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:
- I would get 4 fantastic designs that were in need of a tiny tweak to be perfect
- the colors and styles would sum up both my personality, therapy style and appeal to my ideal client
- I would be swept away with joy at my new perfect-for-me logo
- 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
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