Certainly, the topic today is not new, but surely very controversial one. Being in this corporate world I would like to discuss the importance of logo design contests in a corporate world. The logo design awareness is on a rise and business owners are now very convinced about having a strong corporate identity. But this also brings in number of choices to get a logo design, leaving us confused in the end.

Crossing the basic debate about advantages and disadvantages of Spec work, I would like to highlight a new aspect. Recession has given birth to abundant small businesses, making them approach different logo design contest sites to get a new corporate identity within a limited budget.

Here I would like to ask a question to all the great names of logo design community and expect an honest answer… Is it wrong to get a logo from a contest site, in these low economy times?

Unquestionably, the success and failure of a business immensely relies on its corporate logos and a professional company logos should be our top priority. However, looking at the present economy crisis, when so many people are being laid off, not left with much choice except to start a small business to earn their bread and butter.

Big names of design community evidently oppose design crowd sourcing and ridiculously curse the spec work. Brand stack, Crowd Spring, Inc Spring, 99Designs, MycroBurst and many other such resources are crudely being blamed for supporting this trend of design contest sites. They believe that designers are paid too low on such sites and mostly their hard work is wasted.  I think before tagging the logo design contest sites as immoral and useless, they should consider the present economy breakdown. Every business owner cannot pay big prices of top designers and in such circumstances they are not left with much choice then these contest sites.

After sharing my verdict, I would like to know from you all if the present financial break down is a justifying reason to approach logo design contests and are they really beneficial?

Although, blogging has become prominent part of marketing strategies nowadays but at the same time several corporate companies are unaware of its myths and facts. Today, this post of mine will surely help you know all about corporate blogs…let’s get started.

1) Advantages of Corporate Blogging:

Firstly, let’s analyze how corporate blogging can help a company reach its organizational goals. So, here are the reasons for which corporate blogging has become a success tip:

• It helps a company have a strong bond with its customers
• A company can communicate with its own employees
• Blogging can be used as a promotional tool to reach new target markets
• Blog is a platform to have open dialogue between executives, staff, and customers
• Blogs builds a strong company image by branding your product in the market
• It helps a customer know more about company’s products and services.
• It helps you to have an update of your competitors proceedings
• Being a direct communication channel, blogs helps you improve your customer service on global basis.
• Allows the company employees to display their expertise on a particular topic.
• You stay updated about the worldwide conferences/meetings related to your industry.
• Lastly, as compare to other communication strategies, blogging is relatively much cheaper.

2) Disadvantages of Corporate Blogging:

Although I don’t think blogging can harm any company in any way but still it is important that we see consider negative and positive aspect of every topic. However, my list of disadvantages is really short, if you have any to add, please do add.

• Your competitors can easily exploit any aspect of your company, which can lead to bad publicity.
• Many workers have been fired by their bosses for putting such content on the blog which took the company in negative direction.
• Many companies have invested big money in customizing their blogs but unfortunately they did not receive expected results.
• Blogs revealing multiple tones and opinions of a company can also leave a confusing image of the organization.
• A badly worded blog or factually incorrect blogs can spell disaster for the company. 

3) Facts about Corporate Blogging:

Undoubtedly, blogs are considered to be traffic magnets and a powerful communication tool but it does not mean that it works for everyone. Yes my friends, surveys have proved that many corporate blogs have failed and only few succeeded. There are few facts you should know be aware of Corporate Blogging:

• Many companies overly rate the blogs and expect tons of traffic driving in overnight.
• It can take you months to build in long-term and authentic readership.
• Blogging is not only about talking about yourself and your organization. Give enough space to your readers and customers to share their views.
• When writing a blog post always try to come up with useful content and detailed facts for the readers otherwise you won’t be able to win trustworthy visitors.
• Blogs allow users and your competitors to publicly criticize you on your own blog. Be patient and cleverly respond to the negative comments of your readers.
• People do not always want to know about your organization and its goals. They will enjoy if you introduce them to the team members of the venture.

According to latest researches/polls 55% of corporations are blogging but I would say that don’t follow this trend only because they are fast, cheap and easy to use. I would suggest, just don’t jump for the blog world as everyone is doing it. Study your target audience, niche market and company goals, irrespective of your company size. The longer you take to recognize its importance, the longer you delay your success.

