Seriously in Business: Brand + Design, Marketing and Business

Have you actually thought it through properly?

I know I hadn't.

There's more to running your business than performing your product or service.

A key factor in long-lasting business success is thinking the real stuff through...

• Do you KNOW your audience?
• How do you want your business to grow?
• WHY does it exist?
• What makes you different from your competitors?

Thinking things like this through is really the OPPOSITE of a good time for me.

I'm more of a "dive right in and figure it out later".

But I've come to learn this stuff is actually necessary and it can make for a more solid business - and in particular - a stand out, successful and long-lasting business.

So, before you design. Before you open Canva. Before you even decide on your business name...take some time to sit down and think. And dream. And plan.

In this episode of Design Hacks for DIYers I sit down with my first international guest, Tasha from Duraca Strategic, as we discuss what you need to think about before you start designing graphics for your business.

We discuss:

• Most important things to think about when starting your biz.

• How to approach design and what to think about BEFORE you begin.

• How to avoid wasting time rebranding.

• Not comparing yourself to others.

Connect with Tasha at her website here: duracastrategic.com

Or follow her on Instagram: @duraca.strategic

Life gets busy, funds are tights and you're caring for a little tacker - how do you manage upskilling for your business at the same time!?

In this episode I chat with Photographer Peta on her experience of what it's been like to invest in herself and in her business to learn design.

Peta joined my course, DIY Design My Biz, at a busy stage in her life but somehow still made it work! And what beautiful graphics she has now to prove it.

Follow Peta on Instagram at @capturedbypeta or join the waitlist for DIY Design My Biz to join other incredible business owners taking control of their business at diydesignmybiz.com

Opening up Canva to see a white space staring you in the face is wildly confronting!

How are you meant to fill it and make it look 1) Pretty, 2) Branded and 3) Communicative?! There's so much to consider and how do you know where to start?

Finding inspiration is my best piece of advice - it gives you ideas to fill the space.

In this episode I'll share with you my top 4 ways of finding inspiration...

PLUS give you some pointers on what to look out for when viewing said inspiration.

You see, it's one thing to find a pretty picture - it's another to know HOW to look at that picture for guidance on what you could create.

Being a new mum is THE single biggest learning curve of my entire life. Throw that in with trying to keep a business running (and GROWING) then you have quite the challenge.

In December 2020 I was so blessed to welcome our baby girl, Mahlie, into the world...

Almost 6 months later I want to share with you a snippet on how that's looked and what it REALLY looks like to run a business with a newborn.

I'll touch on how I prepared my business coming up to her entrance, how long I had off and what life looks likenow.

I'll also share with you a few lessons I've learnt along the way around what my values are for evening owning this business, how rest isn't so bad and why I need to be fussy on any new projects I take on.

Being a mum is both the hardest but most incredible thing I've ever done.

Some days it's all I want to do (boycott workingggg!!) and other days I just want to bail.

But that's the rollercoaster of parenthood.

Connect with me on Instagram: @whitedeergd or checkout my offerings and website at: www.whitedeer.com.au 

It's the age old question... at least in the graphic design world.

"When is it time to rebrand?"

Is there a wrong time? Am I allowed to? When is best? How much should I change things?

In this episode of Design Hacks for DIYers we'll chat about the FEW reasons that make it okay to rebrand...

Yep, there's not many reasons you should!

We'll also chat how to keep your brand recognisable and the biggest reason people rebrand for the WRONG reason.

I gotta tell ya, it's one thing to learn design from a designer...

It's another to hear a real experience from a fellow-non-designer.

Listen to my interview with Laura to hear what's practically helped her in her business as she's tackled her own design.

We chat social media, perfectionism, control over your business and designs, and so much more!!

Doors for DIY Design My Biz are opening soon - if you'd like to grow in design and business like Laura, join the waitlist here: www.diydesignmybiz.com (the only way to find out when enrolments open) xx

Website • Instagram • Podcast

This podcast is part 3 in a series I’m doing to help new business owners (or those of you who just haven’t got it right yet) get a handle of the platform.

Part 3 is all about Instagram Posts - the head honcho of Insta.

Inside we’ll chat about:

💪🏼The power of Instagram posts

🏦How content pillars support your brand

🙋🏻‍♀️The importance of infusing YOU into your feed

🎨Is it worth having a "pretty" grid?

🌱How perfection is holding your business back

🎛 Patterns are your best friend

#️⃣Overview of hashtags

👩‍💻How to create a good post design

💬What to know about captions

Lemme help (even just a little).

This podcast is part 2 in a series I’m doing to help new business owners (or those of you who just haven’t got it right yet) get a handle of the platform.

Part 2 is all about Instagram Stories!! (I promise they're not that scary).

Inside we’ll chat about:

❓What are Instagram stories!?

⏰ How often to share stories

💼 Whether to be polished and professional or real and relatable

🎨 How to brand your stories

📷 Learning to show up as YOU

💬Why you NEED captions

🙋🏻‍♀️ Using interaction to connect with more people

✏️ What to use "highlights" for

Tune in next week for part 3 for the head honcho - Instagram POSTS!

Lemme help (even just a little).

This podcast is part 1 in a series I’m doing to help new business owners (or those of you who just haven’t got it right yet) get a handle of the platform.

This ep is part 1 for a reason - it’s all about the setup!

⏰If you should bother with Insta

💼My new definition of “professional” and what that looks like for you

🏷Your “handle” and why not to change it

🖼Choosing the perfect profile picture

🧲Writing your “bio” in a way that attracts people to follow

🔗What a “link in bio” is and what to do with yours.

Stay tuned for the next poddy for my tips on your Instagram posts and grid!
 

There are always certain roadblocks that hold us back when get to creating our own graphics so today I want to debunk a few and give you my 4 favourite design mantras to pin up on your desk to keep your focused and confident.

Mantra #1: Helps you build loyalty with your audience and save time as you create your graphics

Mantra #2: Let's you know that it's okay to not be a design wiz

Mantra #3: Reminds you just to get your stuff out there and not hold your business back

Mantra #4: Keeps you from feeling too frustrated and putting out graphics that no one understands

Tune in to learn each mantra and keep it ready as a reminder when you're in the thick of it!

Follow me on Instagram at @whitedeergd or grab your DIY design freebies at www.whitedeer.com.au/freebies