How I Built a Strong Brand Foundation (and Why It Matters for You)
Many of you know my story: I started Nat Marie Design while still working in my corporate job. For the first six months, I wasn’t focused on clients or revenue — I was focused on building my brand. I invested time into social media, content creation, and establishing a strong foundation.
When I was eventually laid off, I was scared, of course — but because I had already built that brand presence, I hit the ground running. Within three months, I matched my old salary, and within my first full year in business, I hit six figures. That growth didn’t happen by accident. It was the direct result of intentional marketing and brand building.
And here’s the good news: the same strategies can work for your business too.
Plan Your Content Buckets
One of the best ways to simplify content creation is by defining content buckets. These are themes or categories you’ll post about consistently.
For example, a fitness coach might create buckets around:
Workout highlights
Client success stories
Nutrition tips
Many of you know my story: I started Nat Marie Design while still working in my corporate job. For the first six months, I wasn’t focused on clients or revenue — I was focused on building my brand. I invested time into social media, content creation, and establishing a strong foundation.
When I was eventually laid off, I was scared, of course — but because I had already built that brand presence, I hit the ground running. Within three months, I matched my old salary, and within my first full year in business, I hit six figures. That growth didn’t happen by accident. It was the direct result of intentional marketing and brand building.
And here’s the good news: the same strategies can work for your business too.
Plan Your Content Buckets
One of the best ways to simplify content creation is by defining content buckets. These are themes or categories you’ll post about consistently.
For example, a fitness coach might create buckets around:
Workout highlights
Client success stories
Nutrition tips
Buckets give your brand consistency while allowing variety. They help you focus on what matters most to your audience instead of trying to be everything to everyone.
Work from Templates
The question I hear all the time is: How do I create enough content without it looking repetitive?
The answer: templates.
Templates make your content cohesive, professional, and on-brand. They save time and ensure that whether it’s a social post, presentation, or marketing piece, everything feels consistent. At Nat Marie Design, we create custom template systems for our clients so they can stay on-brand while still having flexibility to evolve.
Use a Scheduler
Finally, don’t post on the fly. Tools like Plann, Meta Business Suite, or Later allow you to schedule content in advance. This turns social media from a daily scramble into a streamlined process.
Personally, I plan my content in batches, then schedule it out so I can focus on client work and creative projects. It’s one of the simplest shifts that can free up your time — and your headspace.
The Takeaway
Building a strong brand presence isn’t about being everywhere, all the time. It’s about being consistent, strategic, and intentional. A clear plan will help you grow your business, build trust with your audience, and take the stress out of marketing.
At Nat Marie Design, this is the kind of work we do every day: helping businesses create brands that are not only beautiful, but also functional and easy to manage. If you’re ready to bring more strategy and clarity to your marketing, I’d love to connect.
hello@natmariedesign.com
