Do You Brand Your Blog?

You’re undoubtedly familiar with branding in business and in life.

So does branding apply to blogs?

If I show you 4 overlapping silver rings, you’re going to recognise the logo as Audi.

If it’s five coloured, overlapping rings you might think Olympics.

If I say, “just do it,” you’re going to think Nike and visualise their “Swoosh.”

If I said caramel and grey coloured letters spelling FBBB, you’d think of us, right?

This is branding.

If it “does exactly what it says on the tin” you’ll know that something is simple and effective, thanks to Ronseal. Branding is creating a recognisable, memorable identity. Big companies do it; small companies do it, and your blog can do it too.

Why brand your blog?

Branding is about creating a personality with your audience. A rapid association that stays in the front of their mind. The personality builds a connection, and the reader likes that.

So how do you do it? How do you brand a blog?

There’s more to branding than a logo, more than just consistent use of colour.

When you think Nike, you think running, endurance, achievement. You think Just Do It. I’ve heard Just Do It  used as a verb; people telling others to Nike something.

Branding your blog is about creating a clear but consistent message.

• What is my blog about?

Can your readers easily identify what you are about and what you stand for?

• What is my message?

What’s the theme, the core message of your blog?

• What consistent design elements do I deliver?

What type / font do you use? What graphics, and where are they located on your blog posts? Is the layout the same throughout your site?

When these three questions can be answered and applied to every single blog post, guest post, and audience interaction, you’re on your way to establishing a solid brand for your blog. The key is consistency.

If your blog is about using technology to be more productive, then a blog post about running  wanders from this core vision. It will detract from your goal and message and your readers are not quite sure what they’re getting.

So – do you brand your blog?

• Editor’s note – this post has been amended from its original form this morning. The contest that closed the post was removed – not Sarah’s fault, blame the Scottish dude that mooches around in the caves behind this blog. Sorry for any inconvenience!

photo credit: Steve Corey