8 Ways To Clean Up Your Brand

Maybe you’re ramping things up right now, or maybe this time of year offers a slower pace in your business. No matter where you land, you can use the changes of the season and that little pep-in-your-step to your advantage.

Here are 8 ways to give your brand a boost!

>>>PS: Give your brand a boost with the Brand Habits Stack – a free resource with a checklist and digital template that I use with my clients.<<<

Number 1: Choose a growth focus

This could be really focusing on growing your email list subscribers, your social media engagement (on one account), or ramping up your Pinterest schedule.

That’s not to say you neglect the other things, but maybe you take a step back from some of the mannnyyyy outlets begging for your creative attention, and really focus on growing one thing.

For me, I’m going to focus on growing my email list. I’m making plans and writing down ideas and getting things in the works. For you, it might be blogging more consistently, or finally making and taking action on that strategy for your instagram stories. <<<Lemme know how that goes, I need help with that one, too!

8 ways to clean up your brand in Q4

Number 2: Choose a housekeeping focus

Do you need to update your website plugins, your email template header/footer, remove unsubscribes from your email list (you could still be paying for those, depending on your email service provider and how your plan operates!)?

Do you need to go through your finances, send out a pretty-please-with-a-cherry-on-top request for testimonials…

Or any other back-end task that’s been shoved at the bottom of your to-do list for a while?

Now’s the time to break out the broom and sweep!

In case you’re wondering what my task is… I’m looking forward to a new website template, but that probably won’t be until next year!

Number 3: Choose a systems/processes focus

How can you make your workflow better this last quarter?

What are things you do daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly that you could make a liiiiitle easier on yourself when you create them, using frameworks or templates?

Here’s the difference (or at least how I explain it):

FRAMEWORKS: I think of frameworks as more of an outline or a process. For example, my FAVORITE blog outline framework is from Ashlyn Carter (although she does call it a template), which was 1000% worth the cost. I also love this caption framework from Jasmine Star, you can find MANY great tips from her about social media as well.

VS.

TEMPLATES: I think of templates more like plug-and-play. For instance, you can also purchase social media caption templates via Jasmine’s Social Curator membership, where the captions are literally written for you and all you have to do is fill in the blanks. There are also graphic templates, like the manyyyy you can buy from Canva artists for your social media posts, Pinterest pins, or YouTube thumbnails, etc.

So, you could create copywriting frameworks such as a blog outline framework, or a social media caption framework (not plug-and-play, but moreso how each post should flow, like: HOOK + CAPTION + CALL-TO-ACTION) to use every time you go to write.

Or, maybe you need to create graphic templates for things like video thumbnails, Pinterest pins, blog graphics, lead magnet pdf’s, social media posts, etc. Whatever you do regularly, I’m sure there are more efficient, time-saving ways to do it – just do a quick google search for “how to write blogs faster” or “how to create graphic templates in Adobe Express”.

Number 4: Pick something to clarify

You probably already (cringingly) have something in mind that needs clarified within your brand…

Does your website need some copy clarity?
Do your brand values need tweaking?
Is your tagline exactly what you’d like it to be?
How about your about page or any of your sales pages?
Do your automated emails (new subscriber sequence, abandoned cart sequence, lead magnet sequence, etc.) need a refresher?

Choose something, no matter how big or small, to clarify. Your brand will be all the better for it when you’re done!

Number 5: Decide to write the thing

Maybe there’s something you’ve been wanting to or meaning to write. I’m talking evergreen content for your website, email funnels, or other platforms you use that will live for a while, not necessarily a standalone email or blog post.

You could update your social bios, or revamp your About Me page on your website.

Maybe it’s something bigger, like writing out your brand story – even if you know it by heart, you gotta get it out on digital paper!

Do you need to write your abandoned cart email sequence (hey, me too!) or refresh your content strategy?

Whatever it is… do it this last quarter!

Number 6: Pick something to automate

If you’re like me, you know there are some systems and processes you could put into place that you just ‘HAVEN’T HAD TIME’ to do yet. Do ‘em, and do ‘em now.

Automate your email sequences: Install your copy and set up your email sequences so your new subscribers are getting the goods right away… rather than sending crickets.

Use a project management system… not your notes app or email trail.

Store important brand docs and other files on the cloud so you and your team can access them from anywhere… NOT you having to send something each and every time someone asks.

Use a scheduling tool to make meetings with your team and/or clients easier… over emailing back and forth for calendar availability.

Set up automated abandoned cart emails… instead of missing out on the opportunity to make someone’s life better with what you offer!

You get the picture. There are so many great apps out there to make tasks more efficient and easier on you that it could actually make your head explode.

But don’t be overwhelmed! Just pick something and START.

You’ll figure out if you love it or hate it, and you can do something different soon enough. You never know until you try, right?

Number 7: Choose something to batch

Make a list of alllllll. the. content. you create: email, blog, social, etc. etc. etc. Then, choose ONE thing, and break it down into steps.

For example, with social media posts, I need to 1) Content plan, 2) Create graphics, videos or photos, 3) Write captions, 4) Schedule it out (either with a scheduling app or getting push notifications to your phone to hit publish, however you want to do it).

As another example for blogging, I need to 1) Content plan, 2) Rough outline, 3) Write the blog post, 4) Proof & edit, 5) Create any graphics, images, pins, etc., 6) Upload to WordPress, and 7) Schedule the post.

Whatever you do on the regular, I can almost guarantee there are steps for it, and you can break it down in this way. 

  1. Make your overall task list.
  2. Choose ONE task, and break it out into bite-sized steps.
  3. In your calendar, set recurring appointments with yourself for each step: AKA, batch it!
  4. Your content-creating life will THANK YOU.

Number 8: Make a few goals (w/ action steps) from the items above

Think about now through the end of the year:

If there were only one or two things you could accomplish in your business, what would those be?

If there were only one or two things that you started, learned about, got better at, took a leap of faith in, really hunkered down on, got some deep-work done for… what would it be?

I often ask myself towards the end of any given day (generally when I’m feeling like I’m running out of time on conquering my to-do list and starting to feel bad about it):

“If I could accomplish anything on my list – if I could just try to get one thing done the rest of the day, what would it be?

What would move the needle for me?

What would make me feel good that I accomplished, or at least got started on?”

The same can be applied for your October-December.

What is that one thing or those few things for you, for the rest of this quarter?

Write them down as goals, and break them out into actionable steps. Use the tips above as a guide if you need help thinking of things!

Side note, and not sponsored at all, but: A goal planner I have LOVED for years is the Cultivate What Matters One-Year PowerSheets Goal Planner. It can be used for business, personal, or both. They’ve introduced many new products this year, too, and I can’t wait to get my hands on some of them. It’s a really great tool that’s kept me both personally and professionally on track, “no perfection required”. Check them out if you’re in the market for a goal planner, daily planner, or VERY cute planning accessories!

The items I’ve listed above are just a few things you can do this last quarter of the year to really help your business and brand thrive.

You don’t need to do ALL of these things.

Even I’m saying that would be A LOT to tackle in one quarter, and I’m the one who came up with the list!

BUT, I’d say definitely pick 1 thing to tackle, and make it a goal with action steps. Add more from the list above if you’re able.

Maybe you focus on one thing each month.

Or, if you need to spend time on each thing every month, make your weeks themed so you can really focus. For example, week 1 is Systems Week; and week 2 is Clarify Week; week 3 is Promotional Week (or circle back to Systems Week if you just have 2)… and so on.

Put it in your calendar and on your to-do list to give you the best chance of getting it done.

If you do, this one’s for you:

I really hope this list is a springboard to get you off to a great start in your business and brand this quarter!

>>>Want to know more about branding and consistency? Get your Brand Habits Stack here!<<<

Annnnd if you’re feeling extra, here are a few more ways to get your brand in check:

Pin for later!

8 ways to clean up your brand this fall