This is a special sequence of 5 posts to explain the 5 steps towards a credible logo for your company. Today is part one and we are getting into planning your branding strategy.

In terms of meaning, a logo represents the values and beliefs of a brand; a brand is the identity of a company and credibility is the quality of being trusted and believed in. So, summing up, a logo is the face, the brand is the personality and you want your logo to be true to your brand so people will believe in your company.

You already know that a logo is crucial. But what you might not know is that the most successful logos are the credible ones. A study from Southern Cross University has shown that credibility based logos make websites from two to four times more effective compared to others.  They get more clicks through action (CTA) which means more purchase decision. 

When you start a company and aim for success (who doesn’t?), you should ask yourself “How to make people’s first impression great about my brand?”. The first impression is the first step to develop and improve communication with customers. So if you speak to your public a trustworthy message based on your defined brand personality they will convert, buy and remember your product or service with no effort. 

Even though there is no magic, I like to follow some steps that guide me through the valley of the credible logo design and now will help you too.

Planning is key

First step is planning. A logo is not something you create out of the blue, it should have stand for its brand. This is the first and most important thing you need to do. When you start a business you need to plan everything you are about to do. Without a plan you lose your way to success.

You need to schematize how your brand is going to communicate verbally and visually to the public. Publicity, social media, blog, website, all starts on the branding plan that has a logo as the leader. You have to deepen into your company, do research, concentrate and be sure of your decisions.

If you feel ready, let’s get this started. This questions guide through the planning and understanding of the related company. You need to answers these questions on behalf of your brand using words, lists, phrases or a text. You could also use images if you are a visual person, or create a board with inspirations on Pinterest. But answer this questions as sincere and precise as you can to end up with a unique brand.

– How would you describe your services and/or products?
– What are the long term goals of your company?
– What adjectives should best describe your company?
– Who are your main competitors?
– How are you different from your competitors?
– What is the general target public (age, sex) of your company?

Now with all this information gathered, choose 4 or 5 adjectives that translate the nature of your brand. These words will guide you through all this process (divided in 5 posts) to keep yourself tur to your message. For example, if you have a furniture store it could be classic, old school, vintage and traditional or fresh, cool, trendy and funny.

This characteristics will lead you towards our next step… Naming! See you next week 🙂