Top Free Design Tools I'd Recommend for New Entrepreneurs

If I were a new entrepreneur in the service business and decided to finally take the leap and begin my business journey, I would do these 3 things:

• Develop a business plan

• Create a brand identity

• Get a mentor

Now, I am not here to guide you through the development of a business plan – I’ve actually still haven’t done a proper one myself – at least not in the traditional way. But I can offer you some support when creating your brand identity design and give you some mentoring tips on how to navigate your new journey into the entrepreneurial world.

BRAND CREATION & FREE TOOLS

Let me ask: have you ever found yourself scrolling through social media and stumbling upon a new brand that instantly grabs your attention?

Yep, you guessed it: what caught your attention is the design!

Now that we agree that what grabs attention is the design of a brand (of any brand, good or bad it is), let’s picture this: you are ready to start offering your services, whether you're a new entrepreneur following your passion or a coach sharing your expertise, one thing's for sure: you're in it to win it. Am I right?

The question is: how can you guarantee that in a market overflowing with options, especially the wellness market, your new business and offers will stand out in the crowd?

And here is the answer: your brand identity is your secret weapon, and design its sidekick!

When it comes to creating your own business, your brand identity will shape the way you present your offers to the world. It's the values, the personality, the messaging, the colors, the logo, the vibe, and much more — all those elements put together through your brand image, is what sets you (the brand) apart from the plethora of look-alikes. And for service providers like you and me, that's gold.

But I haven’t forgotten that you just started on your business journey, and I understand that perhaps paying a designer or getting a brand strategist and coach might not be the option available right now.

So, how can you go about the creation of your brand identity, and make sure it looks professional and aligned with your vision and purpose, attracts your dream clients and supports your business journey?

Even though my advice is always to get a professional to do the work, or to get some guiding support, in this digital era there are plenty of tools that can be used by non-designers and allow new entrepreneurs like you to create a brand identity that’s both aligned and professional.

BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING: BRAND STRATEGY

Before you get into designing your brand, begin by doing research on your target market, audience, and competitors. This will give you an overview of opportunities and challenges, of what is needed and how you can provide support.

Once your research is done, ask how you can meet the challenges that your audience is facing, and how your services are in line with your brand purpose and vision.

Finally, consider what values and personality will define your brand. Once those values are clear, you can start looking at your brand design.

FREE TOOLS FOR BRAND LAYOUT

Here is a list of free tools that can support your business journey and help you create a brand identity that is aligned to your purpose and goals:

• Adobe Express or Canva: these are two very similar tools that can be used to establish your brand identity design, define colors, fonts, imagery, and you can even create a logo design through these tools.

• Coolors or Adobe Color: these two tools can help you choose your color palette based on your values and brand personality.

• Google Fonts or Font Squirrel: use one of these tools to align your brand values with the choice of fonts, pairing two fonts for your headlines and body copy, and maybe choosing an extra one for copy highlights.

• Unsplash or PixelBay: if your brand requires imagery, aesthetics, and illustrations, these two tools are great for stock imagery.

FEEDBACK & ITERATION

Now that your brand identity is coming to life, begin using it, implement it on your social media accounts, create some templates for your Instagram or Facebook page, or design some printed materials you can share and get feedback from those close to you, and ask for pointers for changes and improvements.

When it comes to brand design, we want to make sure that whatever visuals you use for your services and business are aligned with your values and with those of your dream clients. The identity you create needs to convey the same message that defined your values, vision, and purpose. If not, you need to make adjustments.

But also, keep in mind that perfection is rarely achievable, and your brand identity and design will change and evolve as you do and as your business develops and grows.

ENCOURAGE ENGAGEMENT AND FEEDBACK

Alright, friend, it's your turn!

Share your own branding adventures in the comments below. Let's swap stories, share tips, and cheer each other on as we embark on this branding journey together.

Ready to make your mark? Let's do this!