Do I really need a logo?
I started my business as a bit of newbie, yes my parents had both run businesses and I had helped them to run their business, however, I sort of came up with my own during the middle of the night 4.5 years ago and did the classic visit to vistaprint and created a logo with just the letter A in a pretty fashion.
I have been told it's too flowy and pretty tough to read on a business card (I agree-ish). Then, as I started to grow my business I went down the personal route and had logo designed with illustrations of my team, 3 women together, myself in the middle, Dinah on the left and Hayley on the right, all with our passions on our t-shirts. EG Dinah has "I love writing", Hayley had "I love social media" and I had "I love admin". (the love was actually a purple heart shape).
Only issue is, as with many businesses and companies, I am hoping, is people come and go. I had to let go of the lovely lady on the right (Hayley, who helped with social media) due to the inability to offer as much work as she desired, as she wasn't running her own business at the time so mainly depended on our work.
I still love the ability to have a face to the person who helps my clients, as well as showing that we are more than just me. Plus, I have now added a new person to our business who will be assisting once again with uploading of content, and background necessities of social media such as reports and monitoring sites for relevant questions for our clients to comment on, or opportunities for our clients to utilise.
My question is - does a logo truly make a difference when you are a smaller business? Will people recognise my branding or will they recognise me, as I am the person who networks my business, I even use photos of me within our marketing.
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Nov 25, 2019
A logo helps identify your business and make it unique. Some people remember images better than words too. Every time they see that logo, you are keeping your business in their mind. I would definitely recommend it.
Sep 16, 2019
A logo helps your target market identify you and differentiate you from other businesses in the same industry. Whether you are a home-based business, a small one or an online service...you need a logo to mark your products and marketing.
So unless you want to stay invisible, you should get a logo designed. You can use a logo maker to create a visual identity that is way cheaper than an agency. You can start off this way and then as your business grows, you can ask a professional designer to make amendments or revamp your image.
Jun 21, 2019
This made me think a bit deeper on the subject as my instinctive reaction to the question was a resounding yes, of course, you need a logo. However, I then questioned my response and asked - why? Why do you NEED a logo?
Upon deeper reflection, I don’t think you NEED a logo to have a successful business, but I do think people come to expect some sort of logo and people enjoy a well-crafted logo. Why? People are visual and seem to have shorter and shorter attention spans by the day; a logo is an easy visual cue that people can quickly spot and make a connection with.
A bit of a side note, when I interview lots of people face to face, I find it very beneficial when candidates put a photo on their resume. That visual cue instantly connects the person and interview rather quickly. Much like a logo does with a business.
I know lots of people make references to Nike, Apple, and the biggest and badest logos out there. Keep it all in perspective and understand your not spending tens of millions on branding year in and year out – forget those references. You simply want a visual cue that is in line with your service or products and connects with your customers.
May 28, 2018
The logo is an integral part of any company and it helps you to stand out from the others. It helps you define what your company stands for. A simple logo is all you need to make your company look authentic. A minimalistic logo is a very powerful tool to get your brand image across to the minds of the consumers. There are many designing firms offering logo designing services but I personally recommend PrintStop, as I have been associated with the brand for the past 2 years. You can visit them at https://www.printstop.co.in/logo-design/ and have a look at their logo designs.
Dec 24, 2015
Yes, every brand or business needs a logo to stand out from the crowd .A good logo is your business's public face which represent your business.A professionally designed logo attracts attention, and leaves an everlasting impression in customer's minds.
For example : Look at Nike, the famous shoe company, as an example. When you see that "swoosh" logo, you immediately know that is Nike.
By giving customers a visual they can associate with your brand.
Nov 24, 2015
Hi Hannah,
my answer is straightforward: you definitely need a logo.
That said it can also be your name...
Good Luck,
Emilio
Nov 11, 2015
Hi Hannah, there are definitely better and more subtle ways of saying you're a people focused company without having illustrations of your staff in your logo. Think of the logo as just part of your visual identity and don't feel like you have to cram every idea into it. Less complicated the better. You can get other messages across on your website and other branded materials. Good luck!
Oct 2, 2015
I think you would be well served and entertained by reading, "Does Your Logo Fumble or Win the Championship" by Rachel Begg the COO at Impulse Creative Inc. See: http://blog.chooseimpulse.com/logo-championship-game. And after you have your logo classified as a winner, or not, download the free Do-It-Yourself Brand Audit Guide for some tips and ideas to enhance your brand. - The Pragmatic Web Designer
Sep 29, 2015
Hannah,
If you are wanting the logo to represent the business, then yes - a nicely designed logo could make a difference. For you being a small business - people will recognize you with your logo since you are the one that will be networking for the business and speaking with the clients.
You may want to think about things such as how you want your business to be viewed, or what type of message you'd like to put off about your business if someone were to look at your site, business card, or logo with out even meeting or talking with you first and then have something created that represents that.
If you need any assistance feel free to message me directly.
Regards,
Rodkem
Sep 24, 2015
YES! Consistency in your branding helps people quickly identify you. Your logo, your colors, your tag line, your font should be consistent from your website, to your business card, social media, letterhead, etc. While as small business owners we may never be as identifiable as the Target bull's eye, throughout your local community and your networking groups you want to stand out against your competitors.
