Branding Trends Coming in 2023
I have learned so much about branding during my four years as a personal brand photographer. On top of what types of shots you need to get during your branding session, and how to dress for your personal brand, I also know what you need to create a strong brand. And if you’re looking for what you should consider first when updating your brand I can help you out there as well!
But there is still so much when it comes to branding and business, and it seems like there is more to do than ever when it comes to branding as we say goodbye to 2022. So I decided to reach out to some of my favorite branding experts (and all around badasses) that I’ve worked with on my own branding to get their input on where the industry is going next year. Keep reading to learn more about the branding trends coming in 2023.
Photo by Shikha Shakti
2023 Branding Visual Trends
Verô Branding
Verô Souza is a purposeful brand designer. Through her eponymous company, Verô Branding, she creates powerful branding for female business owners who help others feel and be better. Her work has been featured in known publications like Forbes, Vogue, Goop, and many others. With a decade of experience in the branding and design industry, Verô knows how to craft authentic brands that truly stand out, making her the perfect person to share with us what trends she sees taking off in 2023 with branding visuals.
1. Looking into 2023, what trends or relevant shifts are you seeing as it relates to brand visuals. I know this can be a tricky topic, so if you have any advice on how to perhaps be inspired by these trends, but not fall into the trap of creating ‘trendy’ visuals?
“2023 is the year to discover and unleash your true style, intentionally.
Authenticity is a word hotter than the potatoes I have in the oven, but it’s a rising trend I see going into the new year. And it’s easy to see why it’s so important just by looking at how social media has evolved. But there’s also actual data backing this insight up: 86% of consumers say authenticity is a big factor in supporting a brand.
Of course, authenticity in visuals can look different for everyone but one helpful thought to keep in mind is to be mindful (and maybe a little more picky!) when choosing visuals for your brand.
The important element for an authentic brand is to have brand visuals that not only look attractive but also connect on a deeper level. This means doing a little more inward observing of who you are, your own personality, and what your business uniquely does. Then, have a blast expressing that into visual form.”
Photo by Shikha Shakti
2. If someone were looking to update their brand visuals in 2023 where would you recommend they start?
“If you’re a small business owner, you’ve probably heard of Canva. The platform itself is extremely helpful but the main challenge I see when it comes to authenticity is the templates – it makes all businesses look the same online.
Where do we even begin, then? I always recommend first creating a brand identity for your brand. Your brand identity (colors, fonts, logo, personality) informs any brand visuals you create moving forward. This is sort of like your house’s foundation and walls. So, you want to approach your brand identity intentionally so it is clear, unique and compelling. By having that, you’ll set yourself up for success on any design platform (Canva, Squarespace, ShowIt, etc.). You’re then able to create brand visuals that are consistent, more aligned and that stand out to your audience because of its authenticity.
There are many ways to build your brand identity correctly whether you’re on a budget or not. If you’re unsure if you should DIY your branding, hire a graphic designer or brand designer, head over this way for my thorough breakdown.”
3. Please share one thing you will be doing differently in 2023 as it relates to your business.
“My 2023 words are ‘(even more) mindful and focused’.
In some ways, I already follow these words in my business, for example, I have a strict rule of only working with one client at a time which helps me support each client with my undivided attention and creativity. This new year I plan on exploring how to hone into these words even more. Some ideas in my mind currently are using social media more mindfully, planning on being offline more strategically, and being even more focused on my mission and purpose to continue making waves with the work I do with clients.”
You can learn more about Vero at: www.verobranding.com
2023 Trends in Copywriting
Big Picture Branding
Courtney Fanning is a brand strategist and copywriter for creatives and entrepreneurs. As the founder of Big Picture Branding she helps her clients to wrap their head around what they are trying to build and create differentiated messaging that resonates with their dreamboat clients. Courtney has worked with New York Times bestselling authors, purpose-driven startups, multi-passionate multi-hyphenates, and ambitious dreamers alike to build a big-picture strategy that turns purpose into profit. She does all of this via 1:1 client services as well as DIY marketing and copywriting resources on her blog and in her shop which is why I looked to her for advice on 2023 copywriting trends!
