5 Biggest Mistakes When Building An Online Brand

Are you struggling to build your online brand from scratch? Do you find it challenging to design your logo and create a clear brand message before putting it out to social media? In this article, we'll be looking at the five biggest mistakes people make when building their online brand.

The first mistake is not identifying your ideal client. It's crucial to know who you serve and what problems you solve. The second mistake is not having a clear brand message. Your colours, logos, and strapline should convey what you do and who you serve. The third mistake is overspending on branding. You can outsource your design work on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or 99designs without breaking the bank. The fourth mistake is making it too complicated. Simplicity is key when it comes to branding. The fifth mistake is striving for perfection. Progression over perfection is the way to go.

Key Takeaways

• Identify your ideal client and what problems you solve
• Create a clear brand message
• Keep it simple and avoid overspending on branding

Identifying Your Ideal Client

One of the biggest mistakes I see when people start building their online brand is that they are not sure about who they serve. It's crucial to identify your ideal client early on in the process because it will help you create targeted messaging and content that resonates with them.

If you are still unclear on who your ideal client is, you can start by finding your "why". This will help you identify your passion and why you do what you do. Once you have a clear idea of your why, you can start to identify who you serve and what problems you solve.

The key is to be able to clearly identify what you do and who you serve. This will give you an advantage over those who can't because you will be able to create messaging that speaks directly to your ideal client.

When identifying your ideal client, it's important to consider factors such as age, gender, location, income, interests, and pain points. This will help you create content that resonates with them and makes them feel understood.

Once you have identified your ideal client, you need to understand how to get in front of them. This means identifying the channels they use and creating content that speaks to them on those channels.

Overall, identifying your ideal client is crucial to building a successful online brand. It will help you create targeted messaging and content that resonates with your audience and ultimately leads to more conversions.

Creating a Clear Brand Message

One of the biggest mistakes I see when building an online brand is not having a clear brand message. Your brand message includes your colours, logos, strap line, and the actual message that you put in front of your ideal client. It is essential that your ideal client understands exactly what you do and that you are the solution to their needs.

When starting an online company, most of your messaging will be in your logo, fonts, colour palettes, and copy. As we are not face to face with our customers and potential clients, it is important to learn good copy to get your messaging super clear and in front of them at the right point in time. Think of a brand that you love interacting with, like Apple. Every time you see an email or interact with that brand, it gives you a warm fuzzy feeling that you're going to get a great product and a great customer experience. You and your brand need to be this solution to your ideal client.

Spending way too much money on branding is another mistake that small business owners make. Some spend thousands of pounds outsourcing branding to a specialist, which is a big mistake because most small business owners don't have that cash flow right at the start. It's great if you can afford that, but you're not going to see that return on investment from the get-go. Especially for solopreneurs or micro business owners, you need to watch that cash flow, get some income, and manage those outgoings. To get started, get something up and running, and you can always rebrand at a later date.

To create a clear brand message, keep your brief simple, your design simple, and your logo super simple. With simplicity comes consistency, and you need to be consistent in this game. If you try to overcomplicate things, it's going to be hard to keep up with the output. There are some really simple solutions that you can Google to outsource your branding to a specialist, such as Fiverr, Upwork, and 99designs. Keep your guidelines clear and your budget in mind. Try to ask these experts for some of their previous work so you can cross-reference with what styles you like, what work you've liked, and what you didn't like.

Remember, you don't have to get it perfect; you just have to get it done. Pull the trigger on a simple brand, and you can always invest money at a later date and rebrand down the line.

Avoid Overspending on Branding

As a brand owner, it's important to have a clear brand message that resonates with your ideal client. However, overspending on branding can be a common mistake that many small business owners make. Spending thousands of pounds on outsourcing branding to a specialist may not be feasible for everyone, especially for solopreneurs or micro business owners who need to manage their cash flow.

Instead of overspending on branding, you can opt for simple solutions that won't break the bank. Freelance platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and 99designs offer affordable branding options, where you can outsource your branding to a specialist at a reasonable cost. You can also create a challenge on 99designs, where you can invite brand specialists to design your brand. This way, you can shortlist a few designs and select the winner to work with you to design your brand.

When outsourcing your branding, it's important to keep your brief simple and straightforward. You should give clear guidelines on what you want and what your budget is. Simple logos and designs are often more effective as they are easier to remember and recognise. Consistency is key, so keep your branding consistent across all your channels.

In conclusion, overspending on branding can be a big mistake for small business owners. Instead of spending thousands of pounds on outsourcing to a specialist, opt for affordable solutions like freelance platforms. Keep your branding simple and consistent to make it easier for your ideal client to remember and recognise your brand.

Keeping It Simple

When it comes to building an online brand, it's easy to get caught up in all the details and end up spending way too much time and money on branding. However, one of the biggest mistakes I see people make is overcomplicating things.

Simplicity is key when it comes to branding. You want to keep your logo, colours, and messaging simple and easy to understand. This is especially important since most online businesses rely on copy and messaging to get their message across to potential clients.

