This article is for early stage founders who have a big vision, a lot of grit, and not much else (yet). Here are three steps to create a compelling, cohesive brand that will transform your startup from a vague idea into a movement.
1. Find Your "Why"
In this TED talk with over 11 million views, Simon Sinek breaks down how to describe what your startup does in a way that inspires action and makes customers fall in love with your brand.
2. Choose Your Guiding Values
Values are how we make decisions when we don’t have all the information. And how often do we have all the information?
Brainstorm all the values that are important to you in the context of your startup, then narrow it down to the top four to six. Write them down and tape them to the wall in a spot where you’ll see them every day.
3. Look Sharp
Having a professional designer create a brand identity package can cost thousands of dollars. New startups don’t have that kind of money to throw around. With these free tools you can get a professional look for only the cost of your time.
Colors: The biggest beginner mistake we see in pitch decks is using a strange or inconsistent color palette. It can be hard to see past those clashing colors or designs that change wildly from slide to slide to read the actual information you’re trying to communicate. If you don’t have a great eye for color you’re not alone. Just use this free tool to get a set of colors that work together.
Fonts: You need three fonts: one for titles, one for headings, and one for body text. Use the same set across all of your content (website, pitch deck, social media, etc.) so that you look professional and cohesive. Here are some recommended font combinations that look great together.
Website: Last but not least, pull all of this information and style together in a website. Our go-to website builder is Wix. Unfortunately their free version does have Wix branding on it, so you will want to upgrade quickly, but it'll get you started. For ease of use, flexibility of design, and a reasonable price point, this is the best tool on the market. (We don’t get paid to promote them.)
Ready to take it to the next level? Sign your founding team up for the Branding Foundations Workshop.
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