It feels like the small business landscape is constantly changing. The way people interact with brands, consume information, and make buying decisions has changed significantly, and what worked for your business even a year ago might not be cutting it anymore.

What does that mean for YOUR brand?

It may be time for a tune-up, sweets. Your brand isn’t the same brand it was a few years ago. With the rapid changes in the small biz world, it’s important to make sure your brand evolves to meet YOU and your audience now.

That’s why we’re showing you how you can conduct your own brand audit. By honing in on these three essential elements, you can lean into what’s working in your business and make a plan to repair what’s not working. After going through these exercises, you’ll have a clear idea of how to make a cohesive and compelling brand that just feels right. 

Disclaimer: This blog is going to look a little different! We are each pitching in our ideas and exercises, so each section is written by an individual member of our team!

What’s Working (or not): Your Offers

Megan’s insights 

Megan here, resident brand coach and offer strategist here at Rendezvous Creative. I’m here to dig into what you sell: your offers.

Let’s just cut to the chase, shall we? Your offers are way too complicated.

Now, as the queen of nuance in language and services, I can already hear the devil’s advocates pointing out the fallacy of such a sweeping statement, but I stand by it. The biggest struggle I see with most clients, both at Rendezvous Creative and my own business, MD&Co, is bloated offers that aren’t delivering what the target market really wants or needs.

I live for context, so to understand what I mean, let’s take a little trip down memory lane.

Picture it: 2018.
The hey-day of online masterminds and self-paced programs.

The more extras you added, the better the offer seemed. We were led to believe we had a big problem we hadn’t understood until then, and we could fix it with this one sweet, sweet bonus. Or upsell. Or order bump. Or upgrade. 

The truth is? People are tired of all that. They don’t believe that PDF is worth $797. 

The good news? Your offers don’t need to be crammed with “bonuses” or sport a 7-step funnel anymore. They need exceptional delivery. 

But what does “exceptional delivery” look like? It starts somewhere unexpected: with your values.  

OFFER AUDIT STEP #1: RE-CENTER YOUR VALUES

Make sure you know — and are clear on — your values. If they aren’t clearly outlined, take a moment, will ya? Do not pass go, do not collect $200, until you’re confident about the three to five values that are most important to you.

Here’s a great example, using our Rendezvous core values:

• Integrity: We’re values-led, mission-driven, and we put our money where our mouth is.  
• Ingenuity: We have a roadmap, not a formula, and bring curiosity to innovate with every brand.  
• Impact: Nothing bad happens when women make more money, and we build brands that not only profit but also serve their communities.  
• Intention: Thoughtful decision-making is our game, and trusting our intuition to pause and reflect ensures we do the right work for each client.  
• Intimacy: Every brand project is a collaborative endeavor, and we want it to feel like drinks in the corner booth at the fanciest cocktail bar.

If you need more help with this, there’s a fantastic values exercise here (created by yours truly) to guide you.

OFFER AUDIT STEP #2: APPLY YOUR VALUES TO YOUR OFFERS

Before determining what needs to change with your offers, whether your offers are priced right, or if your community should move to Circle or Mighty Networks… ask yourself these questions:

• Do my offers align with my values?  
• Do my offer processes align with my values?  
• Are there ways to make things more in alignment with my values?  
• Are the values embedded in my offers clear to my audience?

These are the deeper questions you need to address to get clarity about what needs to change.

OFFER AUDIT STEP #3: TAKE ACTION

What came out of your values review? Did you find that you need to adjust part of your onboarding process, add a check-in point, or refine some of your messaging?

Step 2 will inform what you do here, but it really all comes back to Step 1. Like we said, don’t skip it!

I know this was short-and-sweet, but this is the CORE of making sure your offers are ready for an ever-changing tide in business. Now, onto Latasha!

What’s Working (or not): Your Copy

Latasha’s insights

I’m Latasha, the copywriter & Resident Smut Reader here at Rendezvous Creative. And I’m here to talk about something I think will help give you a clearer direction and more sales. 

Let’s talk about your copy.

Honestly, I think bad copywriting has the power to tank your business. 

Bad copy sells all the time (just look at some of the spammy ads out there!), so I know this is a bold claim. But I’m not talking Capital-C Copywriting: the fancy stuff that coaches tell us we have to have. You don’t have to have 17-scroll-long sales pages or funnels with tripwires and OTOs that would make Russell Brunson weep with envy. 

When I say “copy,” I am talking about the words you use to connect with your audience. It’s how you write that caption, that email, that website about page. It’s the way you (or your brand) speaks, the cadence and flow of your sentences…

Ultimately, it’s how your brand shows up. I can get a lot more philosophical about copywriting, but I’ll stop myself here. Instead I want to ask you this: 

Is your copy working for your brand? 

Here are 3 ways to find out. 

COPY AUDIT STEP #1: CHECK YOUR CLICKS

A telltale sign your copy isn’t working for your brand anymore? Your clicks have dwindled.

If your links are getting clicked and people are taking action — signing up, buying, booking a call, etc. — your copy is sealing the deal. High click-through and conversion rates mean your words are hitting the right notes.

But low numbers usually indicate that what you’re saying (and how you’re saying it) isn’t resonating with your audience.

If you notice low clicks, try this:

• Clean out email lists. You’ll clear the path for more opens and clicks from people who really want to hear from you.
• Review your CTAs. Are they enticing? Interesting? Would they make YOU take action? This applies to any copy — website, email, social, ads, etc.

COPY AUDIT STEP #2: ASSESS CONVERSIONS

The second sign that your copy isn’t hitting the nail on the proverbial head? Low conversions and engagement.

Are people replying to your emails, commenting on your posts, or sliding into your DMs? Are you getting feedback about your offers? When your audience interacts with your content, it shows they’re not just reading your words — they’re connecting with them!

