Building your brand is not an easy feat – it’s going to take time and likely some money to do well. While there’s never a completely perfect time to invest in building your brand, there are some things you need to consider before you decide to take the leap and invest your precious time and hard-earned money in the branding process. 

Preparing yourself with honest answers to these questions will help you move forward at the right time, so you can create an authentic and impactful brand with more clarity and less overwhelm.

Before we get started, let’s get some clarity. I’m a Brand Strategist and a business owner, and I’ve been where you are now. I understand that you want to make smart investments in your business, and I know there’s a right order in which to build the most successful business you can. And, while I believe that every business needs a professional and authentic brand to maximize their profit and impact, there are some situations where investing in your brand isn’t the smartest choice.

As a Brand Strategist for over a decade, I’ve worked with countless clients on building their brands, whether through private client work or my Impact Tribe membership – so I’ve learned over the years what you really need before you start the branding process. 

So, let’s get into it. Here are the six questions you need to ask yourself to help decide if now is the right time to invest in your brand. 

Are you ready to build your brand?

There’s a common misconception that branding is reserved for multi-billion dollar corporations like Nike and Apple, and that small businesses either can’t afford to build a brand, or that building a brand won’t help them grow. And let me just say, all of those things are false.

Branding is extremely valuable for small, service-based businesses because it gives you clear guidance on how to show up as the face of your brand and create a memorable experience that you’ll become known for. 

But on the flip side, you do need to have a basic understanding of who you’ll serve, what problem you’ll help them overcome and how you’ll help them overcome it. Without these things in place, you won’t be able to build a brand at all, let alone an impactful one. So, if you’re unsure about your ideal client, what you’ll help them with and the approach/tool/strategy you’ll use to ensure they get results, then it’s best to get clear on those things first.

What is your price range for branding?

You have a few different options, and price ranges, when it comes to building your visual brand. First, you can work one-on-one with a brand designer. This will be done-for-you work where someone else will create your visual brand identity for you. 

This option might be ideal for those who are considering a rebrand rather than building their brand for the first time, or for someone who knows the foundations of their brand very well, and can easily communicate them to a designer. These visual brand-identity packages can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars, to upwards of five or even six figures. 

However, most entrepreneurs who are just starting out don’t have a few extra thousand dollars laying around to invest in their brand, so if this is you, you’re not alone.

And, this doesn’t mean you can’t afford branding.

You can get every single thing you need to build your brand with the right steps, in the right order, and regular guidance along the way, for just $79 inside the Impact Tribe! 

We have a library of 10+ courses covering everything you need to know to build your brand’s foundational elements, including uncovering your brand personality and values, building your brand story, clarifying your ideal client, deciding on your core offer(s), writing a persuasive marketing message, writing your website copy, and more. 

Not only that, but we also have customizable Brand Bundles that you can use to create a beautiful, professional and authentic brand in Canva. Our brand bundles are designed specifically for each of the 12 Brand Archetypes. If you have yet to discover your brand archetype, take the free quiz here. 

Plus, when you add in the community of like-minded women on a similar path, plus access to over 100 recorded trainings, daily fill-in-the-blank social media captions, and more… This is truly an invaluable resource to have on your branding journey. Learn more and join us here!

Are you thinking about creating a website, or having a website done for you?

Before you can build a website for your business, you need to clarify your brand. Your brand sets the foundation and makes up the building blocks for your website.

The way your website looks, sounds, and the experience it creates for your visitors, is what determines if they stick around and buy, and that is all determined by your brand. If you’re thinking about investing in a new website, the smart decision is to invest in your brand first. For some more in-depth insight into what you need before investing in your website, check out this blog post.

Are you thinking about spending time and/or money marketing your business? 

I like to think of branding and marketing like best friends or your favorite power couple – they can technically survive without each other, but they're so much stronger and more impactful when they come together.

⬇ PIN IT ⬇ 

Branding is the experience potential clients have when they come in contact with your business through your marketing activities. Your brand experience is made up of things like your personality, values, opinions, and philosophy expressed through visuals and messaging that send a clear and consistent message to the world. Marketing activities are the places where your business comes in contact with potential clients. For example public speaking, Facebook ads, social media, webinars, YouTube, etc.

Marketing without solid branding won’t do much good because, while potential clients might see you, they’ll be much less likely to think you’re credible, understand how you can help them or remember you later when they need your service.

In order to create the impact you set out to create, make the income you deserve, and feel the fulfillment that comes with running a successful business on your terms, you need to first have a completely dialed in brand, and then market it while staying consistent with your brand guidelines! For more insight into how branding and marketing work together, check out this blog post.

Are you willing to be seen and get vulnerable?

You can invest in the most amazing brand in the world, but once it’s created, you must show up as the face of your brand to make it work for you! This means being real, open, and honest through the stories you share on your website, blog, social media and video. If you aren’t willing and ready to show up as the face of your brand and really put yourself out there, then there is essentially no point in having a brand. 

For potential clients to choose to invest in your programs and services, they must FIRST, know you, like you and trust you. In order for clients to truly know you, they must know what you stand for. So, transparency and honesty is key in sharing why you’re in business, what you do, and who you serve. You will best be able to communicate all of these things through the vulnerability you show up with as the face of your brand.

Do you want to scale your brand to something larger?

Branding is essential for business owners who want to escalate their income, build a stand-out online and offline presence and make a global impact delivering their message.

But, if your goal is to keep your business small and low-key, just working with a handful of one-on-one clients, then investing in your visual brand might not be a necessary decision. You can probably achieve this and feel fulfilled through your work simply with referrals from friends, family and happy clients.

If you’re ready to build your brand following the right steps, in the right order, and creating something that’s completely unique and authentic to you… then I invite you to check out the Impact Tribe! For just $79 per month, you get access to a library of courses, bi-weekly coaching calls, templates for building your brand, and so much more. Check it out here!