Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your online presence, understanding the what and why of branding is crucial. Here are a few tips for beginners on branding your blog- what it is, why is it important and how to do it:

What is Branding?

Picture this: you’re strolling down the street, and you catch a glimpse of iconic golden arches. Immediately, you know it’s McDonald’s. That is branding. When it comes to your blog, branding is more than just a fancy logo or a catchy name. It’s the overall experience, the feeling that your readers associate with your content. Branding is about creating a cohesive identity that resonates with your audience.

How to Brand Your Blog

Building a Consistent Brand Identity:

Think of your blog as a person. To create a strong brand identity, you need consistency. Choose a color palette that represents your blog’s vibe. Are you all about bright and cheerful or sophisticated and minimalistic? Pick out your visuals, fonts, and style. When your readers see your blog, they should instantly know it’s you.

Creating a Unique Tone:

You have a specific way of speaking. Just like that, your blog needs a distinctive tone that expresses who you are. Are you the sarcastic blogger who keeps it real, or the helpful friend who offers practical advice? Find your style and stick to it. A consistent tone makes your writing authentic and helps you connect with your readers.

Establishing Trust and Credibility:

Imagine you’re scrolling through a blog. The colors are all over the place, the writing style changes from casual to technical (Chat GPT, is that you?), and it feels like a wild rollercoaster of inconsistency. Would you trust that blog? Probably not. Building a strong and cohesive brand helps establish trust and credibility. A well-branded blog appears professional, reliable, and like it knows its stuff. You want your readers to feel like they’re in good hands, so consistency is key. If you’re just starting out or if you’re blogging for fun you probably don’t care about branding. But in the world that we live in, almost everyone can be found online and whether you care about branding or not, people WILL find your blog and they will make assumptions about it (which will then affect your personal brand). I used to think that this blog was private (way back in the beginning when I didn’t have anything personal about me posted here) but I was always hearing friends and family stumble across my blog. Eventually this blog got me my first Marketing job and then my first writing job. By that time I knew I had to do something about the branding.

Increasing Brand Recognition and Recall:

You know that feeling when a song gets stuck in your head and refuses to leave? That’s the power of recognition and recall. When your brand is strong and consistent, it becomes memorable. It’s like having a catchy jingle that’s impossible to forget. The more your readers recognize and remember your brand, the more they’ll share it with others, and that’s great for growing your blog.

Tips for Branding Your Blog as a Beginner:

If you’re just starting out, here are a few tips to help brand your blog:

• Choose a color palette that reflects your style and niche (a great hack for this is to do some research on colours and their meanings)
• Create a logo or wordmark that captures your blog’s essence
  Be consistent with your fonts and typography choices
• Develop a style guide for your blog, including image filters and design elements
• Maintain a consistent tone throughout your writing

Branding your blog isn’t just about looking pretty; it’s about creating an unforgettable experience. By having a consistent brand identity, a unique tone, and building trust and recognition, you’re setting yourself up for success in the blogosphere.

Looking for more Branding and Digital Marketing tips? Follow my Marketing blog, The Digital Unicorn for more tips.