1. Looking into 2023, what trends or relevant shifts are you seeing as it relates to copywriting and/or brand strategy?
“I’d love to say AI copywriting, but I’ve tested the tools and they’re not there yet. AI writing tools like WordTune are great for helping you rework a sentence when you’re stuck, but it’s still powered by what I, the copywriter, put into it. What I do see becoming a major trend is the way copy is becoming a design element. And it makes total sense – copywriting was never meant to stand on its own. Its purpose has always been to sell something tangible. Traditionally, we’d read the copy on the page and then see the image of the product it sold. This is what makes copy different from writing literature, for example. But we’re selling more and more intangible things – knowledge, services, etc. In this case, copy still needs to be paired with visual elements, either brand photography, illustrations, representative images, or the copy needs to be a design element itself.
The way the words sit on the page is crucial for keeping your reader’s attention, and making your brand feel cohesive, down to the period mark. Good copywriters (and those DIYing their own copy) will be more well-versed in good UX and web design principles and good designers will become well-versed in copywriting principles and buying psychology. Design and copy working together has a massive effect on how well a page converts or how a brand is perceived.”
2. How can one best prepare for these trends or shifts?
“Take a second look at your website or landing page and ask yourself if the design supports the copy or if it feels like a copy and pasted after-thought. It might be worth investing in a website template or custom site that is designed with copy in mind. So many templates are beautiful, but they never have enough/long enough copy sections, which tells me they aren’t thinking critically about the psychological triggers and narrative you need to take users through before they’re willing to pull out their credit card and make a purchase. Sometimes, you can’t do it all in one sentence. Ask a potential designer how they like to deal with copy on a page or start with a template from Tonic Site Shop, which are actually tested to convert and built with copy in mind. (Designer and founder Jen Olmstead has a journalism background and knows how to design modern, sophisticated sites that sell.)”
3. Please share one thing you will be doing differently in 2023 as it relates to your business.
“I will be leveling up my messaging and brand imagery to drive home what makes me different. There were 5.4 million new business applications last year and I don’t see that trend slowing down anytime soon. I think the key to standing out is planting your flag and building a brand and messaging that makes you memorable – not just having a logo and a ‘what we do’ tagline. My brand has evolved a lot over four years and it’s time for a glow-up that matches this season of business and elevating consumer expectations.”
You can learn more about Courtney and snag some of her amazing resources at: www.bigpicturebranding.com
2023 Trends in Digital Marketing
Hayley Denker Marketing
Hayley Denker is the boss at Hayley Denker Marketing, a digital marketing agency that is unique in its approach and its systems. They ignite enthusiasm by fostering their team’s collective creativity over "supposed to’s", playfulness over cookie cutter, and human connection over algorithms. This allows them to deliver exceptional, measurable results that create true success, not vanity metrics.
But when it comes to content creation, Kaitlyn Wolin, HDM’s Director of Content, is in charge of the company’s services from social posts, email blasts, email workflows, blog posts, website copy - basically anything in the digital marketing sphere which is why Kaitlyn is the go-to when it comes to discussing 2023 digital marketing trends!
1. Looking into 2023, what trends or relevant shifts are you seeing as it relates to digital marketing. I know this can be a tricky topic, so if you have any advice on how to perhaps be inspired by these trends, but not fall into the trap of ‘doing what everyone else is doing’?
“One thing I’d tell people is, don’t make content just to go viral. You aren’t in control of that and the algorithm is changing faster than you can stay on top of. You will burn out yourself and your audience if you only focus on “viral” type content. Instead, focus on making content that speaks to you and your ‘ideal audience’ and then if something does go viral your content will be consistent and your new audience will want to stick around.”
2. If someone were looking to update their marketing strategy in 2023 where would you recommend they start?
“Start by looking at your brand values and who you are/who your brand is. Try to look at it with fresh eyes and go through and audit everything. What worked last year? What didn’t? Be honest about what you want to do this year and who you are/who your brand is evolving into and go from there.”
3. Please share one thing you will be doing differently in 2023 as it relates to Hayley Denker Marketing.
“We are going to be focusing more on what works for each of us, and each of our clients and what doesn’t. We’ll be changing how we do content strategies and adding in more visuals before we create so we can get a better sense of the ‘vibe’ we are going for.”
You can learn more about HDM over at: www.hayleydenkermarketing.com
Thank you so much to Verô Souza of Verô Branding, Courtney Fanning of Big Picture Branding, and Kaitlyn Wolin of Hayley Denker Marketing for sharing their insight into the branding trends coming in 2023. If you’re going to be working on your branding this year and are in need of new photos, I am booking into February 2023 so let’s get something scheduled! Click here to get on the books.