Building an engaging brand is one of the most challenging parts of starting a company. This is especially true in competitive sectors where you need to cut through the noise to create connections with your target customers. So I wanted to hear from experts on how to build a brand from scratch.

Lucinda Chambers and Serena Hood are co-founders of Collagerie: a leading fashion, interiors, beauty and lifestyle marketplace. The former British Vogue editors founded Collagerie in 2019 and quickly built their brand through interesting and dynamic ways.

Lucinda and Serena share their advice on what to do first when building a digital brand and how to ensure your brand story and visual identity work well together.

Lucinda and Serena’s advice:

• Work hard to realise the idea that’s in your head when designing the look of your brand
• Persevere until you get this right; don’t hesitate to start again from scratch if you’re not convinced
• If you are not a designer, employ someone who is
• Know your own weaknesses and either choose a partner who complements your strengths, or hire someone who does this
• Settle the visual side of your brand first; tone of voice will follow on
• Take time over choosing the name; experiment with a few, try them out on friends
• Use focus groups/groups of friends and bombard them with questions
• Use social media; take time crafting promotional emails
• Believe in what you do; authenticity shows and will build trust in your customers
• Never be afraid to ask advice; admit your vulnerability
• Take time out and step back when you’re struggling to resolve a problem
• Collaboration can be valuable

FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes.

FF&M recommends:

• LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
• Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
• Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
• Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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