Hey Reader,

Remember last week, I told you we were gonna talk about branding?

Well, here we are!

And there are some key things I need you to understand about branding before we dive deeper in the coming weeks.

I am also excited that these emails are now also available in video form if you prefer to watch (or listen to) rather than read these emails. Scroll down to the end for the deets 👇🏽

Quick version if you’re short on time

• Your brand is made up of TWO major components: brand image AND brand voice
• Brand image = the visual stuff (logo, colors, fonts)
• Brand voice = how you communicate with your audience
• Both need to work together for your brand to actually stick in people’s minds
• When they’re misaligned, your brand feels “off” even if you can’t quite put your finger on why

Still here? Let me break this down for you…

Here’s the thing about branding that most people get completely wrong: they think if they just get the logo perfect and pick some nice colors, they’re done.

But that’s like building a house and only focusing on what it looks like from the street while completely ignoring what it feels like to actually walk inside.

Your brand needs BOTH the visual appeal AND the personality to match.

Brand Image: What People SEE

Your brand image is the visual side of your business – your logo, your colors, your fonts, the overall aesthetic.

This is what catches someone’s eye when they’re scrolling through Instagram or landing on your website.

Think of brands like Apple, Coca-Cola, or Mercedes Benz.

You can spot their logos from a mile away, right?

That’s brand image at work.

But here’s what makes brand image actually effective:

Consistency across everything. Not just “kinda similar” colors or “close enough” fonts.

I’m talking about using your EXACT brand colors, your specific logo variations, and your defined fonts everywhere.

That means social media, your website, emails, business cards, ALL OF IT!

When I work with clients, I always ask: “What do you want people to FEEL when they experience your brand?”

Because your visual brand should trigger that feeling.

Soft and approachable? Your colors, fonts, and design style should reflect that.

Bold and energetic? Your visuals better show up that way.

Professional and trustworthy? Everything from your logo to your color palette needs to communicate that.

We’ll dive deeper into the specifics of creating a cohesive brand image in future weeks, but for now, just know: your visuals are telling a story about your business, whether you’re intentional about it or not.

Brand Voice: What People HEAR (and Feel)

Now here’s where most small business owners drop the ball…

Brand voice is HOW you communicate with your audience. It’s:

• The words you choose
• Your tone and personality in writing
• How formal or casual you sound
• The phrases you use over and over
• Your overall vibe when you’re speaking or writing

Think about it like this: if your brand were a person walking into a room, how would they talk? How would they introduce themselves? What energy would they bring?

Your brand voice should be consistent across every email you send, every social media caption you write, every blog post you publish, and every conversation you have with clients.

And here’s the critical part – your brand voice needs to MATCH your brand image.

If your visuals scream “sleek, modern, corporate professional” but your captions sound like a casual text to your best friend… there’s a disconnect.

If your brand looks warm, friendly, and approachable, but your emails are stiff and formal… people will be confused about who you really are.

That confusion?

It costs you clients.

Because people don’t buy from brands they can’t quite figure out.

When Brand Image and Brand Voice Work Together

This is where the ✨magic✨ happens.

When your visual brand and your communication style are aligned, people start to:

• Recognize your content immediately (even before they see your name)
• Trust your brand because everything feels cohesive
• Remember you because you’re consistent
• Connect with you because your brand has a clear personality

Think about the brands you love and follow. I bet they have both nailed down – their visuals are on point AND their voice is unmistakable.

That’s what we’re building toward for YOUR business.

What’s Coming Next

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to dive deeper into:

1. How to define and document your brand image (so you stop second-guessing your color choices)
2. Creating a brand voice that actually sounds like YOU (not like every other business in your industry)
3. How to maintain consistency without it feeling rigid or boring
4. Tools and systems to make branding easier

But for this week, I want you to do a quick audit:

Look at your last 5 social media posts, your website homepage, and your last email to your list.

Ask yourself:

1. Do the visuals look like they’re from the same brand?
2. Does the way you write sound consistent across all of them?
3. Do your visuals and your voice feel like they match?

If you answered “no” or “I’m not sure” to any of those… you’re exactly where you need to be.

We’re going to fix that together.

Want to dive deeper into brand image right now?

I just updated my blog post on creating a consistent brand image.

Read the full post here

Oh! And Speaking of Branding…

I’m excited to announce that Tips Tuesday is now available on YouTube!

That’s right – you can now watch these tips in video format if that’s more your style. Same content, same energy, just in video form.

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Didn’t catch last week’s intro video where I shared what we’re covering through the end of 2025? Check it out here!

If you’re a visual learner or just prefer to watch rather than read, make sure you subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss any future Tips Tuesday videos!

Hit reply and tell me: When you think about YOUR brand, which piece feels shakier – your brand image (the visuals) or your brand voice (how you communicate)?

And if there’s something specific you’re struggling with in either area, let me know that too!

Your questions help me create content that actually serves you.

Let’s get your branding locked in so you can finish 2025 and start 2026 with a brand that actually represents who you are and attracts YOUR people.

Until next week...