#183: Why September is the Real New Year for Your Business

Ever feel like your brand looks okay on the outside, but deep down it just doesn’t feel like you? In this episode, we chat with Dahlia from Dahlia Orth Creative about the shift that happens when your brand finally matches your voice, vibe, and vision. From the nerves of investing in a rebrand to the confidence that comes after, Dahlia’s story is proof that when your brand feels aligned, you show up differently... and it changes everything.Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/developing-an-aligned-business-branding-strategyLinks Mentioned in This Episode: Sip & Strategize Workbook4 Reasons It Might Be Time To Rebrand Your BusinessTuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

September is the real New Year for your business. Forget January, this is the season when the energy shifts, routines reset, and clients come back ready to invest. In today’s episode, we’re breaking down why September is the perfect time to reflect, refresh, and plan for the months ahead. We’ll share how we use this season inside Duo to map out Q4, finalize launches, and set ourselves up for success without the chaos of January. Whether you’re feeling stuck after a slow summer or simply craving a fresh start, this episode will help you treat September like the ultimate reset button for your business.Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/why-september-is-the-real-new-year-for-your-businessLinks Mentioned in This Episode: #154: https://duocollective.com/blog/meetings-and-time-blocks  #157: https://duocollective.com/blog/the-secret-to-consistent-website-updates #112: https://duocollective.com/blog/5-things-that-made-our-course-launch-a-success Tuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

If you’ve ever wondered how we take brand strategy and turn it into visuals that feel perfectly aligned with a business, this episode is for you. In today’s episode, we’re breaking down brand mood boards. We’ll share what they are, why they’re so much more than a random Pinterest collage, and how they set the foundation for every logo, font, color, and design decision that follows. You’ll hear real client examples of how completely different mood boards create completely different brand personalities, and why this single step can turn a brand from scattered to cohesive everywhere it shows up. By the end, you’ll see how a brand mood board becomes your visual north star, making decisions easier, alignment smoother, and your brand instantly more memorable.Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/what-is-a-brand-moodboardTuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

In today’s episode, we’re walking you through nine easy, impactful tips to make your emails a “must open” for your audience. From naming your newsletter to designing it so it looks and feels on brand, writing like you’re talking to one person, and creating subject lines that stop the scroll... we’re sharing the tweaks that make the biggest difference. Whether you’re starting from scratch or just ready for a refresh, these changes will help you stand out in the inbox and actually get people excited to hear from you every week.Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/email-newsletter-ideasLinks Mentioned in This Episode: Flodesk: https://flodesk.com/c/DUOCOLLECTIVE The Branding Bar: https://duocollective.com/the-branding-bar#58: https://duocollective.com/blog/4-email-marketing-leads-to-grow-your-list #84: https://duocollective.com/blog/is-substack-the-right-platform-for-your-content #172: https://duocollective.com/blog/are-you-giving-away-too-much-free-stuff Tuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

Feeling overwhelmed by all the SEO news floating around? In today’s episode, we’re breaking down what’s actually happening with search right now... from Google’s latest update to Instagram content showing up in search results. We’ll cover the rise of AI Overviews (and what they mean for your traffic), explain multimodal SEO, and walk through what you really need to focus on as a business owner. No fear-mongering, just helpful info to help you show up and stay visible online.Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/seo-updates-in-2025Links Mentioned in This Episode: #176: https://duocollective.com/blog/blog-formatting https://duocollective.com/blog/seo-for-instagram Tuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

Feedback can be tricky... especially when it comes to something as personal as design. In today’s episode, we’re sharing how to give and receive feedback that actually moves a project forward. Whether you’re a designer or a client (or both), we’ll walk through common mistakes, how to keep feedback aligned with strategy, and ways to make revisions feel collaborative instead of combative. If you’ve ever heard “make it pop” and wanted to scream, this one’s for you.Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/constructive-feedback-for-designLinks Mentioned in This Episode: #156: Color Theory & Why It’s Important Tuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

Think your homepage is doing all the heavy lifting? In this episode, we’re shining a spotlight on the three most overlooked pages on your website, the ones that are quietly pulling serious weight behind the scenes. We’ll break down how to elevate your Contact Page, About Page, and Final CTA Page so they’re not just filling space but actually converting browsers into buyers. From strategic copy shifts to sneaky design updates, these pages are more powerful than you think, and we’re sharing how to make the most of them. Perfect if you’re planning a website refresh or just need a quick win that doesn’t mean starting from scratch.Links Mentioned in This Episode: #157 https://duocollective.com/blog/the-secret-to-consistent-website-updatesEpisode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/3-website-pages-that-deserve-more-loveTuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

Ever wonder what kind of party your brand would throw? In today’s episode, we’re helping you step into your brand’s personality in the most fun way possible. We’ll walk you through a creative exercise to imagine everything from your brand’s signature cocktail to the guest list (and yes, even the playlist). Because branding isn’t just about colors and fonts... it’s about how you make people feel. You’ll learn how each party detail connects back to your offers, your audience, your website, and your content. And if you’re thinking, “Wait, this sounds fun but I have no idea where to start,” we’ve got you. We created a free Brand Party Quiz to help you nail down your brand vibe and throw the bash of the year. Tune in to start planning your brand’s ultimate party and see just how much clarity (and joy) this can bring to your business.Take the Quiz: https://duocollective.com/brand-party-quizEpisode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/creative-branding-exerciseTuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

Think your blog needs more keywords or longer paragraphs to rank? Not quite. In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the real secret to better blog performance: making your content skimmable. We’re talking short paragraphs, bolded text, clear headlines, and formatting that feels like a breeze to read. Because here’s the truth: no one is reading every word, and Google knows it. When your blog is easy to skim, it keeps people engaged, shows up better in search (and AI tools!), and actually drives more conversions. If your blog feels more like a college essay than a quick, helpful guide, this episode is for you. Let’s turn that wall of text into a scroll-worthy, high-ranking masterpiece.Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/blog-formattingTuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

Think Court loves Halloween? You should see her in July. In today’s episode, we’re talking all about Court’s true obsession — the Fourth of July. From a week’s worth of star-spangled outfits to the newly invented “boom basket” for Mila, it’s full-on freedom flair around here. We’re sharing the story behind her love for the holiday, why the decor usually takes a back seat (but not the sparkly headbands), and how lake week has become the ultimate mid-year reset. If you’re craving a peek behind the scenes into Court’s festive spirit and maybe a little inspo for your own celebrations, this episode is for you.Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/courtney-and-the-fourth-of-julyTuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/