| |
More than a Logo: Developing a Strong Corporate Brand
Posted By:
Ashley Rahe
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Every
entrepreneur, regardless of niche, reaches a point when they need to develop a
brand for their new company. A brand is larger than a logo, but the logo is an
important part of the brand and is deeply informed by the overall brand strategy. Before you print your new logo on everything from letterhead to
billboards, consider these important points on brand strategy to make sure
you’ve done due diligence on the concepts behind your logo.
1. Create an internal consensus on the
mission and values of your organization. Use your business and strategic plans
as starting places for a discussion with your core team about what will drive
your company and where you want it to be headed.
2. Using
the mission, values, products or services, and projected future of your company,
find out what other people think about it. Consult with clients or potential
customers, stakeholders, and marketing professionals about their perception of
your business. If it doesn’t match your perception of how the company is or
will be received, make the necessary changes to either your mission or how you communicate
your message.
3. Compare your company to successful companies you follow. Find
out how others in your industry are presenting themselves to the world and
decide on what you think works and what doesn’t, based on your own unique offering. Pay special attention to how
well their corporate identities tells their stories and either emulate their
example or avoid their pitfalls.
4. Think ahead. Your corporate brand should
represent your organization accurately for a minimum of 5 years, ideally much
longer. If you think your company will outgrow the brand you’re creating before
the next 5 years—go back to the drawing board.
5. Bring in the designers. When the mission, values,
future projections, and corporate message are solid, it’s time to consult a
graphic design team. Experienced designers will be able to help you convey the
overall message of your brand via imagery and color in a way that is difficult
for laymen. Remember to stay client-focused when
you brainstorm your materials—ultimately they are for your audience, so be sure
they appeal to that end-user.
6. Design marketing collateral. Sometimes
designers can help determine which marketing materials you’ll want, but usually
you’ll want to consult a marketing professional for a strategic plan. Take that
plan to your design team and ask them to present ideas for each piece you’re
interested in creating. Good designers will encourage you to keep your identity
consistent, using a consistent color palette, particular imagery and your brand's unique tone of voice on every piece.
7. Revisit your branding plan periodically to
make sure it still functions appropriately for your business. Updating or revamping an aspect of a brand is common after a decade or more. Over
time, you'll continue to learn more about your audience—use that knowledge to inform
updates or changes to your brand to stay top-of-mind and relevant to your consumers.
We have a
talented team of graphic designers, print experts, and state-of-the-art
equipment ready to help you navigate the corporate branding process. Give us a
call to discuss all the possibilities.
|
|
|
|
Blog Categories
General
06/08/2018 - Outdoor Printing: Why You Ough
04/11/2018 - Graphic Designing: Does it Mat
02/05/2018 - Large Format Printing: File Fo
08/21/2017 - Aversion to Advertising?
06/19/2017 - Uses for Large Format Printing
04/28/2017 - Brand First! Market Later...
11/21/2016 - Creative Holiday Photos
09/20/2016 - Offer Canvas Prints to Sell Mo
08/21/2016 - Can You Take Print-Worthy Phot
07/14/2016 - Creating a Prototype to Improv
06/15/2016 - Make the Most of Interior and
05/12/2016 - Finding Your Place: Landscape
04/15/2016 - Location, Location, Location:
03/15/2016 - Well Designed Sites to Inspire
02/16/2016 - Photography Advice for Crafter
01/19/2016 - Inspiring Design Blogs
12/17/2015 - Five Photographers to Follow o
11/12/2015 - Setting Up an in-Home Photo St
10/13/2015 - Tips for Photographing Childre
09/14/2015 - Inspire, Educate, and Direct w
07/15/2015 - Creating a Strong Brand
06/15/2015 - Drawing Attention from the Cro
05/14/2015 - Great Graphic Design — Inspiri
04/21/2015 - Design a Better Banner
03/17/2015 - Ten Tips for Taking Better Pho
01/12/2015 - The Big Idea for Museums and E
11/10/2014 - Show Stopping Design for Trade
09/08/2014 - Storing Family Photos for the
08/12/2014 - Better Graphic Design
07/14/2014 - How Does UV Printing Differ fr
06/13/2014 - Make a Statement with Point-Of
05/21/2014 - More than a Logo: Developing a
04/02/2014 - Grand Format Printing in Film
|
Tag Cloud
|
|
|
| |
|