Branding & Your Business

Our focus this week has been copyrights, originality and creativity. I have one more thing to talk about that conscientious designers, especially those just starting their business, should consider. Everything you do online that relates to your business is a type of branding. Make sure that your online branding tells a story about your jewelry and that is doesn't step on the toes of designers you admire.

What does this mean?

Your shop - Make sure your website design or shop banner isn't a copy of something you've seen. It should reflect your work, inspiration, style and what customers can expect to see from you.

Your blog & your brand - there are only so many templates out there, so what ways can your blog stand out from the crowd? First, take care that your blog color choices and banner don't resemble another designer's, especially if you have similar styles in jewelry. You can make a custom banner with images of your creations or have a designer create something unique for you. There are many designers on etsy who do this for a small charge. Look up graphic designers or banners.

Photography - Search for props/backgrounds that are personal to you, that complement your style of jewelry. When searching through hundreds of photos on Etsy, your images should immediately conjure up your name. Do not style your photographs based on someone elses ideas, it's frustrating to the person that is being copied and doesn't help to set you apart from the crowd.

Your visual brand should carry over to all places online and off, keep it consistent and originally yours. Business cards, postcards, ads and your packaging should also reflect your brand.

Not sure you have a brand or what that means? Here are a few helpful links:

2 great articles from Modish Biz Tips on branding

Lots of links on branding your handmade business

If you have felt a twinge of guilt this week, feeling maybe you have been a little too influenced, don't be discouraged. Use this as a time to reinvent yourself, dig deep into your own influences, take a closer look at what makes you an individual and celebrate that. Creativity is a vast ocean, you can never use it up or run out of it. Trust yourself.