Argh!

When I started this blog, it was meant to talk about counseling, relationships, self-help, etc.  But since I do some marketing coaching, I also have the occasional business-related post.  Today is just such an occasion.

I am about to do a trade show, of sorts, and need a sign for my booth.  So, I decided it would be cool to have some sort of interesting and relevant logo on the signage so I can continue to develop my branding.

Then I ran into a colleague who has found an inexpensive company to develop a logo for him - and I thought they did a fantastic job with his logo...so I hired them.

Well, my designs came in yesterday and initially, I was disappointed.  I think I wanted something super-distinctive which also completely summed up my personality and compassionate business - while not being too touchy-feely. 

What I got were four designs, all different, but none very "knock your socks off"

So I decided to get a focus group together.  I sent the designs to people I really respect and who would have a strong opinion.  And, as with any committee - there is no consensus.  So then, to make matters worse, I asked two artists to help, one who did design/marketing - eeeek, neither one likes anything and told me so in very convincing language.

So now I am having to rethink it all. 

I know branding is important, and as my business and town grow, my branding is going to become more important.

But how much branding does a counselor need?  Are you going to pick a counselor because of a logo or an interesting arrangement of her name?  Probably not.

I am in a quandary now.

My real issue is that I thought the following:

1. I would get 4 fantastic designs that were in need of a tiny tweak to be perfect
2. the colors and styles would sum up both my personality, therapy style and appeal to my ideal client
3. I would be swept away with joy at my new perfect-for-me logo
4. the logo company would read my request, descriptions, and ideas very carefully and incorporate them all

Clearly, my expectations were out of proportion to what I was doing.  I am not paying a bazillion dollars to a top marketing company to do branding - and probably more importantly, I am not really sure what I want, only what i don't want.

So I am learning a lot through this process (read, "this is giving me a huge headache")  I am going to sit with it for today and look at it again tomorrow.

Did I mention that I am really bad at multiple choice tests?  I tend to over-think them and subsequently, don't do so well.  This is like a colorful multiple choice test.

If you were part of the focus group - THANK YOU!!!  The feedback was so helpful, and caused me to look at the logos from very different perspectives. 

Cynthia

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www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com

CounselingBlog

Comments

[Dina at Wordfeeder.com]

Cynthia!

I read this post and couldn't resist writing a complete blog post in reply! (Click my name to go there). Thanks for inviting my input - it was a fun exercise!

I would say that if you want to "concept out" a logo for your business, start thinking conceptually and in symbols. Get together with a few creative pals and do "visual associations" with your personality, your profession and what it represents to your clients, and that sort of thing.

Since you're a counselor, you can go with the nurturing theme. What are some symbolic representations of nurturing? Circles - the circle of life, the hug, Mother Earth, the moon (represents females).

What about growth? Nature (that's a recurring theme for you anyway), grass, flowers, trees, plant leaves.

Then of course there are your personal preferences - things you enjoy. Dogs, animals, food, gardening. And your colors - we talked about that via email.

You might even want to work a tagline into this whole process, so that you're defining your brand holistically.

Just go check out my blog... and don't stress! Take your time. It's a process.

Dina

[Judith Lautner]

Hi Cynthia!

Your post made me laugh. Such expectations! It's good you realized that you had not been particularly realistic. But I have to tell you a similar story from the other point of view.

My daughter was getting married. She asked if I would like to design a "logo" for her and her husband. Both names begin with E and she wanted them combined somehow to show their relationship, their mutual appreciation of each other. I came up with probably 30 designs - maybe more - and I worked hard on it. She didn't like ANY of them! And I did this for free. I am much more cautious now in offering similar services to anyone. (I don't do logos for a living, which may be the problem.)

I am now in a similar position to you, looking for a logo for my own primary fledgling business...I too need to be realistic and I found your friend's comments helpful for me as well.

[Cynthia McKenna LPC, NCC]

Judith,
your wedding design story made me laugh - thank you for sharing that.

I highly recommend Dina. she is bright and funny and very good at what she does. She has had great advice for me and is a trusted friend as well.

Sometimes in business, I want it all NOW. I think that can spur me forward to action, or in this case, get the cart before the horse.
Cynthia

[Dina at Wordfeeder.com]

Hey Cynthia (thanks for the recommendation),

So I'm curious - how does this story end? Did you get a logo that you like?

Dina

[Cynthia McKenna LPC, NCC]

Dina,
I am sorry to be so slow in responding - can it already be the end of May?!

I wrote to the Logo company and told them I was unhapy with my choices. They promptly refunded my money - all of it, not just half of it like their FAQ's say - so that made me feel better about them.

Your help made a big difference. I still want to be the "counseling chick"
Cynthia