Branding Demystified

Branding Demystified

Branding Demystified

There are several questions we receive when it comes to branding. Many of them are simple on the surface but lead to nuanced and varying answers. Today’s journal post seeks to illuminate those gray areas.

May 12, 2023

Words by Marbury Team

There are several questions we receive when it comes to branding. Many of them are simple on the surface but lead to nuanced and varying answers. The truth is: branding is often not as black and white as we want it to be.

So, we want to use today’s post to clear up the gray areas and answer your frequently asked questions. Our hope is that you will leave here feeling equipped with the resources you need to make informed, confident decisions in regard to your branding. You do not need to become an expert—that’s our role—but you do deserve to have a holistic understanding of the process. 

Here is everything you need to know about branding and Marbury’s branding process:

The truth is: branding is often not as black and white as we want it to be.

 

 

How much does it cost?

This is one of those aforementioned gray areas. Like most services, prices vary across the board. You can find luxury, all-inclusive branding packages that cost $50k and upward. In contrast, you can find accessible branding for $100 or less through popular freelancing sites like Fiverr or Upwork. Each of these options comes with a tradeoff. A more expensive package may require you to get creative with your budget while a cost-efficient service may require you to sacrifice quality. Before investing, reflect on what is most important for your brand based on your present goals, long-term vision, and existing resources. 

In general, we recommend allocating $15,000–$35,000 towards your branding project. This number may feel like a lot, but remember that cost correlates to quality. When pursuing reputable, high-performance branding, you are not paying for the end result alone. You’re paying for the innovative edge, refined process, and sustainable results that follow. A designer with more experience and stellar client results will work at a higher rate than an entry-level designer who is just getting started. 

If you’re interested in receiving Marbury’s pricing and capabilities deck or a custom proposal, click here.

 

How long does it take?

We firmly believe that good things take time. Therefore, we allocate anywhere from  8 to 12 weeks for our branding packages. If you’re interested in learning more about how and why we structure our packages this way, we encourage you to read this recent journal post: How Long Does The Branding Process Take?

 

What happens when we’re done/what if I need more support?

Even when our packages come to an end, the support is ongoing. We are committed to building lasting relationships with each of our clients. One of the ways we do this is by offering VIP Days that are exclusive to existing and former clientele. These VIP days can be used to tackle additional collateral or one-off projects such as signage, book covers, social media templates, or stationery that wasn’t built out during the original design process. 

When it comes to implementing your completed assets, our Brand Style Guide is key. It gives you the exact framework for translating your brand identity across various channels. We give you examples and boundaries to help you seamlessly integrate your new brand. 

 

Do you offer social media management?

We do not offer social media management. However, we do offer social media templates as a part of our branding package. These branded templates help you carry a consistent presence across all of your digital marketing platforms. 

 

What is included in brand identity?

Brand identity refers to the core visual elements of your brand. They are the very basics required to establish and expand your presence. This includes a primary logo, secondary logo, submarks, color palette, and typography. On a case-by-case basis, it may also include brand illustrations and monograms. These elements will be the origin story of your brand and the foundation that holds everything together. 

 

I already have ideas of what I want. Should I share them with you?

We view you as a collaborator, not just a client. Therefore, your creative insights, visions, and preferences are always welcome here. We create space in our initial Brand Strategy Sessions for you to share visual direction that excites and inspires you, though it’s certainly not required. All we ask is that you enter the project with an open, curious, and willing mind. 

Interested in starting a project? Inquire here to start a conversation. We would love to hear about your vision. 

We hope this Q&A gave you the clarity, confidence, and insight you need to move forward in your brand development. If you still have questions, feel free to leave us a comment or send us a DM on Instagram. We would be happy to answer them in our next journal post.

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