Adding a Splash of Color: Applying Color Theory to Your Brand Welcome, fellow color enthusiasts, to the vibrant world of color theory! Imagine a world without color—dull, right? Luckily, we don’t live in that world, and color plays a crucial role in our daily lives, especially in the design realm. So, grab your favorite shade of coffee and get ready to dive into how you can apply color theory to your brand and make it pop like a neon sign on a dark street. What is Color Theory Anyway? Picture this: You’re at an art gallery, and a painting catches your eye. What is it about that masterpiece that speaks to you? It’s all about color theory, my friend! Color theory is the science and art of using colors to create visual harmony and evoke emotions. It’s the secret sauce that can turn a good design into a great one. It’s the secret sauce that can turn a good design into a great one. Color theory is rooted in the color wheel, created by Sir Isaac Newton back in the 17th century. This wheel showcases the relationship between colors and helps designers, like us, create pleasing color combinations. The wheel is divided into primary colors (red, blue, yellow), secondary colors (green, orange, purple), and tertiary colors (a mix of primary and secondary colors). Why is Color Theory Important? Colors are more than just pretty hues—they have psychological effects that influence our perceptions and emotions. In branding, the right color palette can make your audience feel excited, calm, or even hungry (hello, red and yellow fast-food logos!). When applied thoughtfully, color theory can enhance your brand’s message, build recognition, and create an emotional connection with your audience. Colors are more than just pretty hues—they have psychological effects that influence our perceptions and emotions. Steps to Applying Color Theory to Your Brand Alright, enough with the theory. Let’s get down to the colorful nitty-gritty of how you can apply color theory to your brand. 1. Understand Your Brand's Personality First things first—who is your brand? Is it a fun, playful entity, or a sophisticated, elegant persona? Defining your brand’s personality will guide your color choices. Example: Fun and Playful: Think bright, energetic colors like yellow, orange, and pink. Sophisticated and Elegant: Opt for moody, muted tones like navy, burgundy, and emerald green. 2. Know Your Audience Who are you talking to? Different colors resonate with different demographics. For instance, younger audiences might prefer bold, vibrant colors, while a more mature audience might appreciate subtle, classic tones. 3. Learn the Color Wheel Basics Get cozy with the color wheel. Familiarize yourself with primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Understand color relationships like complementary (colors opposite each other on the wheel), analogous (colors next to each other), and triadic (three evenly spaced colors). 4. Choose a Dominant Color Your dominant color is the star of the show. It should reflect your brand’s personality and be used consistently across all your branding materials. Example: Tech Company: Blue (trust, professionalism) Organic Food Brand: Green (nature, health) 5. Select Complementary and Accent Colors Choose complementary and accent colors to enhance your dominant color. Complementary colors create contrast and make elements stand out, while accent colors add variety and depth. Example: Dominant Color: Blue Complementary Color: Orange Accent Colors: White, light grey 6. Test Your Palette Don’t just wing it—test your color palette in different contexts. See how it looks on your website, social media, and print materials. Make sure it’s legible and visually appealing across all platforms. 7. Gather Feedback Get feedback from colleagues, friends, and, most importantly, your target audience. Their input can provide valuable insights and help you refine your palette. Color Palettes and What They Convey Now, let’s talk about the fun part—examples of different color palettes and what they convey. Take a peek at the colors used in the beach homes above - which do you lean towards? Now, let's read on - ready? Let’s go! 1. Moody Tones (Navy, Burgundy, Charcoal) Conveys: Elegance, sophistication, and professionalism. Perfect for: Luxury brands, law firms, high-end restaurants. 2. Bright Colors (Yellow, Orange, Pink) Conveys: Fun, energy, and light-heartedness. Perfect for: Children’s products, entertainment brands, lifestyle blogs. 3. Earthy Tones (Olive, Rust, Beige) Conveys: Natural, organic, and wholesome vibes. Perfect for: Organic food brands, eco-friendly products, wellness centers. 4. Pastel Colors (Mint, Lavender, Peach) Conveys: Soft, calming, and approachable. Perfect for: Beauty brands, wedding planners, baby products. 5. Bold Colors (Red, Black, White) Conveys: Confidence, power, and modernity. Perfect for: Tech startups, fitness brands, automotive companies. Color theory isn’t just for artists and designers—it’s a powerful tool for any brand looking to make a splash. By understanding the basics of color theory and applying it thoughtfully, you can create a brand identity that not only looks great but also resonates deeply with your audience. At Davies Designs Studio, we’re here to help you bring your brand’s true colors to life. Ready to get started? Let’s make your brand unforgettable! About Davies Designs Studio Established in 2015, Davies Designs Studio is a Charlotte, NC based design agency offering creative solutions across various mediums including graphic design, photography, website design, and marketing. They collaborate with clients to deliver impactful final products that are creative, innovative, unique, inspirational, and exceed your expectations and goals. In need of design assistance? Contact us!

