In today’s saturated marketplace, standing out is everything. Whether you’re launching a new product, rebranding a small business, or building a personal brand, one thing becomes clear quickly: you need strong, strategic branding.
That’s where a branding consultant can become your most valuable asset—or, if you prefer, it could be a role you grow into yourself. In this article, we’ll explore both sides of the coin: how to choose the right branding consultant, and what to consider if you decide to take on the branding journey yourself. We’ll also introduce a practical, accessible route for learning branding yourself through The Design Mentor Branding Course.
Let’s dive in.
1. Understand What a Branding Consultant Really Does
Before hiring anyone—or becoming one yourself—it’s essential to understand what a branding consultant actually does.
Unlike graphic designers who focus mainly on visuals, branding consultants dig deep. They help define your brand strategy, tone of voice, values, customer personas, and how your business is positioned in the marketplace. They don’t just give you a logo; they help you craft your brand’s soul.
A skilled branding consultant will also:
- Audit your existing brand
- Guide storytelling and messaging
- Assist with visual direction
- Align brand identity with business goals
In short, they help ensure that your brand doesn’t just look good, but feels right and connects with the right audience.
2. Look for More Than a Portfolio
When hiring a branding consultant, many people focus solely on visuals. While a strong portfolio is a good sign, it doesn’t tell you everything.
Instead, look deeper:
- Do they ask strategic questions?
- Have they worked with businesses similar to yours?
- Can they articulate the why behind each branding decision?
The best branding consultants act like partners. They listen, collaborate, and challenge your thinking in the right ways. Don’t just hire someone who delivers what you ask for—hire someone who helps you discover what you actually need.
3. Ask About Their Process
A branding consultant without a clear process is a red flag.
Branding is not guesswork—it’s a structured journey. Ask them:
- What’s their step-by-step process?
- How do they deliver brand strategy?
- Do they offer any ongoing support?
Look for consultants who follow a methodology that combines strategy and creativity. This ensures consistency, clarity, and purpose behind every decision.
4. Don’t Ignore Culture Fit
Hiring a branding consultant is like hiring a temporary co-founder for your brand. If you don’t feel comfortable with them, the collaboration will suffer.
Ask yourself:
- Do they “get” your vision?
- Do they share your values?
- Are they communicative and respectful?
Branding is a vulnerable process. You’ll be sharing a lot about your business, goals, and audience. So, choosing someone who listens and values your input is just as important as their creative chops.
5. Consider Doing It Yourself (Seriously)
Hiring a branding consultant isn’t the only option—and for some entrepreneurs, especially solo founders or small business owners—it may not be the best option right away.
Here’s why you might choose to do it yourself instead:
- You’re just starting out and need to keep costs down
- You want full control of your brand voice and identity
- You’re considering a future in branding or creative work
If this sounds like you, learning how branding works might be the most empowering move you can make. It equips you with skills not just for today, but for every business venture you pursue in the future.
6. Becoming a Branding Consultant Yourself
On the flip side, what if branding fascinates you? Maybe you’ve already dabbled in design or strategy and want to turn it into a side hustle or full-time business.
Good news: You don’t need a degree to become a branding consultant. But you do need to understand the foundational principles of brand building—things like brand purpose, identity, audience research, storytelling, and positioning.
Here’s a simple roadmap to becoming a branding consultant:
- Study the fundamentals of branding (not just design)
- Learn how to build brand strategy documents and identity systems
- Practice with personal or small business projects
- Build a strong portfolio and case studies
- Start marketing yourself as a service provider
The beauty of this career path? You can start small and scale on your terms.
7. Get Expert Guidance With The Design Mentor Branding Course
Whether you’re ready to brand your business yourself or you’re curious about becoming a branding consultant, The Design Mentor Branding Course is your perfect starting point.
Created by experienced designers, the course walks you through:
- Crafting brand purpose and values
- Creating personas and customer journeys
- Building brand strategy documents
- Designing logos and visual identity
- Delivering complete branding projects with confidence
What makes it different? It’s designed to empower beginners, freelancers, and solo business owners with step-by-step guidance—no fluff, no jargon. You’ll walk away with the skills, templates, and confidence to either build your own brand or start offering branding as a service.
💡 Bonus: The course is priced affordably as a one-off purchase, making it ideal if you’re not quite ready to hire a branding consultant but still want to do things properly.