Attract More Clients With A Brand Identity

You've probably heard that people buy products and services from people they know, like and trust. And, as I have done, you've probably wondered how you can foster more of this "Know-Like-Trust" factor in your business relationships. Pictures are tied to our emotions in powerful ways, so strategically using your logo and brand identity materials (business cards, letterhead, brochures, website, etc.) to enforce this connection is a great idea.

A brand identity kit contains many of the attributes that contribute to the "Know-Like-Trust" factor, in the following ways:

* Know ? A creatively designed set of materials will make you stand out in your field. Symbolically designed materials, where the graphics are designed to communicate and tell your story, can lead to the prospect feeling that they understand who you are and what you do, helping them to form a connection with you and your business. This contributes to your memorability and breeds a feeling of familiarity.

Through the consistent, repetitive use of a logo and the supporting visual elements in your marketing materials, people will feel as though they "know" you and your business, even if you have never met face-to-face.

* Like ? If you look at a business's materials, and you like their look and feel, you would probably find it easier to like both the business owner and to like doing business with them, as well. A logo with an icon attached to your company name can also make your company seem more approachable, friendly and fun. It can even endear your company name to your potential clients. Cartoon logos are highly effective in this capacity, though not appropriate for all professions.

You can also foster a feeling of compatibility through clear information in your designed materials ? both in the type of information that you provide and the way that it's laid out and presented. People like to read text that is straightforward and well written.

* Trust ? A high-quality, professionally printed brand identity kit can make you look capable, established, and enduring. Professional materials also impart an air of integrity to your business. If your materials look polished and put together, they lead people to believe that working with you will be similarly pleasant.

All of these factors compound to give you ? and your business ? greater credibility, which leads people to trust you with more and bigger projects, sales, or orders.

About the Author

Erin Ferree, Founder and Lead Designer of elf design, is a brand identity and graphic design expert. She has been helping small businesses grow with bold, clean and effective logo and marketing material designs for over a decade. elf design offers the comprehensive graphic and web design services of a large agency, with the one- on-one, personalized attention of an independent design specialist. Erin works closely in partnership with her clients to create designs that are visible, credible and memorable ? and that tell their unique business stories in a clear and consistent way. For more information about elf design, please visit: Logo design at http://www.elf-design.com

---

12 Ways to Reduce Postage

1. Never send a letter that weighs less than 30... Read More

Great Brands Depend On Attention To The Brand Architecture

Do you have the architecture in place to make sure... Read More

Build Brand Value BIG Time

Ask your self this question, In which business are we... Read More

No Logo? Launching A Business Without a Logo Can Sabotage You

Initial lack of customers and cash flow often causes a... Read More

Brand Building 201: Finding The Ideal Way

The strongest and longest lasting brands branch off of an... Read More

Branding Mistakes - Brand Identity Guru

1. It "sells itself." I don't need to market.Okay, you... Read More

Product Positioning for Enterprise Software and Information Technology Companies

Good marketing positioning is like good lying. No, we're not... Read More

Branding: Bring Back the Jingle!

Did you grow up in the '70s and '80s? If... Read More

Trademark Issues in the Mobil Auto Business

There have always been trademark issues and lawsuits in the... Read More

Simple Risk Reversal Formula Will Send Your Sales Into Space (2 of 2)

Make A Bold Promise Then Back It Up With An... Read More

Three Brand Identity Myths That Will Bring Your Business Down

To begin, let's define "Brand Identity," which is the combination... Read More

Branding Fiasco -- Better Be Who You Say You Are!

Our experience as customers offers great instruction into the concept... Read More

Speech on Branding from a Franchisor Founder

I was asked today by a group of students; What... Read More

Understand Brand

Branding has been defined, explained and examined extensively. There are... Read More

Branding Your Products Is Important

I was chatting with a couple of friends, all of... Read More

Build Brand Identity Through Product Branding

Building a product into a brand leader is not easy,... Read More

Living Your Brand on the Web - Part 1

OK, so you took the plunge and purchased your internet... Read More

Im Just Starting, Why Do I Need a Logo Design?

Businesses eager to open often give little thought to their... Read More

Strategy and Tips for a Successful Logo Design

Visual processing is the most important way for gathering information... Read More

Differentiate and Dominate

Quite often small business owners will ask me to reveal... Read More

Into The Limelight

To stand out in a cluttered world, become a recognized... Read More

The Trust Issue In Marketing

One of the prime motivating factors in the purchase decision... Read More

Simple Risk Reversal Formula Will Send Your Sales Into Space (1 of 2)

Make A Bold Promise Then Back It Up With An... Read More

Personal Branding: Characteristics of a Strong Personal Brand

How many times have you been at a networking function... Read More

The MOST Expensive Mistake You Can Make

Most people who own a small business have a huge... Read More

Brand Value - Brand Identity Guru

Successful Guru marketers have a secret weapon that they use... Read More

Too Dull? Too Sharp?

You work hard getting the right cover message and words... Read More

FTC Reviews The Franchise Rule

After more than a decade since the last attempt to... Read More

Entrepreneur Speaks on Brand Extension in the Franchise Cleaning Business

On question I have been asked over and over again... Read More

Attract More Clients With A Brand Identity

You've probably heard that people buy products and services from... Read More

Its Time For Some Steak

Recently, I was reviewing our website statistics. One of the... Read More

Brand Building 101

Building your brand into a brand leader isn't easy. There... Read More

Putting You and Your Company in Position to Own Your Market

Americans have always liked their coffee hot. But then Starbucks... Read More