You may have noticed a dramatic change in the looks of the Brand Camp Blog. You see, months and months ago, I started the blog. I really wanted to focus on that ‘camp’ feel — thus the faux bois and the woodsy doodads & thingamabobs. Then I started developing a few products. This involved creating the concepts, then the products, getting beta testers to give feedback, hiring someone to write the instruction manual, setting up the storefront/cart thingie, and then…THE LAUNCH.
Well, I launched two products and visited the shop. It hit me like a ton of bricks: I WOULDN’T BUY FROM ME. The whole dealio looked rather rinky-dink, despite the hours of customization I put in behind the scenes, and the code I learned to tweak for ultimate bad-ass-edness.
I wouldn’t buy from me.
I cried.
What can you learn from this? Take an honest look at your work, your website, and your blog. Would you buy from you? If you’re looking with your most honest, most critical glasses on, what could you do better? What can be tweaked? Which galleries can be pruned, which articles shortened (or lengthened), which products photographed better? If you wouldn’t buy from you, what’s the first step in the rebranding process?
In my case, a new logo, a more magazine-y/fashion fair, color scheme tweaks, and a newly-appointed storefront customization brought everything closer to my vision for Brand Camp. It isn’t easy. It’s a time-consuming, tricky, and rough process. But it has to be asked:
Would you buy from you?
The first thing I thought was “wow! The blog has changed!” (I normally read updates in my email.) It looks fabulous, although I did like the old Camp feeling. They are both great, but I get feeling the need to change it. I might be doing the same thing myself very soon…
Thank you! This really hit the spot and it was the perfect time for me to hear it. Awesome!
I have to be honest and say that I’m dissapointed with the redesign. I find it bland and boring where as before your blog had spirit and life to it and spoke to a modern hip aesthetic. It gave a great platform for your voice. How about adding some more color to the current blog?
I understand that the products didn’t fit well with the old design, but honestly I’d change the products before the design. Your welcome pack is awesome and could probably stay. The 5×7 cards, well, they are void of any personality at all.
I absolutely get what you’re saying, but I’m not sure this new look is the right direction.
While I know you want something “professional,” I feel this new theme is generic and forgettable. I only found your blog last week, but was impressed with the design that reinforced the (informative) message. This just looks like everything else out there.
Thanks for your feedback, guys — the final look will most likely be a balance of the woodsy and this modern vibe — still have to find the in-between, but I’m happy for now!
I actually really prefer the new look! The format is easier to read, more welcoming, and I would buy from you
Thanks for all the great info!
Great post…I think I’ve designed and refined my business “look” 1, 478, 293 times already and I’m not even on the web yet. I’ve saved the old mock ups I created and cringe whenever I take a gander at them. At least I can say that each step gets me closer to where I want to be.
P.S. I’m definitely looking for more color from you here.
My first thought was also, “Wow, there’s a new blog design!” Very thought-provoking post. Thanks! And congratulations on the new design.
I have to say I agree with the few who loved the woodgrain! It gave the blog way more personality. Give us some color!
I love it Kristin. I think your new look looks professional. I love watching where you have come from and how you have grown. You have put so much thought into it all and it shows. And thank you for being so open and honest about your journey through it all. I think your sense of humor helps keep it in perspective.