My website is feeling a bit dull and not attracting the kind of clients I want to help. I needed help to build and enhance my branding portfolio, so I joined Maker Division—a creative business coaching and community platform. (*More about that below.) I am in the module where I brainstorm through a “creative cocktail” worksheet designed to help me define my ideal client based on my skills, values, and interests. I have a lot of interests and that makes it hard to narrow them down to one niche.
Thankfully, in the middle of my “mixology” lesson of finding my creative super-power to do the work I love and build my portfolio; a friend forwarded an email to me from a designer who creates her own weekly branding projects. (**More below.) The premise is simple: dream up a fictional business, write a mini creative brief, and design the essentials. Think fonts, color palettes, supporting graphics, and mockups that give the concept life.
Where to Start?
True confession: I am self-diagnosed with ADHD and I have SO MANY passions! Some sectors I have served, or want to reach, are health and wellness, food and beverage packaging, sustainable agriculture, Christian nonprofits, early childhood education, and international travel. That’s just for a start!
Fitness Meets Font Pairs
Since health and fitness is booming, I’m beginning with this sector. Exercise enthusiasts from the Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda generation want to keep living their best lives, while younger audiences crave more physical challenges and peak performance. All these potential customers are looking for fitness answers. Out in the world is a cadre of small studios, trainers, health consultants, and fitness professionals who have services these customers need. But these pros need a voice to reach their audience—they need stronger branding.
This niche for my first Brand New Day project isn’t random—I’ve been a group fitness instructor for more than a decade. Every week, I watch talented instructors working hard in the pool or studio to help their clients… but they struggle with any brand presence outside of the gym. Many have no visual identity at all, or they have a logo that looks like it hasn’t stretched out since 1999. A strong brand helps book classes, sell packages, build an audience, and stay fully scheduled. This is where a visual design strategy shows its muscle.
Time to Flex
Stay tuned for the first roll-out in my Brand New Day blog series. Got a quirky brand idea you’d like me to explore? Drop me a message. If I use your idea, you’ll get a well-deserved shout-out and possibly even a backlink.
Building a brand doesn’t happen overnight, but it sure makes for a bright new day.
* Maker Division is a step-by-step, self-paced roadmap designed to get your creative business off the ground, from building a strong body of work to landing your dream clients. Start accelerating!
**A big shout out to Sam at the Color Palette Studio. She has some amazing tools for website designers, whether you are looking for font pairings, brand building, or color testing for website accessibility.
Yes, I get paid if you click a link and buy something. No, it won’t be enough to buy a yacht. Maybe a bougie coffee? Your support is appreciated!
Wild Olive Design provides brand consulting for small businesses and nonprofits to help them reach the next level. Based in Woodstock, Georgia, Wild Olive Design serves the Atlanta Metro area, to infinity, and beyond!
