COLORS & Your Brand

If you ask my 8 year-old daughter, "what is your favorite color?" she would readily reply, "the rainbow."  In understanding the psychology of color, you would know that her response goes hand in hand with her personality and how she perceives the world around her. She is a diverse, inquisitive young girl, who wishes to have the world as her friend.

Randi Bale, an Organizational Specialist, wrote an article, The color purple (or orange, or blue, or pink…), this past week, on the importance of color in our life. She views color as a strategy to help people and small businesses become organized and take control of their schedules and business. 

Color defines us all. Some people who say they do not like colors usually would follow with, "I like plain white." They prefer the color white and forget that "white" is a color and a powerful color at that. So powerful that it can cause your mind to wander off. So ask yourself, "do I want my consumer to wander off or stay with me?" 

There is nothing wrong with preferring the color white. It is a color of purity, simplicity and innocence. I prefer white as a main color, as well. The key strategy is to incorporate other colors to help enhance your message and engage your consumer. 

Image Source: insidea

Why is color so important for your business?  

Color stimulates the senses, instantly conveying a message like no other communication method. It plays a major role in memory recall and exhibits emotions and behavior within your consumer.  

The color of your product has the ability to determine how people perceive the brand. Most people prefer brands which can be recognized easily. This is why companies are so color conscious when it comes to their products and packaging.

While designing your brand and website, color works in your favor.  You should choose colors based on the personality of the product/service you provide. Ask yourself, "what emotions do I hope to trigger?" 

The colors of your website and logo should stand out from your competitors so that it may be recognized and differentiated by your consumer. So when choosing colors for your brand, think about what it is your brand stands for and what message you are trying to communicate to your consumer.  

What are your colors communicating?

created by Anabel Damstrom

A Review

Leveling the Playing Field: A Small Business Guide to Generating Leads on LinkedIn by Craig Smith

There are many guides out there that provide step-by-step instructions on how to use LinkedIn. I have yet to come across a guide like that of Craig Smith's. Craig Smith demonstrates how optimizing your LinkedIn handle will help your business compete against your competitors. 

This guide provides its readers with simple and savvy tips on how to engage your network and how to take advantage of your LinkedIn handle as a marketing tool for your business. Some of the tips that Craig Smith highlights include targeting posts, promoting your LinkedIn handle through other social networks, how to promote via e-mail, etc. (I won't spoil it for you).  

The best component of this guide is that it is straightforward and a quick read. This is essential for the busy business owners.  

I highly recommend Craig Smith's book for any LinkedIn member who is looking to optimize his/her LinkedIn handle. You may purchase Smith's book at Amazon.com for $2.99. It is well worth your buck. You may also follow Craig Smith's website, where you will find other great tips and advice for marketing your business.