Branding is quite a popular word among photographers, isn’t it? Having a solid brand is a top priority, and developing your brand so that it permeates all facets of your business is key to standing out in a consistent, professional, and memorable way. There are many components of a brand, but today I’m going to focus on your visual brand and discuss how you can use it to create a consistent online presence. Keep reading for a photographer’s guide to a branded blog.
Determine your blog’s purpose
Having a clear blog purpose (or mission statement) is essential to narrowing the focus of your blog, streamlining your blog content, and catering to your ideal client. Establishing a purpose for your blog will allow you to consistently create content that your ideal client finds engaging, which will increase blog traffic in a way that will benefit you and your business in the best way possible. Determine your blog’s purpose and make sure your content aligns with that purpose each and every time you hit publish.
Include your logo and brand fonts
Remember that, if you’re blogging regularly, your blog may very well bring in a lot more traffic than your website itself. Therefore, make sure your blog looks just as good as your website. Be sure to include your logo for consistency and choose 3 fonts to use throughout your blog. Develop a style sheet to keep handy so that you know which fonts to use for headlines, subtitles, and body.
Select a color palette
Your brand should be easily recognizable and your brand’s colors are the number one way in which your blog will stand out from among others. If you haven’t been professionally branded yet, play it safe and limit yourself to 2-3 colors for your brand.
Introduce yourself
Each time I do blog critiques for members of my Blogging for Photographers Facebook Group I’m always so surprised at how many photography blogs are missing a bio section. If you want your clients to know, like, and trust you, it’s imperative that you include a photo of yourself as well as a brief bio. Remember, not all your clients are entering your site through the website and checking out your “About” page. Make it easy for them to see who you are by introducing yourself in your blog’s sidebar.
Establish your blogging voice
Your ideal client will be drawn to your blogging voice, which is also your brand’s voice, so spend some time thinking about how you want your clients to perceive you. Is your blogging voice funny? Sweet? Friendly? My advice is to be consistent and also use a conversational tone. Be yourself so that your blogging voice is as authentic in writing as it is when your clients meet you in person.
Create blog graphics
Once you have established the visual aesthetic of your blog, create blog graphics that you can use in your blog posts. Blog graphics will make your blog look cohesive, make your posts stand out on social media, and make you look professional. Be consistent and your solid branding will allow your clients to immediately recognize your posts in their busy newsfeeds.
