So you’ve done the grown-up business owner thing and finally had a professional designer create a new logo for you.
You love it, it’s perfect, it couldn’t capture your business and message better. But aside from the obvious, what exactly do you do with it?
I have some suggestions. This list assumes that you are already using your logo on your main website, your business card and any industry-specific pieces (on your menu if you have a restaurant, on packaging containers if you sell physical goods, etc.) So aside from those, here are 5 other places to consider using that new logo:
1. Social Media
If you’re a one-person business (like me) it’s generally a good idea to show your face in your avatar. But that doesn’t mean the logo gets no love! On Facebook and Twitter, you also have a header/cover images on your profile page. This is a great place to showcase that new logo. If you’re a bigger business where you don’t need face recognition/personal connection, then yes, the logo can work in the avatar, too, and maybe use the cover image to showcase a service or produce.
For Pinterest and Instagram, consider using your logo as a watermark on any images you upload. Whatever social media platform(s) you frequent, there is sure to be a way to include that sparkly new logo and show it off.
2. Email Signature
Email is the lifeblood of many businesses these days. Think about the number of emails you write on a daily basis. I’m betting it’s a lot. Having just a bit of your visual branding (ahem, your logo!) on each and every one of these can really help build brand consistency with your correspondents. It’s great for current clients and customers for this reason. But if you’re also doing any sort of outreach? Asking for a favor, applying for a contract, inquiring about press coverage…Get that logo in there for sure! You want it to become something they recognize and associate with you/your business.
You can also include links! Your logo can link to your website. You can include links to your social media or a current special offer or your newsletter sign-up. Customize it for what works with your business. Including the logo will help draw the reader’s eye to the signature and any information you include there.
The best part? It’s really not hard to set up.
Here’s how to do it in Outlook.
Here’s how to do it in Gmail.
3. Invoices, Contracts, Purchase Orders, etc.
Yes, these are all ‘boring’ paperwork, but they are also an integral part of your business. As such, they shouldn’t be left out of the visual branding scheme. You don’t have to overly design each thing – an invoice still needs to function clearly as an invoice, after all. But they are still an opportunity to create another touch-point with your business’ visual brand. At the very least, stick your logo in the corner with the contact info and mailing address. If you do feel like going a little more in depth, you can also make sure the colors and fonts you use on these pieces follow your brand guidelines, too.
4. Website Favicon
Sure, you’ve got your logo at the top of your website, but did you remember the little favicon? That’s the little picture that shows up next to the site name in your browser tab or bookmarks list. And yes, you can customize it! Ideally your logo can be reduced to just its symbol or just a letter or two of the business name in an identifiable way. Most favicons display at 16px x 16px, so whatever part of your logo you choose needs to work at a really small size. Your designer can help you with this, as well as getting the image in the correct file format you need (.ico). If you have a WordPress site, installing the favicon is a breeze.
5. A Small Detail
There are so many possibilities here, this really depends on your business. Send a lot of postal mail? Get a sticker made with your logo to seal envelopes, or custom-printed packing tape for boxes. Run a coworking space? Logo up all of those kitchen mugs, or the communal desk pens. A restaurant? Two words: logo mints.
The great thing about picking a small detail like any of those mentioned above is a) it’s something your business is already purchasing and using, and b) it’s probably not much of a price difference to customize it vs. what you’re already paying. Find a small detail on the customer/client-facing side of your business and use it as an opportunity to make that detail a little more memorable.
None of these are super hard to implement. You can probably knock out 1, 2 and 4 in about a half hour if you have the pieces you need. The other two really depend on the type and size of your business, but again aren’t too intensive. The whole point of a logo is to help it be a visual representation of your brand and business – and it can’t do that if you don’t use it widely. You invested a pretty penny in order to have such a great logo. Now make sure your business gets the most out of it.
Are you using your logo in all of these places? Can you think of any other places for a business to include a new logo?
Don’t have that new logo yet? I can help with that. If you have a new creative or lifestyle business and are struggling to come up with a logo and other visual branding, check out my full visual branding package, especially for new business owners.
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