Branding Kits: Why You Need One For Your Business
When conducting discovery calls with my startups and small business clients, one of the more common roadblocks that they experience is branding. 95% of the time, they usually all say the same thing: Branding is extremely difficult. Nearly all of them try the DIY (Do It Yourself) approach but find that they’re failing every single time.
I’ll be honest with you. Branding can be very complex and tricky. The rebrand of The Brilliant Blogger was not an easy task. Even as blogging coach that’s experienced in branding and web design, I wanted to make sure that my brand was aligned correctly.
With the wrong strategy, you can find yourself confused and constantly second guessing yourself. Not to mention being stuck with elements that you really don’t like and doesn’t match your true brand at all. Also, if your branding message is all over the place and confusing, your desired audience will be confused also.
Along with having a brand strategy, it’s important to have a guideline that keeps your branding clear and consistent in both online and print. This is where branding kits come in.
What’s a Branding Kit?
A branding kit is a collection of elements that make up your brand’s look, feel, and personality. It contains visuals that you will regularly use to distinguish your brand. The elements used are your brand’s logos suites (primary, secondary, sub-mark, or icon), color palettes, typography, and even visual examples of how these elements are to be used.
This is an example of a branding kit of a we created for La Playa, a premium sea botanical skin care line
Elements of a Branding Kit
While the style of branding kits differ depending on the designer, it’s important to know the basic elements of your branding kit to have better understanding of how to use them.
Logo Suites
Your logos for your brand will have a variety of formats. It could include the full name with icon, name only, initials or certain lettering of the name and a signature icon only that best represents your brand. This will help set you apart and make your brand memorable by design.
Color Palette:
Your color palette is also a significant piece of your branding. This is to be used consistently for both web and print. Your color palette is broken down into primary colors and secondary colors. While some branding kits vary, color palettes usually include your color hex codes, Pantone, or CYMK color key codes.
Typeface:
Fonts help shape the style and tone of your branding. This element typically breaks down what typeface to use when it comes to headings and body in your copy online. While it may not seem significant, little details like this do matter.
Photography
Certain photos will bring out the best in your brand and give an enhanced visual representation of what your brand should look like. Some branding kits may include this. Some may not. If you are using photos, the mail goal is to match your brand with photos that will pair well with it.
*I have an awesome blog post on where you can source beautiful stock photography for your branding if hiring a photographer seems a little out of budget for you. Check out the blog post HERE!
Why Do I Need a Branding Kit?
Branding kits takes the guess work of trying to figure out what your brand should look, feel, and sound like. It gives clarity, consistency, and your desired audience knows what to expect when you showcase your brand. When you are consistent with your branding, your desired audience are more likely to remember you.
It also gives a high level of professionalism and personality. Clients and customers can feel more connected to your brand while looking to your as a leader in the industry that you’re in when done correctly.
A solid branding strategy with a clear branding kit ensures branding longevity that can last for years to come.
Do you have a branding kit for your business? If you don’t have one, you may not have a clear brand. Let me help you with getting the brand clarity your business needs today.
Speaking of branding, be sure to get your FREE Branding Essentials Checklist to jumpstart your path to a solid, brilliant brand when you sign up for our mailing list.
