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Episode 467: The Surprising Power of Color: Why Your Brand Palette Might Be Holding You Back – Part 2

In this eye-opening episode of Writing at the Red House, Kathi Lipp and branding expert Tenneil Register return to tackle one of the most misunderstood aspects of author branding: color. If you’ve ever struggled to pick a color palette that feels like “you,” or worried that your colors might actually be confusing your readers, you’re not alone.

Kathi shares her own branding mishaps (including a memorable tea-party disaster), and Tenneil breaks down what color psychology really means for writers who want their brand to feel authentic, inviting, and memorable. You’ll get actionable advice on:

  • How to identify colors that match the true feeling of your message and audience needs
  • Why trendy palettes might be sabotaging your brand—and what to do instead
  • How to avoid classic color combo fails (hint: not every red and gold pairing is inspired!)
  • Which tools—like Canva and Lightroom—can make branding easier, even if you’re a design novice
  • Where to find inspiration and ready-to-use resources to simplify the design process

Plus, you’ll hear real talk about balancing cozy vibes, bold statements, and faith-driven messages, all through the power of color.

Your Host

Kathi Lipp

Kathi Lipp

Author, Speaker, Writing at the Red House Creator and CEO Kathi Lipp is the host of the Clutter Free Academy podcast, the Writing at the Red House podcast, and the bestselling author of The Husband Project, Clutter Free, Ready for Anything, and An Abundant Place. She and her husband, Roger, live in the mountains of northern California, where they run the Red House Writing Retreats. Over the past 10 years, Kathi has helped hundreds of people increase their platform through teaching and coaching. She is a frequent teacher at writer’s conferences and has helped countless authors and speakers find their audiences. Kathi’s desire to help fellow speakers and authors avoid the mistakes she made, increase their confidence, and be the person God made them to be inspired her creation of Communicator Academy. Her newest adventure is The Red House, where she offers writer’s retreats and Writers in Residence events. Learn more about the Red House at writingattheredhouse.com

About Our Guests

Tenneil Register

Tenneil Register

R7 Reclaimed

Tenneil Register creates, repurposes, decorates, gardens, and welcomes guests to R7 Reclaimed's storefront. She and her husband, Cowboy, reside in Iowa and operate a DIY ranch home and family business. Connect with Tenneil on Instagram or at R7Reclaimed.com.

Promised Resources

  • Coffee for Kathi

    Link to support or treat the host; specifically given to listeners.

Resources Mentioned

  • The Collective

    Community or resource site mentioned in the episode as one of Kathi’s favorite things.

  • Susy Flory

    Author and resource recommended by Kathi.

  • Tonya Kubo

    Resource or guest recommended by Kathi.

  • Kathleen Kerr

    Literary professional highlighted by Kathi.

  • Canva

    Tool mentioned for writers and brand design.

  • Adobe Lightroom

    Photo editing software mentioned as a useful tool for branding.

  • WhatTheFont

    Online tool mentioned for identifying fonts.

  • DaFont

    Website mentioned for font downloads and inspiration.

Full Transcript
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Episode Topics

audience connectionauthor tipsbrand color psychologybrand fontsbusinesscanva for writerschristian author brandcolor palette trendscolor psychologydesign tools for writersmarketingmarketing for writersplatformplatform buildingpodcastpursuing your dreamssocial mediatenneil registerwriter branding mistakeswritingwriting at the red house
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