Choosing a Graphic Designer to carry out your design vision can seem like a daunting task. Whether you find one via Google search, a referral, or maybe even on LinkedIn...we've compiled some helpful tips for helping you decide if it's a good match - because a good match is as important as loving your final design! Tips for Choosing a Graphic Designer 1 - Portfolio, Portfolio, Portfolio! One of our most important tips for choosing a graphic designer - portfolio! Experienced designers have a portfolio, preferably online. If you're in the research phase of your designer search, be sure to check for a portfolio page on their website, or, if you cannot locate one, request it in a call. Reviewing portfolios is an easy way to see if their style, or stylistic range, is a match to your vision. 2 - Online Reviews If they have a Google Business or Facebook page, check their reviews to be sure you've located a legitimate designer or design agency. Reviews with descriptions vs. star ratings are indicators that you've found a reputable option. 3 - Ask About Job Experience In some cases, a Graphic Designer may not have an online portfolio, website, or online reviews - which happens when beginning to freelance or due to NDA's - but they come highly recommended by word of mouth. In this instance, scheduling a quick meeting to ask about their experience can be extremely helpful. When I first started my business, I couldn't use any of the work I had completed in my corporate job due to contractual agreements, but I could 'speak to' the projects I had worked on over the past 10 years and how I managed them in order to explain how my experience could benefit my potential clients project. 4 - Ask About Their Design Process Experienced Graphic Designers have a process in place for working with clients through the design process and, chances are, the design process varies by request type. In other words, the design process for logo design is different to the design process for book cover design. Asking about their design process should be met with a confident and clear response that speaks to their experience and ability. 5 - Request a Detailed Quote When you've found a Graphic Designer, or Designers, that meets your criteria, the next step is to request a detailed quote. This can be extremely helpful when trying to decide between multiple designers and, in some cases, be the deciding factor in making your choice. Written by: Crystal Davies, Owner, Davies Designs Studio Crystal Davies is a Brand Consultant and Owner of Davies Designs Studio. Her passion is using her 10+ years experience in corporate marketing and branding to help her clients design visions become reality. Connect with us… We’re here to help! If you need advice, have a general question, or if we can help in some other way, you can reach us via the links below. https://www.daviesdesigns.net/contact-us Facebook | LinkedIn | LinkedIn – Company Page | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram #graphicdesign #branding #graphicdesigner #graphicdesigntips #business #smallbusiness #DaviesDesignsStudio #DaviesDesigns

Over the years, we've been lucky to have been chosen to work with some fabulous businesses on designing their logos. It is from this experience that we've compiled our list of helpful tips to help guide you before hiring a logo designer. 1 - Have Your Business Name Ready In order to create a logo, you'll need a business name. When choosing a business name, we recommend trying to keep it short as, from a design perspective, it can be challenging using a logo down the line with a lengthy business name. Two to four words is a great number to aim for! Once you have your business name, then it's time to verify it isn't already in use. For this part, you can start with a Google search. Be sure to search for both the key words and the hashtag and see what the results look like. If another business appears with the same name and in the same field as yours, then you may want to consider alternate options. You can also perform a trademark check at www.uspto.gov. The logo pictured below is a design we created for Whole Story Health Coaching. You can see it uses four words and two of those words describe their business services. 