Your Business Branding and Social Media

As more and more businesses make the jump into the Social Media Universe, there's a lot to consider. Everything from your design and logo to your colors and fonts.  Your Branding ties all of these elements together across all your social media platforms, and should always be in the back of your mind when making these types of decisions.

This is a article I wrote for a new client who was starting a new transportation company.  My goal was to make her aware of her design decisions, and how they will fit into her Branding later.

Basic Steps to Success in Social Media

Branding Opportunities - Branding is the consistent look and feel of your business over all things you publish. This encompasses your Social Media sites (Facebook, Twitter & Google+), your Websites, Blogs, Business Cards, Letter Head, Advertising and PR campaigns; basically all the things you put your name on.  There are three main elements to your Branding and some lesser ones; your logo will be the number one thing people will remember about your business presence.  Your Tag Line or catch phrase reinforces your logo and your colors and design pull it all together.

The Logo – make it high quality and simple.  It will represent your business for a long time.  The logo will also appear as your profile pictures on your social media sites, so don’t make it long and drawn-out.  AT&T has a simple blue and white globe.  I use a Blue Marlin.

Your Tag Line or Catch Phrase – This is your chance to tell the world about your business in a few succinct words.  Make them count!  They will appear on all your social media sites, your website and probably should be on your business cards, right under your business name.

I use:     Computer & Web Solutions

Michelle’s Salon uses:    All Things Hair and Nails

Redbird Carriers: The Midwest’s Premier Intermodal Carrier

For you something like: How the South Moves Freight                   

You’ll think of something.

Your Design and Colors – Try two or three colors at the most.  Psychologist say people won’t spend a lot of time looking at nor remember something busy.  A clean, crisp design is preferred and can be recognized over a longer distance; great for a transportation company.  If you look at my website, Blue Marlin Computer Services Blog and business cards; I use two shades of blue and white.  The white background allows the blues to pop and grab your attention.  Redbird Carriers uses black and red on white, here the red cardinal surrounded by the black tire stands out against the white background.  On their website, it’s the first thing my eyes are drawn to.  Also, think about the Font your business name, tag line and name & number will use.  Try to pick something professional and has the look & feel of your industry; something easy to find in MS-Word and other applications (Veranda, Georgia, something like that) curly letters are not preferred for transportation companies.

Additional Things – Some additional things I’ll need for the website and social media pages are the About and History information.  The About is usually a paragraph or two at the most.  This is where you expound on your companies services, values, goals and the things that set you apart from your competition.  For your History; I would do like I did, put down my personal work history as it pertains to your industry.  You've been doing this a long time and you have been very successful; they need to know that.

Well, this will get you started.  There’s more to come, but a little bit at a time.  When you get your business cards made, have them give you the design in digital form, hopefully a .jpg file (they can email it to you, then send it to me), I’ll need that for your website, and everything else.  You are in the unique position of being able to select all of these different design elements with an eye towards your website and social media.  Some businesses aren't so lucky and the transition doesn't look so good.  Take your time and enjoy this part, whatever decisions you make will be with you for a long-time.