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The Brand Image of a Freelancer

When you decide to become a freelancer or a self-employed worker, you must show your professionalism and credibility to convince potential customers. A way to achieve this is to have a strong and representative brand image. Besides helping you stand out from other professionals, it will help you start your business on the right foot. <h3>What is a brand image?</h3> Let us start with the beginning: what is a brand image exactly? According to its definition, it is the public's perceived representation of a business. In just a few seconds, your potential clients will decide whether they want to trust you and if your business seems credible. You may be the best translator in the area; however, if your brand image is inadequate, it will be difficult to convince people to hire you.  <h3>Why should freelancers care about their brand image?</h3> Since brand image is generally how a business is perceived, it is more than just visual identity. You must <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/how-to-find-your-first-customers" target="_blank">find your first clients</a> when you become a freelancer or self-employed worker. You need to convince them to work with you, even if they might not know you. A professional-looking brand image will increase your chances of success; however, your words must follow your actions. A freelancer can have the most-beautiful logo or the best content on social media, but if they offer bad service, it will harm their reputation. Of course, there are many things that you can implement when you start to show your credibility. For example, you can add an about us page and display examples of past projects or customer testimonials on your website. It can all make a significant difference. <h3>The different components of a brand identity</h3> Different components make a brand identity. This identity can help you stand out from other freelancers and show your personality and values. A great brand identity can then help you seduce potential clients. When you become a freelancer, you can use your personality to create your brand and its many components. Here are five important components of a brand identity.  The business name Your business name is often made up of only a few syllables, but it can tell much about your personality or the services you offer. Whether you have decided to use a name you invented or your first name, make sure everything sounds well and represents your domain of activity. It can be as simple as Daphne Combs Translation or Sepia Studios. You can also use a slogan with your business name to be more precise or explain what you do. The logo Most businesses have a logo, even freelancers and self-employed workers. Whether you have decided to use your own name for your business name or not, you have many options. You can create a wordmark logo from your name or add an icon representing your field of expertise or personality. Here is a little tip: a good logo should be simple, flexible, unique, and representative. The color palette Colors can be used to send a precise message. They have meaning and can help you show your values and personality. Let us say that you want to offer a high-end service. Gold, black, and purple could be attractive colors to use to seduce your target audience. What is your favorite color? Which colors would represent your services and values the best? The typography Same thing with typography. A font helps create your visual identity's personality and targets specific clientele. Do you wish to promote your creative side? A decorative font could be an appropriate option. On the contrary, do you want to show your seriousness and professionalism? A serif font could be a wise choice. The tone What ambiance do you want your target audience to feel when visiting your website? Once again, it must have a link with your target clientele and values. Are you looking for something friendly and warm? Do you prefer to promote your expertise and excellence? The tone will impact the visual components and texts, whether those on your website or social media. These components will then be used everywhere to promote your brand, whether on your website, social media, <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/the-importance-of-the-business-card" target="_blank">business cards</a>, newsletters, invoices, etc. You need brand consistency so people can easily recognize you through your brand. <h3>How to define your brand identity</h3> If you are on the verge of becoming a freelancer, here are some elements to help you define your brand identity. Of course, nothing needs to be perfect when you start; a brand can evolve with time.  Analysis of your business Before you start anything, take a moment to analyze the business you want to create. What are your strengths and weaknesses? What type of services do you plan to offer? Analysis of the target audience Then, define your target audience. Who are your services for? What do they need, and how can you help them? What do they like? The more you know about them, the easier it will be to answer their needs. Analysis of the competition Who are your direct and indirect competitors? What does their brand image look like, and what type of services do they offer? Analyzing the competition allows you to find opportunities and see how to stand out. Creating the brand identity After you have analyzed your business, the target audience, and the competition, it will be easier to create your brand identity. If needed, have keywords to keep in mind when creating the visual components of your brand. Make different tests; the important thing to remember is to be consistent and represent your business values well. If we take Momenteo as an example, we wanted to create an invoicing tool that is modern and easy to use. We then chose freelancers and self-employed workers for our target clientele and made content and features to meet their needs. Finally, by analyzing the competition, we realized that the world of finances and accounting is often too formal and severe. We then preferred to create a friendly brand identity to stand out. This research then impacted the elaboration of our brand's visual components.  In conclusion, a defined brand image can be a great advantage when you decide to become a freelancer or an entrepreneur. By understanding your market and what you want to offer, you increase your chances of meeting your clients' needs and expectations and creating an attractive brand image. Remember to <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/4-ways-to-personalize-your-invoices" target="_blank">customize your invoices</a> with the components of your brand!

Ariane