If your conversions are low, try these approaches:

• Ask people for their responses. A CTA can be more than just “read this” or “buy now.”
• Use other methods to spark engagement. Think story stickers like questions, polls, or direct replies.
• Consider how many people go directly to book a call with you. This tells you they don’t just want to interact—they want to BUY!
• Evaluate your discovery call process. If your copy converts to booking a call but then goes nowhere, it’s not the copy, doll. There might be a process that needs revision.

COPY AUDIT STEP #3: CHECK BOUNCE RATES

You can also gauge if your copy is aligned with your audience by looking at bounce rates. A low bounce rate means visitors are sticking around, exploring more pages, and absorbing what you have to say.

If they’re not bouncing, your copy, offers, and overall brand essence are clearly captivating.

Now that you’ve figured out if your offers are actually gonna work for you and how to talk about them and sell them… let’s move on to Nicole who is gonna talk about how to dress them up!

What’s Working (or not): Your Designs

Nicole’s insights

Hiya! I’m Nicole, the brand designer at Rendezvous, resident Enneagram 5, and dog mom to one Rude Dude (his name is Rudy).  

And I’m here to talk to you about checking in with your visual brand to make sure it’s actually getting you where you want to go. 

It’s easy to get caught up in what’s trendy, especially when it comes to visual branding. 

That’s why it’s so easy to look for shortcuts. A template? GIMME. Inspo from that blonde lady who looks like she’s kicking butt on Instagram? I’ll do whatever she tells me to do. 

I’m a fan of a good shortcut, but when you’re trying to build a strong and sustainable brand, those shortcuts really become just like crash diets. They don’t work for very long and they leave you feeling empty.

Trust me, I’ve been there, too! I’ve been on enough health kicks to know it’s not going to last. The electrolyte packets in my pantry and that big tub of protein powder? It’s about a week away from being replaced by frozen corndogs. 

It’s just that when you feel like it’s time to level up and you’re ready to make a change, it’s way easier to spend $100 on that influencer-toted protein powder than it does to just eat real food and figure out what works for you. 

It’s the same thing with branding. It’s always going to be easier to copy what the marketing girlies are doing than to actually sit down and evaluate what your business needs to satisfy you and your audience. 

Nope, that shortcut isn’t gonna work this time. In the end, doing what everyone else says is “on trend” always feels a little empty and wanting. You end up frustrated and work out your anger by going on a template bender. You end up purchasing a bunch of things that make you feel good but, again, don’t actually make your brand any better.

If you’re wondering why your branding never quite hits the spot and why you’re snacking on every template you can get your hands on, it’s because you haven’t found your recipe yet.

VISUALS AUDIT STEP #1: FINDING YOUR “RECIPE”

What’s the one thing that always turns on the charm for your brand? Is it your uncanny ability to anticipate client needs? Is it an offer no one else has? Are you marching to the beat of your own drum when it comes to industry norms?

Showcase what you bring to the table that no one else does + what your audience is dying to see.

Ask yourself:

• What makes you different from your competitors?
• What special take do you have on your service/product/industry?
• What do you make people feel that others don’t?
• What is your audience looking for when they come across your business?
• What are they most hoping a business like yours can give them?

Those answers help us create brand keywords — the recurring themes of your brand’s special sauce. Your unique superpowers. The ingredients in your brand recipe (aka brand identity).

Brand recipes always deliver the fruits and veggies (what your audience needs and hopes for) with a little heart and soul (what you make special that’s just for them).

It’s that recipe that makes your brand balanced and satisfying. Just like when you eat all your veggie servings for the day and get to eat tater tots before dinner. Doesn’t that sound way better than only eating boring “healthy” food all week, getting frustrated, lashing out with a beer, and then cajoling your friend into driving you to Taco Bell for a Crunch Wrap that your stomach will hate you for in the morning? (I swear I’m not trying to diss Latasha right now. Latasha’s personal brand is Taco Bell.)

VISUAL AUDIT STEP #2: YOUR BRAND ESSENCE

Once you’ve worked through the above questions and the previous exercises Latasha and Megan shared about values and voice, your visuals will start to take shape. But here’s where you need to go into deep thinking mode. 

A bold brand that tells it like it is probably wouldn’t use bows and pastels. A nurturing, soft-spoken brand likely wouldn’t go for neon colors and edgy fonts.

Think about your own visuals — do they align with your values and the version of your brand you want people to really see? Or do they tell a different story that doesn’t necessarily align?

VISUAL AUDIT STEP #3: THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS

Branding isn’t just about finding the “right vibes.” You also need to ensure that your brand visuals are as easy to use and implement as they are appealing.

Take a moment to audit your brand assets: 

• Color: Are your brand colors versatile and easy to work with?  Are they easy to see?
• Fonts: Do your fonts match your brand’s tone and remain legible across platforms?  
• Graphics and Imagery: Are your visuals consistent and enhancing your brand’s message, or do they feel like stock photos anyone could use?

A gorgeous brand that you don’t know how to share isn’t going to help. That’s why it’s important to look at each brand element and make sure you know exactly how to use them. 

Ready for a brand & biz that work?

Building a brand that works in today’s world isn’t about stuffing offers with extras or chasing the latest trends. It’s about aligning your values, voice, and visuals to create a cohesive experience that connects with your audience on a deeper level.

By auditing your offers, refining your copy, and developing a visual brand, you can build a business that not only stands out but also stands the test of time.

Unsure where to start to build a stronger biz foundation moving forward? Realizing it’s time to strip it all down to the studs so you can build a stronger foundation?
You don’t have to do it alone — the Rendezvous gals are here to help! Learn more about our Rendezvous Roadmap and how we can help you assess each element of your brand, top to tails.