Out of the top 100 brands in the world, 33% of them have a blue logo. This includes famous brands like Ford, IBM, and Pepsi.

If you’re starting a business, your instinct might tell you to stand out from the crowd. You don’t want your customers to confuse you with your competitors, after all.

But, colors carry meaning and picking a particular color just to be unique can work against you.

Luckily, there’s a reason why blue is the most popular color for successful brands. Read on to learn the meaning behind blue logos and if it’s the right choice for your company.

What Does the Color Blue Represent in Logos?

Blue is the color of the sky and bodies of water, which could be the reason it’s many people’s favorite color. It’s also associated with calm, comfort, and relaxation.

Blue suggests that something is dependable, trustworthy, and stable. It is also considered reliable, mature, and smart. Blue is also an indicator of serious professionalism. Dark blue is usually more serious, whereas light blue is more playful.

Types of Companies That Use Blue Logos

The color blue represents dependability and trust. That’s why it’s a popular logo color for car manufacturers, tech companies, the healthcare industry, and financial institutions.

Whether you’re buying a new car or computer, investing money, or going to the doctor, trust is important. You should feel like the company is stable and serious about what it does. If a company uses blue in its logo, you’ll feel more certain of the company.

Manufacturing companies like General Motors, Ford, Boeing, and General Electric have all stayed in business for many years because of customer loyalty. Their products are expensive investments (airplanes, vehicles) so they need customers to trust them.

Blue is also a popular color for tech companies like Dell and Facebook. It’s a great color for tech because it suggests intelligence and reliability.

Financial and Healthcare companies like Chase, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and PayPal, use blue to highlight their experience and trustworthiness.

Why Does Your Brand Color Matter?

The color that represents your brand can affect your bottom line. If you choose the right color, it can help you attract loyal customers. The wrong color might send mixed messages to your potential customers.

For example, if you’re trying to appeal to everyday men and women, think twice about pink or purple. They evoke femininity and luxury. They’re great for an upscale beauty brand, but not the best for a small town accounting firm.

Once you’ve chosen a logo color, you also need a coordinating color palette. It’s important to choose colors that fit with your logo, otherwise it can undermine the message you’re trying to send with your logo.

Design the Logo for Your Business Today

A blue logo can show potential customers that you’re trustworthy and reliable. That’s why it’s the best choice for tech, financial, healthcare, and manufacturing companies. If you want to build long-term relationships with your customers, choose blue.

To learn more about building a brand for your business, read our articles on marketing.

When it comes to the qualities of what makes a good photo, you may expect “clear and crisp” to be one of them. 

But surprisingly, it’s not!

In fact, in some cases, blurry images can convey a lot more than clear ones can. But that doesn’t mean you should go overboard though.

Don’t know when to use blurry images in web design? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Read on to find out more.

To Highlight the Foreground

Is there something important happening in the foreground? For instance, maybe you want to highlight 2 businesspeople talking with one another. Or maybe you want to showcase the model wearing your dress.

Either way, you want all eyes on the foreground. What better way to make that happen than to blur out all the important elements (such as the background)? That way, you ensure the subject you want people to pay attention to is front and center.

To Indicate Action

With your image, you want to tell a story. And if you’re capturing something that’s always in motion (such as an athlete or a racecar), you want that action to translate through the photo.

A great way to do this is to blur the image. You can take a photo that’s completely clear and use the “blur image” function to make it appear as if the subject is in motion. This can add some depth to your picture.

To Put Text Over the Image

It’s always more eyecatching to put text on an image instead of having it stand alone. However, sometimes, the image can be too “busy,” and this can cause your text to become lost in the picture, even if you try out different fonts, colors, and sizes.

What you can do is blur the image. That way, it softens everything in it, but the viewer can still tell what’s supposed to be there. As a result, your text will stand out much better.

To Make a Photo More Dramatic

Let’s face it—some photos you take just aren’t very interesting. You might want to use it for your website, but fear it may be too boring looking.

Sometimes, all it takes a blur tool to perk up the image. For instance, a person standing in front of a field may not be too interesting. But once you blur the image, it can look quite nice for your website.

