HQI am a small business owner looking to give my organization an identity by developing an effective logo. What are some tips to keep in mind?
Here's some advice from Melissa Crowe, vice president of marketing services at online design and printing company VistaPrint:
- Your logo cannot sing and dance but it can express the personality, purpose and promise of your organization. It is vital for a potential customer to learn something about your organization just by looking at its logo. It can provide a clear and consistent image of the company.
- The colors that make up your logo are important. Consider using blue, as blue communicates trust.
- The most effective logos are those that jump off the page or wherever they are displayed. Make sure your logo is bold, memorable and "pops."
- Ensure that your logo design makes sense for your business and don't be afraid to test it with existing or potential customers to get feedback.
- Keep it simple and clean. Trying to do too much with your logo will only confuse your target audience and blur your message. Legibility is key and your logo should be able to work in both black and white and color, as it may be on documents that will be faxed or photocopied. Keep in mind that your logo may be viewed on a small object like a business card or on a larger item like a presentation folder.
- Now that you have a logo, it is time to use it everywhere, both online and in print. Put it on all your marketing materials, including business cards, letterhead and even envelopes. Include it in your e-mail signature, on your Web site and use it in all correspondence.
For further information, visit www.vistaprint.com.
Bruce Freeman owns a small business and is an adjunct business professor at Kean University. Entrepreneurs can e-mail their ideas to bfreeman@ proline-com.com or visit www.smallbusinessprofessor.net. |
