Why 80% of New Businesses Fail to Nail Their Brand (and How to Be in the Winning 20%)
+ Free Hot Seat Feedback on Your Brand From Me
Are you stuck in the conundrum as you’re starting a new business about how much time and energy to invest in your brand at launch?
Or the fine line of realizing your obsession with your new brand is just taking too long and holding up the show. (Spoiler: Usually because you’re not clear on your audience or idea.)
The truth is most new businesses have a lot of moving parts and doing the brand visuals often becomes just a line item, most people rush it and never go back to fix it. (This is what the 80% are doing and it shows.)
However, it’s also actually hard to create a brand, most designers are not skilled or trained in creating a brand from zero. I’ve worked with hundreds of designers over the past 25 years. Even really experienced, great and expensive designers who are NOT brand specialists. 🤯
Here are a few brand hacks to get you ahead of the early brand stage game:
Get a great name.
Spend hours getting this right if you have too. Sleep on it and ask anyone who is likely to be your customer their thoughts. Namelix is my go to best kept secret AI business name generator, hands down.
Discover a brand style you love and use it.
Pinterest has the best brand styling images on the internet. Search ‘xyz’ brand (e.g minimalist, sporty, classy, green). Pick something special and suitable, and use that as a reference for yourself, or with designer. Do not try to be tricky.
Make it your own.
Use the Pinterest image and copy it in Canva or Looka. Colour drop the colours, choose a font that’s similar. Keep icons minimal or none at all. Obviously don't copy a brand in your existing niche. 😂
Your brand from day one needs to boost your confidence, not make you cringe.
If people say it needs to be better.. it probably does and you’re not seeing it. Not everyone is visual and into design. Get feedback and don’t be precious about it. Get it on point so it resonates with your audience.
PS ✈️ Get some free jet fuel
I’m happy to give anyone feedback on their brand visuals. CLICK HERE to post a Hot Seat request in my substack comments, and I’ll give you a full blast of brand magic: I’ll make a loom for you with my feedback on your brand.
🔥 HOW TO GET IN THE HOT SEAT: I need a link to your brand, I need to know your ideal audience, and if it's a low, medium or high ticket price point. (If you don't know those answers, post anyway and I'll guide you - but start finding the answers asap!)