Hey there! There is something exciting that's happening in my business. After a year of creating the Brand Yourself in 5 Days Mini-Course, I finally finished and it's live! Before I get too far into it, I want to share why I created this online course in the first place.
Who is This For?
I learned a lot about my clients from years of designing logos and branding I started to see patterns of the businesses who would come through looking for branding or websites and I noticed one thing in particular. It's that entrepreneurs go through different stages of business.
The first initial stage you're in is the DIY, the do it yourself, stage because you have more time on your hands than money. Realizing this led me to create a new segment of my business, which I have implemented in 2023.
This segment of my business caters to the DIY entrepreneur, who is looking for professional design without the hefty price tag. They understand that in order to be taken seriously in their business, that they need to look the part; they need to look professional.
That is the reason why I have created this course. It's for you, the busy entrepreneur
So, if you want to learn more about the course, if it's right for you, and if it's something you want to invest in, then let's dive in.
Features of the Course
Now that we know why I created the course and who it's for, let's talk about what's inside the course. It's only five days; the reason I made it five days is because I know that you're busy and I have taken a lot of courses that I don't finish because they're too long. I honestly, get bored and lose the inspiration and I don't want that to be this course.
I tried to keep everything really straight and to-the-point in each of the lessons. They're about 5 to 20 minutes long and includes a worksheet to help guide you through the action steps for each day.
If you were to watch the videos and implement the action steps, it would take one to two hours to finish each day. Of course keep in mind that some parts are going to be longer than others; like creating your wordmark logo, for example, that's going to take longer than finding your fonts.
In my course, I focus heavily on visual examples because I've noticed that many courses tell you what to do but don't show enough of how to do it. I provide firsthand insights into my design process, from creating and editing mood boards to sharing my logo sketches. You'll see the breakdown of my thoughts, why I choose specific images or fonts, and how I approach design with a strategic mindset. I believe in designing with a bigger picture in mind, rather than just aesthetics, because while aesthetics are subjective, solid concepts are not. My goal is to share the reasoning behind my choices, so you can understand the strategy that drives my decisions.
Course Overview
Day One: Who, What, and Why
This is where we lay the groundwork for your brand. You'll learn what a brand truly is and see how branding comes to life, especially on your website—one of the most critical places to apply your brand guidelines.
On this day, we’ll identify your brand's foundation by pinpointing your target audience. Understanding who you’re designing for is crucial because your brand isn't about you; it's about resonating with your audience. We’ll also clarify your business purpose—your "why"—and your mission, to make sure that every aspect of your brand aligns with these core elements. This will give you the big picture so you can go on to create an intentional brand.
Day Two: Mood Board
This is where we'll uncover your brand vibe which will give us your signature style. If you're unsure whether you want a minimalist, feminine, edgy, or even witchy look, this is where you'll refine and define your creative direction.
We’ll use Pinterest and Canva to craft your mood board. Both platforms are free, and while Canva does offer a paid version, you won't need it for this course. These tools will help you visually organize your ideas and pinpoint the style that best represents your brand.
Day Three: Colors and Fonts
We’ll solidify your brand's visual identity by selecting your color palette and font style. While we won't pick the exact font for your logo just yet, we'll decide on the font style—whether it’s sans-serif, serif, script, or decorative. Additionally, we’ll choose some key brand elements that will define your overall look and feel. This will give your brand a cohesive and polished visual identity.
Day Four: Wordmark Logo
You’ll create a custom logo using Canva if you're a beginner or Adobe Illustrator if you have a bit more experience. We’ll focus on designing a wordmark logo, which is the simplest type of logo to create if you’re not a designer.
A wordmark logo uses text alone, often featuring a distinctive font style to make it memorable. For example, Coca-Cola’s iconic script logo is a classic wordmark. This will allow you to create a professional-looking logo without the need for extensive design skills.
Day Five: Brand Guidelines
We’ll compile everything from the first four days into a cohesive brand guideline document. This document will ensure consistency across your use of fonts, color palette and brand images.
Your brand guidelines will be a crucial reference tool. Whether you're designing Instagram posts or working with a designer, this document will help you maintain a unified look without having to dig through files or remember specific details like font names and hex codes. It will streamline your branding process and make it easier to keep everything cohesive.
Bonus Video: Choosing Your Brand Elements
I also include a bonus video where you'll choose your brand elements on Canva. This fun session focuses on adding a touch of professionalism with premium quality graphics that you don't have to create! If you have Canva Pro, you'll have access to a wider range of graphics, but don't worry if you're using the free version—it's still perfectly effective. This bonus video will help you make the most of Canva’s tools to elevate your brand's visual appeal.
Outcomes
You might be wondering what you’ll end up with after completing this course. The most valuable takeaway will be your brand style guide—a comprehensive tool for designing your marketing materials and website consistently.
