There are many different ways to brand yourself as an expert, or as a trusted source of information or services online. Having a logo for your blog shows you’re serious about your brand. Corporations are known by their logo even if you don’t utilize their products. McDonald’s has the golden arches, Nike the swoosh, and Facebook a lower-case letter “f.”
We’ve often heard the term brand as digital marketing continues to grow. There are 3.5 billion internet users. With those numbers, it is important to stand out from the competition.
Too often new businesses fail to realize the importance of having a strong brand. They also do not fully understand all the components of building a recognizable brand.
Those businesses in a competitive field like blogging need to rise from the rest of the pack. A strong impressive logo can get you on the right path to success.
If you have a blog, continue reading for seven steps to getting the best logo and brand designer.
1. Getting Started
Starting a blog is quite simple. Come up with a catchy name, buy a domain and you’re off to the races. In the real world, it’s not that simple.
Making a living from your blog requires patience and a great strategy. Having a great blog title and matching domain is cute, but you will also need a memorable logo.
The process of creating an eye-catching logo doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money. Digital technology has put logo creation at your fingertips.
Even if you decide to outsource your logo design there are a few things you need to decide. What will be your color scheme, what font type speaks to your brand personality, and if you will incorporate a custom image?
2. Set a Budget
Nothing kills an idea faster than having unrealistic expectations. Before you go in search of a logo brand designer, have a maximum amount you are willing to spend.
Expensive doesn’t always mean better quality. There are a lot of creatives doing great work for businesses that won’t cost you a month’s rent.
3. Ask for Recommendations
Bloggers have a community of their own. Start networking with those in your industry. Visit their websites to see if you come across a logo brand design that interests you.
Copying someone else’s logo is never a good idea, but if you like their logo go ahead and ask who created it for them. If the person was easy to work with and if an introduction is possible.
You can also put a call out on your social media channels that you are looking for a logo and brand designer. You would probably be surprised to learn that there are people already following you that have the skills you are looking for.
4. Review Their Work
Once you have found a few people that can help you with your brand logo design, it’s time to evaluate their work. Ask to see multiple samples to see the range in diversity in their artistic expressions.
Five to 10 examples can give you a good idea if the designer can transfer your ideas into a logo that expresses what your brand is all about. During the preview look for recurring themes in their work that may suggest the logos were created with logo software.
If you’re paying a graphic design artist to create your logo, you want an original. Do not settle for a modified carbon copy that appears on numbers blogs.
5. Licensing is Crucial in Your Logo and Brand Concepts
Now that you have chosen your brand designer it is important to understand copyright and trademark laws. Your designer needs to have licensing rights for certain concepts such as fonts and specialized colors.
Designs involving images may be protected under copyright and will need permission before using. If possible, only use original creations. And when it comes to names and slogans do a search on KnowEm to search for the use of your brand.
It is important to understand that when it comes to copyright and trademark violations, you will bear the legal burden of using the material. Saying the brand designer told you it was licensed is not a viable defense.
6. Is it Easy to Convert
Remember, your logo is not just for your website. You will want to use it in various settings to promote your brand. You want to know how to choose a logo that is versatile and can stand out in multiple settings.
Although the logo may be in multi-color for the web, there may be times when you will need a transition to a single color image. This is important when having your logo placed on marketing materials, like mugs, hats, ink pens and more.
7. Try Logo Design Software
Logo designers can be people or simply software. There are a plethora of logo design software options on the market. But beware when choosing a logo app because they are not all created equal.
Good software will give the user a quick way to design logos and save money in the process.
You want to choose one that has thousands of images and icons so you can create something that is uniquely yours.
Fonts are an important feature of your brand design so make sure they have a good assortment.
Most logo and brand software offer a free option but don’t get drawn in by that. Once your logo is to perfection, you will want a high-resolution file that can be saved in popular file formats such as .jpg, .png, .gif.
The best quality logos will be included in their software packages. Regardless, you will still pay less than you would if you hired a brand designer.
It’s Time to Get Busy Creating your Best Logo
The best logo and brand designer will get you well on your way to building an overall successful brand.
Once you have the perfect logo begin using it to market your blog. Don’t just place it on your blog, incorporate it into your social media banners, on t-shirts and even business cards.
For additional ideas on how to build a successful brand, leave a comment and we’d love to hear from you.