The Real ROI of Branding
Let’s cut to the chase: branding isn’t just about looking good—it’s about building something that works.
When done right, branding helps you show up, stand out, and charge more. It’s not just a pretty logo or color palette—it’s your business’s first handshake, elevator pitch, and reputation, all rolled into one. And the return on investment? It’s measurable. In fact, businesses that consistently present their brand see an average revenue increase of 23% (Lucidpress, 2020). That’s not fluff. That’s strategy.
Visibility is Currency—And Branding is the Bank
You have about 1/10th of a second to make a first impression (yes, literally—Princeton University proved it). That means the moment someone lands on your website, stumbles on your IG feed, or opens your email, your brand is already speaking. The question is—what’s it saying?
If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing “all the things” and still getting passed over, weak branding might be the bottleneck.
Or, as David Ogilvy famously put it:
“Any damn fool can put on a deal, but it takes genius, faith, and perseverance to create a brand.”
When your visuals, tone, and strategy are aligned? That’s when people pay attention.
A Good Brand Saves You Money (Yes, Really)
Strong branding doesn’t just make you look put-together—it makes your marketing more efficient.
Why? Because a recognizable, consistent brand means you don’t have to reintroduce yourself every time you show up online.
According to Forbes, consistent branding across all platforms can increase revenue by up to 33%. So while someone else is spending more on ads to explain what they do, you’re building recognition and trust on autopilot.
In short: brand equity = less hustle, more magnetism.
Trust Converts—Branding Builds It
Here’s something I remind my clients all the time: people don’t buy because your service is the cheapest or the fastest.
They buy because they trust you. And trust? That’s built through clear messaging, consistent design, and a client experience that feels like you thought of everything.
According to Edelman’s Trust Barometer, 81% of people need to trust a brand before they’ll buy from it (Edelman, 2019). So yes, good branding helps you look polished—but great branding? It reflects your values and builds confidence before you even hop on a call.
Your Brand Lets You Charge More (Without Guilt)
Branding helps your audience see what you already know: you’re worth it.
When your brand communicates value, you stop competing on price and start standing in your zone of genius. The more refined and resonant your brand feels, the more aligned your audience becomes—and the easier it is to raise your prices with integrity.
As Marty Neumeier wrote,
“A brand is not what you say it is. It’s what they say it is.”
(And what they say? Matters.)
If you want to serve higher-end clients, you need a brand that speaks their language—before you even open your mouth.
The Business Backbone You Didn’t Know You Needed
Let’s be honest: making decisions in your business gets a lot easier when your brand is dialed in.
When you have clarity around your brand strategy, your visuals and messaging become your north star. That ripple effect touches everything—from marketing campaigns to product launches to what kind of photos you take.
According to Harvard Business Review, companies with a clear brand purpose outperform the stock market by 206% (HBR, 2019).
You don’t need a brand because it’s cute. You need it because it creates consistency, momentum, and confidence—not just for your clients, but for you, too.
Want to See ROI from Your Brand? Start Here:
Here’s what to do next if you're serious about turning branding into a business asset:
✔️ Audit your brand touchpoints – From your website to your Instagram bio to your email footer. Do they all feel like the same “you”?
✔️ Track the data – Look at bounce rate, time on site, DMs, referrals, and your ability to close higher-ticket offers.
✔️ Ask your people – How did they find you? What made them say yes? Don’t guess—ask.
✔️ Test your pricing – Raise your rates for your next inquiry. A strong brand should support that lift, not sabotage it.
At the end of the day, your brand is more than fonts and logos—it’s your reputation, your invitation, and your legacy.
When you treat branding like an investment, not an expense, you stop playing small and start building a business that can actually support the life you want. Whether you're just getting started or ready for a strategic glow-up, branding is the thread that ties it all together. So if you're feeling the nudge to finally show up like the expert you already are—consider this your permission slip.
Sources
Lucidpress. (2020). The Impact of Brand Consistency. Retrieved from https://www.marq.com/blog/impact-of-brand-consistency
Princeton University. (2006). First Impressions: Making Up Your Mind in a Tenth of a Second. Psychological Science.
Ogilvy, D. (1985). Ogilvy on Advertising. New York: Vintage.
Forbes. (2020). Why Brand Consistency Is So Important (And How To Achieve It). Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2020/02/26/why-brand-consistency-is-so-important-and-how-to-achieve-it/
Edelman. (2019). Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report: In Brands We Trust? Retrieved from https://www.edelman.com/research/in-brands-we-trust
Neumeier, M. (2005). The Brand Gap: How to Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design. Berkeley, CA: New Riders.
Harvard Business Review. (2019). The Business Case for Purpose. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/resources/pdfs/comm/ey/19392_HBRReportBusinessCasePurpose.pdf