PODCAST S:2 EP:12 “Branding Magic with Ashley Landry”
Hello and welcome! Today, I’m thrilled to share some branding magic with the incredibly talented Ashley Landry. Ashley isn’t just a stylist behind the chair; she’s also a genius graphic designer specializing in branding for beauty professionals. Her insights are pure gold, and I’m excited to dive into all the gems she shared.
Meet Ashley Landry
Ashley is a powerhouse, working both behind the chair and as a graphic designer. “I work behind the chair and then I'm also a graphic designer. I specialize in branding for businesses, specifically behind the chair businesses,” she shared. Ashley’s approach seamlessly blends the artistic elements of hairstyling with the strategic parts of branding, making her insights uniquely valuable.
Cohesive Branding vs. Pretty Aesthetics
A major takeaway from our chat was understanding the difference between aesthetic and cohesive branding. While aesthetics are eye-catching, Ashley stresses that cohesion is what truly makes a brand memorable. “A lot of people think branding is like choosing a color and a font, and you’re good to go. I feel like that’s the bare minimum,” she explained. It’s about creating a consistent look and feel that reflects your brand’s voice and values across all platforms.
Beyond Colors and Fonts
Ashley busts the myth that branding is just about pretty colors and fonts. “Branding is a living thing that evolves and grows,” she says. It needs constant attention and refinement. It’s about understanding what your visuals convey and ensuring everything works together seamlessly.
Making Your Instagram Pop
We dove into what makes an Instagram profile stand out. According to Ashley, there's a sweet spot between posting perfect content and just posting anything. “There’s a difference between an aesthetic and cohesion. Cohesion is that combination of like, okay, we know what our frame is, but we could do anything inside this frame,” she explained. This approach helps maintain a strong brand presence without the stress of perfection.
Ashley also shared some personal challenges and how she overcomes them. For example, she loves black and white aesthetics but occasionally incorporates colored photos that match her brand’s dark and moody vibe. “My Instagram feed is almost all black and white. But every once in a while, you need a little bit of difference in there because you need something to catch somebody's eye,” she said. This balance ensures her profile remains visually appealing and cohesive.
Finding Your Brand Voice
We had a great conversation about the importance of a distinct brand voice. Ashley emphasizes that your brand voice should reflect your personality and natural communication style. “You have a very specific brand voice that every time I see it, I’m like, that’s an Ani post,” she noted. This authenticity connects you with your audience and sets you apart.
Practical Tips for Stylists
For stylists struggling with branding, Ashley suggests starting with Pinterest to gather inspiration. “Pinterest is literally one giant mood board. Create a board and pin everything that catches your eye,” she recommended. From there, using tools like Canva to create cohesive and visually appealing content becomes much easier. She also stressed the importance of readability in design, especially for social media, where attention spans are short.
Wrapping It Up
Ashley’s insights are not just enlightening but also incredibly practical. Her advice on balancing creativity with consistency, understanding the deeper aspects of branding, and creating a cohesive Instagram profile is invaluable for anyone looking to elevate their brand.
xo Ani
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