So you run your own business, you want all your clients, new and old, to instantly know what is yours out there in the market place…. but how do you transfer styles from your business to accentuate your brand presence? What you need is a Brand Style Guide. You may be wondering some ‘what’ and ‘why’s’ about Brand Style Guides, let me see if I can put your mind at ease by providing you with some information about it.
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1. What is a Brand Style Guide?
   www.executionists.com explains it really well “A brand style guide is the primary visual DNA of your company’s branding, though it can also reference grammar, tone, word usage and point of view. Essentially, it’s a document that describes, defines and presents examples of what your brand looks like in various visual media such as print, Internet and broadcast. To be effective it must clearly define the rules around your online presence in all channels such as websites, landing pages, mobile sites, online ads, blogs, social media channels and email communications (including email signatures!).”
   
   
2. How do you Create A Brand Style Guide?
   You  can begin to work on getting a name, logo, colours, fonts, copy and all the tangible items a brand needs to promote itself. These things will be seen by the world, so need to be perfect from the date of launch. It is well worth investing in some expertise to do this. Outsourcing your logo creation to a graphic designer ensures that the visual face you present to the world is professional, well thought out, unique and easily recognisable. Key to remember is that it is important to do what you know you can achieve great results with, as this is the best use of your time. Outsource those jobs which you know you have limited knowledge about and if one of those is your graphic design work, I’ll be happy to do it for you! You can learn more about how I can help create your brand at my website, One Bite Design. 
   
   
3. What are the benefits of a Brand Style Guide?
   When you engage the services of a virtual assistant, graphic designer, web designer, copywriter, coach/mentor or employ a new team member, being able to hand them a copy of your brand style guide will help them understand and represent your business effectively and efficiently. Your brand represents your business. It tells the world who you are, what you do and why you do it. Your brand is more than a marketing tool, it becomes an important part of people’s lives. Customers search for products or services labelled with your brand and pick your brand over others. Great brands remain focused on achieving their goals, with a clear focus on the ‘why’ they are doing something.  It is every business owner’s dream to create a brand that remains on the lips of the world. Yet so many owners struggle to look past a logo or the colour of our packaging. A great brand is more than a name.
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Check out this basic brand style guide for Cute Cuddles New Zealand

The Final Step in Creating Your Brand Style Guide
First up, do some research and find examples of brands you like. What does their styling tell you about their brand? What is it that you like about it? Next think about your brand. What colours and images does your brand suit? What do you want your brand to make your customer think about when they see it? Once you have answered these questions, the next step is to contact a professional graphic designer. They will take your information, ask a few questions of their own and begin the creative process!

​If you are looking for a branding solution, get in touch with Helen today!

Many business owners are hesitant to hire a professional graphic designer. Not because they doubt the quality of the work, but because of the cost and the belief that they can do the same level of work themselves. Unfortunately, the result is logos and other graphic images which portray their business in a negative light, losing them money and customers.

Recently I created a new logo for Sharon from Totally Balmy. She was clearly unhappy with her old logo, with feedback from her clients that her logo just didn’t really match the image she was trying to portray. Sharon focuses on selling natural products, yet her old logo had dark and bold colours, totally counteracting what she wanted clients to feel about her business.

Making Contact with A Graphic Designer
Sharon and I are members of Network NZ, a business networking group. Sharon had seen the design work I had done for other businesses within the group and liked what she saw. She contacted me to engage my graphic design services to create her a new logo. As she was still in the start-up phase of her business, keeping her costs down was important.

“Helen's prices are incredibly reasonable, and her service is impeccable. She ensures you receive the best service, and keeps you informed along the way.” Sharon, Totally Balmy

Once Sharon made contact, I emailed her a list of questions. This small questionnaire is a great tool for both my clients and myself, helping me create the specific designs they require. By giving me a detailed explanation and examples of the type of image you want to portray, it helps me create the exact type of images you require. From here, I shared with Sharon a range of ideas and together we worked on perfecting the best choice for her and her business.

“The end result? Fabulous. I'm so incredibly happy with it. So much so, I got Helen to design me a business card too!” Sharon, Totally Balmy

Life After a New Logo
Sharon absolutely loved her new logo. So much so that she said, “I'm now proud to have my logo out there! I wear it on t-shirts, have it on the side of both our cars, and am delighted to be recognised in our community. People now spot me everywhere, so there's no hiding!”

I am so thankful that Sharon gave me the opportunity to revitalise her brand. It is an exciting part of my work that I can change how clients and customers see your business for the better. My work has given Sharon the confidence to place her business amongst others and actively compete with other small businesses.

“The new logo makes me feel more professional, more trustworthy and it just fits my business so well. People can now look at my logo, and have a good idea about what I do. I don't worry about my image at all now.” Sharon, Totally Balmy

Sharon’s new logo has completely transformed the way her business is seen by her clients. Her old logo did nothing to demonstrate her passion for creating natural merchandise.