    The charm and magic of business cards is always mesmerizing. We are always up on our toes to make ourselves stand out in this tough competition. My blog is always stuffing you all with the importance of having professional company logos but I think business cards play a vital role in building strong corporate identity.On searching the internet you will get to see awesome collection of business cards but the set below will surely tempt you to be more experimental and creative with your corporate business cards.

Exchanging business cards is an old tradition of the business world but most of them are tucked into a wallet or desk drawers. Here is a collection of 30 business cards which will truly impress your clients and make them hire you every time they need the related services.

1 ) Chuck Tingley

2 ) Lettau Designs

3 ) Nathan Jones

4 ) Kenspecklegifts

5 ) Jason McGrew

6 ) Lego

7 ) Primal Screen

8 ) Sparkle Labs

9 ) Toxic Puppy

10 ) Kass

11 ) NC Publishing

13 ) Distrilo

14 ) Olokial

15 ) Isablah

16 ) Leschinski Design

17 ) Jack rabbit

18 ) S&N

19 ) Butter Label

20 ) Made by Elephant

21 ) Gehring Sales & service

22 ) Rezife

23 ) Geniealisa

24 ) Daniel Ballou

25 ) Lioninoil

26 ) Corporation Pop

27 ) Space 150

28 ) Than an Agency

29 ) SupaFly Design

30 ) SheetSeat

31 ) David Burke

32 ) KEO

33 ) Relix

34 ) Sarah Power Media

35 ) Dale Edwin Murray

However, once a logo is created, it becomes difficult and expensive to change it frequently. Therefore, it should be developed with intricate care, avoiding all the mistakes which can spoil your corporate emblem.

Below I list some traits of logo designing, which immensely contribute in making a logo successful. You might get irritated with constant reference of these features but trust me they make your corporate Logo a BIG hit.

• A simple but memorable icon: It is believed that most significant part of a logo is the icon, the first thing which attracts the viewer. Therefore, it is very important to opt for a catchy, simple and creative icon. A sophisticated and elegant icon makes your logo stand out in this overcrowded world of logos…so try searching for creative icons for your corporate logo.
  
  
• Punching tagline: A grasping tagline insistently conveys your company’s efficiency and reliability, to your customers. An elegant icon accompanied with a strong tagline will help you win numerous profitable customers.

• Not stuffed with multiple design elements: Logos with a simple design never go out of fashion. Although the advance techniques of graphic design have introduced several trends in world of logo design but avoid making your logo busy. A clean, simple, and uncluttered looking logo normally is the best selection for all types of business fields.

• Resizes well for every media: A logo is claimed to be well-designed if it effectively resizes for all the available marketing and advertising media. Unfortunately, many famous company logos turn out to be a disappointment when resized to be used for different media. A successful corporate mark, should look great in all sizes, no matter wherever you use it.

• Looks best in Black and White: Never skip the black and white aspect of your logo because it is equally important as its colorful version. For example, when you need to send a letterhead to your client, your logo will show in black and white.
  Your logo should have an ability to grab the viewer’s attention even in black and white. Therefore, don’t forget to highlight the black and white side of your logo.

• Clean and readable fonts: Using too many fonts at once confuses the viewer. Using a maximum of two fonts of different weights is standard practice. Although it is quiet tricky, but try choosing the right font for your logo design which complements the style of the icon. Clean and readable fonts make it easy for the viewer to remember your logo.

• Right use of Colors: It’s true that a human eye never skips a colorful vision but many businessmen use this theory in wrong means. They ask their designers to come up with colorful logos so that everyone is attracted towards them. Surely, a logo is incomplete without colors but it is important to use the colors in their right sense. Just adding multiple colors, does not add beauty to a logo. It is important to sensibly use colors which relate to your industry as well.

Your logo plays the lead role in marketing and advertising your business. Many business owners think that designing a logo is not a complicated task and assume that anyone with some artistic inclinations can design a logo for them. This is their biggest mistake because many of them are not ready to pay heavy amounts to graphic designers and handover their work to amateur designers.

Here, I would like to suggest a great platform like logosnap.com of DIY logos which offer you an opportunity to create effective logos according to your requirements. Just follow the above given features, I am sure you will take over the market with your extraordinary corporate logos.

         A logo is the primary element which well represents a company and delivers an everlasting initial impression on your customers. Branding has become a vital part of our lives and it seems to be everywhere. However, it is important to understand that while crafting a marketing and branding plan, logo designing comes out as one of the most important factors.

