To stand out amongst your competitors you need a memorable brand. You can’t just create brand recognition over night however. This process takes time and effort. So kick-start your branding efforts right away. Contrary to popular belief launching an effective branding campaign is not exclusive to those with lavish resources. These days there are lots of free branding aids available that you can leverage. Here’s a look at 7 awesome tools that can help your brand rise above your competition.
Color Space
When it comes to successful branding color choice is probably one of the most important decisions you’ll make. You can have the most memorable logo and matching brand assets but if the color scheme doesn’t evoke the right emotions you’re cutting yourself short. Use a free tool like Color Space to find beautiful color combinations. Don’t simply choose pretty colors but learn what each color stands for and then choose one that suits your business’ core values.
Logo Creator
The best way to stand out from your competitors when it comes to branding is through your logo. Your entire brand is built around your logo identity. The colors, font and look and feel will drive the creative direction for all of your other brand assets. Make sure you don’t rush the logo design process and try lots of different concepts and get unbiased feedback before finalizing. A free logo design resource like Logo Creator enables you to come up with countless designs quickly. Once you select a template you can enter your business name and slogan and then customize before downloading in various file formats.
Free Photos
Another tool to elevate your graphic design and instil consistency across all of your promotional material is through the use of images. The trick is not to use photos randomly or ones that are of poor quality. That should go without saying but many entrepreneurs seem to neglect the later point. Use a resource like Free Photos to find beautifully shot images. Once you find an image you like check to see if the photographer offers an entire set. If you use images from one set your images will have a professional and consistent feel throughout all of your brand assets.
Free Icons
When it comes to branding business owners often forget about the use of icons as another opportunity to add consistency to your designs. Icons can quickly elevate any design, granted they are of good quality and not cheap clipart. Browse a site like Free Icons to find icons that are suitable for your content, whether that’s on your website, social media or business cards. Once you find set a you like you can download it in files like SVG, PNG, AI and EPS.
Font Squirrel
Similar to images and icons, fonts are a great opportunity to enforce your brand. The trick is to find a couple of fonts that speak to your user demographic and use those exclusively. If users see the same fonts across all of your educational and promotional content they will soon start to associate them as part of your brand. Font Squirrel offers free fonts that you can download in TTF file format for instant use.
Be Funky
As started earlier the use of images in a powerful tool when it comes to branding. Instead of using images as they are you can use filters and photo editing to make them more unique to your brand. Be Funky is a free photo application that lets you adjust images through their web based editor. They offer advanced features that you can quickly master without having a background in photography.
Canva
This list of free branding tools wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Canva. If you don’t have the resources to hire a graphic designer or don’t feel overly creative yourself you fall back on this easy-to-use design application. Whether you need a presentation deck, business cards, posters or any other marketing material you can quickly design it with Canva’s free design editor. The process is easy, select a template, customize and download.
Ready to Elevate Your Brand?
Now that you are equipped with 7 free branding tools it’s time to elevate your brand assets. As you do so remember the trick to branding is consistency. Incorporate your logo and brand colors across all of your brand assets. Be just as consistent and deliberate with the use of images, icons, fonts and effects. Branding takes time but as you build out your marketing material you’ll start to stand out from your competitors as a unique brand.
By Scott Smith