Branding services for your small business

Your business may be small, but your brand doesn't have to be. Every business, including yours, is a brand. You don't need to reach a specific size or level of success before thinking about branding; you can start today. Start with small, manageable steps.

Where do you begin? Focus on being consistent and strategic. Everything you produce should look and sound like it came from you. Consistency is key.

On the strategy side, everything you create should serve a purpose. Don't make it if it doesn't contribute to a business goal or solve a customer's problem. A good strategy keeps you focused and on-message.

Your website is a key part of your brand, but it's only one part. We offer graphic design and brand strategy services to help you do more with your brand. Our services include:

• social media graphics;
• business cards, letterhead, and envelopes;
• brand narratives; and
• brand style guides.

Social media for small business

In 2025, most marketing campaigns include social media. It lets you:

• reach customers at all stages of your marketing funnel,
• target specific profiles with your ad spend,
• pursue organic engagement at no added cost, and
• gain user-generated content as happy customers talk about your business.

Social media has its downsides, too. But whether you love it or hate it, it isn't going anywhere.

You need to brand your business accounts. Everything, from your profile to your posts, should look like your business.

Use social media banners with purpose.

If it's available, use your banner image to increase conversions. Some platforms don't have this feature, but many do, so use it when you can.

Go to your profile and look for a wide image stretching across the top of the page. If it's there, fill it up with a digital billboard. You want to highlight your unique selling proposition and a call to action.

Your unique selling proposition (USP) states why people should buy from you and not the other guy. What sets you apart?

The call to action, or CTA, directs the prospect to the next step. It should move them down your marketing funnel and closer to converting.

We come in handy for the final piece. We'll take the copy, add elements from the website, and, like magic, you'll have a compelling banner image.

Grab attention with eye-catching graphics.

People have short attention spans. On social media, you first have to get them to stop scrolling and then keep their attention. Graphics can help with the first part.

There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to successful social media content. A lot depends on the platform. Regardless, you need to include a hook to create curiosity and draw the viewer in for more.

We can create social media graphics for you; you only need to provide the content. But why should we make your graphics when you can do it on Canva? To ensure consistency for your brand:

1. A Canva template won't align with the website. We can create custom designs that match your other brand assets.
2. If the person who creates your website also makes your graphics, both will be the same quality.

Print isn't dead; you still need some paper.

Digital is the new way to do business, but you may still need some paper goods like business cards or stationery.

Business cards, letterhead, and envelopes are long-term investments. They also need to match every other touchpoint your customers will see. If things clash, your customers could:

• get confused,
• lose confidence in you, and
• take their business elsewhere.

Avoid that with business cards and stationery that match your website and socials.

Tell stories to engage and persuade

Humans love stories; we're wired for them. Research shows that our brains respond to narratives—they're more memorable and persuasive.

People have been telling stories for millennia. Joseph Campbell describes this hero's journey in The Hero with a Thousand Faces. It's present everywhere, from ancient myths to modern movies.

Novels and movies aren't the only place writers can use the hero's journey—brands can apply it, too. In Building a StoryBrand, Donald Miller condenses Campbell's 12 steps into 7 for use in marketing. They are:

1. A character (your customer)
2. Has a problem (their struggles)
3. They meet a guide (your brand)
4. Who gives them a plan (the steps to get your solution)
5. And calls them to action (your CTAs)
6. They succeed (they buy your offer) or fail (they don't buy it)
7. And transform (from struggling to successful).

This framework creates engaging and persuasive messaging that resonates with your audience. The most successful brands tell stories.

We can help you develop your brand narrative. You'll answer questions, and then we'll craft your story. You can take our talking points and use them on your:

• website,
• social media,
• emails,
• advertisements,
• and more.

Style guides aren't restrictive; they're freeing.

A brand style guide is a shortcut and guardrail, not a creative roadblock. When followed, it guarantees consistency. Style guides are well worth investing in.

Style guides can vary in length and detail. For a small business, your style guide doesn't need to take many months to create. You want details without being too detailed.

When we create a style guide, we aim for 1-2 pages on each of these topics:

• Company mission, vision, and values
• Brand narrative (if applicable)
• Logo usage
• Color palette
• Typography
• Imagery
• Tone and voice
• Templates (if applicable)

Overwhelmed? Let's chat.

Building a brand can feel overwhelming, but it's worth doing. Our services can get you started. We're also available for consulting if you'd like to do more but aren't sure where to begin. We're happy to share our knowledge if it'll help you figure out how to do it yourself.

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