What Really Happens After Your Brand and Website Launch: The Truth About Business Growth
Tired of the “six figures in 60 days” hype? Let’s talk about what REALLY happens after you invest in your brand and website—the part most business gurus conveniently leave out.
After reading yet another email about a business owner who lost their job, started a business, and immediately was supporting their family – making it sound effortless and quick…I instantly rolled my eyes and clicked DELETE. Probably should have unsubscribed, but I’ll get to that later…
Because here’s the unfiltered truth that almost nobody in the online business world talks about: Building a successful business takes TIME. Like, a lot of it.
And pretending otherwise feels… honestly? Kind of condescending to everyone who’s in the trenches doing the real work.
Beautiful Branding Isn’t a Magic Wand
Don’t get me wrong, having a gorgeous brand and website (like what I create for my clients) absolutely helps accelerate your growth. But it’s not a magic wand. And I refuse to pretend it is.
So, let’s talk about what actually happens AFTER you invest in a boldly YOU brand and a strategic website. You know, the part most business gurus conveniently skip over in their “6-figure in 60 days” promises.
The “New Website High” (And What Comes After)
First, you’ll probably experience what I call the “new website high” – that amazing feeling when your brand and online home finally match your expertise. Your confidence soars. You share it EVERYWHERE. You feel legit in a way that you didn’t before.
But then comes the real work: figuring out how to market your business in a way that feels good to YOU.
Nobody tells you that marketing is a relationship you’ll be in for the lifetime of your business. And, like any relationship, it takes time to figure out what works.
When Following the “Experts” Leads to Burnout
When I first started my business, I tried everything the “experts” told me to do:
- I made reels that made me cringe
- I wrote captions that sounded nothing like me
- I forced myself into networking events that drained my energy
- I spent money on Facebook ads before I even had a clear offer
And you know what happened? I burned out. Hard.
The turning point came when I stopped trying to follow everyone else’s advice and started paying attention to what actually felt good to ME.
I discovered I love writing my weekly emails. I enjoy having real conversations on Instagram. I thrive in small groups or 1:1 connections. And guess what? The marketing strategies that aligned with my energy were the ones that actually worked.
5 Non-BS Steps for After Your Brand & Website Launch
So here’s my actual, non-BS advice for what to do after you get that shiny new brand and website:
- Give yourself permission to experiment: Try different marketing opportunities with curiosity rather than pressure. Notice which strategies energize you versus deplete you!
- Expect seasons of growth and seasons of plateau: This is normal. I repeat: THIS IS NORMAL. These periods of slower progress are often crucial for reflection, refinement, and preparing for the next surge forward. And remember, what this looks like when you’re just starting out will be very different from what it looks like when you’re a seasoned business owner.
- Focus on consistency over perfection: Showing up regularly on one channel beats sporadic activity across six platforms. And I don’t mean that you have to post every day on Instagram or email your network 3x a week…just stick to one or a few things!
- Track what’s working: Not just in terms of metrics, but also: What feels sustainable? What connects you with people that you genuinely enjoy working with?
- Remember that overnight success stories usually leave out crucial details: Like a partner who can support your entrepreneurial exploration or family money. Or a massive email list from a previous business. Or like ten years of behind-the-scenes work.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Business Growth
The truth? Even with the most magnificent brand and website on the planet (which, obviously, I’d love to help you create 😉), building a thriving business takes time, patience, and a whole lot of showing up when no one seems to be watching.
Just try to do what feels RIGHT to you!
Find Marketing That Works FOR YOU
I want to encourage you to create a list of all the marketing activities you’ve tried or considered, then rate them on a scale of 1-10 for:
- How much you enjoy doing them
- How effective they’ve been for your business
- How sustainable they feel long-term
Focus your energy on the highest combined scores, and give yourself permission to drop the lowest ones – even if some guru swears by them.
Remember, growth is a journey, and while it should be enjoyable overall, it’s also okay if it’s sometimes uncomfortable. That discomfort often means you’re stretching yourself and learning new things.
For example, I’m leaning into doing more connection calls in networking groups right now. As an introvert, this can feel scary because I’m worried about feeling drained. But I’ve met some true friends, champions of my work, and even clients through these calls. And I’ve felt really good about giving back to others, even when I’m not getting anything tangible in return immediately. It’s a little uncomfortable sometimes, but the positive connections and long-term potential make it worth it.
Permission to Build Your Business YOUR Way
Look, I want you to have a beautiful brand and strategic website because it WILL make this journey easier. It WILL help you attract the right clients. It WILL give you the confidence to charge what you’re worth.
But I refuse to sell you a fairy tale about what comes next.
Instead, I’m offering something more valuable: permission to build your business at your own pace, in your own way. To trust that the cumulative effect of consistent effort – even when it feels like nothing is happening – is what ultimately creates the success you’re seeking.
Because overnight success takes years, and anyone who tells you otherwise is probably trying to sell you something.
And yes, I want to work with you…but not at the expense of your well-being, your values, or your long-term vision!
Ready for a brand that truly represents who you are? Let’s create something authentic that gives you the confidence to build your business YOUR way, at YOUR pace.
