How to Make Your Brand Stand Out: Choosing the Right Branding Approach for Your Business
Branding isn’t just about a good-looking logo—it’s about how your business shows up in the world. Whether you're a new entrepreneur or a few years in, figuring out your brand identity can feel overwhelming. Should you do it yourself? Hire a designer? What even is branding, really?
In our recent webinar, How to Make Your Brand Stand Out, I walked through the essentials of building a compelling brand identity—from foundational design elements to competitor research and visual inspiration. This post captures the highlights to help you decide what kind of branding support you need—and where to start.
🎥 Want to watch the full replay? Sign up here
What Is a Brand Identity (and Why Does It Matter)?
Your brand identity is the visual and verbal expression of your business. It’s how your audience recognizes you and connects with what you stand for. A strong brand identity can:
Increase customer trust and loyalty
Differentiate you from competitors
Improve employee engagement
Boost recognition—and ultimately, sales
Pro tip: A brand isn’t just a logo. It includes your color palette, typography, logo system, photography style, and messaging.
DIY vs Professional Branding: How to Choose What’s Right for You
One of the biggest questions I get from clients is whether they should invest in a brand designer or try to piece it together themselves.
Here’s a breakdown of when each option might make sense:
DIY Branding Might Work If:
You’re still testing your idea or audience
Budget is tight, and design is a lower priority
You enjoy design and have the time to do it well
You’re willing to use templates and learn as you go
Working with a Brand Designer Is Ideal If:
You want to launch with confidence and clarity
You’re feeling overwhelmed by design decisions
You need brand recognition right away
You value expert guidance to avoid costly mistakes
If you fall somewhere in the middle, consider a hybrid approach—like hiring a designer for the core brand identity while DIYing content or marketing assets.
What to Consider When Choosing a Brand Designer
If you're leaning toward working with a professional, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Portfolio: Look for work that not only resonates with your aesthetic but also demonstrates versatility. A strong brand designer should be able to adapt their style to fit your unique business—not apply the same look across every client, especially within the same industry. Strategic design means your brand should feel custom, not cookie-cutter.
Process: Ask how they approach strategy, research, and revisions. A thoughtful process should include brand discovery, competitor analysis, and intentional decision-making—not just pretty visuals.
Communication: You deserve to feel heard, supported, and informed throughout the entire process. A good designer will keep you in the loop at every stage—no surprise reveals or radio silence.
Values Alignment: This is especially important for purpose-driven brands. Partnering with someone who shares your values can lead to a more authentic and aligned creative outcome.
At Tributary, we specialize in helping women and underrepresented founders build brands that feel authentic, strategic, and impactful. Our process blends brand strategy with standout design to create something that truly resonates.
The Branding Process, Broken Down
In the webinar, we walked through the phases of building a memorable brand identity:
Clarify Your Foundation
What do you do? Who do you serve? Why does it matter?Research Your Competitors
Not to copy—but to see how you can stand apart.Define Your Audience
Knowing who you’re speaking to makes every decision easier.Create a Mood Board
Visual inspiration that leads directly into design.Build a Brand Identity
Logo system, typography, colors, imagery, messaging—and how it all connects.
Want more depth on this? Watch the full webinar replay
Choosing Your Next Step
Whether you're DIYing it, partially outsourcing, or looking for full-service support, the best branding approach is the one that aligns with your goals, bandwidth, and vision.
👉 Watch the full webinar replay: https://tributarydesign.myflodesk.com/pw87jbhokw
👉 Want it done for you? Explore our signature branding intensive service
👉 Not sure what you need? Book a free discovery call and let’s talk it through.
We’re here to help your brand stand out—for the right reasons.