Or maybe you have a photo where the sun is peeking through a window and its curtains. Blur it, and it instantly becomes more dramatic.

Using Blurry Images in Web Design Is Definitely OK

As you can see, there are many uses for blurry images in web design. While it may inherently feel wrong to intentionally have blurry images, keep in mind that it actually makes for a stronger picture. So long as you take our advice and use the blurring tool right, then you’ll have the best photos possible.

For more information on web design, please check out the rest of our blogs.

As a business owner or manager, it’s essential that you know how to run an Instagram business page. Social media is a necessity when trying to build your brand and reach a large target audience. In more recent years, Instagram has climbed its way to the top of social media platforms. 

Instagram allows you to reach an audience through photos and captions. Instagram’s business page feature allows you to place contact information into your bio including links to your business’ email address and website address.

Getting started on Instagram, however, does require some general knowledge on how the platform works. Whether you’ve been absent from your Instagram account for quite some time now, or if you’re new to the platform altogether, it’s time to start getting acquainted with it. 

Knowing the ins and outs of Instagram is going to be your starting point for attracting previous customers and gaining new ones. To start your successful Instagram journey, continue reading below. Here’s everything you need to know about getting started on Instagram!

1. Choose a Username That’s Recognizable

Unlike Facebook where you simply put the name of your business for your profile, Instagram allows you to create a user name for your account. However, it’s advised that you consider using your business’ name or a username that’s recognizable to customers. 

There’s no first and last name on Instagram, but you can place all of the words of your business’s name together to create one username. If need be, you can use underscores to separate different words, but many companies just put it all together as one. 

The username that you choose is going to be how your customers and followers find you. When creating your account, Instagram will also ask for your full name. Be sure to fill this information in with your business’s name. 

This will bring your account up when people search for your business.

2. Upload a Profile Picture That’s Recognizable 

Your next step will be to upload a profile picture that’s recognizable as your business. The perfect size of an Instagram profile photo is 400×400 pixels. You want to choose something that Instagram users will see an automatically know that it’s your business. 

One great idea for a profile photo is your business’ logo. Your previous customers will know exactly who you are when joining Instagram and new customers will begin to associate your logo with your brand. However, do keep in mind that you’ll need to upload your profile picture on a mobile device using the Instagram app. 

If your logo isn’t saved into your mobile device, then you can import it from Facebook. 

3. Update a Well-Written Bio

A great profile picture needs a well-written bio to back it up. What’s considered a well-written bio for businesses on Instagram? Instagram gives you a 150-character limit for your bio. 

This means you need to be clear and to the point in your bio. State who you are as a brand, what makes you stand out from the competition, what your mission statement is, and forms of contact. Be sure to place your website and email address or other contact information in the bio as well. 

These will be shown as links and your followers can click on the links and be directed to your website or email in a matter of seconds. 

4. Start Following Other Pages

You’ll want to begin following other pages on Instagram. The more accounts you follow, the more connections you’ll make. It’s another way to network and another way to get to know other people in your industry. 

Use Instagram’s search tool to search for businesses similar to yours or related to yours. Do you work with other companies? Find them on Instagram and be sure to follow them. 

Once you follow them, you can almost guarantee a follow back. Search for them using the names of the companies or hashtags that are relevant to the industry. You never know, you might even become inspired by what these other pages are posting. 

5. Post Valuable Content and Photos

Now it’s time to start posting your own content! At the bottom of your Instagram app, there are 5 different icons. The middle app with the plus sign inside the box is how you’ll add your photos. 

Unlike the profile picture, you can upload a photo to your feed from your computer. Use this link: https://setapp.com/how-to/how-to-post-to-instagram-from-mac to learn how!

Once you click this button, you’ll be given the option to take a new photo to post or upload an existing one. You can also create a new video or post one already saved in your gallery. Once you’ve got your photo, you can then add on filters and other types of enhancements. 

Although using a filter here and there is great depending on the type of photo or video you’re posting, keep in mind that you don’t want to go overboard with filters either. Be sure to scroll through all the different editing options before posting to ensure you have a perfected final product. 

But before you hit post, there are a few other things you should know about as well, such as location and hashtags. 

