Experts urge small business owners to "brand" their business ? to use a logo and a set of consistent marketing materials. But, they rarely go into the reasons behind this advice. Here's a list of some of the benefits to having a professionally designed logo and marketing package:
Not to look so small - Home-printed business cards with perforated edges, or cards printed with standard designs available through Microsoft software or online business card vendors (like Vistaprint) scream, "Small-time vendor!" to your potential clients ? and you'll be similarly compensated.
To increase your chance of getting venture capital or selling a business ? If you present a thorough business package, including marketing materials and graphics, your business will look more complete.
To attract more clients ? Some clients look for a well-defined company look-and-feel as part of their qualifiers for making a purchasing decision.
To brand yourself ? If you're a consultant, you need a logo in order to build an image and a brand that's bigger than just yourself.
To convey that you are established ? A logo and professionally printed materials show that you are committed to both your business and to your clients.
To give clients a sense of stability ? You may not have been in business "Since 1908", but if you've invested in an identity, you're much less likely to fold in the eyes of your customers. It goes a long way toward building the all-important "trust" factor.
To be more memorable ? Forty percent of people better remember what they see better than what they hear or read. So having graphics associated with your business and having consistent graphics on your business materials make you more likely to come to the forefront of potential clients' minds when they have a need for your goods or services.
To explain your company name ? If your company name contains a little-known word or an acronym, the logo gives visual clues to its meaning.
To endear your company name to your clients ? A difficult-to-pronounce or -remember company name may make it difficult for your clients to hire you. When potential clients have the need for your services, they can't recall who you are! But if you reinforce the name with interesting, compelling graphics, they're more likely to remember that hard-to-recall name, and to pick up the phone and hire you.
To explain an unusual line of business ? If your business is nontraditional, or in a hard-to-explain industry, a logo can help to explain exactly what it is that you do.
To show what practices differentiate you from your competition ? A well-designed logo can have many subtle meanings, and it can begin to tell the story of how you do business ? what special practices make you stand apart from the competition.
To stand out in your field ? A well-designed logo and an identity system can put you far above the competition, especially if they are paired with a strong marketing program.
In some industries, a logo is just expected ? In the creative services industry, especially, having a logo is an industry standard.
Lastly, do it for yourself! ? To show your commitment and for the sense of personal pride it will add to your practice.
These are just some of the benefits of having a professionally designed logo. If your business could use the kind of boost that having a logo provides, then contact us today for a free estimate!
About the Author
Erin Ferree, Founder and Lead Designer of elf design, is a brand identity and graphic design expert. She has been helping small businesses grow with bold, clean and effective logo and marketing material designs for over a decade. elf design offers the comprehensive graphic and web design services of a large agency, with the one- on-one, personalized attention of an independent design specialist. Erin works closely in partnership with her clients to create designs that are visible, credible and memorable ? and that tell their unique business stories in a clear and consistent way. For more information about elf design, please visit:
shuttle to Midway Beardstown .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThere is much competition in the mobile auto detailing business.... Read More
The FTC- Mighty Federal Trade Commission has unilaterally decided to... Read More
SBIR vs. STTR: If you are participating in the SBIR... Read More
Send handwritten notes. That applies whether you're a guy or... Read More
No matter what kind of small business you have, you... Read More
How do marine type businesses start? Have you ever thought... Read More
We very much like what we see in Lubbock, TX... Read More
Winning small and home based businesses today must continually shake... Read More
Many ventures are faced with the challenging task of raising... Read More
As a Boat Detailing Specialist, you may want to offer... Read More
If I had $1.00 every time I heard someone say... Read More
You may be in Mail Order, Direct Mail, or you... Read More
A solopreneur I know disappears from my radar screen for... Read More
Thankfully, most of us will never find out. That is... Read More
My 16 year-old daughter said, "Gee Dad! You look just... Read More
As a franchisor I am always asked by new and... Read More
You can provide affordable health care plans to your employees.... Read More
When small businesses fail, the wreckage is often assigned to... Read More
1. Have A Strong Constitution ? Justices deliver decisions by... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission out of the blue decide in... Read More
Why? Because they have access to world class public relations... Read More
A successful joint venture marketing effort is the goal of... Read More
Attorneys and Lawyers are ruining the franchise industry. It is... Read More
Boston itself covers 50 square miles of concrete and traffic,... Read More
The Customer Analysis section of the business plan assesses the... Read More
Green Bay Hummer H2 SUV rentals ..If you are a small business you know that you... Read More
A Brilliant Marketing Idea... sounds great but what is it?... Read More
While I was hard at work last week, an everyday... Read More
TACTIC #1 -- Never simply slash your prices, unless you're... Read More
Your grandfather probably told you to "learn something new everyday".... Read More
Think the best way to get more customers is to... Read More
Ask anyone trapped in a cubical about their entrepreneurial dream... Read More
The American system of business management has been admired and... Read More
Small business owners can relieve a lot of their own... Read More
It is estimated that 78% of all small business start-ups... Read More
If you're looking for start-up capital for your business, but... Read More
Cash is King... That is what everyone tells us and... Read More
If an organization lacks a mission statement, it is worthwhile... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission decided to sit down and revamp... Read More
Cash is King?That is what everyone tells us and it... Read More
A recent survey indicated that clean Taxi Cabs Fleets have... Read More
Unfortunately for all buyers, each selling organization and their individual... Read More
You have spent considerable time pulling your business plan together,... Read More
Most doctors never distinguish the difference between customers and patients.... Read More
Before you start a business we encourage you to prepare... Read More
If you have ever had your antique shop or mall... Read More
In a quest for customers and to keep those customers,... Read More
1. There Are No "gimmes" ? They count two-foot putts... Read More
Recently one of my customers told me the chaos swirling... Read More
When is advice free and when should you charge for... Read More
Small Business |