If you follow me on Instagram, you know that almost every day I post a colorful medley of some of my favorite memes and quotes in my stories.
I collect memes like some people collect stamps. Or comic books. Or souvenir fridge magnets from every place they visit. One of the memes I reposted on my Instagram recently read:
“Other people’s opinions of you don’t pay your bills.”
I liked it so much that I decided to come up with my own version: “Other people’s opinions of your branding don’t grow your business.”
Which brings me to today’s topic.
3 Reasons to Stop Asking People to Vote on Your Branding
When you’re in the process of crafting or refining your branding, asking your friends and fam to give you feedback on your visual identity may seem like the sensible thing to do, right?
WRONG! I say this lovingly and respectfully: Asking your spouse/bff/sis/bro/aunty/uncle to comment on your font and color choices is like asking an accountant to perform heart surgery on a flamingo. 🦩
Unless your spouse/bff/sis/bro/aunty/uncle is versed in:
- Design psychology
- Neuromarketing
- Behavioral design
- Color theory
And has an in-depth understanding of your:
- Ideal client avatar
- Business model
- Brand voice
- Strategic brand positioning
They are NOT QUALIFIED to comment on your branding or predict whether your color choices will support your business goals. And it doesn’t matter that they’ve known you since you were in diapers. Here are 3 reasons why I don’t recommend polling your Instagram followers or soliciting feedback from friends and family about your branding.
Reason #1: Your branding is not about what colors look nice on you
Save the “you look so pretty in pink,” “green really brings out your eyes” and “purple complements your skin complexion” for your wardrobe decisions. Picking brand colors is not about what looks good on you or what colors your office walls are painted. It’s about what will resonate with your target audience and support your brand positioning.
The role of your brand colors is to elicit an emotional response and exude a specific energy that is designed to attract your dream clients. So unless the person giving you feedback fits the profile of your ideal client avatar, their feedback should not inform your choices.
Reason #2: Subjective opinions don’t translate into intentional decisions
When it comes to branding and colors, everyone has a frickin’ opinion. Whether their opinion is based on trends they are exposed to online, brands they like, or personal preferences and preconceptions, other people’s personal tastes should not be a determining factor in your business’s visual identity.
Your brand has one job: convey the right message about your business to the right people. And it can’t do that if it’s a mishmash of what your friends/family/followers THINK it should be.
Reason #3: Soliciting external feedback will dilute your vision
Your business has a unique vision, mission, and purpose that only YOU truly understand. That uniqueness should be reflected in your branding. When you open up your branding decisions to public vote, you dilute your distinct vision by incorporating conflicting opinions. While constructive feedback can be valuable, allowing too many voices to influence your branding will lead to a watered-down representation of your business.
So trust your instincts and own your vision! Limiting external input will not only help you stay true to your vision, it will also simplify your branding choices so you can build a brand that reflects your unique energy. Ultimately, your branding helps you communicate your value, showcase your expertise, and share your message with the world.
That’s kind of important, dontcha’ think? Not something you want to put up for a vote. And if you need help building a strategic visual brand that will make your heart (and bank account) soar, I can hook you up with my accountant who also moonlights as a flamingo heart surgeon.
Just kidding, I can help. If you want a strategic, non-mishmashed visual identity, take our Brand Personality Quiz and we’ll give it to you in an instant! (Well, more like 7ish minutes, which is the time it takes to complete the quiz.)