Sep 23, 2015
That logo is definitely needed in all levels of business, small or large. Particularly, your logo is the source of branding, it symbolizes everything about your company, even your personal work. As you continue to grow your business, you want customers to recognize your brand; then, as you gain more brand recognition, advertise it everywhere. After all, the key to organizational success depends on how well you market your company and consumers will remember you brand.
Sep 23, 2015
Hannah! There are a lot of good recommendations here for you that you can take to the bank but I just wanted to throw in some ideas that I hope will make that bag (the one that is full of goodies and that you are taking to the bank) heavier!
A logo will be the face, or image of your company to world (and the world wide web) and is one of the most critical aspects of your business' marketing campaign. Unfortunately, some businesses will rush into designing a logo and wonder why their logo is not anchoring their business' good image!
Your logo is a graphical display of your company's identity and no matter how small your business is, you need to make sure that you are using fonts, colors and pictures that will better identify your business brand!
So do you need a logo? Yes you do but not just any logo. If you cannot design it yourself, hire a good logo designer that has the skills and experience in the logo design field. Also, watch out for cheap logo design prices! If you spent $25, or $50 on your logo, it will give a cheap identity to your existing customers, or future prospects!
I don't believe you should be using a photo of you, or someone else in your logo because, like Marzena Kmiecik said, people change and you don't want to have to change the logo because the person in the logo is not longer with you. You can include your favorite animal but only if it fits your business (like an animal clinic or hospital) but not people (Sorry Jim - this is just my opinion, but I still respect yours).
When designing the logo for your business, one think I do recommend is to avoid recreating a different logo for your business card, your letterhead, your car/van, business sign, and so on! Your logo should be the same for all of the above listed purposes!
Once you have a logo, don't rush in and accept the design! Look at it (maybe for days) to make sure you like it, ask your friends and family members for their feedback! Unfortunately, choosing the right logo takes time, and maybe some sleepless nights - Just don't rush in!
Good luck with your logo design adventure and in choosing the right one!
Sep 23, 2015
Oh my God, yes! This is the great identifier of your product or service. You should spend time/more than likely money and a great deal of thought developing it. Be thinking "long term" here, and don't be short sighted. Often people starting a business have tunnel vision. You want a brand that will start building you equity from day one, if possible. So you need to think long and hard about future projections. I have often seen brands/logos that reference local, or very specific products or services. As they grow, and want to add new elements to their businesses, these companies often need to revisit their brand, thus loosing the recognition/equity that they have gained ( if the logo was good). That said, a bad logo can certainly hurt your business. It is the face that you are putting out there, and it should be a great tool to help you. Ideally, it should be a "broad" communicator, that helps "sell" your products or services A bad logo can actually hurt you, even though you may have a great product or service, you will leave a negative impression with your customers. A bad logo can make you look very small, and unprofessional, while a really strong logo can create the impression that you are larger and more established, than you actually are. Assuming you have a quality product/service, that is priced right, add a great name that is represented with a professional logo/brand, create a strong message...get it to your marketplace, in as many ways possible... that should be a home run!
Sep 23, 2015
You are the brand. What your business does is the brand. It's what you say (marketing), do (service offered) that matters most. Then comes the logo. It's the final flourish. It wont sell your offering, but it will can help make it memorable. So in summary: it's not the logo that makes or breaks the business, but it helps just that little extra.
Sounds like you have a nice idea going there with your team members. As the logo is an illustration, would anybody really notice that that person has left? Stick to your logo, for the time being anyway. You can always review where you are once a year, and then carry on or finally update it.
Hope that helps!
Sep 23, 2015
It depends a lot on the nature of the business.
For example, if you are a temp secretary working through a temp agency, you may not need a logo.
If you are an inventor selling a retain product, a logo is essential. Best if you file for a trademark. That way, even without a patent, you can get a recognized market share before the competition tries to enter the field.
Sep 22, 2015
Hannah, You have rightly answered your own question yourself while explaining that resources come and go :). Let's be practical and the truth is if you are posing yourself as a brand (individual brand) then you are the one who needs to be promoted and if you are promoting yourself as a company then you company has to be the brand and you after that. It's a simple stats !!
In business reliability and quality is most important factor and considering that, if we think who is reliable and static (in case of individual brand) then the answer is You. You will be the one who clients can rely upon since you will be with them always Vs your resources / team who might come and go. As a company, company will come first and you will come next since if you promote yourself as company then the perspective of clients thinking will change and they would look for what you as a company has done so far and what all you have achieved and how you as a company can help them.
So all in all, if you are a brand yourself, then you have to be in limelight and if you want to show someone with you (your team) in illustrations then please use illustrations of them instead of actual photos of face. Use them, but as a subject.
As a company, use general logo which posses you as a company and not just an individual.
Sep 22, 2015
That's all because of feel your business in one picture, Suppose IBM CEO will see their logo then automatically he will feel proud and say ' Yes that's my company and that's my logo
Sep 22, 2015
Your brand has to stand independent of you. Branding conveys a message of how whatever your company does, benefits the customer. Branding is the only time you'r focused on the company itself and not your customers to define your values so you attract the right people to your brand.
