Logo design
Designing your own logo may seem like a good way to save money but unless you’re an expert designer, it’s not recommended. Your company logo will be on your website, letterheads etc so it definitely pays to have a professional one people will remember for the right reasons.
Your website
A professional logo should go hand in hand with a well designed website. There’s little point having a great logo stuck on an appalling website that drives people away. You don’t need a huge budget to get a professional website that reflects well on your business.
Email signature
Most businesses send out multiple emails every day so it’s a good idea to brand them with your logo and company details. This will help raise brand awareness and make you look more professional in the eyes of customers and suppliers.
Social media branding
If you’re using Twitter & Facebook for your business it’s a good idea to brand these identities the same way as your website. Having a consistent online image will help raise awareness of your brand and maintain a professional image.
Branding your email newsletters
Sending out email newsletters is another promotional activity that should be branded properly. Obviously your company logo should be on any emails you send but things like the font used, tone of your copy and colour schemes can also help reinforce your brand.
Forum signatures
Wherever you’re present online you should think about your branding. Business forums for example will often allow you to have a branded profile or signature which can help you stand out.
What are people saying about you online?
Online reputation management (ORM) has an important part to play in branding. For example people may be criticising your product or service in an online forum. If you don’t check regularly for comments about your business online your brand could be damaged without you even knowing.
Treat your brand as one entity
You should treat your online and offline branding as one complete entity rather than separate areas. Having a consistent and cohesive image and message across all your marketing materials will boost recognition of your brand.
Blogging your brand
Your brand is so much more than your logo or the appearance of your website. The way you write about your business in your blog also forms part of your overall brand and affects how others perceive you. With this in mind, it’s wise to adopt a structure and tone of voice for your blog posts which sends out the right message.