Section 1: Before you design anything
Your brand exists to make you recognisable and trustworthy. Before spending money, answer three questions: Who is this for? What do you want them to feel? What makes you different?
Write a one-sentence positioning statement: We help [audience] achieve [outcome] by [how you're different].
Section 2: The visual essentials
Logo first. Vector files, multiple colour versions, SVG and PNG.
Colour. One primary, one secondary, one neutral — with exact hex codes.
Fonts. Two maximum: one for headings, one for body.
Section 3: Making it consistent
Build a one-page brand guide: logo usage, colours, fonts, do's and don'ts. Share it with anyone who touches your brand.
Section 4: Ready to grow
When DIY stops being enough, invest in a professional. Ask about process, deliverables, and revision rounds before you book.