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Leggo My Logo

Written by: Jay Hamilton-Roth

Article Overview: Since I recently changed my business logo, I wanted to explain my process so you can likewise better develop your own logo. While your logo isn’t the soul of your business, it does give a quick impression about it.

Leggo My Logo

Since I recently changed my business logo, I wanted to explain my process so you can likewise better develop your own logo. While your logo isn’t the soul of your business, it does give a quick impression about it.

When I first started my business, I created it myself. My thinking went, “Many Good Ideas — what would be a good graphical representation?”. Light bulbs, while a cliché, are what most people think of when they hear ideas. So, if one idea is one light bulb, then many ideas should be many light bulbs. But what type of light bulb? What color? A graphic or a photograph? Suddenly, I had new-found appreciation for graphic artists. Playing with a graphics program and some stock art, I created my first logo. The key point: it was good enough.

After some time, I needed to print some professional business cards, and hired a graphic designer to help. They also used stock art, but with with an eye to color and layout, created a logo that was much better, and resulted in a better image of myself and my business. The key point: Hire a professional when you have the need and budget.

This month I changed my logo once again. While the previous logo was clean and recognizable, it still didn’t incorporate the feeling of “creative” - which is a key component in all the marketing work I do. A client of mine (who is an artist) commented on the logo, and suggested that he could do much better. After a couple of iterations, this is the result. Initially, the logo shocked me. It was unfamiliar. It was different. I was too invested in the previous logo, so I asked for my colleagues’ opinions. The key point: Continue evolving all aspects of your marketing (and test the results).

Tip: If you have no graphic talent and no budget, there are a number of free logo design websites (for example, this one I created in a few minutes online at www.logoyes.com). You won’t get something original, but you’ll get something good enough to move forward with the rest of your marketing.
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Much thanks to my logo artist, Peter Scaturro (www.PeterScaturro.com). His true specialty is abstract painting and sculpture. If you like the new logo (or even if you don’t), visit his site. You’ll be inspired.

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Article Tags: budget, business logo, clich, colleagues, design websites, few minutes, free logo design, graphic artists, graphic designer, graphical representation, graphics program, iterations, key point, light bulb, light bulbs, marketing, photograph, professional business cards, stock art



Related Forum Posts
Re: Inspiration for Logos - [quote:n4xowjxl]When you want a client to think of your Logo may this not be an example of what he thinks. Let its all be positive and with hope of something better coming.[/quote:n4xowjxl] Huh? Can you you say this a different way? I'm confused and curious... cause I like messing around with logos...
Inspiration for Logos - When a Buddhist looks at a Tibetan flag one of the first thing that pops in their mind is admiration respect. After assimilating that they keep thinking and repression might come next. Living as part of a communist nation may bring lots of feelings. Chastity, prayer, humility all these virtues are all mixed. When you want a client to think of your Logo may this not be an example of what he thinks. Let its all be positive and with hope of something better coming.
Re: Inspiration for Logos - [quote="RussellWebb":3c1ri7h5][quote:3c1ri7h5]When you want a client to think of your Logo. May this not be an example of what he thinks. Let its all be positive and with hope of something better coming.[/quote:3c1ri7h5] Huh? Can you you say this a different way? I'm confused and curious... cause I like messing around with logos...[/quote:3c1ri7h5] I am simply stating: let your product stand out as a star. Don't let it become as complex, Infernal and a blur image as the state of this extraordinary country. In simple terms, let you not be bound or chained to anything that might affect your project. It’s a very round concept it’s more like a metaphor.
How do you value a firm - Hello, I've been trying to raise $50,000 for my online business but every time I approach an investor, they ask me how much is my business currently worth. One person was willing to give me $20,000 but for 33% equity. He says "I value your website for $40,000", I have no idea how he came across that number. My website was developed by a business partner for free but he says he would have charged no less than $15,000 if it was some other client. We are currently generating about 7000 unique visitors after being online for 10 months and we're grossing about $1200 every month. There has to be some value for our developed portfolio and a community of about 500 members and over $5000 we have already spent on link-building for SEO. The name of our business is "Logo Arena" you can search it on google. Please give me some estimate of what it could be truly worth so I can start negotiating equity. Thank You all for your time
Can a biz website help? - Tara, A website is just another vechicle to deliver your message and keep in touch with your customers. How? well for one your email address will have your web address in it - people judge your professionalism at that level too. Some uses my clients have found beneficial when they thought it wouldn't: 1. Disseminating repetitive information to clients e.g. portfolios, FAQs. 2. Send out newsletters that link back to your webpage (costs practically nothing via email) 3. Writing articles for your industry. These articles will do two things: 1) establish your expert status. 2) Search Engine Optimize your site. 4. Run cheaper ads in print publications by directing them to your Sales message on to a page on your site. 5. Write a special report on "Logo branding" for business owners to download. You capture their email info as you have to email it to them or their mailing address and send them the report. After they have read it they will still be inclined to use your service even if you divulge every step it takes to create a logo brand. The psychology is that they fear they may still mess up and you won't. I did this with my old Web design business as a test (gave them step by step what they needed to do to setup a website) and I still got their business. I installed Trust in them that I could do it best. Those are the major ones.


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