If you find yourself spending an hour creating a simple Instagram graphic because you're starting from scratch each time, this course is perfect for you. You'll leave with brand guidelines that streamline your design process, ensuring consistent use of fonts, colors, and styles, which will save you time and effort.
If you're thinking using the same style over and over again is boring it's not!—it's crucial for building trust. Think about how you instantly recognize Target’s ads by their red color and familiar imagery, or how Starbucks uses a consistent green color and simple design style. This consistency helps your audience instantly identify and connect with your brand.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a well-designed brand that appeals to your target audience and reflects your signature style. Your brand guidelines will be used across all platforms—social media, Pinterest, invoices, sales pages, and more. Consistent branding not only saves you time but also attracts the right customers, as it creates a strong, recognizable connection with your audience.
Investing in your brand is about more than aesthetics; it’s about building a genuine connection and trust with your audience. Enrolling in the DIY Brand Yourself in 5 Days Mini-Course is a significant step towards establishing a compelling, consistent brand that resonates deeply with your ideal client.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time do I need to invest in each day? The video lessons range from 10 to 20 minutes each. If you follow the daily prompts, implementing the content should take no longer than one to two hours a day.
Is it better to hire a designer instead of DIY my branding?
It really depends on your business’s stage. In the early years, especially during the first one to two years, investing thousands of dollars in custom branding or web design might not be practical. At this stage, your business is still evolving—you’re figuring out your target audience, refining your services, and determining which products work best. It’s more cost-effective to DIY your brand in the beginning and make adjustments as your business grows and becomes more defined. Once you're more established and have the funds for it you can always hire a designer down the line.
Will this help me create graphics for my business?
Yes, the brand guidelines you'll put together on day five will definitely help with creating graphics. You'll have a clear understanding of the style, colors, and fonts to use, which will ensure your graphics stay on brand and save you time.
What if I already have a logo?
That's completely fine. Day four of the course, dedicated to the logo, is an excellent opportunity to determine if your logo needs any polishing or if you need to create additional variations. Logo variations are different versions of your logo designed for various marketing materials. These might include different orientations or colors to ensure your logo looks good in different contexts, whether it's a horizontal version for a business card or a portrait version for a letterhead. This way, your logo will always have the right contrast and visual appeal.
Is this course worth it or can I just do it myself?
This course is designed to guide you through the same process I use with my branding clients. You’ll be able to create a brand you love without second-guessing your choices or trying to figure everything out on your own. Instead, you'll follow a clear, step-by-step process that ensures you feel confident about everything you create.
I understand that working on your brand alone can be frustrating without a structured guide. If you want a detailed, step-by-step approach to simplify the process, then yes, this course is definitely worth it.
How will having professional design help me charge more?
Professional branding establishes trust and sets you apart from the competition. It’s what differentiates a $2 cup of coffee from a gas station from a $6 coffee at Starbucks. Branding gives customers a sense of not only what you offer but also your brand's and business's unique personality.
I'm a designer; will this course be useful for my own branding clients?
Yes; this course is the exact process that I use for my clients. It will teach you how to build a strong foundation for branding and how to create a brand that's built on strategy and feels authentic, all of which that you can use on your own clients, so that's totally fine.
What if I don't have any design experience?
I get this a lot. If this is you, then you're in the right place because I made this course specifically for you, a non-designer.
There's definitely no design experience required because I will walk you through it all.
What if I don't end up with a clear vision?
If you don't end up with a clear vision, then it's time to revisit the drawing board.
And the good news is: You'll have lifetime access of this course. If you'd like to start over, or if you find that your business has changed and you're ready to rebrand again, take the course from the beginning.
Are there refunds?
I know that investing in your business can feel scary, which is why this course has a 14 day risk-free guarantee.
Even though I'm confident you'll be happy with what you receive from this course, on the off chance that you're not, you're eligible for a refund up to 14 days after purchase. To qualify, you must have finished the course and email me to share what specifically didn't work for you. That way I can see where the issue lies and maybe we can work together to fix it or I will give you a refund.
Conclusion
So there you have it. There's a little bit inside of my course.
This is for you if you…
Feel embarrassed by your current branding
Want a budget-friendly option
Have a hard time picking and sticking to one style
Don’t want to spend weeks learning about branding and strategy
Are an action-taker who will do the work to create a brand you love
Are ready to check your branding off your to-do list so you can start promoting your business with pride
But the truth is...
You don’t need a designer to have a professional brand.
You do need a proven framework. this is what this course is.
In another episode I'll share my course creation journey but for now if this is aligned with where you are, check it out now at www.zsquaredstudio.com/diybrand
I hope you have a great day and happy designing! Bye.
Z Squared Studio is a Brand and Web Design Studio based in Juneau, Alaska. Check out www.zsquaredstudio.com for custom brand design, Alaska logo design, or web design.
Or sign up for our DIY Brand Yourself Mini-Course if you're ready for a stand out, scroll stopping brand without hiring a designer.
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