Seriously in Business: Brand + Design, Marketing and Business

Yesterday was International Women’s Day so to celebrate I thought I’d change things up a bit and interview one of my most favourite women, my mum.

As I’ve reflected over the years I’ve come to realise how much Mum has shaped my view and modelled to me what it looks like to be a strong woman in business.

Growing up I saw her rise in her position to being the only female partner in a large accounting firm. I watched her stand her ground, lead confidently and be bold in her role.

For me, it was normal for a woman to be the boss. It wasn’t an anomaly or strange - it was reality.

In this interview I chat to mum about the challenges she faced, the importance of seeking out mentors and being bold to ASK.

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

When you’re starting a business, one of the first things we think we need is a logo! And while a logo is great it is only such a small small SMALL part of our whole brand - and even a small part of our visual brand!

I see (and have worked with) so many business owners who want their logo to be EVERYTHING. To have gold foil, watercolour, cursive fonts, a detailed illustration…and more!

But this is the total wrong approach!

In this episode, I’ll be chatting to you about why you need more than a logo to have a memorable (and easy to design with) visual brand and what exactly that looks like!

You’re able to have a design that is so much more intricate and interesting to your audience!

Your logo is not so busy and complicated that you can’t use it everywhere you want! Hello tshirt, social media icons, watermarks - everything. Easily.

Your brand isn’t set in stone! Your logo can stay the same while your brand continues to evolve slowly with you and your business.

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

Designing your own graphics for your biz is all well and good…but what if you’re making some detrimental mistakes that affect how effective your designs are. What if your audience couldn’t understand what you were saying? Or how to work with you? Or didn’t stay on your graphic because it made them feel stressed or uncomfortable?

Design can have such a good impact on our business… or it can have an adverse effect, deterring people from your business.

In this episode I’ll chat about 5 mistakes you’ll want to avoid when creating your own graphics.

Free Guide: whitedeer.com.au/diytips

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

Social media is a huge part of running a business - but sometimes it's hard to think of what to post! In this episode I'll share 10 different ideas PLUS the graphics that you could make to go with them.

1. Introduction Post
2. Quote Post
3. Educational Post
4. Promote Your Biz
5. Testimonial Post
6. Correct a Misconception
7. Behind the Scenes
8. Build Rapport
9. Advertise a Freebie
10. What do you do?

I've created a download you can get for free that covers each of these in more detail with examples! Download for free via: www.whitedeer.com.au/socialideas

Perfectionism is a struggle for all of us - particularly when we are creating a design or our visual brand… we just seem to get stuck going around and 'round tweaking and changing trying to find this mythical "perfect".

In this episode I'll share a few mindset hacks to use when you feel like you're just never satisfied and overthinking it ALL.

My tips:

•  "Perfect" doesn't exist in design, it's not math!

•   Done is better than perfect. Don't procrastinate with perfection.

•  We can't please everyone... or even ONE person! Stop trying.

•  Good enough is good enough! If your design is branded, clear and balanced - stop tweaking and put it out into the world!

•  Be you - no one can tell you you're doing it wrong.

What's the most IMPORTANT thing to remember when creating a design for your biz?

In this episode, I'll share with you the #1 thing you don't want to miss when designing as well as HOW you can create designs that communicate AND convert customers and clients.

Graphic design is more than just pretty graphics or knowing how to use the right programs. It's all about learning to take your audience on a JOURNEY. To communicate to them why they need you and how they can take action on that.

The way we display our information and our value to others can make all the difference when putting our business out into the world.

I wanted to share something a little different this week. We’re currently away on holidays so I’m recording something a little more relaxed for you from our caravan (well, my parent’s caravan)!.

Learn my journey to design, starting my own business and how I grew. I’ll also share with you the mistakes I made along the way and some pearls of wisdom I hope you can learn from around business, branding and growth.

If you need a hand with creating graphics that you are proud of for your biz chuck me a DM on Instagram at @whitedeergd or head to www.diydesignmybiz.com and check out my online design course made just for small business owners... trust me, you'll watch your business confidence skyrocket!

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

How can you gain confidence in your biz?

Looking the part can make all the difference. Is your biz really representing how awesome you are or how much you can help people?

After listening to this episode, sit down and get clear on your biz:

1. What do you want your business to represent? When people see your brand do you want them to feel calm or excited? Do you want them to trust you? Do you want them to know your are professional, quirky, serious, fun?
2. Who do you want your business to attract? Sit down and work out what your target audience loves and are drawn to. What colours speak to them? What fonts are they drawn to?
3. What do YOU love? If your business is based a lot around you then it's important you love how your business looks and that it has a little part of you in it - what colours, fonts, styles, etc. do YOU like?

It's also important your graphics look professional - that they are clear, have good use of space, use colour well, aren't too busy and have a clear message.

If you need a hand with creating graphics that you are proud of for your biz chuck me a DM on Instagram at @whitedeergd or head to www.diydesignmybiz.com and check out my online design course made just for small business owners... trust me, you'll watch your business confidence sky rocket!

What are your options as a business owner who can't afford to hire a professional designer to do everything for you?

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

YOUR OPTIONS:

1. Hire a designer to do everything
2. Hire a designer to create your brand and you DIY the rest
3. DIY everything yourself!

In this episode we'll work out which option is right for you.

Join me and Tahryn Bolt, from The Social Bolt, as we chat all things DIY design! Learn what tools, tips and insights have helped Tahryn create her own incredible brand and graphics to support her growing business.

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

Or follow Sheridan on Instagram at @thesocialbolt or thesocialbolt.com.au