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I cannot lie: A rebrand is really hard work.

Especially if you are someone like me, that didn’t even start blogging until April of this year! I had no idea what I was doing, or if a rebrand was even what I should do. I knew that my blog was going into a different direction and that I should probably change the look and feel to properly reflect the new vision. However, what it actually took to execute any of it was actually overwhelming. However, I got it done! While there were many tools that I used, these top 5 saved me the most.

1.Creative Market

Creative Market saved me in a million different ways. I scoured their themes section for DAYS looking for the perfect theme. I had already spent a total of $100 on different themes, and I knew that this would be the last theme I purchased. I knew that I needed to be able to fully customize it for not only now and this rebrand, but if I decide to create other bogs that I could use it then too. What’s great about Creative Market is that designers can open up shops and you pretty much have all these great products in one place. So looking for this theme was easy as pie. I eventually found Blu Chic. At first I was like, “Oh heck no I’m not paying $80 for a theme.” Just hear me out. You get all of these wonderful customization options and yet it is really simple to use. And they are standing by to answer any questions you may have. It’s wonderful! Not only did I find my theme, but I also found my Water Color Sunflowers there too! Creative Market really saved me because without it I don’t think this would have bee possible.

2. Adobe Illustrator

Honestly I am still trying to get the hang of it. However, what little I have been able to figure out, has helped me create menu buttons and some of my blog graphics in my posts! I hope that one day I’ll be able to fully understand and use it to my advantage! If you would like some help getting started, check out Holly McCraig’s post on the topic here. It really helped me with figuring out how to use gradient to my advantage!

3. Canva

And when all else failed, I used good ol’ fashion Canva to create stunning graphics! Super easy to use. Super easy to share. You literally can’t go wrong. My advice would be to have your own images, choose a template and then even if it says you have to pay for the image, just delete it and replace it with your own! You can set your business color pallet and choose the exact size you need for what platform you needed your image to go on. They even have a mobile app! How convenient is that?!

4. Melyssa Griffin’s Blog + Biz BFFs Facebook Group

No picture for this one but man the knowledge that is in this group is INSANE. They were the ones that pushed me to take a risk and actually do my rebrand. Because the members range from just starting to been blogging for 20 years, you never feel overwhelmed. Someone will help you, and in a timely matter too. Every time I was stuck on something, all I had to do was post the question and was given an answer within 24 hours. The support in this group is unmatched in any other group I am in. (And I am in ALOT of blogging related groups.) It is a private group, but my advice would be to sign up for Melyssa’s newsletter and soak up the knowledge!

5. Blue Host

Simply because in a way, it saved me. Blue Host and I have a very complicated relationship. I hate it and love it at the same time. However, while I had no idea how I would be able to redirect all of my links and get a new domain, Blue Host made it surprisingly very easy. My new domain was free, and all I had to do was park it where the old domain was and wala! On top of that I still get pretty cheap hosting! And while one day I hope to have the money to change from Blue Host, for any blogger whom is just starting out it will do just fine. In my experience I only had one day of down time so far, so if you’re new to the game, get Blue Host on your team. You can sign up, here.

 

So there you have it!

These are the tools I used to successfully complete my rebrand. So if you ever find yourself in the same situation, don’t be afraid to give these tools a try.