How a Custom Brand Can Help You Raise Your Rates

Pricing is one of the hardest things to decide on as an online service provider. There’s so much competition out there. You don’t want to be the cheapest or the most expensive, but still price fairly and competitively. It’s a struggle!

You know what can help?

A custom brand.

Branding influences how your audience sees your company. Maybe your branding gives off the vibe that you’re new to the industry or a luxury brand. 

That’s why I always say that there’s a strategy behind branding. It’s not just throwing pretty colors together, creating a logo on Canva, and calling it good. Your branding shapes who you are as a business. That’s a big deal!

And it can also help you determine your rates. So, let’s chat about how a custom brand can help you raise your prices.

Branding Shapes Perception

First impressions matter. Whether we meet someone new in person or explore a website, we make snap judgments based on looks. It’s human nature! Your brand says a lot about who you are as a business.

We’ve all seen brands that look thrown together and uncoordinated, making us think a little less of them, right? We might assume they’re new, inexperienced, or unprofessional because their brand makes us think that way.

A polished, custom brand elevates your authority. It makes people feel confident in your services and how you run your business. 

People don’t just pay for a product or service. They pay for the perception of value. A strong, cohesive brand can influence how much someone is willing to pay for services like yours. People associate higher prices with higher quality. Professional branding gives off the perception that you are an expert in your industry and can provide the best value. 

Differentiation from Competitors

There are a lot of online service providers out there. How will you stand out from someone who offers the same services as you? Your unique brand identity! Even if you offer the same services as someone else, your custom brand attracts different types of clients. And this can be a variety of things. 

Your Personality

YOU, as a business owner, make your brand unique! No one has the same personality, vibe, or humor all rolled into one. How you present yourself as the face of your brand differentiates you from competitors.

Brand Voice

Speaking of your personality, how you talk to your audience can help you stand out. Compelling messaging speaks directly to your ideal client. They feel seen and understood. You won’t attract everyone, but you shouldn’t want to! Only your ideal clients will resonate with your brand voice and messaging.

Custom Brand Suite

A custom brand with a distinct logo, color palette, and fonts helps improve brand recognition. When someone sees your branding, they immediately know it’s your business. That recognition and awareness help you stand out from competitors.

Confidence in Your Pricing

Setting prices is a challenge for entrepreneurs, and it’s a tough balance! A strong custom brand helps you feel more confident in charging higher rates. It doesn’t just influence how clients perceive your value; it also impacts how you see yourself. 

Professional branding gives you these benefits:

• Reinforces your expertise
• Shifts your mindset from freelancer to business owner
• Attracts higher-quality clients
• Eliminates self-doubt
• Creates a premium client experience

And when your custom brand gives this perception, you can charge more for your services. You are providing a lot of value and an amazing experience for your clients. That’s worth something!

Justifying Higher Prices with a Premium Experience

Client experience is EVERYTHING. I’ve heard from other entrepreneurs (and personally experienced) poor client experience and let me tell you… It doesn’t matter how good they are at their job or what they charge, a bad experience ruins it all. I don’t want to be a part of anything that makes my life harder than it needs to be. If a service provider I’m working with causes me stress, it’s not going to work.

On the flip side, a GREAT client experience is worth every penny I invest and more. I feel confident that someone will take care of me and my business.

These are some ways you can create a premium experience for your clients with your branding AND charge more for it:

• Simple messaging and communication
• Automation and personalization seamlessly blended
• Hand-written thank you notes or surprise gifts
• High-quality and on-brand deliverables
• Bundle services for a luxury feel
• Showcase results

These are just some ideas to get your creative juices flowing! Your custom brand can be whatever you want it to be, but I highly recommend focusing on the client experience.

The Long-Term ROI of Investing in a Custom Brand

I know it’s tempting to DIY your brand. I’ve worked with a lot of clients who started that way and realized later how important a custom brand is for the long-term growth of their business. It’s a necessary business investment.

Ditch your DIY brand and invest in a custom brand you’re proud of. Book a discovery call with me to learn how unique branding can help you raise your rates. It’s time to blend strategy and design to give you clarity and confidence in your branding.