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Starting a business is exciting, but let’s be honest – it can also be nerve-wracking.

One of the biggest challenges? Making your brand look legit when you’re just starting out.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re wearing all the hats in your business and you’re trying to keep up with a million tasks every day. And on top of all that, you need to create a brand that looks professional and trustworthy.

As a designer, I’ve worked with many new entrepreneurs who felt stuck at this stage. They knew their brand mattered, but weren’t sure where to begin. That’s why I’ve put together this article.

In the next few sections, we’ll go through the main parts of branding that really make a difference in how people see your business. These are things you can start working on right away to build a brand that feels true to you and connects with the people you want to reach.

So let’s dig in:

1. Determine the Main Emotions Behind Your Brand

Understanding the emotions you want your brand to evoke helps set the tone for how it will look, feel, and sound. It’s the foundation of everything you’ll create.

But how do you figure out what those emotions should be?

Start by thinking about your ideal client. What are they struggling with? What do they hope to achieve? Then, imagine how you want them to feel when they encounter your brand online. Do you want them to feel confident? Relieved? Inspired? Empowered? These emotions will become the heart of your brand.

For example, if you’re a life coach, maybe you want your clients to feel motivated and capable of achieving their dreams. If you’re a virtual assistant, perhaps you want your clients to feel organized and in control of their business.

These feelings will guide everything about your brand – from the colors you choose to the words you use on your website. They’ll help you create a consistent experience that resonates with your ideal clients.

Remember, you’re not just selling a service – you’re selling a feeling, an experience. When you’re clear on the emotions you want to evoke, it becomes much easier to create a brand that truly connects with your audience.

Here a few words you can choose from as inspiration:

2. Is Your Brand More High-End or More Accessible?

This isn’t just about your prices. It’s about the whole experience you’re offering your potential clients. There’s no right or wrong answer. It all depends on what you want for your business and who you’re trying to reach.

A high-end brand might focus on luxury, quality and personalized service. A more accessible brand might highlight affordability, ease of use, and being available to everyone.

Your choice here will shape a lot about your brand:

• How you price your services and products
• The way you talk about your business
• How your packaging or website looks
• The kind of client service you offer

Remember, you’re not stuck in one lane forever. Lots of successful brands start one way and shift as they grow. The important thing is to have a clear idea now, so you can make choices that fit together as you build your brand.

3. Be Super Specific About the Colors and Fonts You Use

Colors and fonts shape how people see your brand.

When picking colors, think about the feelings you want to create for your clients.

Blue often feels trustworthy and calm. Red can be energetic and bold. Green might make people think of growth or nature. Yellow usually feels cheerful and bright.

Choose a few colors (aim for 3-8) that work well together and fit your brand’s personality.

Don’t stress about getting it perfect right away. Start with colors that match the feelings you want for your brand. You can always tweak them as you go along.

For fonts, keep it simple. Using too many fonts can actually make your brand look messy. So pick two or three fonts that are easy to read and look good together. Use them everywhere – your website, social media posts, business cards, the works.

The key here is to stick with it. Using the same colors and fonts everywhere helps create a look that feels put-together and professional.

4. Pick Imagery That Matches the Vibe of Your Brand

Look for images that match your brand’s style and the emotions you want to evoke. If you want people to feel calm and focused when they work with you, go for soothing colors and uncluttered scenes. If you’re all about energy and motivation, look for bright images that get people pumped.

The main thing is to keep it consistent. All your visuals should look like they belong together, whether they’re on your website or social media.

Remember, the images you choose are a powerful way to communicate your brand’s personality so take your time selecting them. My favourite places to get images is on Elevae (which is premium) and Pexels(which is free).

5. Nail down how your brand sounds

Picture your brand as a person. How would they talk? What kind of words would they use? Would they be formal or casual? Serious or funny? Excited or calm?

Your brand voice should fit with the feelings you identified earlier and the overall style of your brand.

The key is to keep it the same everywhere. Your audience should feel like they’re hearing from the same “person” whether they’re reading your Instagram post, your email, or the words on your website.

Here are some tips for creating and using your brand voice:

• Write like you talk. It’s easier to keep it up when you’re being natural.
• Make a list of words or phrases that fit your brand voice (and ones that don’t).
• Read what you write out loud. Does it sound like you?
• Keep it similar across all platforms

Building a brand that looks and feels legit takes time. It’s okay to start small and refine as you go.

And as you work on your brand, don’t be scared to ask for opinions from people you trust. Sometimes another person’s view can help you notice things you missed.

And if you’d like to hire a professional to do this, then sign up for a Design Clarity Hour Session where I’ll audit your brand and give you direction.

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