Experts urge small business owners to “brand” their businesses with a logo and a set of consistent marketing materials. However, they rarely explain the reasons behind this advice, here are 10 reasons
why…
- To look “bigger” and “established.” Home-printed business cards or cards printed with Microsoft clipart scream “small-time vendor” to your potential clients — and that is how they will want to compensate you.
- To attract more clients. Some clients look for a well-defined company, and “look and feel” may be one of their criteria for making a purchasing decision.
- To brand yourself. If you are a consultant, you need a logo in order to build an image and a brand that is greater than your individual identity.
- To give clients a sense of stability. You may not have been in business “since 1908,” but if you have invested in your identity, you are more likely to remain firm and relevant in the eyes of your customers. It goes a long way toward building that all-important “trust.”
- To convey that you are reputable. A logo and professionally-printed materials show that you are committed to both your business and to your clients.
- To explain your company name. If your company name contains a little-known word or an acronym, the logo can give visual clues to its meaning.
- To be more memorable. Forty percent of people better remember what they see than what they hear or read. So to have graphics associated with your business, and to keep those graphics consistent, makes you more likely to be at the forefront of potential clients’ minds when they need your goods or services.
- To stand out in your field. A well-designed logo and an identity system can put you far above the competition, especially when paired with a strong marketing program.
- To differentiate you from your competitor. A well-designed logo can have many subtle meanings and can begin to tell the story of how you do business, including the special practices that make you stand apart from the competition.
- To show your commitment. Do it for the sense of personal pride that it will add to your practice.
These are just a few good reasons that will help boost your business and your confidence, so consider developing a company logo and marketing materials as soon as possible. If a marketing budget is sparse consider building piece by piece.
