start somewhere
You don’t have to be perfect to get started.
This is something many entrepreneurs, especially women, struggle with. We want everything to be *JUST* right before we put it out in the world.
I’m here to say again: It is OK to not spend money on professionally-designed materials when you’re first getting started. It is just fine to start with a free tool like Canva.com to create your lead magnet or other communications. You can find templates, articles, and more that will help you use basic design principles so what you create has a more professional vibe than if you just try to go-it alone.
That said… as you grow your business to the next level, you’ll want to make sure your communications grow with you. A well-designed marketing piece will align with your branding and speak to your target customer. It will elevate the impression your customers have when they first engage with your brand and draw them in to learn more about what you have to offer. Professional designers have the ability to make sure your marketing pieces do all of that.
design up(scale)
Taylor Johnson Interiors (Greenville, SC) was at that point. She had used Canva to create the lead magnet for her website a while back; it’s a free guide to shopping for durable, pet and kid-friendly fabrics and decor. Photos engage the reader, the content is valuable, and it has a basic visual appeal.
Taylor referred to this original as “sad”. Although I don’t necessarily agree with that assessment, I do think it needed a boost. The fonts don’t align with her branding, the stock photos and spacing are inconsistent in size, and the visual aesthetic is missing some of the elegance that Taylor employs in her interior design style.
So, we scaled up to better appeal to her target clients and align with her sophisticated brand. Check it out:
I replaced the stock photos with some that Taylor had of a home that she had beautifully styled. Her logo, fonts, and colors are classy and sophisticated, so by employing those in the design, it immediately gave the piece an upscale feel. I increased the white space, giving the images and text room plenty of room to breathe. The original lacked her business name, logo, and contact information, so I added a cover page with her logo and business name as well as a back page (not shown) with her website and social media icons.
Note: I changed/blurred the text in the images to protect Taylor’s valuable content. If you want her tips to everyone-proof your home, you’ll have to visit her website and sign up for her emails. (She also does virtual decorating, so she can serve you wherever you live!)
are you ready for next level design?
So, ask yourself:
Has your marketing kept up with your business? Is it time for a redesign?
I’d love to help polish your communications when you’re ready. If the time is now, let’s get started.
If you’re still in the DIY stage, I’ve linked some of my previous posts that might help you get up and running below.
Any questions? I’m happy to help! Comment below or send me a note: kate@bluesundesigns.com.
{Many thanks to Taylor for allowing me to be a part of her growing business!}
cover photo credit: Pixabay.com
