It isn’t necessary for a small business to have a huge advertising budget, but there are a few must haves to cement your brand identity.
First of all, you really do need a logo to give your business a recognizable face. Consistently using your logo on all printed materials increases brand image and awareness.
A web site is another must have in this digital age, as well as business cards that make use of your logo. These give potential clients a way to easily look up and get information on your business.
It doesn’t require spending a fortune to create a fabulous brand, but it does take planning and consistency. You need to know the image you want others to have of you and your business, and then, most important of all, you must get the word out.
Start using Facebook and Twitter to get people to check out your products or services. Always use your logo on all the social media pages. Also try to write articles which will show you to be an expert in your field. Finally, make sure that you do your homework on search engine optimization to make sure that your website comes up on the first page of the major Internet search engines using appropriate key words for your industry. A web site is useless if no one can find it.
Showing posts with label Logos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Logos. Show all posts
Friday, March 19, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
5 Things to Consider before Finding a Logo Design Service
Your logo is a major element of your business identity. It is the first thing that a potential customer sees, and thus it makes the all important first impression.
Creating a great logo is a crucial responsibility of a graphic design service. Designers are professionally trained in creating simple, yet outstanding concepts that appeal to expressions about a product or service. A good designer will be aware of what colors and styles work best in a particular industry and how to design something unique upon your specified instructions.
Before setting out to have your logo designed, here are 5 basic things to consider:
1. What type of image are you going for? Do you want a descriptive logo with images or just a play on words?
2. What basic color would you like to use to represent your business? Will it fit in with your color scheme that is already in place on your web site or in your business correspondence?
3. What is the most important feature of your business that you would quickly like to convey? Is it a product or a service?
4. Do you want a complex or simple logo design? Large corporations like Nike or Target do well with simple, but a new small business might need more to make it memorable since it won’t have the huge exposure that the big guys can afford.
5. Do you want your business name to be part of your logo? Small businesses may find this feature more important because of their need for exposure without the capital for large scale advertising services.
Creating a great logo is a crucial responsibility of a graphic design service. Designers are professionally trained in creating simple, yet outstanding concepts that appeal to expressions about a product or service. A good designer will be aware of what colors and styles work best in a particular industry and how to design something unique upon your specified instructions.
Before setting out to have your logo designed, here are 5 basic things to consider:
1. What type of image are you going for? Do you want a descriptive logo with images or just a play on words?
2. What basic color would you like to use to represent your business? Will it fit in with your color scheme that is already in place on your web site or in your business correspondence?
3. What is the most important feature of your business that you would quickly like to convey? Is it a product or a service?
4. Do you want a complex or simple logo design? Large corporations like Nike or Target do well with simple, but a new small business might need more to make it memorable since it won’t have the huge exposure that the big guys can afford.
5. Do you want your business name to be part of your logo? Small businesses may find this feature more important because of their need for exposure without the capital for large scale advertising services.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Should You Invest in Small Business Branding in these Trying Times?
In general, branding is the look and feel of your business that you are trying to present to your customers. In this day and age, branding is very important if you hope to help your business grow successfully on the Internet. If you are a new business owner, branding your business should be one of your top priorities.
Your potential customers need to know who you are, what you sell, and what your business is about, and they need to know this very quickly in this fast paced environment. This is a vital part of any marketing strategy.
If you look at 10 different websites for the same product, what would stand out as being special about each site that would draw customers to it? Branding helps you to do something unique to make your website stand out and have its own flavor or feel that can be recognized on all types of Internet social sites, blogs, or wherever it is shown.
Many small business owners don't have the time or money to brand their business. The problem that arises when branding is not a priority is that new competition in their selected profession can easily attract their former customers.
Try to remember that if you successfully brand your business, the branding works for you by selling for you behind the scenes. Pay attention to whether or not your web name is too generic. Does it represent the true niche you are selling in? Is your logo one that will give the potential customer a powerful visual of what your company is all about?
Today more than ever, it is critical to have a website, or at the very least, a business page on one of the social or networking sites such as Facebook or Linked In. This is where need to be creative. Don't just use any old website design and think it will attract millions of customers. It is imperative that you research and find out what others are doing in your profession, and figure out what you can do to stand out.
One key element of branding that is often overlooked is your customer service. What can you do to convince your potential customers that they will be in good hands? Remember, if you take good care of your customers, they will take great care of you. Word of mouth is a very powerful tool in bringing that new business in.
Many new small business owners do not take the time to brand their business effectively. Money invested in creating your unique look and feel will always be money well spent. If you can effectively stand out among the rest, you will ensure more customers, more sales, and a successful business that will endure during this trying period in the economy.
