Marketing

How to Fit a Powerful Brand Style Guide on a 3-Inch Sticky Note 1

How to Fit a Powerful Brand Style Guide on a 3-Inch Sticky Note

The most powerful brand style guide template isn’t a multi-page document that you glance at a single time.

It’s not an overwhelming brand blueprint that you save deep in the recesses of your hard drive and never review again.

After you read and do the steps in this article, you’ll have a brand style guide that’s simple enough that you can capture it in a single glance.

And it’s small enough to stick somewhere you can see it every day.

My goal is to make it easy to apply your branding elements consistently every time. Consistent application is the #1 secret to a memorable brand!

Let’s dive in so you can put this simple brand style guide template to use today.

Read article …How to Fit a Powerful Brand Style Guide on a 3-Inch Sticky Note

Branded Images are a Fun, Creative Way to Get Eyes on Your Website [Examples] 2

Branded Images are a Fun, Creative Way to Get Eyes on Your Website [Examples]


“I’ve got no business creating branded images — I’m not a designer.”

That’s what people think when I talk to them about creating branded images like these:

Branded Images are a Fun, Creative Way to Get Eyes on Your Website [Examples] 3

Branded images are super versatile. They can be used on:

  • Your website, to illustrate written content, podcasts, or vlogs
  • Your social media platforms, to drive attention to your messages (like the Pinterest pin to the right)
  • Your ads, to encourage swipers to stop scrolling and read your post
  • Your email marketing, so your message “pops” in the inbox

You can even use branded images in ebooks, content upgrades, and opt-in incentives!

See? Versatile as all get out. If you want tangible proof, here are some stats that prove the power of visual content marketing.

But here’s the thing …

There may be a little voice in your head telling you that even though the internet has become a visual platform, you simply don’t have the necessary training to use this  powerful communication vehicle.

That’s what I thought for the longest time — that you had to be a trained designer to use design.

Today, I know this is patently false — non-designers can use design, create images, and brand their businesses all by themselves.

My 30+ year career is proof.

From design impostor to confident creator

Read article …Branded Images are a Fun, Creative Way to Get Eyes on Your Website [Examples]

Man about to start a race (or start an online business!)

How to Write a Winning Online Business Startup Plan in Under 20 Minutes


“There’s so much to do. Where do I start?”

Whether you’re running a race or starting an online business, the first step is always daunting.

You look ahead and see nothing but the work that needs to be done, and the progress you’ll have to make.

You can’t see the finish line at all. You might not even see the starting block.

This post is about the starting block exclusively.

If you get your online business off to the right start, the whole race will be easier, and you’ll increase your chances of winning it.Click To Tweet

Read article …How to Write a Winning Online Business Startup Plan in Under 20 Minutes

Branding 101: 7 Business Name Traps to Avoid 4

Branding 101: 7 Business Name Traps to Avoid


Branding 101: 7 Business Name Traps to Avoid 5Today’s post is about seven pitfalls to avoid when you create a brand and company name.

Your company name is an important element that’s directly linked to your ability to grow.

Your company name can make your brand or it can break it.

Don’t hinder your progress by painting yourself into a corner with a name that will hold you back.

Learn what to avoid and what to do when you create a brand and company name by avoiding the seven traps here.

Read article …Branding 101: 7 Business Name Traps to Avoid

Online marketing strategies

How to Stand Out? Market to a Higher Standard


Have you seen my Homepage?

It features a brave little goldfish with a shark fin strapped on — trying to stand out in a vast sea of competitors.

homepage-goldfish

I chose that image because it depicts what a lot of us feel as we try to build our online brand. We worry we’ll never be seen and our message won’t find its way to the right people.

Golden egg that stands out from the rest
Click to pin this image!

There’s one online marketing strategy that will always make your business stand out — guaranteed. And today’s post is going to spell it out so you can put it into practice today.

WARNING: this idea will challenge you to go beyond where you’re aiming now. You may need to step out of your comfort zone and push yourself to do things differently.

Ready?

Read article …How to Stand Out? Market to a Higher Standard

Choose the best brand color palette for your business with the five free tools in this post.

5 Free Tools for Getting Your Brand Color Palette Right


Ready to create your brand color palette … but not sure where to start?

This article shares five tools you can explore right now. Find the one you enjoy the most and use it to put together a winning color palette for your business.

The best way to harness the power of color in your marketing is to use colors that support and reinforce your brand.

And don’t go color crazy: pick two main colors, and use them consistently in everything you do.

You may not feel “artistic” enough to do this.

You haven’t studied color theory and you don’t need to know all of that anyway. You just want a nice set of colors that will work for your business.

I don’t blame you — color is an essential part of your visual brand.

In this post, I’m going to share my favorite tools for choosing your brand color palette. The right colors for your brand may be just a click away …

Read article …5 Free Tools for Getting Your Brand Color Palette Right