Revealing My Full Brand Identity Design Process!

Summary

This video outlines a brand designer's step-by-step process that has doubled client referrals. The approach, rooted in the 'SEO' criteria, focuses on creating lasting impressions and trust through each stage of the project, from inquiry to post-launch follow-up. Key stages include inquiry filtering, personalized proposals, brand strategy development, creative direction, and offboarding. The designer emphasizes the importance of the 'one concept method' and post-launch communication to ensure client satisfaction and demonstrate tangible results, positioning them as a strategic partner rather than just a designer.

Takeaways

• 😀 Implementing a strategic design process based on SEO principles has helped increase referral rates with clients.
• 😀 The inquiry stage involves having prospects fill out a form to filter out unserious inquiries and save time, which also creates a professional first impression.
• 😀 Responding to inquiries within 24 hours increases the likelihood of prospects committing to the next stage of the process, leveraging the concept of a 'low effort buy-in.'
• 😀 The discovery call allows you to build trust, understand the client's business challenges, and establish a rough pricing range without committing to a fixed quote.
• 😀 A customized project proposal, tailored to the client's specific needs, demonstrates expertise and helps differentiate you from other designers.
• 😀 Using a project management system for onboarding clients streamlines the process and reduces confusion by providing a centralized, engaging platform for tasks and timelines.
• 😀 Brand strategy is crucial for building a unique identity, as it aligns a business’s visual identity with its goals, values, and target audience, making it an essential service that clients are willing to pay for.
• 😀 Presenting two mood boards and asking specific questions during feedback ensures that the client’s vision aligns with the design and avoids misunderstandings.
• 😀 The one concept method in the design stage reduces confusion and leads to fewer revisions, as clients focus on perfecting one strong concept rather than combining elements from multiple designs.
• 😀 The offboarding process includes packaging the visual identity files, creating brand guidelines, and offering a personalized offboarding call to gather feedback and upsell additional services.
• 😀 A post-launch follow-up, including a questionnaire, allows you to track the impact of your design and demonstrate the results to future clients, helping to attract higher-paying opportunities.

Q & A

What is the SEO criteria mentioned in the design process?

The SEO criteria refers to a set of principles that helps create a positive and lasting impression on clients during the design process. This is not about technical design skills but about establishing trust, increasing engagement, and improving client experience to generate more referrals.

How does the inquiry stage help filter out unserious prospects?

By having prospects fill out an inquiry form with specific details like budget and deliverables, the designer can filter out unserious inquiries, ensuring they only focus on clients that are genuinely interested in the service.

Why is it important to act quickly after receiving an inquiry?

Acting within 24 hours helps capitalize on the lead's interest while it's still fresh, increasing the likelihood of moving the prospect to the next stage. It also aligns with the concept of a low-effort buy-in, where the prospect commits subconsciously by investing their time.

What is the one concept method in design, and how does it benefit clients?

The one concept method involves presenting only the strongest design concept to the client, as opposed to multiple concepts. This reduces confusion, avoids overwhelm, and results in fewer revisions, leading to a stronger, more cohesive final product.

How does the onboarding stage differ from traditional email communication?

The onboarding stage uses a project management system instead of long emails, providing the client with a structured, organized platform where they can access essential details such as invoices, contracts, project timelines, and more. This improves organization and engagement.

What are the key benefits of using a project management system for client onboarding?

A project management system offers clear project timelines, interactive to-do lists, and step-by-step instructions, making clients feel more involved. It also prevents overwhelm by organizing everything in one place, improving both client experience and communication.

Why is brand strategy critical in the design process?

Brand strategy is crucial because it transforms a simple logo into a tool for building brand awareness, sales, and market differentiation. It helps establish the business as a unique player in its industry, and businesses are willing to invest heavily in such strategic services.

How do mood boards play a role in the design process?

Mood boards help communicate the creative direction to the client. By presenting two options, clients can choose which direction aligns with their vision, ensuring both parties are on the same page before moving forward with the design.

What impact does a post-launch follow-up have on the client relationship?

A post-launch follow-up helps track the impact of the new brand identity on the client's business, demonstrating care for their results. It also provides valuable data to use in future marketing efforts and enhances the designer's credibility.

How does offboarding ensure a smooth end to the project?

Offboarding includes providing all final project files, creating brand guidelines, and conducting an offboarding call. This ensures clients have the tools they need to maintain brand consistency and gives designers a chance to gather feedback and potentially secure future work.