6. Set Up Your Location

Before you post a picture, you’ll have the option to put the photo’s location on it. It’s ideal that you use this feature because it’ll let followers know where your place of business is if you have a physical address. You might even come to learn that someone else has already named your place of business for you. 

If not, go ahead and name it yourself! Then, when customers use your products or services, they can add your location to their own photos and spread the word! Once you post a photo with your location, the location will appear on top of the photo as a blue link.

Click the link to see all other photos tagged at your location. Anyone who adds your business’ location to their photos will have those photos appear here. You can then see what customers enjoy about your business! 

7. Always Use Hashtags

Hashtags are another important factor to consider before posting your photo. Hashtags are a great way to attract people to your Instagram page. For example, if you sell hair products and use a hashtag, “#healthyhair,” you’ll draw attention from people who are looking up posts on healthy hair. 

However, be sure to use hashtags correctly. When posting a photo, the hashtags in the caption should be directly related to the photo you’re posting. There’s nothing worse than tricking people into visiting your page by putting a hashtag on a photo that has nothing to do with it. 

8. Interact with Your Followers

If you want to be successful on Instagram and stay successful, then you need to interact with your followers. When followers send you direct messages or DMs, be sure to reply to them within a few hours. If anyone comments on your photos or ask questions, always be sure to respond back. 

Even if it’s someone leaving a comment about the product and not a question, respond. This shows your commitment to your brand and your customers. It’ll also keep your followers engaged. 

Another way to interact with followers and keep them engaged is to post promotions, contests, giveaways, and more!

9. Research Your Competition

You never want to take the same content that your competitors are posting and use it for your own page, however, what you can do is visit their pages and get inspired. See what it is they’re posting, how often they’re doing it, and how they keep their followers engaged. 

What do you like or dislike about their Instagram page? Take this information and find ways to incorporate it into your own page while staying unique and true to your brand. 

10. Advertise Your Instagram Account

Advertising your Instagram account is another must. If you’ve only used a Facebook account and a website for years, how do you expect your current customers to find you on Instagram? Advertise your new social media platform by posting links to your account or your Instagram handle on all of your other pages.

Promote your new social media account in any way possible. You can even consider adding it to your business cards!

Getting Started on Instagram Takes a Few Steps!

There are several steps that you need to take when getting started on Instagram. However, once you follow these steps listed above, you’ll be a successful Instagramer in no time!

For more posts similar to this one, be sure to keep checking back with us daily!

Are you thinking about sitting down at your computer and writing a book for the first time? It can be a nerve-racking experience!

It takes the average author anywhere from a few months to a few years to write a book, depending on how much research needs to be done for it. The editing process associated with writing a book can also take a lot of time to play out.

With this in mind, there are some tips for writing a book that you should follow before you get started. They’ll help you create a book that people will actually want to read cover to cover.

Many of the tips will also make writing a book so much more manageable for you. Here are 11 tips you should keep in mind at all times while piecing a book together from start to finish.

1. Take a Look at the Most Popular Book Genres

There are some book genres that are more popular than others. These days, people seem to be in love with genres like action and adventure, sci-fi, and self-help.

There is something to be said for picking one of the lesser-known genres if you want your book to stand out in the crowd. But generally speaking, you should try to aim your book at the genres with the largest audiences if you want to enjoy success.

Browse through the different book genres that are popular right now and choose the one that you think would work best for the book you have in mind.

2. Figure Out What You Want Your Book to Be About

What exactly is the book that you write going to be about? That’s a question that you’re going to have to answer—and answer well—when you first start kicking around the idea of writing a book.

You might have a very general idea of what you want your book to be about. But it’s important to nail down a crystal-clear idea before you sit down to write it.

Ask yourself questions like:

• Which characters will appear in the book?
• Where will the book take place?
• What time period will the book cover?
• What will be the main source of conflict in the book?
• How will the book end?

You can, of course, alter your answers to these questions slightly while writing the book. But you shouldn’t be making up answers as you go along. 

3. Make Sure Someone Else Hasn’t Already Used Your Book Idea

You might not think there’s any possible way that anyone has ever thought to write a 50,000-word book that doesn’t include a single word with the letter “e” in it.

But guess what? It exists!

