~ by Melleigha Nichols ~.
When starting out, a lot of entrepreneurs may think that branding is just a logo. That is simply not true. Your brand is anything a customer or client can see.
That means that your website is part of your brand. So is your social media accounts, your photos, your chosen fonts, your colors, and so much more. To really stand out, your brand should be cohesive.
Everything a potential customer or client sees should be part of the whole. Social media graphics should use the same fonts that are used on your websites. The same colors should be used again and again.
A good recommendation is to choose two or three fonts. The first font should be a “fancier” font. For example, a brush script or something bold. The secondary font should be something easy to read that is complementary to your first font.
The same can be said for colors. Choose one or two stand out colors and another one or two to complement. An example is a bright blue and yellow paired with black and grey for complementary colors.
When beginning the process of building a brand, find photos that make you think of what you want your brand to stand for. It could be a photo of a floral arrangement in the color scheme you want, representing that you want the brand to feel feminine. Or it could be a photo of an organized desk, representing a need to feel professional.
Most branding experts will recommend putting together a brand board. They may even do this themselves. This is where you can see everything in one place. A brand board will include your logo, any alternative logos, your fonts, your colors, and inspiration photos. It is a great way to be able to see everything together so you can keep your brand cohesive.
Meet the Author: Melleigha Nichols
Melleigha “Mia” Nichols is the owner of Moonglow Branding, a company dedicated to helping businesses grow through branding and building their websites. When not working tirelessly for her clients, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband of 8 years, their many fur-babies and her parents. She currently resides in her hometown in Missouri.