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. This will help make the design process seamless and enjoyable. So… close that Microsoft Publisher document 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 be recognizable and noticed. Multiple staff members may be 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 graphic designer will…
help create the visual consistency you’re looking for and assist you in building a strong 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 good enough anymore. You feel you need to make some changes that will increase your professionalism and help your business grow the way you want it to.
A professional graphic designer will…
use expertise and technical skill to bring your design 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 target 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 graphic 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. Someone who catches your eye and who you think would resonate 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 graphic 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 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 as a team.
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 Stephen Francis Atelier can potentially help you with your design and marketing collateral. If you’re interested, check out our portfolio and learn more about our graphic design services.
Not quite ready to hire a professional designer?
We are launching an online program called, Design Soul. It 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. Sign up to get exclusive content and be the first to get your seat at the table.
This course is packed with value-packed lessons that cover the most important design principles, design planning, how to be cohesive and consistent, how to be organized and efficient as you design, and so much more. You’ll also receive cheatsheets that you can have by your side every time you sit down to design, helping you ensure you’re using the core design principles and following an expert-approved design process.
Yeah… I’m inviting you behind the scenes and literally giving you permission to use my actual design process I use with my own clients (!!)
Bottom line… Design Soul will give you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to create beautiful, on-brand visuals that communicate your value before you say a word. Yes, design is that powerful! Think of it as a self-paced course that acts as a trusted shortcut for busy entrepreneurs (like you!) who want to create result-driven, aesthetic-enhanced designs.
You have lifetime access too, which means you can truly use it as an on-going resource for visual examples, templates, and a refresher of the design basics.