Five Signs your branding is holding you back (and what to do about it)
Branding isn’t just about having a pretty logo. It’s the way your business looks, feels, and communicates. Across absolutely everything from your Instagram to your invoices.
If you’re a freelancer or solo creative, your branding actually matters even more because you are the brand. Your visuals are often the first impression people get, before they’ve read a single word of your pitch or portfolio. So if something about your brand identity feels a bit “off”, it’s worth paying attention.
Here are five signs your branding could be holding you back and what you can do to fix it.
1. Your logo isn’t the problem but it’s not helping either
If you’ve been thinking “I just need a better logo” - sadly a logo alone won’t save your brand.
A strong brand identity is made up of more than one element. It includes colours, typography, layout styles, and an overall mood or aesthetic that works together to send the right message.
If you’ve got a logo but the rest of your visuals are a mash-up of random styles, it’s so confusing.
What to do: Focus on building a cohesive visual identity. Your logo, fonts, and colours should feel like they belong together and reflect your style or niche.
2. You keep changing your fonts and colours
If you’re swapping fonts every other month or constantly tweaking your colour palette, you’re not alone.
The problem? Inconsistency can make your brand look less professional and harder to remember. Your audience won’t connect with you if your visuals are always changing.
What to do: Pick a small, intentional set of fonts and colours and stick with them. A consistent look builds recognition and trust, which is gold for freelancers trying to stand out online.
3. Your social media and website look like two different brands
If your Instagram feels warm and minimal but your website is bold and busy, you’re sending mixed messages.
This disconnect can make potential clients wonder which “version” of you they’re getting and that’s never a good thing.
What to do: Audit your key brand touchpoints (social, website, proposals, email signature) and make sure they’re aligned. Even small tweaks can help tie everything together.
4. You feel awkward sending people to your website or profile
If you avoid sharing your site or portfolio because it “doesn’t feel like you” or you’re worried it looks amateur, that’s a sign your branding isn’t working for you.
Your visuals should make you feel proud to share your work, not hesitant.
What to do: Think of branding as a tool for confidence. The right identity will make you excited to put yourself out there, which usually means more opportunities coming your way.
5. You’re spending too much time second-guessing your visuals
Endless time tweaking Canva templates? Wondering if your Instagram grid “matches”? Changing your fonts in proposals before sending them?
If your brand identity was clear and cohesive, you wouldn’t have to overthink these details, you’d know what to use and how to use it.
What to do: Create (or get) simple brand guidelines so your visuals are essentially on autopilot. Less decision-making means more time for your actual work.
So, what’s next?
If you’ve read through this list nodding along, it might be time to get some branding clarity. You don’t need a huge rebrand or months-long strategy process but you do need a foundation that works.
That’s exactly why I created the Freelance Branding Package. It’s a streamlined, affordable way to get the core pieces of your brand identity sorted, so you can stop second-guessing and start showing up confidently.
You’ll walk away with:
✔️ A custom text-based logo or monogram
✔️ Curated colours and fonts
✔️ A moodboard to capture your aesthetic
✔️ Simple, easy-to-use brand guidelines
Think of it as your brand’s starting kit, enough to make sure you look polished, cohesive, and totally true to yourself.
📅 For a limited time, it’s 10% off until September 30.
