The Little Things are Everything


When reflecting on my time as start up small business, I began to realize there are so many things that are not commonly talked about in depth. Constantly the buzzword 'branding' comes up when reading about beginning a small business, but it's hard to know what that actually means or if it's important. Today, I figured I'd ramble a bit of information I have about branding yourself as a business and professional, whether that be through photography or not.


1| What is branding? Why is it important?

Branding is an act in a business that tells people who you are, what you do, and why it should matter to them. At a glance, your branding should inform people quickly about the services you provide and the industry you're a part of, while also reflecting on who you are as a person. Its far more than just a logo and a catchy name (though those are crucial parts), but it is also the unique fingerprint of your business as a whole.


The importance of branding comes in a lot of reasons. It tells people how you're different from others in the field and makes you stand out. Branding also gives this sense of cohesiveness and professionalism that many individuals will be drawn towards. Consider also the emotional connection branding builds with others; you're not just a business, you're a person (or people) behind it! You want your clients or those you work with to feel like they know a part of you, and have a reason to potentially select you over others. Having that connection can lead to customer loyalty in the long run.


2| Aspects of branding

  • Brand story: How did this business come to be? Who is the person behind it and how did they get to where they are? People want to be able to connect with a story, not just service!
  • Logo and Name: This is the main thing people may think of when branding is mentioned. A cohesive, clean, and informative design are needed in order to draw attention to who you are. However, try to make your design unique and telling of what your brand is. Colors, words, and symbols can all convey many unique things!
  • Missions & values: The "why" of your business. This describes what is the driving force behind the existence of your business, and why you do what you do. This can lead to a sense of authenticity!
  • Brand voice: How does your brand present itself to others? In other words, how does this business speak? Is it professional, goofy, calming, informative, heartfelt, or something else entirely? Tone is important! For example: This page would be a very different place if I used an overly professional tone. I try to keep things light and fun in my blogs, while the rest of my pages are more informative about my services!


While branding can seem overwhelming at first, I promise you once you break it down there is a lot less to worry about. Try to be cohesive in your branding decisions, be true to yourself, and start simple! Open up canva and play around with some designs for your brand, jot down some name ideas for yourself in a notepad! All these things are attainable and simple to begin with.


I hope this was helpful to at least someone, and if you have anymore questions please don't hesitate to reach out to me! Thank you all for reading, until next time!