Congrats! You have set up your business, and you have your professionally designed logo and brand in your armour to help you remain consistent, professional and trustworthy. But now what?.. What do you do with your logo and brand?
Well, my friend, I’m here to help you make sure you utilise your awesome logo and brand in 24 different ways.
Even if you are a seasoned business owner, there may be something you are missing, take a look...
Logo files
Before getting started, first things first, make sure you have the right files for your logo and any other brand elements - logo variations, icons, fonts, patterns etc.
It’s great that you have the logo in JPG or PNG format, but you will need different version and formats for the different design mediums.
I provide the following logo file formats, and ideally, you should have your logo in these formats too:
Raster files for the web - JPG and PNGs. Large, medium and small sizes of both.
Vector files for print - .AI (Adobe Illustrator file) and .EPS.
It will save you a lot of time and effort to have these in hand before moving forward.
25 Ways you should be using your logo
Right. So you have all the files you will need, now let's get started in making sure you are aware of the 25 ways you should be using your logo.
1 | Website
First and foremost, it is 2017 and your business is more than likely to be searched for online, and so, your logo should most definitely be placed on your website. It should be placed in a prominent area - in the header or at the top of your website so that it is one of the first elements on the website that people can recognise and create an association with.
You can also add it at the bottom of your website, in the footer, alternatively, if you have a logo variation or submark this could be placed in the footer instead.
2 | Social media images - Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
Again, in this day and age, most people expect your business to be on social media. You don't have to be on them ALL, but maybe the ones that are most relevant to your business, or the ones where you have the most connections/highest following with regards to your business.
Regardless of platform, you should without a doubt create some brand recognition by using your logo and brand elements, where suitable on your social media profiles - profile picture, cover photos, and in the case of Instagram on your actual images as well.
You could even create templates to help you stay consistent and help you save time as well.
3 | Business cards
Business cards are formal and informal. Whether you’re at a networking event, or at a coffee shop having a much-needed break. Having a business card at hand is always a good idea as you just never know when a conversation can take that turn and you need to share your website, telephone number or social media handles. Just make sure it has your logo and brand elements on it, and don’t be afraid to get creative!
4 | Business stationery - Letterheads, Compliment Slips, Envelopes
Depending on the nature of your business you may not need every element but if you did then you most definitely should have your logo and branding all over them.
5 | Thank you card/notes
I recently changed my client experience and started sending out Thank You cards and notes as part of my client goodbye package. It was on my “to-do” list for ages, but I’d rather have sent them a lovely branded, and well designed thank you card with a personalised note, and a little gift, than not sent anything at all. Even if I was late to send some, better late than never.
My thank you cards included my logo, website URL, email address with a handwritten thank you message. It was important to me to ensure my clients' experience of working with me was carried from the moment they initially contacted me, right the way through to the final parts of the project.
6 | Seasonal cards - Christmas/Happy Holidays card
This leads me to the other cards and snail mail you can, and should, use your logo and branding on. Seasonal cards! I missed the boat last year in sending my clients, past and present, a “happy holidays” card but it’s definitely on my list for this year. It’s a great way of using your logo and it also acts as a short and sweet reminder that if they needed your services again, you are there!
7 | Flyer
Depending on the nature of your business you may need flyers to be branded and sent out or posted up in local areas - ie, new coffee shop opening soon! Building brand recognition and using your logo will help customers to recognise your business and create a trustworthy feeling.
8 | Posters
There's no harm in creating wonderful posters to help promote your latest class or session. Just make sure along with all the details, you include your logo and it is designed well.
9 | Infographic
Infographics are a great way of displaying statistics and data as they are primarily visual and make it really easy to digest such information. You can use infographics to present all kinds of information, for example, the benefits of using your services or to display your process on your website.
Because they are so visual, it would also be a good idea to use Pinterest to share the image. But don’t forget, make sure you use your brand colours, fonts and not to forget...your logo!
10 | Brochures
Just like business stationery, you may find a need to create a company brochure. If you do this, don't forget to ensure it looks consistent. Use your brand fonts, colours, logo and if you have any icons or patterns, include those as well. As long as it follows your brand style.
