Built an online business to replace a full-time salary in less than 2 years. Spent endless hours on google, pinterest, facebook groups following “gurus” and “coaches” learning the ins and outs of selling a service and monetizing online channels.
A word that gets thrown around so willy-nilly in the online space is Branding. “Brand Designers” will tell you that you need to spend $600 on a mood board full of free stock imagery (true story) – while others will tell you that you need a logo, website and business cards before you can sell.
This blog will break down the top 3 lies about branding and how the Elev8 Method actively combats these lies that plague the online space.
Lie One: You need a logo and website before starting your business.
Truth: If you do this before you ever serve clients you’re wasting time and money. Having a logo/website is NOT what will create clients or profit for your business. I have worked with clients who have made tens of thousands of dollars using only a paypal link before even considering things like websites and logos. Experience working with clients is the best leverage you have to carve out your corner of the market. Once you’ve clearly identified who you like working with, who you best serve, an ironclad content strategy and are consistently closing clients into your offer, then, and only then is a good time to consider investing in brand development.
At Elev8 Designs Co. we have products and offerings for entrepreneurs at every stage of their business. From just starting out all the way to our top-tier Elev8 Brand Package. The top-tier package is only offered through an application process because we believe it is unethical to sell professional branding under the guise that it will bring you more clients. How’s that for transparency?
Lie Two: As long as your marketing looks good, the rest doesn’t matter…
Truth: You’ve seen the iceberg picture right? Where there is just a small tip above the water, but exponentially more iceberg anchoring it in place under the surface. That’s how you can think of branding. Aesthetic excellence in branding is the tip of the iceberg, it’s beautiful and eye-catching, you want to take photos, post it all over social media and share it with the world – but without everything beneath the surface – that iceberg would cease to exist.
Offering a branding package without acknowledging the strategy and visionary expansion behind the aesthetics is not only irresponsible, it’s incomplete. The first step of every Elev8 Package includes 1:1 Brand Consulting.
Lie Three: “I’m brand new, I don’t need branding, yet!”
Truth: You don’t need a logo, website or other professionally made “brand assets” yet!. Correct. However, you DO need a brand. Like a baby needing different supports and systems in place as they grow to be a toddler, then a child, then a teenager… Your business is a baby – and it requires different supports and systems as it grows too. There are layers to branding and it’s never “done”. Every piece of content you create, every new offer that is released, how you speak to your clients will all reflect your brand. Understanding the foundational principles to branding is not only important, it is essential.
We don’t believe in selling just to sell. Different tiers and offers ensure that all of Elev8 Designs Co. clients will receive the tools, strategies and guidance that meets them where they are at.
So, there you have it – 3 Lies you’re being told about branding. Did we miss something? What else would you add to this list?
