7 Reasons Why A Brand Logo Kicks Blog Header Butt
Yes, I know. Mom bloggers have beautifully designed, detailed headers.
Huge masterpieces that say “this is me”.
Anything wrong with that?
No.
Unless, you know, you’re going pro with your blog.
I’m not saying you can’t keep your header. I’m saying you need a logo too and if it’s a choice between one or the other, and you’re running your blog as a business, you better get you a damn logo.
And by the way, don’t get your blasted panties in a bunch if you’re writing to “just write”. This post, is for those who write to write AND want to make money from their blogs.
Here are 7 reasons why I prefer and recommend a logo over a header
1. A good logo is focused, communicating your brand, as your blog should be and will keep you and your blog focused. (notice my tagline in the header has changed)
2. A logo works everywhere. On your blog, on biz cards, on invoices, on banner ads if you want to buy ad space.
3. If you want to be treated like a business pro when dealing with advertisers, you need to look the part and it’s easier to add your logo to emails and media kits than it is to add your header.
4. Having one small graphic that can effectively communicate your brand while being appealing to the eye shows you’ve invested time and many times, money, into your business – meaning You Mean Business.
5. Logos can easily be placed on any social media platform. When I had my huge header with the baby, I had blank gray space as my twitter background, because I didn’t find an attractive way to display that header making sure it was all visible.
6.Think big picture…you may want to put your logo on a t-shirt or a cap someday and wear that sucker to a blogging conference or give t-shirts away at a speaking engagement.
7.Logos are reasonably priced and sometimes free. Like my new logo.
Yes, my new logo, it’s free. Designed by Lucian Husac of The Logo Lab. Though Lucian has an offline business and spends time traveling and being a photographer, in his free time he enjoys designing logos as a hobby. Because of this, Lucian offers his services free for a few people every week in return for a link back to The Logo Lab site.
By applying for a logo design, you agree to keep a link on your site to his site as long as you use the logo. Lucian sends you all artwork for the design and a copyright transfer certificate so the design is completely yours. If at anytime you’d like to remove the link from your site, a purchase fee starting at $80 is required (which is still less expensive then many services I’ve come across).
Working with Lucian was a pleasure, which is why, I decided to pick his brain about branding so I could share it with you.
Interview with Lucian about Branding
Me: Why is branding important?
Lucian: Because a strong brand has the power to communicate, to connect you with the costumers and to create a long lasting relationship. Designing your identity is an important step and if is done well, branding will make you stand out in this crowded marketplace.
Me: What are the important elements of a brand’s design?
Lucian: Form, colors, imagery, typography and composition are the brand design elements and i think it’s important to combine all these wisely.
The logo design has to be the first step taken when we are talking about designing the identity of a company/brand. Its message/meaning has to be translated into form so I’m pretty sure that all of the above elements are equally important. Choosing the colors wisely will have a good impact on your brand’s strategy. You will have to ask yourself if the color is appropriate to the type of business. You also have to know what you want to communicate with the color you choose and don’t forget to ask yourself if the color has positive connotations for the target marketers. In some countries colors can have different meanings, as you can see there are a lot of things to be taken in consideration.
Me: Where do you hope to see logo lab in 3 years?
Lucian: I’m pretty sure that ‘The Logo Lab’ is a one of a kind website and I hope that in 3 years from now it will be able to provide more free logo designs than now.
——————
Working with Lucian was great and easy. I never once thought of the speech bubble before. You can read his mini post about the process of my logo design here.
Bonus! Reason #8 why you want a logo and not a huge header.
If you give a rats ass about your alexa, pr and being found in search engines, see Google’s video here for adsense use based on their newest algorithm update. Don’t be fooled. It’s doesn’t apply only to those who use adsense. Google wants your header space small and more content available above the fold. Check it out.
I love the logo he’s done on your site, it really is relevant to your writing theme. Thanks for sharing his site, I didn’t know there were people out there providing free logo services. I’ll try him out.
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Sabrina thanks for stopping by! Lucian is great to work with. definitely check him out.
Vanita recently posted..7 Reasons Why A Brand Logo Kicks Blog Header Butt
Hi Vanita. A logo is very important to a blog and / or company. Major companies invest a lot of money to protect their logo or brand by copyright or trademark. I have been trying to make one myself, but there’s a lot of things to consider. A couple of versions, hi-res for mailings, smaller ones to use as an icon or profile pic. Does it need to be square of is a rectangle shape ok? questions, questions…
For now I’ll stick to my own picture, People know or starting to know it, So I guess you’re all stuck to seeing my mugshot around for a while…
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i am happy to see your mugshot Jan! i’m only using the logo for the blog and social media pages that are specifically for it, so you’ll have to keep seeing my mug every where too!
Vanita recently posted..7 Reasons Why A Brand Logo Kicks Blog Header Butt
I love your new logo. And thanks for sharing this wonderful post. I loved getting to know about these 7 reasons.
-Doug
I don’t have a logo but that’s OK with me because I “just write” to reinforce my own personal brand. I might be tempted to be offended and get my blasted panties in a bunch at the thought of someone calling me a “Mom blogger.” Fortunately, I know that I’m not a Mom blogger. I am the Biz Bitch. Go ahead — Google me.
Meanwhile, I will continue to write and if I decide sometime in the future to start making money with my blog, I’ll be sure to refer to your excellent list before I add my mandatory logo. My husband is a marketing guru and he would agree with you completely that a good logo helps with the burr of memorability that boosts success.
Warmest aloha,
Kay Lorraine in Hawaii
aka Biz Bitch
P.S. I also like your “Confirm you have at least one kidney” line in place of the usual “not a computer” line. Mazel tov!
Kay, nice to meet you and thanks for the compliments. I liked working with Lucian, he did a great job.
no need to google you, when i click on your name, it takes me to your blog.
take no offense to the reference of “just write” many of my fav bloggers “just write” and THEY are better writers than some of those who are published and sitting in my home library (aka my closet – safely hidden from the toddlers)
i fought against being called a mom blogger for a while. i thought it robbed my uniqueness. it didn’t. once i embraced it, i found community and support.
and many know me for who i am, which is a mom, a blogger, and more.
i enjoyed my first visit to your blog and can definitely relate to Bob. looking forward to visiting again.
Vanita
My clients sometimes need logos, and $80 seems like a very reasonable price. I’m going to keep Lucian’s name in mind. He did a good job with your logo.
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I couldn’t agree with you more. I had my own logo created a while back. I would suggest that the blogger go one to two more steps; become an LLC and register your logo. That really shows how serious you are and gives you credibility when you want to present yourself as a professional.
Just a thought.
, Susan Cooper
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