Let’s go ahead and file this under: things you wouldn’t expect to hear from a graphic designer.

Am I allowed to create a distraction and prevent you from reading this? 

Anyways, I’ll get to it. The year is 2016. I just handed over my credit card for a freshly minted Squarespace site. I pick a template, start customizing, and realize it’s missing something.

A logo!

Surely that won’t be a problem. I just finished my graphic design degree!

Narrator: it was a problem

You see the thing is, 2016 me was impatient. She got so caught up in the fun of creating a new website that she skipped right over the whole “making a brand” thing. Brands? Who needs ‘em!

Rather than creating something unique and proprietary, I just chose a nice font, threw it in all caps, and typed my name in. 

Voilá! My branding is complete in 60 seconds.

At the time, I thought the font looked great. But I soon realized that I had made a huge mistake. It wasn't unique or ownable, and it didn't make my brand stand out. 

Honestly, you couldn’t tell me from a Microsoft Word Document. It wasn't memorable either, which made it hard for people to remember my brand or differentiate it from others in my industry. It made it harder for me to build brand recognition and loyalty, and I finally set aside the time to build a brand from scratch. 

Embracing Branding Mistakes as Opportunities for Growth

As business owners, we're all prone to making mistakes – especially when it comes to branding. It's a complex and ever-evolving aspect of running a business, and it's completely normal to stumble along the way.

As you can see, I know this firsthand. At times, it felt like I was taking one step forward and two steps back. It was frustrating, but I realized that making mistakes is a necessary part of the learning process. Each mistake taught me a valuable lesson that I could use to improve my branding strategy.

If you're feeling discouraged because you've made branding mistakes, don’t fret! It's all part of the journey. Embrace your mistakes and use them as an opportunity to learn and grow. With the right mindset and approach, you can turn those mistakes into successes and create a standout brand that resonates with your audience.

You can learn from my branding mistakes by following these tips:

• Cutting corners on branding is a big no-no. It may seem like a good idea at the time to save money, but investing in your brand is crucial for long-term success.

• Choosing a unique and memorable font is key. Your font should be proprietary, memorable, and easy to recognize to help your brand stand out.

• Continuously evaluate and evolve your brand. Your brand should reflect your business, and as your business evolves, so should your brand. Regularly review your branding strategy and make changes as necessary.

Conclusion: The Biggest Mistake I Made with My First Brand

Branding is a crucial aspect of running a business, but it's easy to make mistakes along the way. As a graphic designer, even I fell into the trap of cutting corners on branding, and I paid the price for it. But every mistake is an opportunity to learn and grow, and by following the tips outlined in this article, you can avoid these common branding mistakes and create a standout brand that resonates with your audience.