candacebbc

What is a brand guide?

A brand guide (also called brand standards) is a document created to do just that, guide your brand. Brand guidelines are a tool designed to strengthen your brand identity through consistency. They ensure correct usage of all branding elements like logos, icons, colors, fonts and photography.

They are used as a reference and a rulebook that explains how your company should be presented to the world. It contains the “do’s and don’ts” to keep your brand on track.

They have the ability to be very basic (1 page) or very specific depending on client needs. Some include mission, vision, and emotional structures to guide the verbal tones along with the visual (for example, “creative”, “fun” or “bold”).

It is a guide that everyone in a company can use to understand how to represent their brand correctly and create a united, cohesive appearance that in turn adds value to your brand.

Why do you need one?

Brand Recognition – Your brand is how the world recognizes you. It is what builds trust in your clients.

Brand Consistency – Inconsistency will confuse clients, give your brand a low quality association and is a MAJOR turn off.

Brand Value – Following a guide will allow your brand to appear more professional and reliable. It will give your brand the power to level up in your industry.

Established Tool – You work hard on your brand, don’t let it go to waste! Provide all employees and designers with the tools to keep your brand a success with a strict brand guide.

Whether your brand is new or established, it is never too late to create a guide and gain that strength.

Click here to view Big Bunny Creative’s brand guide as an example and click through below to see some recognizable brand guides.

Shazam Brand Guide
Starbucks Brand Guide

Feeling sold? We are ready to support your brand goals! Contact us to get started on creating a stronger brand.

The new year calls for a brand audit – use the following information and download our free interactive checklist to start strong. Success is yours this year!

Establish a primary logo, brand fonts & colors.
A strong logo is the nucleus of a successful brand. Having a horizontal AND a stacked version ensures that it can be used across all media and is less likely to get altered and create inconsistencies. Establishing and being strict with brand colors and fonts makes it easier for your clients to recognize your brand and increases recall. Following a brand guide increases the value of your business – first impressions are everything!

Present your mission clearly.
Make it fool-proof for your clients to believe they need your product or service. State exactly what it is that you are offering and how it will add value to their lives. Eliminate any chance of second guessing by being transparent and and to the point.

Create a brand voice that relates to your ideal client.
Brand voice is anything put out into the world that represents your brand – text in your website, social media content and marketing materials like flyers and promo are all pieces that need to be cohesive and emulate the same vibe. That vibe needs to be one that your ideal client can relate to and trust. Do some research on your target market and adjust your voice to speak their language.

Engage in social media & the local community.
The more you engage, the more your business will achieve growth. Keep word of mouth positive. DM organic followers on social media to thank them for the support and ask if they have any questions for you – make real connections with people who are already showing interest in your brand. Donate time, products or services to local causes that align with your brand and are important to you. Sponsoring events, offering discounts to service men and women or teachers or volunteering as a team is another way to engage and show you care while generating multiple touch points that bring awareness to your brand.

Show the love to your clients with branded swag.
There is major marketing strength in promotional products. Giving away swag that aligns with your brand in a memorable way will pay for itself when you gain brand ambassadors. Showing appreciation to existing clients with branded items will keep you top of mind for repeat purchases. Get a dream clients’ attention by treating them to something creative and special that makes your brand unforgettable. Promotional products have staying power and generate additional impressions when re-used.

We incorporate promo into ALL of our marketing strategies. Learn more about how to use branded swag to elevate your next campaign HERE.

BE CONSISTENT.
This applies to each of the check points above and to everything you do in marketing. If you are consistent in keeping all of these brand fundamentals in check, it will be easy for clients to find your business, recall your business, develop trust and become brand ambassadors. Your brand value will increase and sales and income will follow.

This short list may seem overwhelming when you start to tackle it, but you do not have to be an expert on everything. Start with a call to Big Bunny and we will guide you on the path to 2023 branding success!

We all know the story… you have time to plan for gift giving during the holidays… then it is suddenly December and you and your brand are SOL – no inventory is left of the items you want and production time is high, leaving your clients and employees gift-less. Not cute!

We suggest to start planning your holiday gift strategy NOW. Let’s get creative, make an impact and end your marketing year with a memorable branded experience!

Whether you give to your top five employees or everyone on your client list, branded holiday gifts add value in several ways:

1. Create loyal clients and employees – gifts make someone feel appreciated and special.
2. Gain organic brand ambassadors and user generated content by encouraging social media unboxings.
3. Increase referrals and future business by gifting a functional conversation piece.
4. Ensure brand recall with a positive and memorable gift experience.
5. Win additional impressions with curated items and custom designs that get used, not tossed.

Now you know WHY you need to include holiday gifts in your marketing strategy. Here’s HOW – access our top ten gift ideas for 2022. Implement our strategies and watch your brand value increase when you leverage branded merch items during the holidays!