There are upwards of one million books published per year. This means that authors have run the gamut over the years when it comes to generating new book ideas.

Before you put your pen to paper and start writing a book, it’s a good idea to make sure no one has written a similar book already. You might be surprised to find that someone has capitalized on your current idea in the past.

4. Outline Everything That’s Going to Happen in Your Book

As a writer, an outline is going to be your best friend. It’ll help guide the way while you’re writing a book and prevent you from finding yourself in a situation where you’re not sure where to take your book next.

As we mentioned earlier, you should ask yourself a bunch of questions with regards to your book while trying to decide what it’s going to be about. You should also take your answers and use them to formulate an outline for your book.

That outline will create a path forward for your book and keep you on track as you begin writing.

5. Create a Space to Write Your Book—and Commit to Writing Every Day!

This is easily one of the best tips for writing a book. When you’re writing one, it’s essential to create a space that you can use to do it.

It’s also essential to commit to writing your book every day. Even if you only write a few paragraphs, it’ll help you to build up some momentum over time.

There are very few writers who sit down and knock out the same number of words day after day. You should mentally prepare for the ebbs and flows that come along with writing prior to penning your first paragraph.

6. Consider Showing Some of Your Early Work on Your Book to Others

After you have one or two chapters of a book done, you might feel really good about it. Or you might worry about whether or not you’re writing a book that people will want to read.

Either way, it never hurts to get a second opinion from someone you trust. They may tell you that your book isn’t as good or bad as you think it is.

Some writers are wary about showing anyone their work until it’s been written, edited, and tweaked over time. But if you don’t mind showing off your writing in the early stages, you may want to ask someone to put a second set of eyes on the work you’ve been doing after you start your book.

7. Keep Writing Your Book, Even When It’s Difficult to Do It

There are going to be days when everything that you write comes out like crap. There are also going to be days when you find yourself sitting and staring out the window wishing you could be doing anything except writing.

On these days, there’s no shame in getting up and going outside for a little while to clear your mind. But you shouldn’t let one or two slow days stop your momentum.

Keep on writing, even when you find it incredibly difficult to do it. You’ll get back into a groove and find your way before long.

8. Hire Someone to Perform a Final Edit on Your Book

When you finish your book, you’re going to be ecstatic. You’ll feel like shipping it right off to the printer and starting to sell it on your website.

Before you do that, though, you should consider hiring a professional editor to step in and edit your book for you. They can help you make your book so much stronger than it is and turn it into a better finished product.

Hiring an editor will cost you some money. But it’ll be one of the best investments you make when writing your first book.

9. Come up With an Amazing Cover for Your Book

“Don’t judge a book by its cover” might be a good thing to keep in mind when it comes to meeting new people. But ironically, it doesn’t always apply to books themselves.

People are going to judge your book by its cover when you start selling it. It’s why it’s important to spend almost as much time on your book cover as your book.

Work with a graphic designer to come up with a great design for your book cover. It’ll intrigue people more and get them interested in your book when they finally get their hands on it.

10. Print Up Copies of Your Book and Make It Look Official

You’re going to be spending many long months, if not years, working on your book. So when people are able to pick it up, don’t you want it to look as professional as possible?

You can achieve this goal by working with a company like QINPrinting that specializes in book printing. They’ll make everything from the front and back covers of your book to the words on your book’s pages look great.

People will want to flip through the pages of your book and read them when they see how professional it looks.

11. Drum up Interest in Your Book by Marketing It the Right Way

You can write the most amazing book ever and print up as many professional copies of it as you want. But if you don’t market it effectively, those copies are likely going to sit on your bookshelf.

In this day and age, marketing a book has never been easier. You can utilize social media to build up a following for your book if you play your cards right.

You can also sell copies of your book right on your website and make it easy for people to purchase them. This will increase the chances of people buying and reading your book.

Use These Tips for Writing a Book People Will Love

It’s not easy to write a book that people will want to read. There are so many books released every year that many books—especially self-published ones—often get lost in the shuffle.

Don’t let these things stop you from writing a book anyway. As long as you put the tips for writing a book found here to good use, you can bring a book idea to life and make people fall in love with it.

Read our blog for more tips on designing a beautiful book.