What if I told you that your brand goes beyond logos, colors, and typography? I find that the most successful rebrands for our clients include a holistic reinvention that covers a lot of different specialties. 

I had the incredible experience of getting to work with Cinthia Onines, owner and mastermind behind Boda Bliss (previously Modern Penny LLC). She really invested in an overhaul of her brand, including copywriting support, branding design, and website design with us, but also coaching, brand photography, and streamlining her own client processes (which she’s a genius at, if you ever need HoneyBook or general business management support!). 

Here at Emily Foster Creative, we offer an All-Inclusive Experience package that involves brand strategy, brand design, web design, copywriting and brand messaging, and SEO. What we find helps clients get a high ROI even more is investing in three other services either before or simultaneously:

1. Coaching to get really clear on their values and offers
2. Brand photography to get imagery that accurately reflects the quality of the new brand
3. Systems and processes to streamline sales and client workflows 

Cinthia worked SO hard on leveling up her business, and we were actually just a part of that, so I had the idea of bringing in the other awesome women she worked with to discuss their expertise. 

You’ll hear from Lauren, a coach for women service based business owners. She’s so warm and wonderful at helping women get really clear about what it is that helps them to stand out. You’ll also hear from Lisa Kathan – she’s a stellar brand photographer in Chicago. And she seriously created photography magic with Cinthia’s brand. Cinthia also shares what her rebranding experience was like and how to be prepared to rebrand your own business! 

Let’s get into it!

Clarify Your Offers Before Rebranding

Lauren Schaff, a coach for women service business owners, weighs in on how to clarify your strategy and offers before doing a rebrand.

Cinthia worked with Lauren prior to rebranding, and the clarity she got helped so much!

Hey there! I’m Lauren Schaff, a coach specializing in helping women service business owners. I often encounter creative entrepreneurs who are eager to level up their business through rebranding. The excitement is palpable, but the process of rebranding is something you should be strategic about and I’d highly recommend you hire a professional like Emily Foster. To ensure your rebrand not only sparkles but also strategically aligns with your business goals, here are some essential considerations to make your rebrand both authentic and impactful.

The first step in rebranding is to get clear on your message. Begin by figuring out exactly who you help. Think about the specific group of people that really benefits from what you offer. Next, identify the main problem you solve for them. Look at the typical issues or frustrations they talk about. Then, explain how you solve these problems in a way that’s different from others. If you’re finding it hard to pinpoint what makes your service special, ask your past clients what they loved most about working with you.

Their answers can help you uncover your unique strengths that you can’t see because you’re too close to your own genius. By working through these steps thoughtfully, you’ll create a message that connects well and clearly shows the unique value you bring to your clients. Your goal is to make potential clients feel understood and excited about the possibility of working with you.

Oftentimes I see business owners have way too many services which can sometimes overwhelm prospective clients. A rebrand is the perfect opportunity to streamline and clarify what you offer. And hey, if you really hate a service you offer, strike it from the list all together. Create distinct categories if you offer several services, and consider using client-friendly names that reflect the benefits and outcomes rather than just the process. For example, instead of listing ‘event management,’ you might call it ‘Seamless Day-Of Coordination’.

After you’ve completed the rebranding process—and I strongly recommend bringing in a professional for this—ensure that every touchpoint with your clients and prospects consistently reflects your new brand. Update your digital presence by refreshing your website and social media profiles with the new visual elements. Additionally, redesign marketing materials such as business cards, brochures, and email newsletters to align with your new branding.

If your business has a physical presence, update signage and interiors to showcase the new brand aesthetic. By integrating these changes, you can ensure that every aspect of your business presents a cohesive and refreshed brand identity, enhancing your appeal to clients and strengthening your brand’s presence.

Rebranding is much more than a fresh coat of paint—it’s a strategic overhaul of your brand’s narrative and visual identity. It’s an excellent opportunity to inject new energy into your business and deepen connections with your ideal clients. By carefully focusing on your messaging, refining your services, and consistently implementing your brand strategy, you transform your rebrand into a powerful tool that attracts and delights clients.

Invest in Strategic Brand Photography

Hear from Lisa, Strategic Brand Photographer

Hey all, I’m Lisa, a strategic personal brand photographer for creative entrepreneurs and coaches located in the Chicago area. I don’t just take pretty pictures of my clients, but I work alongside them to create images that help their clients feel what it’s like to work with them. 

If you’re working on rebranding, you’re probably considering hiring a photographer for your brand photos. Here are my top tips that will help you think through how you can get the most from your brand photos and have a seamless experience with your rebrand.

Hire a strategic brand photographer

There are probably dozens of amazing photographers where you live, but not all of them know how to develop a strategy for your photography. A strategic brand photographer understands how to connect with your brand and can create imagery for you that will get you results — that means more clients who will buy. 

I’ve been a wedding photographer for 10 years, but it didn’t necessarily qualify me to be a strategic personal brand photographer. I became a brand photographer through a few years of careful study about brand strategy, past experience in marketing and communication, and getting inside the business of my clients so I can create images that have proven results. 

Put your team together before you start your rebrand 

The best outcomes for me as a photographer have been when clients hired all the members of their rebrand team (ie Web designer, copywriter, brand strategist, photographer) before getting started. It will save you time, so you don’t have to communicate everything several times, and it will set your team up to work together to create one amazing, cohesive result.

