You have a logo. Maybe you have a few brand colours too. But when you hand a flyer to a printer, brief a freelancer or post on social media, do they all look like they came from the same business?
If the answer is “nearly”, then you need brand guidelines. And no, they are not just for big corporations.
What are brand guidelines?
Brand guidelines are a short document that explains how your brand looks and sounds. Think of it as a rulebook that anyone can pick up and follow: your logo, your colours, your fonts, and the way you write.
For a small business, it does not need to be 80 pages. A clear, practical guide of a few pages is often all you need.
Why small businesses need them
Consistency builds trust. People remember brands that look the same every time they see them. A different shade of blue on your van, your website and your leaflets quietly tells customers you are less established than you are.
It saves you time and money. Without guidelines, every new job starts with questions. Which logo file? What colour code? With a guide, your designer, printer or web developer can get it right first time.
It makes growing easier. When you hire a new team member or bring in help, they can represent your brand properly from day one.
What should be included?
A good set of brand guidelines for a small business covers:
- Your logo: the main version, alternatives, minimum sizes and what not to do with it
- Colour palette: exact colour codes for screen and print
- Typography: which fonts to use for headings and body text
- Tone of voice: how you talk to customers, with a few example phrases
- Imagery style: the kind of photos and graphics that suit your brand
Ready for a brand that looks the part?
Our logo and brand design service covers everything from the logo itself to the guidelines that keep it working properly. If you would like a hand, get a quote and we will talk you through the options.
A real example: Casalog
Casalog is a brand-new tech start-up that came to us with an idea and an app to build. We created their logo, colour palette and brand guidelines so the whole product could be designed around a clear identity from the very start. It meant everything that followed, from the app to the marketing, felt like one joined-up brand.
You can see how it came together in our Casalog case study.
Start simple, then build
You do not need to have it all worked out. Start with your logo, colours and fonts, write down how you want to sound, and add to it as your business grows. Even a one-page guide is better than carrying it all in your head.
Photo by Andy Brown on Unsplash
Want brand guidelines that your whole business can use? Get a quote from Amped Up Marketing today, and let’s give your brand the foundations it deserves.
