I remember when I first started Made in Minny (circa 2015). I hit 300 followers on Instagram, I was so stoked. That number felt huge to me! It meant people were actually finding me, noticing what I made, and vibing with it.

And honestly? I was blissfully unaware of what anyone thought. I was just having fun being creative and sharing my crochet beanies. No pressure, no overthinking...just literally showing up and enjoying the process.

And while I know now that followers and vanity metrics aren’t everything (they really aren’t), I also know we all have some kind of goal in mind. Whether it’s hitting a certain number of sales each month, growing your audience, or finally feeling like your work is seen, there’s a version of success you’re probably chasing.

But how do you actually get there?

Because it’s not about chasing trends or going viral. It’s about building something real. It’s about creating a brand experience that draws people in.. through your visuals and packaging (branding), the way your site feels (your website), how you show up online (your content), and the rhythm of how often you do it (consistency).

Let’s break down how you can start attracting the kind of people who get you, your handmade creations and keep coming back for more.

1. Your brand is the foundation

As a brand and website designer (outside of all things Made in Minny), it probably won’t shock you that branding is my number one way to find your people and attract the right audience.

And I don’t just say that, I lived it. I wasn’t known. I wasn’t a name. I was literally starting from zero. But I launched my business with a strong brand and a website (fun fact: I’ve actually never sold on Etsy), and that is what built trust with my audience.

Think of your favorite store, or that social media account you’re always saving posts from. What do they all have in common? There’s a vibe! A mood. A tone. You feel an instant connection to this place or person!

That, my friend, is branding!! And it’s the first thing that helps people know if you are for them.

And hey, if someone lands on your page and decides you’re not their cup of tea? I know it doesn't seem like it, but that’s actually a win.

Because for every person who doesn't vibe with you, you’ll have two more who are like “omg, where has this account been all my life?”

You want to attract AND repel! It’s how you build a community that really gets you.

Another big misconception about branding, is it's not just your logo. It’s an entire experience. And if you're ready to dive deeper, here's why your brand is more than just a logo!

It’s the vibe, visuals, values, personality, voice, color palette, and photography style...all woven together to create your identity.

Soo...how can you go beyond just a logo?

Well… besides working with a designer (hi, I’m your girl if you’re ready to go all in 😉), here are a few ways to DIY your brand and actually make it stick:

• Start with self-discovery
  Before picking colors or fonts, take time to really understand your brand on a deeper level. My FREE Discover Your Brand Magic workbook is a great place to start! It’ll help you dig into your mission, what you’re drawn to, and the story you want to tell.
  You can also book a Brand Clarity Session with me, other makers have found it super helpful to find clarity and direction in their business. It kickstarts your momentum and you'll walk away feeling excited and confident about your biz!
  
  
• Create a logo suite
  That means a primary logo, a secondary logo, and a submark.
  Make it meaningful, unique, and something that can grow with you over the next 5+ years. Don’t just slap your name in a cute font and call it done!! Think it through with intention and do some of that pre-work above that will help you fully understand your visual vibe before you go into design mode. The workbook linked above would be a great place to start before you tackle this stage.
  
  
• Establish your color palette
  Choose 5–6 colors that represent your brand and make you feel something. Then save them, use them, and stick with them! Consistency will make your content and visuals look polished, cohesive, and instantly recognizable. Also, it's a huuuge time saver so you're not opening canva and staring at a blank screen, not sure where to begin (we've all been there!). Here are a bunch of color & font resources!
  
  
• Choose your fonts
  Pick 2–3 fonts for your brand and use them everywhere! Website, Instagram graphics, packaging, you name it. Trust me, having your fonts locked in makes content creation so much easier. Even choose an 'instagram font' that's built into the app that goes best with your brand. The consistency is recognizable!
  
  
• Think beyond the visuals
  Branding also includes how you sound and your messaging. Your captions, your voice, your energy...it’s all part of your brand. So let that shine through and don’t be afraid to be you. People want to connect with a real human!!

Your brand is the foundation of everything you do! So whether you’re building it from scratch or giving it a little refresh, take the time to do it right. It’s how the right people find you, fall in love with your vibe, and stick around for the long haul!

2. Your website is your storefront

You know how we all have spent hours curating our Instagram feeds? Making sure everything flows, the colors match, the photos are edited to perfection? And hey, I totally get it (and encourage it!). A cohesive feed is a vibe.

But friend, let's not forget we actually pay for our websites!!

Your website shouldn’t be an afterthought. It’s the place where people decide whether or not to buy from you. That’s the moment they’re either in or out. So while social media brings them in the door, your site is where the magic happens.

If your site’s feeling a little outdated or like it's not converting people browsing into sales, it might be time for a refresh.. or to work with a designer who can take it up a few notches! And if you're more into DIYing it, here are a bunch of ways to get your site vibes right.

