So, you’ve taken branding into your own hands. You’ve snapped some photos, played around with fonts, and maybe even designed a logo in Canva. At first, it felt fun—like an arts and crafts project for your business. But now? Something feels…off. Your visuals don’t quite match the level of professionalism you bring to your work. And worse, they aren’t drawing in the clients you really want.

First of all—no shame in the DIY game! Most business owners have been there. But if your brand visuals aren’t working, it might be time for an update. Let’s go over 5 common DIY branding mistakes and how to fix them!

Mistake #1: Using Inconsistent or Poor-Quality Photos

Various filters, different types of lighting, or a mix of random, unrelated images can make your brand feel unprofessional. Your dream clients want to see the quality of your work, and your visuals should reflect that!

✅ What to Do Instead: If you’re DIYing your photos, make sure that you are staying consistent. If you edit your own photos, choose 1 filter and use it every time. If you’re using stock images, make sure that they all have the same visual look in terms of color, light, and content. Exhausted from DIYing this part? Book a photography brand session with me!

Mistake #2: Mixing Too Many Fonts & Colors

Pinterest can be nice for inspiration, but let’s be honest—it’s easy to fall into the trap of pinning every cute font and color that catches your eye. Before you know it, your brand has five different fonts, too many colors to count, and graphics that all look completely different. Instead of feeling cohesive, it feels… chaotic.

✅ What to Do Instead: Stick to a color palette of 4-6 colors and no more than 2-3 fonts. The goal? Instant recognition. When someone sees your brand, they should immediately associate it with you. Take the McDonald’s golden arches as an example. The M is always the same style and always the same color. People know it and recognize it instantly. That’s what we want for you and your brand!

Mistake #3: Ignoring the Power of White Space

Have you ever walked into a store where the shelves are so packed that you don’t know where to look first and everything feels so overwhelming? That’s what happens when your design gets too busy. When designing marketing materials, it’s tempting to fill every inch with text, graphics, and images. But overcrowded visuals can overwhelm your audience instead of drawing them in.

✅ What to Do Instead: Give your designs room to breathe! White space (or empty space) helps create balance, making your content more inviting and professional. Less really is more.

Mistake #4: Using Mismatched Stock Images

Stock images can be good — but only if they actually fit your brand. If you’re a warm, personal brand but you’re using stiff corporate stock photos will blue-ish filter hues, there’s a disconnect. And trust me, your audience can feel it.

✅ What to Do Instead: Choose stock images carefully and make sure they align with the feeling/vibe you’re trying to portray. Be selective! Better yet, invest in custom brand photography so your visuals are 100% you.

Mistake #5: Forgetting About Strategy

Aesthetics are the very base necessity. Once you have those set and ready to go, it’s time to be strategic. If you’re using your design elements and photos inconsistently or your website isn’t user friendly, you might be missing opportunities.

✅ What to Do Instead: Create your own branding guidelines so that all of your colors, fonts, imagery style, etc. is all in one spot and organized. Here are some Canva templates from Creative Market!

In Canva, you can go to the toolbar on the left side and click “Brand.” Then, create your brand kit and import your fonts, logos, and colors. You can also do this in your Showit website under “Design Settings.” This is so nice because you just type/upload everything once and then you have it done for good! It makes it super easy for you to stay consistent. Trust me, this will make your life so easy if you do it right away!

Additionally, approach branding like storytelling. Ask yourself:

1. What story am I telling?
2. Does my brand clearly communicate who I help and how?
3. Is my website easy to navigate with clear calls-to-action?
4. Do my visuals give the right first impression?
5. What feeling do I want people to have when they see my brand?

Ready for a Brand Glow-Up?

Feeling a little overwhelmed? You don’t have to figure this all out on your own! If you’re ready to take the guesswork out of your brand visuals and create something truly one-of-a-kind, I’d love to help. Taking all the ideas in your head and adding my own creative perspective on them is what I LIVE for! Whether it’s capturing brand photos or designing a brand so perfect it’ll bring a tear to your eye, we can make sure your brand feels as professional as the work you do. Let’s chat—send me a message!