If you would have asked me when I was first getting started when the best time to invest in your brand was… I would give you a different answer than the one I’m sharing today. I used to believe that branding was only for big names and multi-billion dollar corporations – Nike, Apple, etc. But WOW, was I wrong! 

The thing is… I was thinking about branding all wrong. 

I had this idea that it was just about the visual design and required investing thousands of dollars in a logo and fancy website (which I didn't have when I was just starting out). 

But what I’ve learned over time about branding, is that it’s not just about the visuals. And the earlier you can start developing your brand the better! 

So ... where do you start if not with the visuals??? 

You start with your brand foundations – your brand personality, your vision and mission, your brand values, your brand's audience, your messaging, your position in the market ... these are all examples of brand foundations. 

Note, nothing in that list was a visual representation of your brand … because that’s not where we begin. 

The earlier you can determine the foundations of your brand, the clearer you will come across to your audience through your marketing efforts, and the more excited and ready they will be to hire you!  

When to Start Designing Your Visual Brand

Even though visuals aren't the starting place, they are still an important part of your brand that will need attention after you've established your brand foundations. Luckily you have a variety of options to suit your needs, budget, and desired outcome. 

If you're starting with limited funds, then my Brand Bundle system is perfect for you! I’ve created unique and customizable visual brand identities based on my archetypes system that make it easy for you to build a beautiful and professional brand in Canva.

Not only that, but this system comes complete with digital and print collateral templates – including lead magnets, social graphics, brochures, workbooks and more. 

If you have yet to discover your brand archetype, take my free quiz here. 

I wish I had something like this when I was first starting out!!  

Another option is to invest in a brand that is completely, 100% customized. While this is a great option for entrepreneurs who've been in business for a while, it’s not necessary when you’re just starting out. First, I recommend making sure you can consistently implement your brand foundations, attract a consistent stream of clients, and grow your business. That way, you know that your investment will be worthwhile, and won’t completely drain you financially. 

Final Thoughts

The best time to invest in your brand foundations (not your visual brand) is as soon as possible! Especially before you begin marketing your business through social media, networking, or any other platform. And absolutely before investing in your website! 

One of the biggest mistakes I see entrepreneurs make is they put the cart before the horse by investing in marketing and their website before they've set their brand foundations. So how do they come off to their audience? CONFUSING! And that’s no good. 

The sooner your brand foundations are solid, the better your website and marketing efforts will work for you, and the faster you'll be able to start attracting clients because your audience will understand who you are and how you can help them. 

More Branding Resources

To help you even more, I compiled a list of blog posts I’ve written in the past that may help answer some more of your questions. Check them out below:

• 6 Questions to Help You Decide if Now is the Right Time to Invest in Your Brand
• Your Brand’s Visual Identity: 10 Visual Branding Must-Haves for Service-Based Entrepreneurs
• 5 Things You Need Before Investing in Your Logo

And once you’re ready to officially get started (or finally get on the right track without the overwhelm), then I’m here to support you in creating a purposeful, archetypal brand that makes money AND makes a difference. Explore how we can work together here.