And even if you’re on Etsy (which I know a lot of you are!), you still have opportunities to brand your shop and stand out with intention.. think, high quality photos, videos within your listings, updating your shop banner. Product descriptions are actually using language that SELLS the product, not just stating the facts about it.

Think of it like this: when you walk into your favorite store at the start of a new season, you expect the displays to feel fresh. You expect something new, right? Your site should give that same feeling to your customers, whether they’re visiting for the first time or the fiftieth. People love seeing new things, it's inspiring!

Need inspo? Here are some simple ways to give your website a seasonal refresh.
(Pro tip: Number 4 has saved me sooo many times by helping me keep a library of polished photos ready to go at a moment’s notice.)

I could go on and on about the importance of your website (and trust me, I frequently do haha). But let this be your little nudge to give that space some love, and regularly!

Because it’s not just meant to sit there...it’s your store!

And when it feels aligned, cohesive, and you? It becomes the easiest “yes” for the people who are ready to support what you create!

3. Content is what connects you

Okay, I know it sounds cliché, but one of the biggest tips I can give you is: be yourself. You know when you come across someone online and you're just like, “Wait… I love their vibe and I want to be friends”? That’s what you want people to feel when they find YOU!!

It comes through in the visuals you share, your photos, your videos, the words you use and how you deliver it all. Trust me, it’s not about being perfect, it’s about being real! Be that inspiring person you enjoy following and keeping up with.

If you scroll wayyy back on my feed, you’ll see I used to never show my face. Part of it was the time (2016 was a different era lol), and part of it was confidence. I talk a bit more about that in this post: things I wish I knew before starting. Spoiler: you don’t have to be “on” 24/7, you just have to be you.

And believe me, for me showing up still feels like a stretch some days...but when I’m feelin’ it, I roll with it. I take advantage of those days I feel more energy, and batch content while I'm in that mindset. It's a total game changer.. because the reality is, you're not always going to feel like showing up on camera!

I always have to remind my clients, a piece of content doesn't have a time limit or expiration date. I repost what performed well last year around the same time, I share things that I recorded years ago without feeling the need to announce when the photo or video was taken. Because you're constantly finding new people who have never seen it before, and even if others have seen it.. that won't keep them from liking it again the second time around! 

And here's the thing, people LOVE when your content is recognizable. Like, they see the photo or video and instantly know it’s you before they see the username. But also? Keep it fun. Show your face, share your voice, give a peek behind the scenes. B-roll, workspace chaos, the making, the magic.

At the end of the day, we all just want connection. Friendship. A vibe. And when you find people who get it? It’s the best. So go be that person for someone else!

4. Stay consistent and keep growing (without burning out)

If you're in this for the long haul (which, I'm assuming you are if you started a business!), you have to play the long game.

Playing the long game means showing up when you're hearing crickets.

It means pushing through slow months.

It means staying consistent...even when it feels like nothing is catching on or working.

Here's a cheesy analogy for you. It’s just like planting flowers. You don’t toss a seed in the dirt and expect a bloom the next day. You water it, give it light, check in on it often… and after a little while, you finally see a sprout! And even then, it’s STILLL not the flower yet. It still takes time, care, and patience before anything fully blossoms. But that doesn’t mean the growth isn’t happening.

So back to your content...!

You probably don't need me to tell you this, but you don’t need a viral reel or a massive audience to grow a meaningful brand.

What you do need is intention, consistency, and a willingness to keep showing up.

Keep coming up with fun, unique ways to connect with others and share your work. Think about the kind of content you love, and start there.

AND... quality > quantity. Spend a little more time on a piece of content that is meaningful. But of course, have those quick-share posts ready when you need something last minute.

And don’t forget: community doesn’t just happen and fall into your lap. You have to create it!

When someone leaves a comment? Instead of just liking it, comment back! Start conversations. Ask questions. Make it a point to connect, reach out to people and be social.. because that's kinda the point of all of this!

I promise it will pay off over time! And you’ll start to grow a community that feels like sunshine!

Sales will follow. Your confidence will build!

And showing up online? It’ll start to feel fun again!

Need a little help with your brand?

That’s kinda my thing! I design brands and websites for creatives (like you!) and love helping makers grow a business that feels aligned and gets results.

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure what your next move should be, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. You can book a 15-minute call with me and we’ll talk through where you’re at and what might be the best next step for you, whether that’s a full rebrand, a brand clarity session, or something in between.

Let’s make your brand really feel like you, and attract the customers who love what you do. 💛

If you want to hear more from me, be sure to join my MADE Makers community, where I'll be touching base weekly with inspiration, crochet patterns, and maker/biz tips to help you on your journey.

Curious what stood out to you, leave a comment and share where you're at in your creative business journey. I'd love to hear!

Thank you for reading, and I'm cheering you on always!

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