There are many famous corporate brands which are recognized with their icons rather than their names. This proves how important is it to have a successful corporate logo. There are numerous top brands which have proven to be known as successful emblems over time…check few of them below:

• Your corporate logo should merge well with the name of your company
• The image should be balanced and deliver the right personality of your company.
• Your company logo should convey your type of business and the industry it is promoting.
• The font type should be readable and clear. Adding extra stylish fonts can make your customers misspell your company name.
• Your company logo should send out a clear message to your customers and for that your logo should be accompanied with a strong tagline.
• Initially, it is very important for a logo to successfully work in black and white because then surely it will look good in every color.
• It should be a simple and clean logo, therefore avoid cluttering and it should not look much busy.
• While selecting colors for your logo, prefer keeping it to minimum. Having two colors makes a logo appealing enough but remember that colors you pick should be meaningful and industry related.
• Think out of the box and experiment some latest trends of the market so your logo can be seen exclusively among a place filled up of logos.

Starbucks Corporation, one of the largest coffeehouse companies in the world, with 16,120 stores in 49 countries, has come up with a new strategy to fight back their stagnant stock price. After a six percent decrease in sales due to recession, this corporate company has decided to do an experiment… selling alcohol.

The coffeehouse chain has introduced their new enterprise with a new logo and name, known as “15th Ave. Coffee and Tea inspired by Starbucks" The brand famous for its drip brewed coffee, espresso-based hot drinks, snacks and other items such as mugs and coffee beans has added wine and beer to its menu.

USA Today reported

“Starbucks plans to create two more similar stores in the Seattle area at locations that aren’t currently Starbucks stores. And if the concept works, it could be tested in other cities, says Major Cohen, senior project manager at Starbucks.”

The main aim of coming up with this idea is due to the crisis company has faced in last quarter… closed stores, employee layoffs and decline sales during the recession. CEO of consulting firm Brandstream and former marketing chief at Starbucks,

So for now, the lone test store will serve half-dozen kinds of beer and wine, ranging in price from $4 to $7. Right now the company is not sure if this concept would be incorporated into all Starbucks stores if it’s successful.

"We’ll be equally as proud of our beer and wine as we are of our coffee," Cohen says.

I would like to know your opinion over this move of Starbucks….do you think this venture will give a tough competition to their competitors (McDonald’s and Dunkin Donuts) and help them survive recession?

        While dreaming of owning a successful business we forget that business is not only a matter of selling and buying. Achieving corporate identity is not an easy job as consumers tend to trust and buy products only from companies which are well-recognized. Thereby, it is important for every company to have a strong corporate identity and branding, which helps them earn a reputation in market. And here is the key to your success – a good logo design.

I am sure, all my last posts have been guiding you well, explaining how important logos are in conveying the aim of your start-up business. With the increasing logo design awareness, people are getting more confused to depict which type of logos will help them stand out.

Let me start with the basics….usually there are 3 types of logos but it is not important that any logo design works out successfully for everyone. Here are the basic types of logos: text, symbol, and combination logos.

1) A Text Logo:

A text logo (also sometimes called a logotype or word mark) is a logo largely made up of the text of the company’s name. These logos do have graphical elements but very few e.g. lines, boxes which usually blend with the letters. Here are few suggestions

2) A Symbolic Logo:

A symbol logo can be explained as an exact opposite of a “text Logo” which displays neither words nor letters – only symbols, images and shapes. In today’s world we see so many logos which don’t show a letter but still we recognize them. What better examples then “Nike” and “Apple” can I give to explain the unusual significance of symbolic logos.

• If your company already has a well-known brand recognition and people are well-aware of your product/services, then you can use a symbol as sign of recognition.
• If your product or service can be well presented by an image then letters, have a symbolic logo.
• You have a global presence and can develop a universal, graphic symbol that speaks to you and audiences. Additionally, a symbol can have meanings on many levels, and can also have different meanings in different cultures

3) Combination of Symbolic and Text logo:

Combination logos come into existence when the designers blend text and symbol, to deliver a clear message of the company. For such logos, text and symbol are integrated in such a way that they appear as a single logo. Here are few reasons to opt for combination logos:

• A combination logo is easily understood, offering a memorable logo graphic telling your business purpose while the symbol brings in easy identification.
• A combination logo is an excellent choice for a small- or medium-sized company or a company just starting out, to begin to build brand recognition, because a combination logo is both visually strong and explanatory.
• When you want to make your logo more stylish, you can show a creative blend of text and symbol