The Importance of Consistent Branding
So you've just discovered a new graphic design tool and you're ready to whip up some fun + informative posts for your social media platforms? Or, maybe you're branching out and starting a new social media platform but you're wanting to shake things up a little?
Either way, it's important to remember that when customers, clients, or friends of your business are surfing the web - they're going to need telltale signs that they've reached the right destination. An easy way to keep your web browsers confident that they're in the right place is to ensure the look of your branding matches across all of your social media platforms. Don't worry, creatives, you can achieve this in a few ways so that you're still able to showcase your artistic flair!
We know it can be fun to switch things up, in fact, adding new cover photos, profile pictures, or plays on your approved logos is a wonderful way to keep things from growing stagnate. Keep your branding consistent by remembering some of these tips!
Selecting a family of fonts that are appropriate for your brand.
When designing something special, for say, a Halloween event - it's absolutely okay to use an ooey-gooey, drippy, extra creepy font. But, for the most part, you'll want to select no more than three fonts to consistently use for your brand. Your fans may not notice at first, but over time your content will tell the story of your brand. Small details like the font you choose to represent your business can paint a picture of who you are! Sans-serif, cursive, brushed, or playful? Each detail can make a difference!
Choose colors that stand out - and complement your branding!
Your logo design probably features some of the colors you decided once upon a time matched the feel of your brand. Or maybe someone designed your logo and you thought "Sure! Looks good to me! Let's do this." It's ideal to keep within a consistent selection of colors that match your branding when you're creating flyers, graphics, or any other marketing materials for your business - both online and IRL. This consistency tells your fans right away "Hey! I belong to this business, and I'm part of their story." Think about two of the most prominent home improvement stores on the market right now. If you see an add with Orange, who does that add belong to? What about Blue? Do you get where we're going here?
Use quality photography + choose your filters wisely.
We're firm believers that not every picture needs to be photoshoot quality. In fact - that's not only unrealistic for small businesses, but it can make your brand look stiff on social media. That being said, your images should still be focused, well lit, and considerate of the subject. (And, adding professional photography to your marketing mix is a HUGE help!) When sharing pictures on behalf of your brand - stay consistent! (Are you seeing a theme here?) Consistency can be achieved through the style that you choose to shoot your photography, i.e. is it warmly lit? Or are most of your pictures taken in a dim, cooler lighting?
On to filters...
Just about every social media platform lets users throw a filter over their intended share - but that doesn't mean you have to. If you choose to add some filter flare to your photography, select either one style of filter that your brand uses, or stay within a select amount of filters. Staying within the same filter can help amateur photography achieve a more polished look.
Keep your creative juices flowing but staying within some parameters can help your business achieve a more polished and professional look across all of your selected social media platforms and marketing materials. Additionally, consistency helps your followers know they're in the right place when searching for you across the web! Make social graphics aesthetically pleasing by using complementary elements + fonts that reflect your business's personality.
Want more tips like this? Stay tuned to our Facebook, Twitter, + Instagram pages! Want help with your branding? You're in the right place.
