Hiring a Graphic Designer: 5 signs you're ready to take the leap
Marketing is, undeniably, an important part of running a successful business. Ironically, it seems to be one of the first things to take a back seat when things get busy. I know this certainly rings true for me! But when it comes down to it, having a professionally designed website and marketing collateral can make a HUGE difference in the growth of your business.
Are you proud of how you're representing yourself and your business? Do you feel confident distributing print materials and sending people to your website? If the answer is "no," then it may be time to make a change.
Hiring a professional graphic designer could be just the thing you need to bring your business to the next level. Here are 5 signs that you may be ready to take the leap.
1. YOU DON'T HAVE TIME TO DO IT YOURSELF.
You have a lot on your plate and there are only so many hours in the day. You know your business like the back of your hand, so you seem like the best person to be working on your visual brand and marketing design... but you're not a design expert!
A PROFESSIONAL GRAPHIC DESIGNER WILL...
take the heavy burden off of you, work to understand your business, and bring design and visual marketing expertise to the table. A good designer will also have the appropriate software and be up-to-date on trends, which will help make the design process seamless and enjoyable. So finally close that Canva file and start thinking about a life of doing more of what you love, while an expert focuses on design! (Doesn't that sound lovely?!)
2. YOU CRAVE CONSISTENCY.
You want your marketing to stand out and be recognizable. You may have multiple team members assembling marketing pieces as needed (or maybe it's all on you right now!), but there are no brand guidelines to follow and everything seems visually disjointed.
A PROFESSIONAL DESIGNER WILL...
help create the visual consistency you're looking for and assist you in building a strong, consistent brand presence within your market. Perhaps this means you go through a complete rebrand OR start working more strategically within your existing brand to create this consistency (it just so happens that I offer both services!). A good designer will also provide helpful tips on what YOU can do to help maintain this consistency.
3. YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR MARKETING TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
You're at a turning point. DIY-ing your marketing design just isn't cutting it anymore. "Good enough" isn't actually good enough anymore. You feel you need to make some changes that will increase your professional image and help your business grow the way you want it to.
A PROFESSIONAL DESIGNER WILL...
use expertise and technical skill to bring your marketing designs from "just fine" to amazing- from mediocre to something that truly represents who you are and what your business stands for. A good designer will ask the right questions, capture your personality and create engaging designs that capture the eyes of your audience!
4. YOU HAVE A MARKETING BUDGET.
You understand that sometimes you must spend money to make money. You have a budget to use toward marketing and graphic design, but you want to be sure it's worth the investment.
A PROFESSIONAL DESIGNER WILL...
be worth it! You just need to find someone who's a good fit for your business. And believe me, that person is out there. If you have some money set aside to dedicate to a rebrand or a marketing refresh, jump in and do your research. Learn more about different designers' processes and check out their portfolios. Look for someone who just seems to "fit" your style and brand, who catches your eye and who you think would jive with you and what you're about. And don't forget that more often than not, you get what you pay for.
5. YOU HAVE A VISION & YOU'RE PREPARED TO COLLABORATE.
Your business is your baby. You have some great marketing ideas and you feel ready to partner with a designer, knowing they will bring fresh ideas to the table while keeping your vision and business goals in mind.
A PROFESSIONAL DESIGNER WILL...
collaborate with you and help make your vision come to life. You know your business best, and it is truly up to you to communicate your ideas and preferences up front. The designer's job is to take that vision and guide you through the design process, giving suggestions and sharing ideas, all based on their professional opinion and expertise. If you're working with a good designer who is the right fit for you, the two of you will be working easily and effectively as a team to make your vision come to life!
DO SOME (OR ALL!) OF THESE SIGNS RESONATE WITH YOU?
If so, I'd love to chat with you more about your business and how I can potentially help you with your design and marketing collateral. If you're interested, check out my portfolio and learn more about my services and design process.
Not quite ready to hire a professional designer?
Enrolling in my online program, Design Spirit, is a great way to learn how to be cohesive and consistent, execute your vision, and elevate your marketing as a whole… even on a DIYer budget.
