Unfuck your branding: The 10-second rule for brand success
Your branding isn’t just about looking good, it’s about working effortlessly in every scenario. If your brand elements aren’t instantly accessible, recognizable, and memorable, you’re losing credibility, opportunities, and money. Let’s put your brand to the test with these quick exercises. If you struggle with any of them, it’s time to unfuck your branding.
Can you find your logo in 10 seconds?
Imagine this:
You’re at an event, in a meeting, or checking your emails. Someone asks for your company logo. What do you do?
Scroll through your camera roll?
Dig through old emails, hoping you sent it before?
Ask your designer to send it ASAP?
If you don’t have instant access to your logo and brand assets, you’re already behind. Every second wasted is a missed opportunity. Your logo should be stored in an easily accessible location, whether in cloud storage, a brand asset folder, or a quick-access link.
Pro Tip: Keep a dedicated folder with all brand assets, including different logo variations, color codes, and brand guidelines. Use Google Drive, Dropbox, or a dedicated brand website for quick access.
Test it now:
Find your logo. If it takes you more than 10 seconds, you need to unfuck your branding.
Can you describe your brand in emojis?
Your brand should be clear and concise, even down to an emoji summary. Can you express your brand’s personality, values, and essence using just a few emojis?
Try it now. Drop your brand’s emoji description in the comments. If it takes more than 10 seconds to decide, your brand identity isn’t strong enough. It should be instantly recognizable and easy to communicate.
Why This Matters: A strong brand has a clear personality. If you struggle to define it, your audience probably does too. Think of major brands—Nike (🏃♂️✔️🔥), Apple (🍏💻🎧), McDonald's (🍔🍟😊). How would you sum up yours?
Need help defining your brand's personality? Take my Brand Archetype Quiz to uncover your brand’s unique identity and gain clarity on how to communicate it effectively. Take the quiz here.
The memory test: Is your logo memorable?
Let’s play a game, no cheating!
Ask five different people to sketch your company’s logo from memory. Then compare the sketches.
Are they consistent?
Are they even close?
Does your logo leave a lasting impression?
If your logo isn’t simple and recognizable enough for people to recall it quickly, it’s time for a redesign.
The best logos stick in people’s minds effortlessly.
Branding Insight: Think about global brands. The Nike swoosh, the Apple logo, the McDonald’s arches, they’re all simple yet unforgettable. If your logo isn’t easy to remember, your brand is losing visibility.
Test it now:
Ask five friends to draw your logo from memory. If they struggle, it’s time to unfuck your branding.
The squint test: Can you recognize your logo at a glance?
Follow these steps:
Put your logo on your phone.
Extend your arm out, holding your phone away from you.
Squint your eyes until your vision blurs slightly.
Can you still recognize your logo?
If your logo loses its clarity or impact, it’s too complex. A strong brand should be instantly identifiable—even in a blur. Simplify, refine, and make sure it works across all sizes and platforms.
Why This Test Matters: Your logo needs to be visible and recognizable on business cards, websites, billboards, and social media icons. If it loses impact when shrunk or blurred, you need a cleaner, more distinctive design.
Try it now:
If your logo disappears when squinting, it’s time to unfuck your branding.
The first impression test: Does your brand hook investors and customers instantly?
Startups, entrepreneurs, founders, and co-founders, you have seconds to make an impression. When a potential investor, partner, or customer lands on your website or social media page, what do they see?
Is your value proposition immediately clear?
Does your brand messaging connect with your target audience?
Are your visuals, colors, and typography aligned with your brand’s personality?
If your branding doesn’t immediately tell people who you are, what you do, and why they should care, you're losing opportunities. In the fast-paced world of startups and entrepreneurship, unclear branding can cost you funding, partnerships, and customers.
Test it now:
Visit your website. If it’s not instantly clear what your startup does and who it serves, it’s time to unfuck your branding.
Branding Is About Functionality, Not Just Aesthetics
Branding isn’t just about looking good, it’s about working for you. If your branding fails these tests, you’re missing out on credibility, connections, and conversions. It’s time to streamline, refine, and unfuck your branding.
Ready to invest in your brand?
You’ve already built something incredible, now it’s time for your brand to reflect that. Let’s work on an identity that tells your story and grows your impact.
Let’s get started: Book a call today or choose your plan.
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