Why I Rebranded My Blog

Are you looking to rebrand your blog or small business? Here is my story as to why I rebranded my 10 year old blog.

In the past two months I took a big leap of faith when I decided to rebrand my blog. It was time for a change. After much consideration, I realized the only way I could be recognized as small business is to be professional on all accounts. From a rebrand of my blog name to my blog design, I have changed it all. Don’t worry, my content is still the same. But if you want to know the full story, here is why I rebranded my blog.

Why say goodbye to “Confessions of a Northern Belle” and catalynbear?

The first step in rebranding your blog is always a NAME CHANGE. I had many conversations with family, friends, and brands about using my real name in place of my current handles. What a novel idea?!

My blog name and social handle were symbolic of a different stage in my life. I realized by holding on to those younger years, I would never grow UP in the way I dream to grow. For Instagram, “Catalynbear” was a nickname given to me by my little sister over 13 years ago. My social channels were established for personal use before my blog was anything but an online diary.

Do you know how many times I had to explain why my Instagram name was so ridiculous and unrelated to my blog? Changing my social handles from Catalynbear to Caitlin Houston was the best choice I’ve made in a long time (and something I should have done forever ago).

Life will only change when you become more committed to your dreams than you are to your comfort zone.

As for my blog name, Confessions of a Northern Belle, the change was a no brainer. I felt so unprofessional and embarrassed every time I was asked for my blog name. Not only is a play on words, but it’s also reminiscent of a specific chapter of my life. I no longer write about the confessions of a northerner living in the south, for I am a Mom of two living in Connecticut.

If I consider my blog as a small company, it is worth letting go of a creative name to help my online authority.

The only way to be taken seriously in the blogging industry is to be confident in who you are and what you have built. This is why I chose “Caitlin Houston” as my new site name and handle. Some friends and followers were sad to see Confessions of a Northern Belle go. They felt it was creative, fun, and memorable. However, if I want to consider my blog as a small company, it is important to let go of a creative name to help improve my online authority.

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The Story Behind My Choices for a New Color Scheme and Blog Design

I truly believe certain people enter your life at the right time for a specific reason. Kate and I met through Instagram when I was in a crummy place and considering a long break from blogging. I’d been blinded by achievements of others instead of celebrating my own successes. Kate encouraged me to stand up, brush myself off, and reassess everything around me. She encouraged me to make some changes and offered to work with me on rebranding my blog. We called up Lisette, my long time friend and blog designer, and together came up with my NEW space.

Kate created a brand board to guide the new design of Caitlin Houston Blog. She also created one of a kind graphics to make up my new logo: one flower to represent each of my family members. As for the blue – it’s my favorite color! The particular shades of blue were inspired by my love of ginger jars and a vintage Cape Cod t-shirt that belonged to my Grandma Mary.

For the first time ever, every little inch of my website is ME. Rebranding my blog is the best decision I’ve ever made because I now feel confident in my brand. I’m proud of what you see – and hope you enjoy everything here, as well as what’s to come. Thanks for reading.