Don’t Let Your Business Become an Exquisite Corpse

You’ve got a million ideas. You’ve got Canva. You’ve got a mate called Paul who’s “good with a camera.” So you start posting, printing, emailing, designing… and hoping something sticks.

But here’s the problem. Without a clear brand, all that effort can turn into a confusing, disjointed mess, what I like to call the “Exquisite Corpse” of marketing.

It might look fun at first glance… but is it helping your business grow? Or is it just eating your time and money?

Let’s back up. What is an Exquisite Corpse?

It’s a surrealist drawing game where each person adds a section of a picture without seeing what came before. The result? Wild, weird, unpredictable and more often than not, totally useless.

Sounds familiar?

If your social posts look like they came from three different businesses... if your price list doesn’t match your website... if your flyers feel like a different vibe from your email footer… then yep, you might have an exquisite corpse on your hands.

Creativity Without Structure = Chaos

As small business owners, we’re naturally creative. We solve problems all day. We wear all the hats. But throwing unfiltered creativity into your marketing without clear rules or design systems? That’s when it gets messy.

You could end up with something brilliant.
But 99% of the time, it’s inconsistent, confusing and it won’t build the trust you need to grow.

The Fix? Branding.

I don’t mean a pretty logo. I mean a full brand identity, a strategic, visual and verbal toolkit that makes everything easier. It’s your business’s personality, clearly defined and consistently communicated.

Here’s what good branding gives you:

✅ A strong, professional image

✅ A clear message that attracts the right customers

✅ A plug-and-play system for all your visuals and copy

✅ A massive time-saver (no more overthinking your next post)

Branding Makes Your Marketing Work Harder

Without branding, you’ll spend hours tinkering, tweaking, and second-guessing. With branding, your materials basically create themselves and they all make sense together.

And here’s the kicker: branding isn’t just a cost. It’s an investment. One that pays off through recognition, loyalty, trust, and sales.

So Ask Yourself This:

Do you want to save a few quid by cobbling things together?

Or do you want to invest in branding that turns your business into a magnet for the right customers and makes you a whole lot more money in the long run?

If it’s the second one, we should talk.

Ready to ditch the creative chaos?
Let’s build a brand that’s bold, clear and totally you.