|
Articles on Small Business Branding, Logo Design, Graphic Design and Web Design
I've been writing articles on Brand Design and all its' components—logos, marketing material design, websites, Visual Vocabulary, color and more—for the last several years.
Here's a sample of those articles, along with the two most recent articles that have appeared in my newsletter. For more articles, and for access to the full library, sign up for my email newsletter.
These will give you a basic idea of how to start work on developing your brand, or if you're looking to work with a designer, then these have a good amount of insight into my philosophy and how I think about design for small businesses.
You may reprint any of the articles listed here in your newsletter, on your website, or in a publication. Just include the "About the Author" section and a link back to this site!
Design Article Library
Brand Definition and Logo Design
A Small Business Brand's 7 Jobs
What Is A Brand?
The Four Red Light Factors For Your Business Brand
Define Your Difference: To Stand Out and Make Your Business Shine
How Your Business Should Act Like A Snowflake
9 Keys to an Effective Logo
Logo Files: Versions Of Your Logo That You Should Own
15 Reasons Small Businesses Need a Brand Identity System
Connecting With Your Customers Through Your Brand Identity
All About Visual Vocabulary and How It Can Help Your Small Business
The 9 Advantages to Using a Visual Vocabulary in Brand Identity Design
Business Card and Stationery Design
Contact Information to Include On Your Business Card
The Two-Sided Business Card Debate
Does Your Small Business Need A Digital Or A Printed Letterhead?
How To Design A Digital Letterhead That Works
Envelope versus Mailing Label: Fight
How to Design Mailing Labels in Microsoft Word
Marketing Material Design
Designing Temporary Materials to Get You Through A Branding Emergency
Making A Great First Impression With Your Marketing Materials
Top 3 Must-Have Marketing Pieces
Designing Your Email Newsletter
Website Design
How Your Small Business Can Benefit from Having a Website
How to Make Sure Your Website Won't Need a Do-Over
Why Isn't Your Website Working Well?
The Balancing Act of Making Everyone Happy With Your Website
Stop Making Excuses. Your Website Must Match Your Other Marketing Materials
The Art of Website Maintenance
Seven Steps To A Beautiful, Functional Blog Design
Shopping Carts
How To Sell Your Products and Services Online
How To Set Up 1ShoppingCart So That You Can Sell Online
Search Engine Optimization and Website Promotion
How Search Engine Optimization Helps Small Businesses
How to Make Your Website Search-Engine Friendly
About the Author
Erin Ferree, founder of elf design, helps small businesses stand out from their competition so that they can connect with their best customers. She does this by working with business owners to define their brands, and then using that definition to create logos, marketing materials and websites that show how they shine.
She also believes that all of a business's brand materials should be not just pretty, but also designed effectively and strategically. This produces a winning combination of materials that communicate visually, look stunning and are designed effectively, which help her clients reach their target audiences.
She writes about design, branding and marketing through her eBooks, her blog at www.not-just-pretty.com, and in free articles in her newsletter, "Stand Out", which you can subscribe to at http://www.elf-design.com/newsletter.html.
You may reprint any of the articles listed here in your newsletter, on your website, or in a publication. Just include the "About the Author" section and a link back to this site! 
|
|
|
|
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.
— 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
Thank you very much for the video tips!! As someone who has been asked by clients to record speaking/emceeing sessions the tips have been really useful and I look forward to receiving the next couple of issues.
— Monika
Newsletter subscriber
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 a newsletter service 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
"Thank you so much for writing this article about letterhead. I had reached
the same conclusion, but appreciate hearing it from a professional. I appreciate reading
your newsletters..."
—Michele Zwillinger, PRC
SnoopPro Research
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:
Microsoft Office Live
Creative Latitude
RainToday.com
AllBusiness.com
Women In Consulting Best Practices Direct newsletter
Women In Consulting Consultants Direct newsletter
HillsOrient.com
The Your Membership newsletter
SalesPractice.com
WECAI.org — the Women's ECommerce Association, International
The Holistic Business Journal
websitemarketingplan.com
And in print:
Women In Communications newsletter
The Marblehead, MA Chamber of Commerce newsletter
The San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce newsletter
Dynamic Graphics magazine
Even on podcast!
Lee Hopkins' podcast
|
|
