What to Expect When Working With a Branding Agency

So, you've launched a business, or you're about to, and branding is on your radar. Or, if it's not, it should be! But should you try and tackle your business' branding yourself, or should you hire someone? How do you know when it's time? What does branding entail, and what do you get when you work with a branding agency? How much does it cost to outsource branding?

We're here to help answer some of the questions you may have about what it's like to work with a branding agency like ours.

What Is Branding?

Your brand is a package that consists of multiple elements, like your logo, colors, typeface, communication voice and tone, and more. These elements come together to evoke a feeling that people will experience when interacting with your business. It's how you show up visually, verbally, and emotionally across every touchpoint, from your website to your packaging to your social media captions. Branding includes things like:

• Your logo and brand colors
• Fonts and typography
• Your brand voice and messaging style
• Photography and imagery guidelines
• Brand values, tone, and positioning
• And how all those elements work together to tell your story

Think of it as the foundation your business is built on. Good branding helps customers recognize, trust, and remember you. It's not fluff, it's strategy.

What Does a Branding Agency Do?

When you hire a branding agency (like us), you're hiring a team to help you figure out how to present your business to the world in the best possible light. We help you with things like:

• Clarifying your mission, values, and audience
• Developing a visual identity that reflects your purpose
• Creating polished messaging that sounds like you
• Provide design assets and guidelines so you can stay consistent

Some agencies focus solely on visual identity, such as logos, colors, and icons, while others offer comprehensive brand development, including website design, content strategy, and ongoing support.

What's the Branding Process Like?

Every agency tackles branding a little differently, but here's a general idea of what to expect when you work with us:

1. Discovery + Strategy

We start by getting to know you, the person behind the business. That means a few deep-dive conversations about your goals, your audience, and your competitors. We'll ask things like:

• Why did you start your business?
• What kind of customers do you want to attract?
• What makes you different from others in your space?
• How do you want people to feel when they interact with your brand?
• How do you want to be perceived by your clients/customers?

From there, we create a brand strategy, which is a roadmap that guides the entire branding process.

2. Creative Exploration

Next, we move into the visual side of things with our design team. Based on your strategy, we'll present you with mood boards or style directions to see what resonates. This helps us land on the right look and feel before diving into full design mode.

This stage is collaborative, and we want your feedback! We're here to translate your thoughts into something visual and strategic.

3. Logo + Visual Identity Design

This is the stage where your business really starts to come to life visually. Once we've locked in the direction, we'll create an initial branding package for you that includes:

• A primary logo, and maybe some alternate versions
• A color palette that aligns with your message
• A font system
• Brand marks or icons
• A brand style guide to keep everything consistent

4. Messaging + Voice (Optional)

Many clients come to us knowing what they do, but not how to talk about it. If you want people to understand what you do in a few seconds, strong messaging is key. We can help develop:

• A brand voice (casual? polished? playful?)
• Taglines and key messaging
• Website copy or content frameworks
• Your "about" story (the hardest thing to write for yourself!)

5. Brand Guidelines + Assets

At the end of the process, you'll receive a brand toolkit, which contains everything you need to maintain consistency across all your platforms. No more guessing which version of your logo to use, or which font goes on your menus. You'll have clear, easy-to-use tools. This kit can be shared with staff, contractors, and anyone you work with, ensuring everyone is on the same page. This kit usually includes:

• Logos in all the formats you'll need
• Fonts and color codes
• Brand style guide PDF
• File instructions (we show you what to use where)
• Any messaging or website copy we've created

How Much Does Branding Cost?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive, and understandably so. The short answer is that it depends on what you need.

If you're just starting out, we can offer a starter brand package that gives you a professional logo, a color palette, and essential design assets. If you're ready for the full experience (strategy, messaging, web design, the works), we can build a custom quote that fits your goals and timeline.

A good branding investment will save you money in the long run by helping you attract the right customers, streamline your marketing efforts, and avoid costly missteps.

Do I Need Branding If I'm Just Starting Out?

The truth is that you don't need a fancy brand right away. But you do need clarity and consistency.

If you're still testing your business idea or refining your offer, we can help you establish a minimum viable brand, just enough to get started and feel confident. When you're ready to level up, we'll be here for that, too. When you partner with the right branding agency, you're gaining clarity, confidence, and momentum.

We specialize in helping small businesses, startups, and nonprofits clarify their message and present themselves well in the process. If that sounds like something you need, we'd love to hear your story.