also big brands, you might think how does this even apply to me, I’m just an individual not a big corporate monster.

You don’t have to be a big corporate monster - I’m envisioning Sully from Monsters Inc right now!

Branding is probably even more important for you, because now you are out there being you and trying to stand out. And the only way to stand out is to be you. And it’s hard to figure that out.

And here is where I put my cape on and my underpants on the outside of my trousers and fly to the rescue. Wait, no that was a bit over dramatised. Here I come with my “it’s only branding”

It’s looking at who you are, what your business is, who you sell to, why you do what you do, what you like, what you don’t like, how you want to be perceived, how you want to sound - yes graphics have a sound.

It isn’t a small thing it’s a lot of research, some colouring in and a package at the end. It doesn’t feel huge. It’s a small cog in your business.

But it’s also everything. It’s how you show up not just visually, confidently you, because we’ve done the work and the research and you are clear on that.

It’s not just sharing some pictures on a page. Now it’s people starting to recognise that picture, that logo, that pattern they see you and they associate it with you.

It’s showing those colours that you love, that are now built into your brand, they are the heart of what people see and it’s you, it’s your colours.

So I guess when I say “it’s only branding” I know it isn’t because it’s also really important for your business. It’s the confidence to show up as you. It’s the clarity once you know how you want to show up. It’s the space for your brain now you have this part of your business sorted. It’s the time it saves, time that you aren’t spending overthinking and time you aren’t wasting fiddling with the design.

It’s the perfect wrapper for you and it’s something that I love doing. Giving someone something that makes them feel like themselves again, brings back that smile to their face and lets them relax knowing everything is sorted. Now that is the thing I am really passionate about.

Hopefully I have convinced you (and myself) that branding is important and you think that it may be a good time to look at your branding, you can find out more about working with me here.