4 simple ways to know if you have a good logo

One of the most asked questions I get when I meet a new business owner and they learn that I am a logo & branding designer is, “Do you think I have a good logo? ”

Followed up with,  “Do you think I need a new logo?”

In order to answer those questions, we need to take a deep look at your logo. 

How do you really feel about your logo?

Time to get real! What do you not like about your logo? Which camp do you fall into?

A. Do you cringe when you look at it?

B. Maybe you don’t love it but don’t know how to make it any better?

C. Or do you keep trying to change it hoping that will help bring you more clients?

D. You like your logo but you don’t realize that it might not be effective for your business.

Wherever you land, we’re going to discuss how you can identify if your logo is doing its job. And if you don’t have a logo for your business yet, you are going to learn how to create a powerful one from the start!

Your logo is just a part of your branding. 

First, one of the most misconceptions new business owners have is they think their logo is their brand. 

Your brand is so much more than a logo! 

Your brand is your font choices, your images, your messaging, your overall style and how you interact with a client. 

Your logo plays a huge role in your branding because it starts to set the tone for the rest of your brand. While the logo is usually the first thing designed, it’s important to make sure it mirrors what you want for your brand. Typically you will use the same fonts and colors from your logo in the rest of your brand visuals.

Get clear on your brand:

• Using 3 adjectives, how would you describe your brand? 
• How do you want your clients to feel when they work with you?

Now take a look at your logo. 

Does your logo reflect your brand?:

Would you use those same words to describe it?

Better yet, how would your ideal clients describe it? Ask friends and family, past clients, or biz besties what they think when they take a look at your logo. 

Does your logo appeal to your ideal client

I know the term “ideal client” can send you running for the hills! But I want you to think of who you want to be working with. When you get an inquiry are you super excited to work with that type of client? Or do you dread working with them? If you find you’re attracting less than ideal clients this could be a sign that your logo is not working. Of course, there could be many other reasons for this as well, but taking a critical look at your logo is a good place to start.

Get clear on who your ideal client is

Who is your ideal client? I want you to think of 3 of your past clients or clients you wish you had and think of the following questions. Try to answer them if you were them:

• What brands do they love? 
• What grocery store do they shop at? 
• What would they splurge on? 
• What kind of style do they have? 

For example, maybe you are a wedding planner. Your bride loves Paper Source, Nordstrom and of course Target. But you wouldn’t catch her anywhere near West Elm – it’s too modern for her style. She’s hoping she gets everything off her Pottery Barn registry. She loves to splurge on manis (to show off that beautiful new ring!), weekly Starbucks, and vacations. She has a rustic, creative and simple style.

See how I started to paint a picture of my bride? I can start to get inside her mind a bit. This bride would not be attracted to my wedding planning business if my logo was whimsy, edgy or super modern. Instead, she would feel like I could not plan the wedding of her dreams. 

Getting clear on the type of client you want to be working with can provide great insight as to whether or not your logo and overall branding is appealing to your target audience.

What would your ideal client say about your logo?

Thinking of those dream clients you want to be filling up your inbox:

• Ask yourself if you think your ideal client could clearly and quickly read my logo. Do any letters look questionable or hard to read?
• How would your ideal clients describe it? Ask friends and family, past clients, or biz besties what they think when they take a look at your logo! Would they use any of the same words you wrote down in the brand exercise above? 

How does your logo compare to your competition?

We all have someone in our industry who we are envious of. They look like they are killing it online! I want you to fight EVERY urge of copying them! Instead, I want you to take a real good look at your logo. Does your logo make you stand out from the crowd? For example, are you a wedding photographer with a soft blush pink and calligraphy logo that looks like every other logo in your industry? It doesn’t matter how much you may love your logo, if it’s not helping you stand out among your competition, it’s not doing you any favors.

4 questions to ask to know if you need a new logo

Here’s a quick little test to help you determine if it’s time for a new logo:

1. Would you use the same words to describe your logo as you would your business? Y/N
2. Does your logo align with what your target audience likes? Y/N
3. Are you attracting dream clients? Y/N
4. Is your logo different from that of your competitors? Y/N

If you answered no to any of these questions it’s very possible that your logo is not doing its job. If that’s you, then you’ll definitely want to download my FREE guide, 4 Easy Steps To Creating A Memorable Brand. In this step-by-step brand blueprint, I help you transform your business into an irresistible brand that attracts your dream clients. (Surprise… it’s more than just a pretty logo, colors and fonts!).

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