The world is changing fast, and as a freelancer or boutique design agency, it's important to keep up with the times. You may have established yourself as a graphic designer extraordinaire, but competition is fierce, and you need to stand out from the crowd.
Creating logos or developing websites doesn't cut it anymore. If you want your business to survive and thrive in the coming years, it's time to upgrade to high-ticket branding programs, and therefore to add some strategy and consulting skills to your arsenal.
What do high-ticket clients want?
High-ticket branding clients want much more than a simple logo, brand kit and a website. It is a myth and a comfort-zone idea that you can land higher-paying clients with the same service, but better, or that there is someone out there who's ready to pay you more for what you're doing today.
If you're able to charge what you're able to charge today, the harsh truth is that this is what you're worth at the moment. Not because you're bad, but because, mostly, competition is fierce. In any case, if you want larger budgets, you will need to provide deeper services.
High-ticket branding clients need a comprehensive approach to branding that involves developing a verbal and a visual brand identity, a brand strategy, and all the messaging that aligns with their business's values and resonates with their target audience.
The services they need include creating content, structuring their brand and product or service portfolio, and executing everything that supports the brand's messaging and positioning beyond graphic design.
Why upgrade to high-ticket clients?
1. Increased revenue potential
Upgrading to full branding programs can significantly increase your revenue potential. According to a report by IBISWorld, the branding consulting industry is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.7% to reach $12.4 billion by 2025. Expanding your service offerings to include full branding programs can help you tap into this growing market and increase your revenue potential.
2. Differentiation from competitors
In today's crowded market, it's essential to differentiate yourself from your competitors. You can set yourself apart from others in your field and offer a more comprehensive service that meets the needs of businesses looking for a complete branding solution.
3. Increased client loyalty
High-ticket clients for design agencies will develop long-term relationships, which can lead to increased loyalty. Your ongoing strategic support and your ability to create a consistent brand experience across all touch points can build trust with your clients and massively increase the likelihood of repeat business.
4. Future-proofing your business
As technology continues to advance, it's important to future-proof your business. Offering full branding services – i.e. being able to design brands from the ground up and not just execute graphic design – helps you stay ahead of the curve. This keeps you relevant and competitive in the years to come.
How to upgrade to high-ticket clients for design agencies
1. Develop technical and strategic skills
Offering full branding programs requires you to develop a range of technical and strategic skills, including market research, brand identity development, brand strategy, strategic content creation, and strategic brand planning.
Consider taking courses or attending masterclasses to develop these skills, or completing an online course on strategic brand identity like Brand Master, which will provide you with the same knowledge level as your top-end clients.
2. Build a strong team and capacities
To offer full branding programs, you'll need to build a strong team that can support your service offerings. Consider hiring additional staff or partnering with other freelancers or agencies to fill any gaps in your skillset.
However, if you're smart and with the right knowledge base, tutorials and AI prompts, today you can build your own virtual team of experts without having to reach to costly consultants.
3. Invest in the right methodology
To execute full branding programs flawlessly, you'll need to have access to an exhaustive, structured, and repeatable methodology that covers everything from the initial research, to the strategy platform and the creative aspects.
The truth is that without a strong methodology, you cannot be credible as a branding expert, let alone deliver a full branding program efficiently. This is the difference between a graphic design boutique and a brand consultancy, and the difference between jobs that pay a few thousand dollars and projects that cost $10k to $50k, and way, way upwards.
Future-proof your business
Upgrading to full branding programs can increase your revenue potential, differentiate you from your competitors, increase client loyalty, and future-proof your business. By developing your technical and strategic skills, building a strong team, and investing in the right tools and technology, you can offer comprehensive branding solutions that meet the needs of businesses looking for a total branding package.
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