Thursday, June 28, 2012

The Power of Logos

In our recent post "The power of signs," many of the points we made are also true of logos. A company sign--such as the big Holiday Inn signs we discussed--and a company logo--such as the Apple logo--are important symbols. Our tip for entrepreneurs today is about the importance of using such symbols.

Company signs are a very important part of your marketing effort, and word of mouth is the most vital form of publicity, but research shows that logos also are important to any organization's public persona.

For centuries churches have been immediately recognized by clearly identifiable symbols such as crosses. In recent decades successful firms also have been recognized by symbols such as a "swoosh" (Nike), a large black eye (CBS), a yellow "M" known as the golden arches (McDonald's) and even a simple apple with a bite taken out of it.


Just as a good sign adds value to your company’s image, a good logo does as well. Your logo is your organization's brand. It represents your name and the ideas, reputation and feelings associated with your organization.


What makes a good logo? They are simple, memorable and make a statement about your organization. A good logo gives everyone who works for your company a sense of identity and your customers a shared sense of your mission. Vivid colors and a unique graphic design element make your logo instantly recognizable.

Is a good logo really that important? Think about how many people will see your company sign. Maybe 10,000 cars a day pass by your sign. But if you have a great logo and you place it in every advertisement that you run and everywhere else that you should place it, potentially hundreds of thousands of people will see it.

It may be hard for you to believe that logos could impact behavior, but research has found that indeed they do. David has said for years that advertising doesn't work on him, but he cannot deny the power of those Holiday Inn signs. Even years later that symbol brings about an emotional response in him, and if given the option, he would choose to stay at a Holiday Inn based on the warm feelings and memories associated with that sign.

Our hope is that our Arkansas Diamond Mine Adventure logo captures the essence of our business dream and will one day make people of all ages want to return to our family recreation attraction to enjoy a unique experience hosted by friendly folks.


Today's tip for business owners: Ask yourself if your logo looks modern and colorful or old and dated? It may be difficult to let go of it, but help your business and replace an outdated logo.

Our tip for entrepreneurs: Don't skimp on logos and signs. A good logo should add value to your image. Hire a talented graphic designer to ensure that you use the right color, font and illustration to make it aesthetically pleasing. Then make sure you place it on everything you use from ads and business cards to product packaging and websites.

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