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Re-branding my small business
During the COVID-19 lock down last year I finally found that little bit of extra time to do some long overdue online research and learning around promoting my small business. I initially decided to focus on re-branding, marketing and getting the most out of my website. Yes, I’m in a creative day job but I am far from an expert in marketing, branding or websites.
I started by watching loads of free YouTube videos. In particular I found Mei Pak from Creative Hive and she has hundreds of awesome videos that help makers, artists and designers make a living selling handmade products online. The videos cover so many elements of a small business from ‘How to price your art’, ‘Photography mistakes’, ‘Selling on Etsy’ and even ‘Marketing Strategies’. I highly recommend watching if you are looking to learn and grow your business. She is amazing and so easy to watch!
From this online research it finally pushed me to rethink my logo and branding of my small business. I had wanted to change it for a while, as my old logo didn’t look very professional. Plus I didn’t feel like it reflected me or my work as well as it should. This is what it used to look like….
I had always put re-branding to the bottom of my to do list for a number of reasons. One, I honestly didn’t know what I wanted the new logo to look like, and two I just didn’t think it was as important as working on new products – how wrong I was!
How I designed my logo…
So I started to make notes on what was important to me and what my business is about. I created a brainstorm in my notebook which I felt really helped the process.
This then flowed into sketching logo ideas.
What colour should my logo be?
I wanted a touch of colour, a watercolour influence and a nod to nature or wildlife (as this is what all my work is influenced by).
Colour is usually a big part of my work. I love how happy it can make people. I decided on yellow as its one of my favourite colours – happy, vibrant and invigorating – what more do you need?!
Incorporating nature & wildlife in to my logo…
The nature and wildlife influence needed to be subtle so I included this within the two yellow brush strokes, which together have the outline of a leaf – this was funnily enough created by an accident whilst playing around on Photoshop – but it stuck, and I love how it wasn’t fully planned!
The watercolour – if you hadn’t guessed is the two yellow brushstrokes.
What font shall I use in my logo?
Finding a font I liked was the hardest part – with many thousands of font choices out there, it’s easy to be indecisive! After a lot of looking, and experimentation with fonts, I found a beautiful hand written type font called Broetown Signature which I thought worked perfectly – it’s contemporary and relaxed. I paid for this font so I could use it commercially. It wasn’t expensive, but I love it, and it was definitely worth every penny!
Overall I hope I have created a sophisticated but slightly arty logo which reflects my brand really well. Plus I feel this will be a design that will stand the test of time 🙂
This is my finished logo! …..
The benefits to re-branding…
Since updating my logo and branding on my website and social media I have definitely felt more confident in my products and my small business. Since then, I have been developing my range and creating more exciting products. Plus I have been pushing my brand out in to the world and sharing my business more through posts, online markets and ads.
This has all lead to much better and consistent traffic on all my selling platforms. In the three months between March and May 2019, the traffic to my website increased by 630%, and my Etsy shop saw a whopping increase of 2500%! I have also doubled my social media following during the last 9 months. Of course, not all of this improvement was solely down to a re-branding, but more a combination of continual optimisation, marketing and advertising.
I thoroughly enjoyed re-branding my small business, I just wish I did it earlier! For anyone out there that has a small business and isn’t 100% happy with their branding or if you’re like me and keep putting it aside I urge you to change it! It has given me and my customers more confidence and makes sure my small business is represented professionally. It could take your business to the next level!
Much love
Caroline x
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Smoked & Uncut Festival Market
At the start of July I was lucky enough to have a stall in the Shopcreative makers tent at the Smoked & Uncut Festival.
The festival was held in the grounds of The Pig hotel, tucked away in the heart of the New Forest, in Brockenhurst. It is an absolutely stunning hotel and area, well worth a visit if you have not been.
The weather held out for us and we were graced with sunshine all day, which was very lucky.
The food – now this is a big thing for me as I LOVE food! I believe all the food stalls were actually run and supplied by The Pig restaurant so they were all of a very high standard. I tried a few different items but I must say the slow cooked lamb was to die for! I wish I could have tried everything as it all looked delicious.
The makers tent was full of amazing small businesses selling a range of beautiful products. We had a busy flow of festival goers throughout the day and lots of lovely sales. A few of my favourite stalls include Maxine Jones Silver, Tilly Rose Print and stunning scarves from Kate Whyley.
My kids t-shirts went down a storm and sold so well! Im thinking I might need to expand my t-shirt range soon – so go and check out my shop!
My penguin family print also had a lot of interest and I have recently posted off a few personalised orders! I found a lot of customers buying for themselves but also as family gifts. So if you’re struggling to find that special present, look no further!
Now I’m looking forward to my next market!
Caroline x
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New Christening Invitations
I have been meaning to write a blog post about my new Christening Invitations for a while but I have recently been away at a very special friends wedding and taking a much needed mini break in Devon.
NOW I’M BACK – And with lots to catch up on!
Anyway, I’ve been wanting to branch out into invitations for a while and finally I have found some time to do just that!
For my first set of invitations I wanted a theme that could appeal to everyone so I used my watercolour peony design – Something simple but sophisticated and hopefully that is what I have achieved.
They come in a beautiful range of six colours and can be personalised to suit your event.
Feel free to take a look and place an order if you would like an extra special and unique Christening Invitation.
I hope to design more invitations in the future so watch this space! But in the mean time if you have any specific events that you need invitations for then please do get in touch.
Caroline x
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Penguin Family Print
My penguin family print is finally finished and ready to be ordered via my website! I have been wanting to paint these penguins for such a long time and I love how they have turned out!
I have been developing my designs recently and I have added the option of coloured backgrounds to some of my prints, which may be a little risky as colour is very subjective. I really think it makes the designs stand out more.
This is now one of my favourite prints and I am hoping it appeals to a lot of customers. Its a great gift for any family or couple as it can be personalised to suit everyone!
Go take a look and let me know think…
Caroline x
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Pop-up Craft Market
Last Saturday was the first time in a long time that I have done a pop-up craft market. I am pleased to say it was a huge success!
It was an amazingly organised craft market run by ShopCreativeUK which took place in West Quay, Southampton. I met some wonderfully creative people who all have small businesses in and around Hampshire.
To name just a few incredible businesses, Melissa Badman’s beautiful nesting dolls, Boathouse Studio unique bracelets, and Kenny Deane’s framed retro artwork made from vinyl discs!
It also really helped with my market research as I received some lovely feedback from my customers which has given me a huge boost. My new kids T-shirts went down really well, as did my geometric art prints. I have definitely found that the Giraffe print is an all round favourite.
Watch this space as I will definitely look to be taking part in another pop-up craft market later in the year!
Caroline x
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New print!
Working on a new butterfly print for someone special!