I Could Not Brand Myself If I Tried

Ok, so I checked out this new Branding Test website just today. I struggle with the question of branding, and whether it is even important to me, and I thought I’d give it a try. Results — hmmm, I rated myself higher than I thought. I guess that goes to show you sometimes do things better than you feel.

The test was kind of simplistic in my mind, but it did encourage me to think about branding with regards to my company. It took only about 5 minutes to take (it would have been quicker if I had thought about branding more in the past). I was a little disappointed in the way the results were presented — I felt they were just regurgitating my answers in a very non-scientific manner. However, if branding is something you are interested in for your company or if you think about branding with any regularity, I’d say give it a try.

I did realize based on the my answers and the results that I need to work on my communication efforts more. I don’t always get my point across in a very positive manner (I guess it is the sarcastic approach I bring to the table). Now, I just need to think about whether I want to be branded better! Is overtly branding really worth considering for a small shop like mine where all of my clients come from word of mouth? We don’t solicit work, it has always solicited us — and I kind of like that flying below the radar.

Another Simpleology Offering

I dabbled with the Simpleology site earlier this year. I like the idea, I like their approach, I lack the necessary skills to stay organized enough to keep up (as shows with many of my undertakings). Simpleology now has come up with another offering… The 7 Day Business Turnaround Kit.

According to their sales pitch, “The 7 Day Business Turnaround Kit is an ‘intensive’ course from Simpleology. It makes rapid radical change in your business: stopping the cash bleeding, getting the cash flowing freely, and positioning you for long term strategic improvement to your business. A free 7 day trial is available.” That is correct, they are offering a free 7 day trial. You still have to submit your credit card (they are a respectable organization so that did not concern me at all). If within the 7 days you are not satisfied with their offering, they will not process the charge on your card.

It intrigued me that two of the Simpleology classes were based on Mark Joyner’s best selling books… The Great Formula and The Irresistible Offer (my personal favorite of Joyner’s books). If you have not read The Irrisistible Offer, I encourage you to give it a try.

In general, I’d say that this offering is worth the time and money if you are willing to put in the effort (much like the standard Simpleology offering). Check them out and make the decision for yourself.

Get the Right Logo for Your Business

Sponsored Post:

I’ve been pondering a new logo for my primary company lately. Something to put on my stationary. Something to give my company a recognizeable identity. Yes it truly is a coincidence that the chance to review LogoTree came along right now. LogoTree is a very nice looking logo design company that offers a range of logo design packages for clients.

LogoTree’s packages are not for the business looking to slap up a logo at the lowest possible cost. Their logo portfolio is extensive and exudes professionalism. You can see for yourself in both their industry specific and animated logos. Another aspect of their service that is comforting is that they lay out their process up front. I’ve paid for logos in the past via freelancing services, and have generally been under-impressed with both process and delivery. LogoTree’s samples beat anything I’ve ever purchased.

So what to buy? Well, I’m looking for a package that has a nice logo and something that can make my stationary appear as professional as I think I am. So… I am considering the enterprise package that gives me several choices for logo, stationary, quick turnaround (4 days), and builds in revisions. A little pricey for sure, but I truly believe now that you just can’t cut corners with corporate identity. A fact that became abundantly clear after sending out my last client proposal on very basic stationary with no real branding (a contract I won only because I was a known entity to the client).