logo design

what makes a good logo?

One of the most important marketing tools is an effective logo. It provides an easily recognizable identity for your business or organization. It not only communicates who you are but what you are.

1. The first characteristic of an effective logo is that it has immediate impact. Your logo should catch the viewer's eye and hold the viewer's attention. Consider the logo of Apple Computers; the graphic apple with a stylized bite taken out of it has immediate product and corporate identification with consumers. An effective logo "grabs" attention.

2. In addition to impact, a good logo must be good to look at. An effective logo should have the look and feel of "art", if a logo is not appealing to the eye it will defeat its purpose - attracting attention and providing effective identification.

3. A good logo must also copy well. In any business or organization, the use of a logo becomes ubiquitous - it is ever-present on buildings, letterhead, signs, products, promotional items, etc. A good logo will be as effective on a business card as it is on a billboard - small scale and large scale uses. Will the logo still be recognizable printed on the barrel of a ballpoint pen?

4. This brings us to the next characteristic of an effective logo the logo must create or evoke a positive image. "Branding" is a common marketing principle based on product identification growing out of identifying a product with a positive image and a sense of goodwill.

5. Another characteristic of a good logo is that it accurately represents the organization or business. If a company or organization wants to project a serious, professional image, the logo must look professional. A humorous or whimsical logo would be counterproductive to projecting professionalism.

6. The best logos are the most memorable logos. The Apple Computer "Apple" logo and the McDonald's Hamburgers "golden arches" are great logos because they are memorable to the point of being iconic.

7. A logo identifies a business or organization so it would be counterproductive to change it because it did not wear well over time. Do you remember what we said about "branding" earlier in this article? Companies that have invested vast amounts of money, time, and effort to establish their "brand" do not change it frequently for a reason. Make sure your logo will be "timeless" for the same reason.

contact info

Eric Halloran

Owner/Principal Designer

eric@erhdesign.com

3909 West Main Street
McHenry, IL 60050
815.814.1366

Northwest Suburbs

art & design

printed pieces

brochures in the "digital" age

information changes so quickly these days it is hard to invest in a 10,000 piece run.

Gang runs are the perfect answer for jobs that need to look great, yet have a limited shelf life.

Austin chemical has been updating and reformatting the same brochure shell for over 4 years now. The content and data change, but the layout and format stay consistent. Dated and set up for specific shows or meetings, this brochure is produced in quantities of 500 to 1,000. Each version is also created as a hi-resolution pdf file so that no matter where a sales person finds themselves, they can get a good quality brochure produced at the local copy shop. While reducing paper waste, short runs still give Austin's sales staff something to leave behind or send out with follow-up letters. Yes, the days of 20,000 print runs are gone, but the content and impact of presentation is still extremely important.

Lo Resolution Sample pdf

postcards

cheap postcards limit costs and increase the chance of getting read.

Junk mail abounds and stopping to open an enevelope is a "Deal Breaker" for direct mail. Say it loud and proud and get that brand recognition. Following up a few weeks later with another postcard builds name retention. Before you know it, people are calling.

Large postcard runs are not feasible or cost effective anymore. A smaller targeted list with a message that appeals to that customer base is still an effective way to gain new business.

Lo Resolution Sample pdf

3d graphics

Tradeshow graphics
are an inexpensive way to get a big bang for your buck.

Having worked in the exhibit industry for many years, we have the know how and the ability to produce stunning graphics with the right materials and targeted message.

We can work with you to design a portable environment or help you work with an exhibit house to construct a custom booth. There are advantages to knowing what you want before you get involved with a new build or purchase. We can consult with you and help broker a cost effective solution based on your needs, not what a specific company has to sell.

cardomain

business cards

We treat the business card like a mini brochure.

Two sides to decorate, express and captivate the viewer.

Calling cards are the first and last reminder of who you are and what you do.

7 Benefits of
Postcard Marketing

Postcards produce even better results for marketers in the 21st century than they did in the past ...especially when you use them to generate website traffic and sales leads.

Here are 7 of the many benefits and advantages you gain by marketing with postcards.

1. Postcards Work for Any Business - Including Yours

Postcards have a proven history of producing just about any kind of sales activity a business wants. Internet marketers have used them to generate profitable website traffic. Direct marketers have used them to generate receptive sales leads. Retail stores have used them to attract "pre-sold" walk in customers. And ...well, you get the idea.

2. Postcards Produce Fast Results

Postcards are small so it doesn't take much time to create a sales message for them. The small size also makes printing, addressing and mailing postcards a quick job. Your postcards can be in the mail a few days after you decide to use them. 2 or 3 days later you'll be getting sales from them.

3. Postcards Get Read

Postcards get delivered ready to read. They can't be ignored like other types of advertising. This guarantees maximum exposure for your sales message. Think about it. Did you ever discard a postcard without first scanning it to find out what it was about? You can't do it.

4. Postcards Make a Good First Impression

People like to get postcards - probably because they get so many of them from friends and relatives. You can make the most of this positive first impression by using a personal approach for your postcards. For example, include the actual name of each person in your message ...as well as anything else you know about the prospects on your mailing list.

5. Postcards Are Inexpensive

Postcards are simple and inexpensive to use. You can print them for just a few cents each. And in the US You can even send postcards by First Class Mail for only 26 cents. That's 37 percent less than the postage for letters.

You get this special reduced postage rate by making the size of your postcards at least 3 1/2 x 5 inches but not over 4 1/4 x 6 inches in size.

6. Postcards are
Easy to Test

It's easy to test the profitability of a postcard. Just send it to a small group of prospects to see how many reply. If you're not pleased with the results, revise it and repeat the test. Once you're happy with the results you can send out a larger mailing.

7. Competitors Can't Copy Your Postcard Marketing System

Competitors can't copy your system and use it to compete against you like they can (and always do) with other types of advertising.

One or two competitors may see your marketing postcard ...but that's all they will know about what you're doing. They won't know what lists you're using, how many postcards you mail, how often you send postcards or anything else about your postcard program.

There are many more advantages to marketing with postcards. But these 7 should be enough to get you thinking about them. If you never used postcards to promote your business or if you haven't used them recently, test them now. You'll be surprised at how well they work in the 21st century.