That's why I recommend using simple branding platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or 99designs to outsource your branding needs. These platforms allow you to find affordable freelancers who can help you create a simple yet effective brand that will resonate with your ideal client.

Remember, you don't have to get everything perfect right away. Progression over perfection is key. Just get your brand up and running with a simple design, and you can always invest more money and rebrand later down the line.

In summary, when building your online brand, focus on keeping it simple. Identify your ideal client, create a clear brand message, and keep your branding simple and consistent. Don't overcomplicate things or strive for perfection. Just get it done and move forward.

Choosing the Right Platform for Outsourcing

When it comes to outsourcing your branding, there are plenty of platforms to choose from. In this article, I'll go over a few options and offer some tips on how to choose the right one for your needs.

One popular platform for outsourcing is Fiverr. This is a freelance platform where you can find branding experts who can help you with your logo, fonts, and color palettes. It's important to give them clear guidelines and budget so they can deliver the results you want. Another platform is Upwork, which is similar to Fiverr but offers a wider range of freelancers.

If you want to get several designers to compete for your business, you can try out 99designs. This platform allows you to create a challenge where designers can submit their ideas for your brand. You can then shortlist the ones you like and work with the winner to finalize your branding.

It's important to keep your brief simple and your design super simple. With simplicity comes consistency, and you need to be consistent in your branding. Don't overcomplicate things, or it will be hard to keep up with the output. A simple logo and name, like the ones used by Kajabi, can be effective in building your brand.

Remember, you don't have to strive for perfection. Progression is more important than perfection, so don't get bogged down in analysis paralysis. Just pull the trigger on a simple brand and move on. You can always invest more money and rebrand down the line if necessary.

In summary, there are several platforms you can use to outsource your branding, including Fiverr, Upwork, and 99designs. Keep your brief and design simple, and don't strive for perfection. Choose the platform that best fits your needs and budget, and get started building your brand today.

Consistency and Simplicity in Branding

When it comes to building an online brand, consistency and simplicity are two key factors that can make or break your success. Consistency refers to the need to maintain a uniform message and image across all platforms and channels. This means that your brand should have a clear and consistent message, tone, and visual identity that resonates with your target audience.

One way to achieve consistency in your branding is to create a brand style guide. This guide should include your brand's logo, colour palette, typography, imagery, and any other visual elements that will be used consistently across all platforms. By having a clear and consistent visual identity, you can help your audience recognise and remember your brand.

Simplicity, on the other hand, refers to the need to keep your branding simple and easy to understand. This means that you should avoid overcomplicating your message or visual identity. Instead, focus on creating a clear and concise message that resonates with your target audience.

When it comes to designing your brand's visual identity, simplicity is key. This means that you should avoid using too many colours, fonts, or design elements. Instead, focus on creating a clean and simple design that is easy to recognise and remember.

In summary, consistency and simplicity are two key factors that can help you build a successful online brand. By maintaining a consistent message and visual identity, and by keeping your branding simple and easy to understand, you can help your audience recognise and remember your brand.

Progression Over Perfection

As an online brand owner, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is striving for perfection. While it's important to have a clear brand message and identity, you don't have to get it perfect from the start. In fact, I believe that progression is more important than perfection.

Many brand owners spend way too much time and money on branding, trying to get everything just right before launching. This can lead to analysis paralysis and delay the launch of your brand. Instead, focus on getting something up and running that you can build upon over time.

One way to do this is to start with a simple brand identity. Keep your logo, colors, and messaging simple and consistent. This will help you establish a clear brand identity without getting bogged down in the details.

Another way to prioritize progression over perfection is to be open to feedback and iteration. Launching your brand is just the beginning, and you will have plenty of opportunities to refine and improve your brand over time. Listen to your customers and take their feedback into account as you continue to grow and evolve your brand.

In summary, don't let the pursuit of perfection hold you back from launching your online brand. Focus on progression, keep things simple, and be open to feedback and iteration. With time and effort, your brand will evolve and grow into something great.

Conclusion

In conclusion, building an online brand can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. By avoiding the five biggest mistakes that I have outlined, you can set yourself up for success. Firstly, it is crucial to identify who your ideal client is and what problems you solve for them. This will allow you to create messaging that resonates with your target audience and put yourself in front of them.

Secondly, having a clear brand message is key to building trust with your audience. This includes your colours, logos, strapline, and copy. Keeping it simple and consistent will help you stand out in a crowded market.

Thirdly, spending too much money on branding can be a huge mistake, especially for small business owners. There are many affordable options available, such as Fiverr, Upwork, and 99designs, that can help you create a professional-looking brand without breaking the bank.

Fourthly, overcomplicating your branding can lead to inconsistency and confusion. Keeping it simple and easy to understand will help you stay on track and avoid analysis paralysis.

Finally, striving for perfection can hold you back from launching your brand. Remember, progression over perfection. Get your brand out there and refine it as you go.

By avoiding these five mistakes, you can build a strong online brand that resonates with your target audience and helps you achieve your business goals. Remember to keep it simple, stay focused on your ideal client, and don't be afraid to take action. With these tips, you can create a brand that stands out in a crowded market and helps you achieve success.