This is a guest post by Laura James of Laura James Studio. I met Laura through Pinterest – yes, it can actually work as a social platform. She is a branding expert with a goal to help you have a business that is uniquely yours. I am excited to have her share ways you can improve your blog’s brand today!
Whether or not you know it, your blog has a brand. Your brand started right around the time you clicked “publish” on your first post. Your post graphics, tone of voice, photographs, and even the consistency with which you post are all factors contributing to your overall brand.
As a brand designer and consultant, I’ve seen my fair share of good, bad, and ugly when it comes to branding in blogs. Today I’m here to share my number one tip to branding your blog for success!
So here is my number one tip to branding your blog for success: be consistent.
Sounds crazy right? I know, I know. It’s not some crazy immediate overnight success trick, but I promise you it is the best possible way to brand for success. Creating consistency develops trust. Since branding is a marathon and not a sprint, you need to have a long-term plan for consistency in order to be successful.
Becoming consistent definitely takes time and effort, but you can still make some immediate changes that will help create a uniform look and feel across your blog right now
Before you start: Create a blog style guide and stick to it.
Just like you need an editorial calendar to create consistency in your post schedule, you need a style guide to create consistency on your visual style. By creating a set of guidelines for your content, color schemes, fonts, and graphics, you’ll have a great reference when you’re developing content. It’s important to create something that resonates with your audience as well as potential sponsors, but is still true to your unique style. Once you create this guide, you need to stick to it.
The more frequently you change your style, the more often you lose your followers’ trust and confidence.
6 quick fixes you can make to your brand.
Now that you have a guide, here are 6 quick fixes you can make right now!
- Your blog fonts, colors, and layouts: Make sure every page and post has consistent formatting, colors, and layout.
- Your post photos: Go through and check your photos for quality and clarity. I advise getting rid of any photos that aren’t in focus right off the bat. If your images aren’t clear and well-lit, you may want to consider re-taking some as well. Here’s a great beginner tutorial on creating blog photographs!
- Your header: This should be consistent across your blog. You should also make sure the color and style fits in your style guide too.
- Your blog template: There are a number of different blogging platforms and templates within those platforms. Most of them allow you to set up your fonts and colors. This is a great way to ensure consistency across your pages and posts, as well as keep consistency in the future.
- Your post graphics: This is probably the biggest way to strengthen your brand on your blog. Go back and make sure all of your graphics are consistent. Use the same colors, the same logo, and the same fonts. Creating consistent graphics not only ensures that your blog looks good when people visit, but you’ll be creating consistency in other areas such as Pinterest.
- Your media kit: If you’re monetizing your blog and have a media kit, you need to make sure your brand style flows through to this document as well. It shows potential advertisers and sponsors that you’re serious about your brand.
Quick tip: if you have a lot of posts already, take these six steps on your most popular posts first and then work your way to others over time.
Once you take these 6 steps, you’ll immediately notice that your blog is visibly better. As you continue to create consistency on your blog, you’ll see even better results. Your viewership will increase and you’ll attract the sponsors you want! Just remember to stick to your guide and you’ll be branding your blog for success in everything you do!
Laura James is a designer and photographer that works with entrepreneurs, freelancers, and family businesses to create strong brand identities that they can be proud of. Laura James Studio was founded on the belief that every brand needs a professional, and unique style that makes it stand out. Laura started photography and graphic design in her teens, and is a proud military wife and mom. To find out more about Laura, or to sign up for her graphic design class, visit www.lauraj.co.
Agreed! Too often people get excited over different styles and start incorporating too many different elements in their brand.
Less is definitely more sometimes. I used to use a lot of colors on my site, and I still do in my images (obviously) but the actually design is pretty clean now and I love it.
Excellent way to explain about consistency and fixes. Now, I know I have to make a plan.
Excellent post about branding successful blog. It is useful post. Thanks to share such topic. Keep it up !!!
Awesome tips! And I think it is so true. Consistency is KEY. That was actually one of my first lessons I learned when I was on my high school’s yearbook and keeping things consistent from day 1 really pays off. People are happier knowing what’s coming next.
– Juliet from http://www.thelittlejewelsoflife.com
When I first started blogging, I didn’t really know how to create graphics and a better design for my blog. I learned everything last year and finally came to the point where I was particular about my graphics and design for my blog.
That’s awesome that you reached a point where you’re confident with your blog graphics. Keep up the good work Sam!
I plan to start my own blog to promote one service. I know that different visuals are extremely important for popularization of my newly created blog. Is t a helpful practice to find a person for all these needs, like a freelance designer or it is better to take time and learn it for myself? What will be more fruitful? Thank you.
Hi Helen. One day, when it is in my budget, I plan on hiring someone to take care of my visuals. Right now, it’s not part of the budget. If it is for you, then I say go for it! Then you can focus on your services and content. If not, you can learn to do it on your own as well.
Thanks for the reply. I have doubts. On the one hand – start up cannot bring money immediately so I don’t have extra to hire somebody. On the other hand to be popular the visuals should be perfect. I think I should find a golden mean – for important task hire somebody but minor task do myself.
I absolutely agree!! Thank you so much for this post. Consistency is key to success when blogging AND branding. Very well written!
Excellent post with some great advice. Thank you to the both of you. Pinned because thus is definitely something I need to look into more.
Visiting from SITS
Amazing tips I think this might be the first blog that I’ll ever share
Wahoo, that’s awesome Stephanie. Laura was so sweet to share her amazing branding tips with us.
These are really great tips! As a designer and content creator I think that branding is one of the most important areas that bloggers should focus on if they want to be considered “professional”. Thanks for sharing these great tips!
I’m one of those people that changes their mind all the time… but finally, after 9 months of blogging, I’ve settled on a style guide I love. Now I have to go back and update all my post images… a great reminder thank you. I love the idea that your brand starts as soon as you hit publish – it’s a great way to look at it. Thank you.
Haha, I’m also one of those people that changes their mind all the time. My blog has identity crisis…
I’m loving your new style though Krystal!
Hi Laura, and thanks for a very informational post. I totally agree, branding starts as soon as you hit publish. It’s nerve wracking actually! – I have a question, do you recommend trademarking your blog? and if you do that, do you have to create a legal company too? Thanks in advance!
Hi Flavia! Trademarking is something that I would suggest you speak to a lawyer or trademark attorney about, as I’m not familiar with that specific process. -Laura