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Articles on Small Business Branding

Branding a small business is a bit different from branding a large business — you don't have the advertising budget or staff to really get the brand's message out to your audience, so the brand has to be more meaningful and focused to be effective.

This collection of articles answers questions about what branding means for a small business, how you can niche and target your brand to make the most of it, and how to use your brand to create a brand identity kit that will work for you.

Small Business Branding and Brand Definition
What Is A Brand?
The Layers of Your Brand
Why your Business Brand Shouldn't Be An Exact Mirror Image Of You
The Four Red Light Factors For Your Business Brand
Focus Your Definition
Branding Is Like A Fairy Tale...

Brand Differentiation
Define Your Difference: To Stand Out and Make Your Business Shine
How to Determine Whether You've Chosen a Good Niche
The Great Fear of Niching... and Why You Need to Get Over It!
The Truth About Your Competition
How Your Business Should Act Like A Snowflake

Brand Identity
15 Reasons Small Businesses Need a Brand Identity System
Connecting With Your Customers Through Your Brand Identity
9 Keys to Building a Stand-Out Brand Identity
Attract More Clients With A Brand Identity
Three Brand Identity Myths That Will Bring Your Business Down
Four More Brand Identity Myths
To Tag Or Not To Tag?
Splitting a Brand Design Project Between Two Design Firms

About the Author

Erin Ferree is a brand identity and marketing design strategist who creates big visibility for small businesses. Through her customized marketing and brand identity packages, Erin helps her clients discover their brand differentiators, then designs logos, business cards, and other marketing materials and websites to reflect that differentiation, as well as to increase credibility and memorability. As the owner of elf design, Erin is passionate about helping small business owners stand out in front of their competition and attract more clients. Hundreds of small business owners across the US and Canada have relied on Erin to create content and visuals that support their brands.

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Small business branding and logo design at http://www.elf-design.com

I read your article correlating site design and house architecture and so enjoyed the metaphor that I went to your site. I'm really impressed with your work and inspired to learn more about color usage in corporate branding, specifically.

...I'm going to sign up for your newsletter now.

— Jo Hawke

I very much enjoyed your newsletter, this morning. So many of today's ezines contain nothing useful. Yours is a refreshing change. Helpful info on working with design and designers. Brava.

Of course, now that you've planted the seed, I'm wondering about a tattoo. Nah!

— Sue Johnston

Wonderful article on "Search Engine Optimization" today! While I know most of these things I don't do them. Hence, the reminder is invaluable!

— Shirley M. Carolan

I especially want to acknowledge my sincere gratitude for all you have offered in advice and in posts and on your blog. Your information is invaluable and I have learned a great deal. I can't do all that I've learned from you but try as I might!!! If I counted every dollar for every hour I pussy-footed around changing my blog template... not signing up for emailbrain sooner — trying to do it my way to save a few $$, and trying to do the Amazon thing on my website — I could have bought a Lexus!!!

I am very grateful for the time and effort you take to respond to questions. You are truly, truly talented.

— Maggie Keenan

I have been really impressed with your site ever since I first found it a couple of months ago. You seem to really know what you're talking about and have a genuine desire to help people in their businesses.

— Allison Chambers

Erin,

A big thanks to you for your web site and the information you offer to others.

I am an executive coach and trainer in Homewood AL who has had difficulty deciding what and how to create a website. Your designs were very clear and specific. Because they are, I was able to 'inscribe my thoughts' inside a 'web box' (that's my name for it, anyway).

In addition, I was able to 'see' how to compose the home page while limiting my more lengthy discourse to specific described pages.

— Kyle

My articles have appeared online at:

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