2 - Think About A Business Tagline Oftentimes, your business name may not explain the services you offer clearly enough and this can pose a branding challenge, especially if potential customers find you online. In cases like these, we recommend adding a business tagline to help clarify what your business is about and reassure potential customers that they're in the right place. The image in point 1 above, has the words "Health Coaching" clearly describing their business services, but we wanted to further clarify why Health Coaching is important and how it can help. The image below shows their tagline of "Find your Balance. Magnify your Joy." Once we had both the business name and business tagline, the larger picture of business Branding began to take shape, and because this is a Florida-based business, the sea turtle and tropical elements worked perfectly. To take it a step further, the fingerprint within the turtle implies that "Balance," "Joy," and the overall "Health" needs of each client are unique and require a customized approach. All of this is communicated through the careful creation of both a business name and business tagline. Of course, as you're working to develop your business tagline, you'll also want to run possible options through the www.uspto.gov database to ensure they're not already in use. 3 - Color Palette This may seem simple, but it can be quite tricky and it's a pretty important component of logo design as, typically, the colors you choose for your logo are the building blocks of your Brand Colors. The images below show how your logo colors can then be incorporated into things like business cards and letterhead. How do you envision those items looking? Are there examples you've seen for other businesses that you love? What about ones you don't love? All this can help your logo designer provide you with design options that fit your vision. 4 - Have An Idea of Your Budget Budget is important when you're looking to have your logo professionally designed. With the plethora of $75 DIY logos out there, you'll want to compare your wish list to your budget. Logo design is an investment and it's important to know what you get for your money. For example, going with a DIY logo creator or the current $75 deal with a mass producer, will mean that your logo graphics will be reused for other businesses logos as they're typically not custom designing a logo for you. In most cases these options are adding your business name to something predesigned. Going this route could mean the cost of rework later and branding changes can be expensive, especially after you've had business cards and other marketing materials produced. In addition, if you're looking to Trademark your logo or business tagline, that pretty much rules this option out. If you know you want to Trademark your logo right away or plan to in the very near future, then you'll want a professional graphic designer with experience in logo design. This option will cost more in the short term, but save you the expense of branding changes in the long term. A logo designer should also be thinking about your brand as a whole to ensure they're setting you on the right track that aligns with your goals. Be sure to find a designer that will work for you, support your design vision, and guide you on the branding journey. Our article on "Tips for Choosing a Graphic Designer" will help in choosing a good match! 5 - Start Gathering Quotes After you've established the above, it's time to start finding logo designers, reviewing portfolios, and gathering quotes. Logo designers and design agencies can vary quite a bit, so be sure to ask for details so you know exactly what you're getting for your money - every penny counts, especially when you're a new business on a budget. Our article on "Tips for Choosing a Graphic Designer" has additional helpful tips for choosing a designer. 6 - Files You Should Receive We'll end with one last note to ensure you know what you should be provided once your logo has been created. At a minimum, you should be provided with: .eps files - used for printing/embroidery for accurate color and resolution .jpg files - used digitally and where you have a white background .png files - used digitally and where you have a transparent background .pdf files - preferred by some printers in place of .eps files For each of the four files types listed above, you should receive a full color, white, and black version of your logo. Written by: Crystal Davies, Owner, Davies Designs Studio Crystal Davies is a Brand Consultant and Owner of Davies Designs Studio. Her passion is using her 10+ years experience in corporate marketing and branding to help her clients design visions become reality. Connect with us… We’re here to help! If you need advice, have a general question, or if we can help in some other way, you can reach us via the links below. https://www.daviesdesigns.net/contact-us Facebook | LinkedIn | LinkedIn – Company Page | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram #graphicdesign #branding #graphicdesigner #graphicdesigntips #business #smallbusiness #DaviesDesignsStudio #DaviesDesigns