Your potential customers need to know who you are, what you sell, and what your business is about, and they need to know this very quickly in this fast paced environment. This is a vital part of any marketing strategy.
If you look at 10 different websites for the same product, what would stand out as being special about each site that would draw customers to it? Branding helps you to do something unique to make your website stand out and have its own flavor or feel that can be recognized on all types of Internet social sites, blogs, or wherever it is shown.
Many small business owners don't have the time or money to brand their business. The problem that arises when branding is not a priority is that new competition in their selected profession can easily attract their former customers.
Try to remember that if you successfully brand your business, the branding works for you by selling for you behind the scenes. Pay attention to whether or not your web name is too generic. Does it represent the true niche you are selling in? Is your logo one that will give the potential customer a powerful visual of what your company is all about?
Today more than ever, it is critical to have a website, or at the very least, a business page on one of the social or networking sites such as Facebook or Linked In. This is where need to be creative. Don't just use any old website design and think it will attract millions of customers. It is imperative that you research and find out what others are doing in your profession, and figure out what you can do to stand out.
One key element of branding that is often overlooked is your customer service. What can you do to convince your potential customers that they will be in good hands? Remember, if you take good care of your customers, they will take great care of you. Word of mouth is a very powerful tool in bringing that new business in.
Many new small business owners do not take the time to brand their business effectively. Money invested in creating your unique look and feel will always be money well spent. If you can effectively stand out among the rest, you will ensure more customers, more sales, and a successful business that will endure during this trying period in the economy.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
So, You have an Idea for a Small Business
Okay, so you think you have this great idea for a new small business venture. Now what? Well, think of it as your new baby. You need to protect it, nurture it, and then watch it grow.
If your idea is unique, the first thing you need to do is protect it from being stolen. Make sure that anyone that you share your new idea with first signs a standard non-disclosure. If you don't want to invest in a lawyer early on, you can find a standard form on the Internet at sites like www.rocketlawyer.com.
Like any new baby, you want to put your new idea in the hands of a professional that you can trust to help it grow. You'll need to find someone to help you with small business branding. This includes creating a company name, logo, letterhead, business cards, and a web site. Make sure that you file the proper paperwork with your county. This usually means a DBA form (doing business as) which can be done at a site such as www.simplefilings.com. This form will be necessary if you plan to open a bank account under the name of your new business. You'll also need someone to point you in the right direction when it comes to advertising and search engine optimization. Look on the Internet for a good graphic designer, and don't be afraid to check out their references. You don't want to trust your new baby to just any one.
Your logo is a key element. It will be your calling card that will appear on all your printed materials, so choose it wisely. A good graphic designer can help you find the right look and feel for your new business, but keep your original idea at the forefront. Remember, this is your baby. Put all your enthusiasm into this new venture, and you'll be able to feel proud as you watch all your hard work pay off. Good luck.
If your idea is unique, the first thing you need to do is protect it from being stolen. Make sure that anyone that you share your new idea with first signs a standard non-disclosure. If you don't want to invest in a lawyer early on, you can find a standard form on the Internet at sites like www.rocketlawyer.com.
Like any new baby, you want to put your new idea in the hands of a professional that you can trust to help it grow. You'll need to find someone to help you with small business branding. This includes creating a company name, logo, letterhead, business cards, and a web site. Make sure that you file the proper paperwork with your county. This usually means a DBA form (doing business as) which can be done at a site such as www.simplefilings.com. This form will be necessary if you plan to open a bank account under the name of your new business. You'll also need someone to point you in the right direction when it comes to advertising and search engine optimization. Look on the Internet for a good graphic designer, and don't be afraid to check out their references. You don't want to trust your new baby to just any one.
Your logo is a key element. It will be your calling card that will appear on all your printed materials, so choose it wisely. A good graphic designer can help you find the right look and feel for your new business, but keep your original idea at the forefront. Remember, this is your baby. Put all your enthusiasm into this new venture, and you'll be able to feel proud as you watch all your hard work pay off. Good luck.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Logos - Simple or More Elaborate?
Many clients have approached me about how complicated a logo should be. For instance, they ask if something as simple as the Nike check mark or the Target bulls eye will work for the average small business. I've found that such simple logos only work when the company has the revenue to do mass marketing. A simple logo is only recognizable when everyone has seen it over and over again.
Most small businesses are better off when they use an element that is descriptive of their business. A good example of this might be a cleaning service that has a broom or a duster as part of the logo rather than just lettering or a symbol. The key is to envision a simple item that reminds you of your business.
Most small businesses are better off when they use an element that is descriptive of their business. A good example of this might be a cleaning service that has a broom or a duster as part of the logo rather than just lettering or a symbol. The key is to envision a simple item that reminds you of your business.
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