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11 | Fact sheet
Fact sheets are usually 1-page documents that provide useful information about a particular topic or issue. You can use a fact sheet to emphasise key points using creativity, and by of course making use of your brand heading styles, fonts, colours and your logo.
12 | Welcome pack
My welcome pack is currently online and as part of my website. However, before I created it like this, I considered creating it as a branded PDF document which would contain much of the following information: an introduction to me and my experience, followed by my mission statement and a breakdown of my services, prices, timelines, and even testimonials.
By branding this with my logo and brand elements, I am automatically showing my professionalism, expertise and giving my potential client a positive first impression.
13 | Goodbye package
Similar to a welcome pack, a goodbye package is something that could be integrated into your process. It doesn’t have to be worded as a “Goodbye package” but the sole purpose of it would be to help create a smoother transition from working closely together with your client on their project, to a well, no longer working together or working together on their NEXT project. The idea is that it is some form of PDF, Google document, video or any other imaginative form, that can be branded with your logo and potential brand elements. Not only will this help your clients to “move on” or move forward, it will also keep you on brand and looking professional.
14 | Media kit
If you are a blogger then it's likely that you know what a media kit it. To clarify a media kit is a PDF document that provides blog statistics figures and an insight into the audience demographic.
To attract those prospective affiliate deal and advertisers attention it isn't unheard of to make your media kit as attractive and eye-catching as possible. In fact, by branding your media kit you are more likely to stand out of the crowd.
15 | Contracts, Project proposal documents
These are fundamental documents to any business, but that doesn't mean they have to be boring or so serious that you can't make them eye catching. Whether you are using an online tool to help you create your documents or you are using your own template - make them visually attractive and add your logo and branding. It's amazing how much easier it can be to read if you add your brand colours and heading styles.
16 | Signage
This may not strictly apply to you if you don't have a brick and mortar shop, but if you do, then it is more than essential to ensure your logo in on the shop front as a sign. After all your logo is one of the main visual representations of your brand and business.
17 | Email signature
This is often forgotten or overlooked but your email signature is a common place for people to come across your brand, especially if you communicate over email a lot. Why miss the opportunity to promote your logo? - Don’t!
Add your logo, brand colours and fonts to your email signature.
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18 | Blog post graphics
If you are a blogger then you know that your blog post graphics are really important. If done correctly, the graphics can help your post to be read as well. Making sure there is a certain level of consistency in your graphics and that you include your logo and brand elements. Check out Caitlin Bacher blog post graphics! - They pack a punch, don't they!!
19 | Roller banners
If you are exhibiting at an event then what better way to promote your logo, brand and business than by a full standing roller banner. Yes, you will most likely have other information on the design, but do ensure you leave some room for your logo. And make sure you use your brand fonts and colours too.
20 | Mugs, t-shirts, caps, bags, USBs, pens
Although not as popular in this day an age as they may have been a few years ago, but, mugs, t-shirts, caps, bags, USBs and pens are a great way to promote your business and create brand awareness.
21 | Workbooks
If you have a process or need to capture some client information via a workbook or fillable PDF, then why not add that extra touch and brand it, add you logo and colours, include your fonts too.
When it comes to my business, I have created workbooks that I ask my clients to complete as part of my process to understand more about my clients' requirements. It's a great way to ensure they receive a great looking document and an even better way to collect those essential details.
22 | Packaging
This is an easy one to forget, especially as a small business, but by taking a leaf out of Starbucks brand experience. Don't forget to add your logo to your packaging. Because of the nature of the design, you can get so creative, so don't limit yourself!
23 | Stickers
Do you send your client or customers a nice little gift to say thank you? If not, why not! Aside from that, how did you send the gift? Why not spruce up the envelope and have it branded?.. If that's too far fetched, then you could always do what I did and add a small simple sticker of your logo to the back of the happy mail - It’s a great way to add a little consistency and increase brand awareness.
24 | Content Upgrade
Trying to collect email addresses and increase your list subscribers? One of the best ways to do this is to add a free content upgrade. It's a great incentive and really does work. They can be anything from free printables to guides to a simple checklist. Just be sure to add your logo, brand colours, fonts, and patterns.
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So there you have it! 24 ways you should be using your logo.
How many of these have you created or used in your business?