Personal branding is separate from business branding yet they intertwine if the leader of the company uses their reputation to grow it, the problem with that is that when the person leaves, dies, ruins their reputation etc...the brand gets affected. This is not the best long term strategy.
Think Nike, Amazon, Google, Apple...they represent a belief system, values, mission of a team not a person though have strong leaders at their helm that we associate with the brand, this comes with problems. You don't buy their products because of that person (unless there's a strong story behind it and you're Steve Jobs) but WHAT THEY STAND FOR. People don't buy products, they buy ideals, values, beliefs etc...they don't follow actual people many times when it comes to companies, they support what those people stand for and associate themselves with those values. I don't use an Apple because Steve was a cool guy, I use it because Steve cared about quality.
Typically you don't include people in the logo because those things change and you don't want to attach any brand to a person, especially when you are unknown and small, what's the incentive for others in that?. I think the best lesson I can share when it comes to running a business and branding is SEPARATE YOURSELF from what you're doing, look at it as business not an extension of you and that will give you clarity to create a brand that is strong to stand on its own if one day you decide to sell or change direction. Otherwise you don't have a business but are a freelancer and are focused on personal branding and yourself...what's in it for me as your customer? that's unclear. So you have to decide what YOU stand for before you shape the message of what your company stands for.
Logos convey ideas when they stand alone without the site or you to add to the story, make sure the icon represents tone, values, characteristics of your business for instance I have created a logo for a company that was selling an ecommerce system, that ecommerce was faster, better, stronger than the competition. If you were to personify your brand, meaning if you were to think of it as a person or an animal what would it look like? the company also had a "jaguar" in its name...In that instance I've created a jaguar that was "jumping" out of the word itself to show speed, agility, power...webjaguar is the company if you want to look it up, the client tweaked the logo a bit to add "advanced media" to it but look at the icon itself and by itself you will attach a meaning to it and associate those characteristics with the company's performance...that's branding.
Small or large business, it doesn't really matter...Craigslist is known to all and Craig still doesn't care to put a real logo on his business, ...why? because not having a branding is his branding. But he has a utility company, a directory that everyone needs so they are willing to ignore his lack of branding. He was really the first in that industry to create a user based directory that was very easy to use and post, today things would've been different but back then it worked and now the familiarity itself keeps it going.
If you can't separate yourself from your company to objectively create an icon that is representative of the values you sell, then have someone else do it, it will benefit you in the long run and don't include photos of people in it. Think SIMPLE. If you can't, then forego creating a logo at all and just use text as a placeholder until you think of a good enough reason to have a logo.
Sep 22, 2015
Thank you, and you pose an excellent question if I am a freelancer or a business that's where I am struggling due to people letting me down or really not having a business plan!
I am working on it and this while thread has been so inspiring and wonderful thank you everyone for your time to answer my question and to give it freely is priceless to me. Thank you.
Nov 7, 2015
Your brand does NOT have to stay separate of you. That is just one strategy. Oprah, Dyson, Alfred Sung, David Ogilvy, Forbes, Lebovitz, Martha Stewart, Jamie Oliver, Ariana Huffington, Tommy Hilfiger, Mike Holmes, Walt Disney, Ben & Jerry and almost every label in fashion has proven the opposite also works well.
Sep 22, 2015
I'll gladly be the contrarian here.
No, you don't need a logo, and further you've already learned why you don't want to identify too closely with any individual: they come and go.
You want customers, who have good experiences, to keep coming back. You want to be identifiable. A stylized "A" is not going to cut it because there isn't enough information in it, and it won't help people make the leap to your company name and reputation.
Do you need a name? Yes. I don't think you mention it, but to get the best advice from us here, you should tell us what it is.
I'd suggest you work up a wordmark, rather than a logo, and live with that for a while. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wordmark
A wordmark is different from a logo (or if you insist, from other forms of logos) in that it just comes out and says the name ...rather than hinting at it. No superfluous illustrations, no symbols, no vagueness. Note, that doesn't mean no nuance or style. You can make a wordmark unmistakably yours, just hold back from pictures or symbols.
An over-symbolic logo is liable to hurt more than it helps, until you've either found that magic mark that everyone understands (unlikely) or you've established yourself so well that the mark instantly suggests to anyone who you are, beyond a doubt ...and that takes a long time, it isn't appropriate for you for now.
Sep 22, 2015
Love this, a rebel and one I tend to agree with. The name is amethyst, it is shared in my profile as is my current illustration which does share what we do, in a way. Our t-shirts say we love X (writing and admin) but I agree we need more. 4.5 years down and we have clients who have been with us from the beginning with many moving on and helping me to learn how to help in Vetter ways. I don't want to he overwhelmed but I don't want to be let down! Ahh the joys!
Yes, I agree with you. Logos help to build associations. And your customer will connect with your brand by something that surrounds them.
And this service for logo making is great. If you need some examples of good logos of different business before starting to make yours, visit this link: https://weblium.com/blog/15-personal-logo-ideas-and-examples/