Resources
If you’re working on building up a new brand and are looking for advice and tips, you’re in the right place! I’ve rounded up some of my most requested tips, blog posts and resource links for you. Please check back as this page will continue to be added to. If you find it helpful, let me know and do share with anyone setting up their own business or side hustle!
Naming
For help coming up with a name for your business, I have written a handy guide that you can get here.
If you are a sole trader, you need to let HMRC know your business name when you register as self-employed, but you won’t need to register it with Companies House.
If you are a limited company, you will need to register a name when you incorporate your company.
The name checker on Companies House’ site is useful to see if your chosen business name is taken.
To see if your chosen handle is available across all social media at once, use a look like Namechk
If you want to prevent other companies using your chosen business name, it’s sensible to apply for a trademark.
NB If you live outside of the UK you will have to check your country’s policies on naming and incorporating businesses. This is a helpful starting point, but I am not a trademark specialist or a lawyer :)
Brand Foundations
If you’ve heard a lot of talk about ‘branding’, but you’re not sure why exactly it matters, take a quick read here first.
Exercise: Can you say what you can do in 1 sentence? Clarity is key to a strong brand, so bonus points if you can say it without any industry specific language or jargon, and can do it in 10 words!
If you’re stuck summing up your offering, try filling in the gaps in this sentence:
I/We offer ______ for ______, (and this matters because ____). E.g. I offer coaching for ambitious women who are stuck in a rut. OR... We offer gender neutral clothes for babies and toddlers, using only natural fabrics.
To think more about your target audience, you can use many of the same techniques as you would in my tone of voice exercise.
Useful tools for market research include Surveymonkey, Statista and Think With Google.
I begin my process by sitting down with a client and asking them how they came about setting up their business, and why. Why not do the same and then read it aloud? You may surprised to hear many of your values coming to the surface.
VISUAL TOOLS & TIPS
There’s no way around it, a good logo takes consideration and skill, so if you can’t answer yes to all the below, it may be time to get a brand designer on board so that you get a professional look:
Does your logo work well in smaller places, like social media as well as larger spaces?
Can your logo be used in black and white if needed?
Do you have a version without a background for use over coloured backgrounds or photos?
Do you feel your logo truly represents your business and mission?
Does your logo appeal to your ideal customer?
Do you have brand colours that you use consistently across everything?
If you do need to work on your brand visuals, the following resources will be helpful: