To DIY or not to DIY, that is the question

In this day and age there’s hardly anything you can’t DIY. From brand design to copywriting, it’s never been easier to DIY your branding. And with AI on the rise it’s getting even easier. When founding and running a business, money is always tight, so doing your branding yourself is a valid option. But at some point the question inevitably comes up: When is it time to leave the DIY behind? When does it become an obstacle, rather than an opportunity?

“Should I DIY my branding* or not?” is probably one of the most frequently asked questions I get. Now, as a brand strategist and designer, the easiest answer I could give you would be to never DIY. But frankly, that’s bullsh*t. The truthful answer is much more complicated, of course: The problem is, there is not one answer, but the answer will vary depending on your individual circumstances.

I created a handy chart below that is meant to help you find the right answer for you and your business. But remember, in business, there is never a one size fits all.

*Branding in this context means a combination of brand design, copywriting, and your overall brand appearance and demeanor.

Should you DIY your Branding or not Chart

Click the image for a downloadable PDF

Assess where you are in your business journey.

It does make a considerable difference whether you’re just starting out or you’re already a seasoned entrepreneur.

Option 01

You’re just starting out

If you’re starting out, DIYing your branding often makes sense. The first couple of years in business are often periods of exploration, experimentation, and pivoting. Investing in professional branding can be premature in this phase because chances are, your business is going to change in big ways in the first years, which means your branding will have to change along with it. I, for example, was serving a completely different target audience in my first year of business and realized that it was not at all as I had imagined it. Take the time to gather experience and experiment. Your branding doesn’t need to be perfect at this stage.

The Exceptions

But of course, there are exceptions. If it takes considerable investments upfront to start your business, making the additional investment in branding actually minimizes your risk.

If you open a brick-and-mortar location, for example, such as a store, studio, restaurant, or coffee shop, you’ll have to think about how your brand is reflected in the space and the interior design from the start. It’s much more expensive and challenging to rebrand a brick and mortar than it is to rebrand a website or social media account, so your branding should be professional from the start.

Another considerable investment could be expensive product prototyping and production. If you can create your products at home you can get away with DIYing the branding, but if it’s a larger-scale production process it’s worth investing in professional branding from the start. Product and packaging design should go hand in hand to ensure that your product has the best chance of succeeding. Your brand needs to be convincing and captivating from the start and you should hire experts to support you.

Last but not least, you should consider investing in professional branding from the start if you want to sell your product in retail stores or if you want to sell your product/service in a luxury market segment. Both of these market segments are highly competitive and there are high expectations for the brands that want to break into these markets. Professional branding is definitely expected here.

Option 02

You’ve been in business for 2+ years

If you’ve already made it through the first years of your business, you should have a good grasp on who your ideal customers are, what your business stands for, and what your competitors are doing. If that still feels murky to you at this point, it’s a good idea to invest in brand strategy and get clarity on these foundations.

And if you do have a good grasp on it, you should ask yourself if your current branding is representative of that. If your brand (whether it’s DIY or not) doesn’t speak to the right people, doesn’t reflect your values, or doesn’t stand out from your competitors, it’s time for a rebrand.

Often businesses outgrow their branding and if they don’t let it evolve with them, it makes them feel stuck. Investing in professional branding will help you problem-solve and get unstuck, so your business can grow.

Other signs that it might be time to invest in professional branding are:

You don’t feel confident in sending people to your website or socials
You spend a lot of time tinkering with your branding
You chase trends and get envious of what your competitors are doing

Conclusion

As I said initially, there is no one size fits all and ultimately the decision when to DIY or not to DIY your branding is an individual one. Money, time, and access also play a crucial role in the decision-making process. But I hope this breakdown gave you some guardrails for making the best decision for your business. If you’re still unsure about whether professional branding is right for you at this point in time, fill out my contact form and book your free consultation call with me.