Branding your business can feel like something you should handle yourself, especially early on when funds are tight. But at some point, DIY branding can start holding your business back.
When it came time for Little Fish Accounting to evolve from DIY branding to a professional, polished look, Danielle Johnson, founder and CEO of House of Marketing, was instrumental in making that transformation happen. Her expertise not only elevated our brand but also helped us align it with the premium services we offer, ensuring we were making the right impression on high-value clients from the start.
Here are five mistakes Danielle has seen business owners make with DIY branding and how they might be costing more than you think.
1. Thinking DIY Branding is “Free”
It’s easy to assume that handling your own branding means free marketing.
But Danielle has a spoiler: DIY branding is rarely free.
While you might not be paying an agency, you’re spending your time—something you can’t get back. Time spent fiddling with logos or learning design tools is time you’re not using to serve clients or grow your business. Businesses often spend a lot of money on courses and tools trying to figure out branding, only to realize they still need professional help. The financial impact? You’re losing revenue by working in your business instead of on it.
2. Brand Doesn’t Match Your Pricing
One major sign that your DIY branding needs an upgrade? Your services are premium, but your brand says otherwise.
"When firms are growing... they’re providing a premium service at a premium price, but when their brand doesn’t reflect that... why would I pay you this much money?" - Danielle
When businesses charge high-end prices, their brand needs to reflect that. If your website or social media presence doesn’t convey the same value, potential clients will question why they should pay top dollar for your services. A lackluster brand could lead them to choose cheaper alternatives, even though your services are superior.
This mismatch between your pricing and your brand presentation can directly affect your ability to attract and retain high-value clients.
3. Overlooking the Legal Side
Did you know that if you’re creating your own logos on platforms like Canva, you may not actually own the rights to them?
"If you're using platforms like Canva or Logo Maker, you don’t actually own that intellectual property. The rights are non-exclusive, so you can’t trademark anything." - Danielle
This is a huge oversight that many business owners don’t think about. As your business grows, legal protections around your brand become more important. Without proper intellectual property rights, your branding could be copied, leaving you with no recourse. Investing in professional branding can safeguard your business from these costly mistakes.
4. Your Brand Isn’t Growing With You
As your business evolves, so should your brand. DIY branding often results in a stagnant or outdated image that doesn’t communicate new services or your business’s growth.
"When your new services and offerings aren’t fitting into the mold that you've created, it's not growing with your business. Partnership could be really beneficial in taking you to that next level." - Danielle
One of the biggest signs you need to uplevel your brand is when you’re offering new services but clients don’t seem to understand them. If your message isn’t resonating, it’s time to bring in professionals who can ensure your brand grows with your business.
5. Getting Bogged Down by Unqualified Leads
If you find yourself wasting time dealing with unqualified leads—people who don’t understand your offerings or aren’t the right fit—your brand messaging might be to blame. A well-defined brand attracts the right clients and repels the wrong ones. It’s not just about having a pretty logo; your messaging should clearly communicate your value to your ideal client. When your brand speaks directly to the audience you want, you’ll start attracting higher-quality leads, which improves your bottom line.
So, What’s the Financial Impact of DIY Branding Mistakes?
Investing in professional branding doesn’t just boost your business’s appearance—it directly affects your financials. A polished brand leads to better client retention, higher fees, and a more streamlined client acquisition process. Tracking KPIs like client acquisition cost, lead conversion rates, and average revenue per client will show a clear difference once your brand is aligned with your services. Plus, expenses related to branding are tax-deductible, offering an immediate financial benefit.
In short, while DIY branding might seem like a smart cost-saving measure in the short term, it’s likely costing you more than you realize in the long run.
Want to dive deeper into DIY branding and when it’s time to hire a pro?
Check out the latest episode of Build to Enough where Danielle breaks down the signs it’s time to up-level your brand. If you’ve been DIY-ing your brand but feel like it’s not matching the quality of your services, this episode is for you!
🎧 Listen to the full episode here.
If you're ready to hire a professional now to upgrade, check out House of MKTG services! They are a joy to work with all will take great care of you, tell them we sent you 😉
👋🏾 We’re Little Fish Accounting, a firm that goes beyond the numbers to provide concierge-level care. Our advisory services enables our clients to make strategic decisions for their business, achieving big results with small teams. Interested in learning more? Check out our suite of service offerings.
We also have a podcast, Build to Enough, where we explore practices for sustainably building a business that is aligned with your purpose and values. Let us help you to redefine what success looks like. For more, check out our services below.
💼 Our Services |https://www.littlefishaccounting.com/services
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