Carefully plan the location of your photo shoot

Your photographer will definitely have some ideas for locations for your shoot. However, you should think in a general way about the KIND of place where you’d like to do your session. 

• Keep in mind the location needs for your session. Do you need an office space? A bedroom? A kitchen?
• If you’re settled on not doing your photos in a personal space (because you don’t like it, it’s too dark, etc), don’t forget to budget extra cost for another location.
• Whatever your location, it MUST have lots of natural/window light. Your skin and photos will look best with natural light, and light-colored walls.
• Don’t forget your brand! If you’re a boutique business owner, doing your shoot in an abandoned barn is probably not a good match!

Remember props and styling

You can do so much more with your photos than stare at a laptop while holding a coffee mug. While a photo like this can be a nice addition to your gallery of brand images, it’s quite generic and doesn’t really say anything that everyone else isn’t saying to their audience. 

What tools do you use in your work? Are you service-oriented and all you really do use is your computer for work? Think outside the box and try to come up with ideas that might represent what you do. Translate what you do on your computer or phone into something physical — ie, if you’re a financial coach who uses computer spreadsheets, maybe create a hand drawn financial chart, and add in an old calculator! 

Also, if your location is a “white box” space, consider styling the space with furniture, florals and items on the wall (check with the location first). Or rent a home from a site like Home Studio List to get a homey feel to your photos.  

Infuse your personal style

What you wear during your session — as well as your hair and makeup — will do the heavy lifting of telling your audience what you want them to know about your business. Consider your brand’s vibe, as well as how you spend your time casually when planning your clothing. 

Are you struggling with what to wear to your next brand shoot? I created a Brand Style Guide to help, and I’m sharing it with you. Download it for FREE! 

If you want to talk with me about how a strategic brand photo session can help your audience feel what it’s like to work with you (so you can book more clients!) find me here!

Insights for planning a successful rebrand

Hear from Cinthia Onines on her experience!

Hey there! I’m Cinthia Onines, your trusted Online Business Manager and the dynamic force behind Boda Bliss. Specializing in empowering wedding professionals nationwide, I specialize in streamlining business operations. With tailored system strategies and dedicated virtual assistant support, I assist entrepreneurs in achieving their goals and navigating the chaos of each bustling wedding season.

I’m thrilled to share my insights on a topic that’s near and dear to my heart: rebranding. As the brains behind Boda Bliss, I’ve navigated the tumultuous waters of rebranding, transforming from Modern Penny LLC to Boda Bliss, the thriving business it is today. Let me take you on a journey through the highs, the lows, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way.

Like many of you entrepreneurs, I initially dipped my toes into the world of business out of sheer necessity. In those fledgling days, fussing over branding felt like a luxury beyond reach. I opted for the DIY approach, cobbling together a name, a logo from a Canva template, and some colors that seemed pleasant enough. But here’s the harsh truth—my slapdash branding inadvertently attracted the wrong crowd. 

Instead of inquiries about my Online Business Management services, I found myself sorting  requests for bookkeeping and a mishmash of unrelated business ventures. My brand was sending mixed signals, drawing in clients who were more interested in cutting costs than investing in quality services. It was a wake-up call—I needed to overhaul my brand to attract the clientele I truly desired.

Enter Emily, my branding guru! Through the serendipitous realm of Instagram, Emily and I connected, and I knew from the get-go that she was the missing piece of my rebranding goals. Unlike others, Emily didn’t just slap on a pretty façade; she delved deep into the core of my business, unraveling its essence and aspirations. Together, we crafted a brand that not only mirrored my vision but also resonated with the right audience.

We dove deep into the essence of Boda Bliss, unraveling its story and aspirations. It wasn’t just about a new name, colors, or a fancy website; it was about encapsulating the soul of my business in every aspect of its presentation. The result? A website that screams “me” and a brand identity I’m immensely proud to flaunt. Plus, with everything legally squared away, I can rest easy knowing my brand is protected.

If you’re considering a rebrand, let’s take a moment to reflect on some essential questions that can help determine if you’re truly prepared to embark on this significant journey:

• Has your industry or target audience evolved? Trends shift, audiences evolve, and it’s essential to ensure your brand stays relevant.

• Does your brand feel dated or out of touch? If your brand is stuck in a time warp, it might be time for a modern makeover.

• Is there a specific problem you’re trying to solve? Whether it’s attracting the right clientele or shaking off an outdated image, pinpoint your rebranding goals.

• Do you have the budget and resources for a successful rebrand? Rebranding isn’t cheap, so ensure you have the financial backing to execute your vision effectively.

• Do you have the time to dedicate to the rebranding process? Rebranding is a time-consuming endeavor, so make sure you can devote the necessary time and energy.

• Have you mapped out a launch plan for your rebrand? A successful rebrand requires a strategic rollout plan to generate buzz and excitement.

• Are you prepared for the ongoing commitment required to maintain the new brand identity? Rebranding isn’t a one-and-done deal; it requires ongoing nurturing and maintenance.

Ready to dive into the exciting world of rebranding but feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the planning and management? Don’t worry, I’ve got your back! Let’s chat over a discovery call and see how I can help you not only with your rebrand but also in seamlessly managing your operations. After all, planning operations and launches is right up my alley!