Let's be real – the internet is more crowded than a sample sale at Saks right now. Faster than you can scroll, another ad pops up, driving to the same old Shopify website template, and another brand is sliding into your potential customers' DMs. But here's the piping hot tea: standing out isn't about shouting louder or making your website more sparkly (though I'm not opposed to strategic sparkle).
Remember in high school when everyone wanted to fit in? Well, welcome to 2024, where fitting in is basically a business death sentence. Your potential clients are scrolling through approximately 37,582 websites per day (okay, I made that number up, but you get the point), and they're all starting to look the same:
Neutral colour palette? Check.
Sans serif font? Check.
Generic stock photos? Double check.
Yawnnnnnn Check.
THE SECRET SAUCE TO STANDING OUT (NO, IT'S NOT JUST A PRETTY LOGO)
1. Find Your Voice (And Turn Up the Volume)
Your brand voice should be as distinctive as your go-to coffee order. This means:
Ditching the corporate robot speak
Embracing your quirks
Actually having opinions ... ? (gasp!)
2. Know Your "Only You" Factor
What makes you different? And please, if you say "quality service" or "attention to detail," I'm going to need you to try again. Dig deeper:
What's your unique background?
What weird combination of skills do you have?
What industry norms do you love to challenge?
3. Design with Purpose
Your visual brand should tell a story, not just look pretty. Every design choice should be like a well-planned outfit – intentional, coordinated, and saying something about who you are.
THE ACTION PLAN
Audit Your Current Presence
Screenshot your website and social media
Place it next to 4 competitors
If you can't tell which is yours at a glance, we've got work to do
BONUS POINTS: Download my market analysis template and complete the Market Analysis sheet.
Define Your Brand Personality
Write down 3 words that describe your brand
If any of them are "professional," "trustworthy," or "quality," stop immediately and go back to step 1
Now translate these into visual and verbal elements
BONUS POINTS: Now complete the Positioning Analysis sheet.
Create Your Standout Strategy
List 3 industry norms you can challenge
Identify 2 unique stories only you can tell
Plan 1 bold move you can make this month
THE BOTTOM LINE ✨BECAUSE WE ALL LOVE THOSE✨
Standing out isn't just about being different – it's about being strategically, authentically, and consistently different. It's about making choices that align with your values and resonate with your dream clients, even if they make your competitors clutch their pearls. Remember: in a world of vanilla, be pistachio lavender with a sprinkle of sea salt (yes, I proudly support the pistachio ice cream supremacy). Or whatever flavour makes your taste buds dance.
FEELING INSPIRED?
If this post got your creative juices flowing and you're ready to transform your brand from wallflower to "who tf is THAT?!", let's chat. Your brand deserves more than basic, and you know it.
P.S. If you found this helpful, share it with that friend who's still using Comic Sans in their logo. We're all in this together.
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