Our focus this week has been copyrights, originality and creativity. I have one more thing to talk about that conscientious designers, especially those just starting their business, should consider. Everything you do online that relates to your business is a type of branding. Make sure that your online branding tells a story about your jewelry and that is doesn’t step on the toes of designers you admire.
What does this mean?
Your shop – Make sure your website design or shop banner isn’t a copy of something you’ve seen. It should reflect your work, inspiration, style and what customers can expect to see from you.
Your blog & your brand – there are only so many templates out there, so what ways can your blog stand out from the crowd? First, take care that your blog color choices and banner don’t resemble another designer’s, especially if you have similar styles in jewelry. You can make a custom banner with images of your creations or have a designer create something unique for you. There are many designers on etsy who do this for a small charge. Look up graphic designers or banners.
Photography – Search for props/backgrounds that are personal to you, that complement your style of jewelry. When searching through hundreds of photos on Etsy, your images should immediately conjure up your name. Do not style your photographs based on someone elses ideas, it’s frustrating to the person that is being copied and doesn’t help to set you apart from the crowd.
Your visual brand should carry over to all places online and off, keep it consistent and originally yours. Business cards, postcards, ads and your packaging should also reflect your brand.
Not sure you have a brand or what that means? Here are a few helpful links:
If you have felt a twinge of guilt this week, feeling maybe you have been a little too influenced, don’t be discouraged. Use this as a time to reinvent yourself, dig deep into your own influences, take a closer look at what makes you an individual and celebrate that. Creativity is a vast ocean, you can never use it up or run out of it. Trust yourself.
TesoriTrovati
April 24, 2009 at 4:35 pmThanks Heather! You ladies, and all the great links this week, have been really good to think about. A great dialogue has been opened. You make some excellent points about branding and the relation to your presence in the world as an artist. Enjoy the day! Erin
one-eared pig
April 24, 2009 at 10:16 pmwhat a great post!
Alice
April 25, 2009 at 1:01 pmWow, lots of great information!
When I purchase beads from artists who sell on ebay or esty I can easily pick out my favorites (and the ones I trust to be good quality) just by their photo. Yes, branding is everything in today’s market where there are loads of people trying to sell the same thing.
Thanks for taking the time to post all this great info!
Alice