5 Brand Essentials every business needs. Learn what you need to grow your business successfully.

While some assume ‘just a logo’ is all they need, others want to get everything right from the start. In this guide, you will find the top 5 Brand Essentials every business needs.

1 – Your Brand Identity needs a Clear Vision and Direction

To have a successful brand identity, launch and market your business, you need to have a clear understanding of the following:

1. Your purpose and authenticity behind what you do.
2. Who your audience is and what problems you solve for them.
3. How your business helps your audience get from point a (problem) to point b (solution).
4. Your position in your industry and how you want to make people feel.

If you identify these key elements, you can build a strong foundation for your brand identity that is intentional, purposeful and memorable. Ultimately, it will give you the creative tools you need to move forward with purpose, confidence and clarity.

Helpful Blogs:

What is Brand Strategy

Define your Brand purpose

2 – Your logo design needs to be flexible

When presenting your logo design concept I provide different formats so you can see how it will be used across various platforms.

Primary logo design- the main use version that will be the primary logo that includes the typography and icon.

Secondary logo design – this version is narrower for use in areas where height is limited, such as the top of your website menu.

Submark logo design – a mini version with the icon/symbol only. Great for small areas such as a website favicon.

These are just a few ways the different layouts can be used to ensure you get the most out of your logo design for years to come! Having these variations helps you create a well-rounded experience for your audience that is recognisable.

Helpful Blogs:

3 Logo Variations you need

3 – Your Brand Identity needs a colour palette and brand fonts

Brand Identity colours are an important tool that have the power to affect our mood, emotions, experience and overall interactions with a brand. Your typography palette ties in all your visual communication. All of these elements combined create brand consistency and memorability.

For your colour palette, I recommend sticking to 4-5 colours broken up into different sections. For your fonts, I recommend choosing 2-3 for your brand that you will use across all touch points of your business.

Helpful Blogs:

How to choose your Brand Fonts

How to choose your Brand Colours

4 – Every Brand design decision needs purpose

From your logo design to your fonts, colours and beyond, each decision should be made with intention and have a specific purpose or goal. This is key to creating an authentic brand identity that connects with your audience on a deeper level. We need to go beyond trends, personal preference and ‘pretty’ to push the boundaries and create a brand identity that will help your business thrive! If you make your design decisions based on trends/prettiness it is likely to date and you will outgrow it quickly. When we create your visual identity, we want to make it lasting, memorable and meaningful!

Helpful Blogs:

What is Brand Strategy?

A sneak peak into our Process

5 – You need rules on how to use your brand identity consistently

Once you create your brand identity (DIY or with a brand designer) you must set rules for how everything will flow together. I include a Brand Style Guide that will educate you on how to implement and use your new branding elements. This tool empowers you with the confidence to use everything we’ve created consistently and cohesively as your business grows. It can include (but is not limited to) your logo variations/layouts, colour palette, font selections, mood board, collateral and more. Throughout the style guide, you will find meaning and tools to guide and educate you on your brand journey.

Helpful Blogs:

What are Brand Guidelines?

5 Signs it’s time to hire a Brand designer

Still feeling stuck or just don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Book your FREE Discovery Call or grab my FREE Brand Checklist to learn more.