Picture this, you’re scrolling through social media (Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest). You come across a beautifully designed graphic someone is using to promote their latest blog post.
You instantly connect with the color palettes and primary logo. But, you notice this brand uses different type of logo variations all over their social media and website to help them grow their business. Yes it creates an amazing looking brand… but do you really need all of those variations and elements?
Let me guess you keep asking yourself … Do I really need a logo for my business? How will having a logo help me grow my business? How do I use my logos for my small business once I have it?
I’m here to tell you that you do. Your small business needs diversity for the many mediums your business will encounter on a daily basis.
This is a list of places you will want to be advertising your small business and where you want your brand to be seen.
- Website
- Facebook groups
- Facebook pages
- Instagram stories
- Instagram TV
- Snapchat
- Pinterest graphics
- YouTube
- Email marketing
- Blogging
- Guest blogging
- Packaging
- Business cards
- Other marketing material
- Email or customer services
A logo is a company’s first introduction to consumers. If designed well, it can pique the interest of the public and invite them to learn more about the company; if not, you’ve just alienated a potential customer base and basically tanked your business.
As an entrepreneur, I bet you know that having a well-designed logo is important to the way customers see your business. The colors, fonts, and form you choose are what will set your brand apart from your competition. But what form should your logo take?
Below I have laid out 4 types of logos and how you can use them to grow your small business.
Main Logo or Text Logo
Your main logo is the primary identifier of your brand and business. It is the most frequently used brand design element and will be most memorable to your target audience. Your main logo is most frequently used on your website, packaging and signage.
This logo form is a typography-based logo that focuses on a company’s name. The Main Logo may seem simple enough to create but it’s more than choosing a font or two and slapping them together. A text logo is a great choice if you are a new business just starting out and need to have your name seen by customers.
Sub-Logo or Alternative Logo Variations
Your secondary, sub-logo or alternative logo. In the simplest explanation, is your primary logo with design elements rearranged or simplified.
Your logo variations, or secondary logo, are used when the primary logo isn’t appropriate. For example, if you have a horizontal logo there may not always be space for that design. Your logo variation may commonly be used on blog graphics, social media graphics or other places your main logo might not fit.
Submark or Watermark Logo
A submark is a logo variation that is simplified to only the most necessary elements of your primary logo. A submark is generally more balanced in dimensions and the most scalable version of your logo.
A submark may be used as a favicon, watermark or avatar for your social media accounts.
Brand Elements
A brand element could include an icon, pattern or texture that is unique to your brand. The brand elements often tie your brand together and are the most unique graphic piece of your brand. For example, if you have a travel business (like ashhuston.com does) the globe fits perfectly into her branding. Your brand colors are also apart of your brand elements, so make sure you use then all through out your graphics that you create.
Brand elements are supplemental to your brand and should not be used as the primary focus piece of your brand. Brand elements can be used for favicons, backgrounds and added to most brand graphics. Take a look at this post you are currently reading and look at the graphics I have created for it. I have graphics ready for you to pin to Pinterest that are in my brands colors, or the background I use, or my logos, or a combo of my branding on it.
How do you use these branding elements to help grow your small business? By using them on everything. Business cards, Instagram templates, Instagram stories, Facebook covers, blog post graphics, Pinterest pins, email signatures, watermarks, and profile picture avatars.
When choosing your logo design it’s important to remember how you plan on using it and what message you want to send to your customers. Don’t be afraid to use several designs in your branding as long as they are cohesive and relate to your brand. If you have a logo which style did you choose and why? If you don’t have a logo which style do you think you’re going to use?
7 reasons why your small business needs a logo
- Grabs Attention
- Makes a Strong First Impression
- It’s The Foundation of Your Brand Identity
- Visual = Memorable
- Separates You From Competition
- Fosters Brand Loyalty
- Your Audience Expects It
As you can see, you need a logo it’s a vital part of building a successful small business. The branding suite is perfect to help you grow your small business, and the mini suite is perfect for small businesses just starting out.
Where to next?
- You can sign up for my Free 30 Home Business Affirmation printable and email series.
- Check out The 8 Elements Needed For A Successful Brand
- Check out the Building Your Brand eBook designed to help you create your brand in four days!
- Join The Blogging Academy!
- Join the Facebook Group!
- Check out my services!
- Check out my portfolio!
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