The Value Of Good Branding And Visual Design And Why A Logo Is Worth More Than $5

By February 26, 2015Podcast, With Guests
The Value Of Good Branding And Visual Design And Why A Logo Is Worth More Than $5

Listen to this episode.

Show Notes

If you’ve got a business then you’ve got a brand and a visual identity whether you’ve thought much about it or not. But what exactly is your brand? And what about that elusive “visual identity”? And why can’t you get a logo for $5?

Those are just a few of the things we discuss today as we talk to Dave Walker, a designer who works on everything from book covers to brochures and understands the true power and value of a good design.

In This Episode We Talk About

  • The difference between branding and visual identity
  • Where your logo fits into the equation
  • Why you can’t get a logo for $5 even if you really, really want to
  • Why your logo file type matters
  • The importance of consistency in branding and how that can translate to new customers
  • What it means to create a “look and feel” for your company
  • How good design can instill a sense of quality – for better or worse
  • Plus more about what design is, isn’t and why it’s NOT about the software

Links & Resources

Your Marketing Action Item

From Dave: Take stock of all your marketing pieces – lay them out in front of you and see if they are consistent. Does it look the same? Does it look good? How does it make you feel? If it’s not so great, think about how you can streamline and make everything work together, one small piece at a time.

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Carol Lynn Rivera

Carol Lynn Rivera

I'm a business owner, content creator, podcaster and marketer. In 1999 I founded Rahvalor Interactive, a web and creative services production studio, with my husband and business partner Ralph. In 2011 we created Web.Search.Social, a consulting and marketing service line for small businesses. We also cohost the Web.Search.Social Podcast where we challenge the status quo of marketing and the Carbon Based Business Units podcast where we talk about the human side of being an entrepreneur. On any given day I wear the hat of project manager, consultant, social media manager and content marketer. My true passion is writing and in my spare time I'm busy planning my early retirement to Barcelona as a famous and wealthy novelist.
Carol Lynn Rivera

@carollynnrivera

Carol Lynn Rivera

  • “Visually Branding Your Identity and the Case of Cheesy-Sleazy Logos”

    Job forms and t-shirts
    Wraps and brochures
    Logos and uniforms
    Letterhead and more

    Book covers and signs
    Mailing labels and bags
    Wine seals and biz cards
    Websites and price tags

    D. Walker, graphic designer
    Can set your business apart
    To make your biz look better
    His designs are like fine art

    Your visual identity equals
    Signals your brand exudes
    It’s all about the perception
    Emotional cues and moods

    Fiverr designers devalue
    What real designers do
    For authentic pro designs
    Dave’s the artist for you!

    $5 logos be gone! 🙁 I’ll take the real thing. 🙂

    • Wow, that was a nice homage to Dave 🙂 I will have to pass this along to him, he will be thrilled. I couldn’t believe the Fiverr stories about people stealing logos to sell. I mean, it’s $5, but still… I can’t imagine how that’s not prosecutable. I’d say “you get what you pay for” but you don’t really get anything if you’re buying stolen property, do you?

      • Well, you might get a few things with that $5 logo — a headache and the hardship of appearing in court. So, yes, you get what you pay for. 😉

        I just realized, moments ago, Dave and Meg are related. Duh … I should have connected the dots. LOL

        • Yes, they are! I think we might have forgotten to mention it on the podcast.

  • LOVE the logo Dave designed for Meg Walker! (Tandem Literary) 🙂

    • It pays to have the talent in the family 🙂

      • I’d love to have some marketing talent under my roof but I’ll settle for the musical talent he’s got. 😉

        By the way, he’s written a short tune that would make an IDEAL jingle for a tea company. I’m working on some ideas for pitching the idea to them/marketing the song. Why not? It can’t hurt to try. 🙂

        • You guys have plenty of talent under your roof! Are you pitching a specific tea company? I have my favorites 🙂

  • As usual, on point and on time with what is going on with me and my business right now. I HAVE to make some logo decisions before doing a website launch. I love hearing what you guys think and how to do things the right way. The very last thing I want to do is come back and do it all again later. I have for sure done enough of that… Great episode..

    • Well, you definitely don’t want to buy someone else’s stolen logo! Something to be wary of for sure. I think it’s ok to revamp a logo if you’re doing a rebrand (we’ve redone ours 3 times in 15 years!) but you still want to start with something representative and not crap clip art that you wish you could throw out in a week!

  • I have to add.. Even when you have a business with products, people ABSOLUTELY expect you to give them items for free so that they can “tell people how good your things are”. We get contacted constantly by those who want free things and they will, tell everyone how wonderful our items are if we give them the items.

    • I have never heard of such a thing. I bet it has a lot to do with independent artists and creatives. Nobody walks into the prom dress section of Nordstrom’s and asks for a free dress :/

      Unless you’re a celebrity I guess!

      You can tell all those people that if your items are wonderful, they are worth the price tag.

      • I have a friend who creates these amazing “bling” heels. Tedious work. Swarovski crystals painstakingly placed perfectly on high end shoes. For weddings and such. We laugh bc people will actually send her their shoe size. The nerve of people amazes me.

        • And ask for them for free?! That’s nuts. First of all, neither shoes nor crystals are free. And I can only imagine how long it takes to make those. Wow, that is…. wow.