Archive for January, 2011
Do Small Business Owners really value Logo Design?
January 26th, 2011 | 
Author: | “Just give me something that I can use a sign outside my office”…this is the kind of query that most small business owners come up with when they require a corporate logo. Unaware of the branding fundamentals and benefits, they often mistake a logo for a mere symbol or a sign. This is the factor that differentiates corporate branding from small business branding.
Large corporations like Nike and McDonalds have a sizable edge over their small business counterparts. This is because they correctly value the importance of corporate logos. Why do we prefer buying shoes with the Swoosh sign and not just any local footwear? Why do we fancy dining at McDonald’s and not at a neighborhood restaurant? It is because these multinational corporations have truly valued their corporate logos for spelling out their brand. |
What you miss for undervaluing your business logo: |
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Small business owners fail often because they undervalue the significance of a logo design. Considering it as a mere symbol to be used on the company signboard, they overlook the intangible benefits that it has to offer. The lack of brand knowledge and education is what forces an entrepreneur to disregard a corporate logo. But there are certain repercussions for not properly valuing your corporate logo. Here is what you miss for not valuing your logo |
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7 Silly Mistakes to avoid when getting Corporate Logos!!
| Corporate logos are the face of any business. They are a visual representation of what the company stands for and what it has to offer to its customers. Therefore, you simply cannot afford to overlook the importance of corporate logos in building the identity of a company. Often, people neglect the gravity of logo design and end up getting dreadful logos.
That is why, it is imperative to take necessary precautions in advance and answer all questions before designing your logo. Below are 7 deadly sins to avoid when getting corporate logos. |
1. Logos without a meaning:Corporate logos are intended to deliver a concrete meaning and communicate a message to the customers. Designing logos that have no meaning is a futile practice. If your brand logo doesn’t tell, it doesn’t sell. Like most famous logos have hidden messages in them, you must also incorporate the core purpose of your company’s existence in your corporate logo. |
2. Letting amateurs design your logo: |
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| The first and foremost mistake that you can make in getting a corporate logo is to approach amateurs. Now amateurs don’t mean logo designers with little experience. When you think that your business logo can be designed by your 5-year-old child, this is where you are mistaken. Everybody who knows how to operate Adobe Photoshop isn’t a designer. So make sure you approach a professional for your corporate logos. |
3. Too many details:Another grave mistake that you need to avoid while getting corporate logos is clutter. Don’t try to put in too many things into a single logo design or else it becomes too complex to comprehend by the customers. Complex logos also lose the main idea to be shown in the identity. Always remember that all best corporate logos are devoid of complexity and are neat and simple. |
4. Similar design to competitors: |
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| Plagiarism is rampant in all spheres of life. Logo designing is also a target of this menace. One of the logo designing mistakes is to adopt a similar design to your competitors. This is because the purpose of a corporate logo is to differentiate your company from your rival firms and make it stand out from the crowd. Similar design kills the purpose of corporate logos. |
5. Adopting a ‘5 minute logo’:It is truly said that haste makes waste, and logo designing also applies the same adage. Corporate image is not a toy to be played with and so isn’t your corporate logo. Both deserve your proper time and attention because the first impression you make on your customers will be your last impression. |
6. Typographic chaos: |
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| The fundamentals of corporate logos are dependent on the typography being used. This is because it can make or break our brand identity. The incorrect use of type space, font and colors can wreck your business image. For example “Kids Exchange” if written together implies a wrong name as show below. |
7. ‘One size fits all’ approach:Logo design for every industry type is different and unique. The deadliest sin in logo designing is to keep the “one-size-fits-all” approach. This is because, what is suitable for a toy store might not be suitable for a real estate agency. This is one way how NOT to create business logos. Each industry must be treated separately and its vital features should be highlighted in the logo design. |
7 Ways To Attract New Clients For Your Small Business
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The first objective of establishing any small business is to attract new and potential clients. But gaining clients is one of the biggest challenges for small business owners, start-up entrepreneurs, and freelancers. The cut-throat and ruthlessly competitive business environment has made life miserable for small business start-ups to make an impact. But you need to realize one thing…Clients don’t just come to you, you have to persuade them to do so. This is also one of the underlying principles of having business logos. In order to attract new clients, here are some ways to increase your client base and make more money. |
1. Client referral: |
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| One of the easiest ways of expanding your client list is by obtaining referrals through existing clients .Don’t be frightened to ask clients for referrals, once the job is completed and they are impressed by your work. You can give incentives to them by offering future discounts if they refer new clients to you. |
2. Press release: |
| Show your business expertise and knowledge by writing a short, one page article about your business and services you provide and submit it to local and national publications. The best thing about this is that they are FREE! You have to educate the potential clients about your business before they can come to you. The better you explain, the better you will have chances of gaining more clients. |
3. Speak in the community: |
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| A little community exposure is always to boost your small business reputation and helps in attracting more clients. You can speak in the community places like neighborhood schools, organizations, etc. this will make you more sociably responsible and help portray a positive image of your business. |
4. Swap client referrals from other businesses: |
| Using client’s sensitive information is considered to be an unethical practice. But you can ask businesses around your surroundings to refer clients to you and in return you can offer to do the same for them. Make sure to respect places that don’t accept solicitation. Without invading client’s private information, you can gain new clients by simple referring your own clients to other businesses. |
5. Build a website or blog: |
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| The presence of online and internet media has grown so rapidly that no business can survive without it. In order to increase your business exposure, create a portfolio of your business on a website where you can present samples of your products and services. Start a blog and hold discussions related to your business products and services. This way, your expertise will be visible to potential clients to notice. |
6. Use the Social Media: |
| The biggest boom in advertising and media is the social media. Social media for small business is a blessing in disguise, since it is the cheapest way to advertise. Giant networking sites like Facwbook and Twitter are a paradise to finding new clients. Create a Facebook page of your business and connect with your existing clients. Use Twitter and make quick updates about new stuff and offerings of your business. |
7. Join Professional Associations: |
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| For every area of business, there are loads of professional associations, non profits, and organizations. Become a part of these organizations in order to gain exposure for your small business. Although the membership fee is there, the returns are invaluable to the small business owner. These associations offer training opportunities, networking events, and job listings that can be a lucrative for potential sales, new clients and projects. |
