Visuals, Hobbies, and Feedback

Whats up! Happy Sunday! Hope you all had an awesome weekend.

We just finished our second week in Sayulita, Mexico. I continue to love the proximity, healthy lifestyle, and work life balance that this tropical paradise brings together.

I knew spending a month here, one of the things I really wanted to do was a Western Rise photo shoot.

Well, we just wrapped up our shoot and it was epic!

The perfect blend of deserted beaches, jungle trails, boat trips to offshore surf breaks, fighting big jack crevalle's, and plenty of tacos. It was a creative director's dream for a travel brand.

Less than 10 minutes in every direction there was virtually endless photo and video opportunities. I can't wait to see everything.

Startup Playbook: Mastering Visual Brand Identity

That’s why this week for the Startup Playbook, I wanted to discuss matching your visual story to your brand identity. 

As a Creative Director… I live for this shit.

Every picture, every frame of video tells a story about who you are as a brand than you can ever squeeze into copywriting. It’s about crafting a style that is not only recognizable but also relatable.

Why Visual Identity Matters

In a digital-first world, your brand's visual content isn't just a box to check off; it's a powerful tool to connect emotionally with your audience. Think of your favorite brands and ask yourself, what makes their creative stand out? It’s often their unique style and consistency that build a strong, recognizable presence. Sometimes its just doing things slightly different. It can even come down to the type of models you work with.

Crafting Your Moodboard with Canva

So where should you start. I never start a project without a moodboard. It serves as a visual representation of the aesthetic and the emotional undertone of your content. Here’s how to leverage Canva (free) to create a moodboard that captures the essence of your brand:

1. Gather Inspiration: Start by collecting images, color palettes, and anything visual that inspires you. Look at competitors, aspirational brands, and even elements from nature and architecture. The goal here is to just get the “feel” or the “vibe” right.

2. Select Your Themes: Identify themes or styles that resonate with your brand's values and story. This could be anything from minimalistic and serene, to bold and energetic.

3. Arrange and Reflect: As you place these elements on your Canva moodboard, think about the overall feel. Does it align with your brand? Is there a coherent visual flow?

Aligning Content with Branding

Creating content is as much about intuition as it is about strategy. While there’s no absolute right or wrong, the key is consistency. Your visual content should align with the broader narrative of your brand. It should enhance your story, not distract from it.

• Consistency Is Key: Use your moodboard as a reference to keep your content consistent. This helps in forming a cohesive brand identity that your audience can recognize and relate to instantly.

• Room for Creativity: Embrace creativity and experimentation within the bounds of your brand’s style. This is your playground to test new ideas that can resonate even more deeply with your audience.

• Feedback Loop: Always gather feedback, whether from your team, from customer insights, or even from analyzing engagement metrics on your social media channels. Play with it and see what hits.

Mastering your visual brand identity is an ongoing journey. With each piece of content, you're telling your brand's story. Make it compelling, make it memorable, and most importantly, make it true to what you stand for.

Founder Playbook: Hobbies

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough airtime when you’re deep in the hustle: hobbies. It’s super easy to get caught up in your startup life, burning the midnight oil and putting all your eggs in one basket—your business.

Why You Need Hobbies: They’re Your Creative Breathing Room Constantly grinding can wear anyone down. Having a hobby pulls you out of the work whirlpool for a bit, giving your brain a chance to chill and come up with brilliant ideas when you least expect it.

Here’s How I Do It For me, it’s all about striking a balance with the seasons. When it's cold, I ski; skiing is my winter jam. Come summer, I switch gears to mountain biking or fly fishing, both seem to hold my focus enough that I never find myself thinking about work.

Right now, in Sayulita, my go-to’s are sunset surf sessions or beach runs. There’s something about being next to the ocean that helps put everything into perspective. And when I’m looking for a mind clearing start to my day, I check out a mellow yoga class.

Why This Matters for Your Business Mixing these hobbies into my routine isn’t just about fitness—it’s seriously boosted my mood and sparked more creativity. It’s a reminder that sometimes, stepping back is what we need to leap forward.

So, what do you like to do for fun? If you don’t have a hobby yet, think about what excites you and carve out some time for that. You might be surprised at how much it helps with your work grind. This doesn’t have to be physical. It can be anything from cooking to painting. Whatever you do, just find some time to disconnect from the brand a bit.

I wanted to skip the Automation Playbook this week. I have been feeling like it’s hard to write. But, I also wanted to ask for some feedback. If you wouldnt mind, please let me know what you think so far!

That’s it for this week! If you’re enjoying the newsletter, I would love if you could forward it to a friend! It would mean the world to me.

Will

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