Over the years, we've been honored to have been chosen by some fabulous authors to design their Book Covers. It is from this experience that we've compiled our list of helpful tips to guide you and to help you determine whether you need a Graphic Designer or an Illustrator. Designing Your Book Cover: Helpful Tips to Get You Started Before Hiring a Graphic Designer 1 - Graphic Designer or Illustrator? Deciding whether you need a Graphic Designer or an Illustrator is almost as important as choosing whether you're going to use a Publisher or Self-Publish your book. The easiest way to know who you'll need is to decide whether your book is text-based or picture-based. If your book is text-based with the potential for the occasional simple graphic or illustration dotted throughout, then chances are you'll be needing a Graphic Designer. Graphic Designers can help with creating the design and layout of the front cover, back cover, and spine of a book. In the case of self-publishing, they may even be able to help with the interior layout, but you'll want to double check as most often the formatting of the interior is done separately. Instructional books and novels are great examples. Graphic Designers will work with you and your publisher/self-publishing requirements for cover art. If you know your book is going to be heavily image-based, then you'll most likely need an Illustrator to help bring your design ideas to life. Illustrators help with the front cover, back cover, spine, and interior artwork and layout of your book. Children's books and coffee table books are great examples. Illustrators will work with you closely to bring your vision to life page-by-page, while also working to meet your publisher/self-publishing requirements for cover art and interior layouts. With Illustrators being heavily involved in the layout of almost every page of your book, the process for working with them is a bit more involved. For detailed information on working with Illustrators, click here. Once you've determined whether you need a Graphic Designer or Illustrator, narrowing down which Graphic Designer or Illustrator will come down to individual design styles and cost. For more on how to go about choosing a Graphic Designer, and even an Illustrator, view our article "Tips for Choosing a Graphic Designer." 2 - Publisher or Self-Publish? Whether you use a Publisher or Self-publish is an important choice. Both options cost money and have their own benefits and disadvantages. To avoid the additional expense of rework, you'll want to have this decided before you begin the design process as your designer will need to design to publisher or self-publishing requirements. Many have templates they require designers to work within to ensure artwork is submitted correctly and to avoid publishing holdups for incorrectly set up designs. Need guidance on using a Publisher vs. Self-Publishing? Click here for a handy resource to get you started! 3 - Have Your Book Title Ready Having your book title ready and finalized is an important step to complete prior to beginning work with a designer, especially as book titles can change several times before the book is completed. Designers rely heavily on the title text and length to create design options, so even minor changes can result in additional costs associated with rework. For example, if we swapped the word "Loves" from "Your Team Loves Mondays...Right?" for another word in the book image below, it would completely change the cover art. The broken heart would no longer be relevant and the designer would have to go back to the drawing board and begin another design resulting in more time and cost. Similarly, if the title to "5 Surprising Steps to Land a Job NOW!" was shortened or lengthened, it would result in significant design changes. As you're working to develop your book title, it may be helpful to run title possibilities through the www.uspto.gov database and do Google searches for the title name and hashtag to ensure they're not already in use. 4 - Have Your Book Subtitle Ready While your book title is used heavily by your designer to stylize in a way that grabs a potential buyers attention from a bookshelf at Barnes & Noble, or other retailer, your book can also have a subtitle that helps to clarify what the book is about and who it's for after it's been picked up off the shelf. Having the subtitle ready and finalized at the start of the design process helps your designer plan the cover layout and arrange design elements in a way that maximizes space for the most powerful design impact. Just like with your book title, it's helpful to run possible subtitle options through the www.uspto.gov database and do a Google search to ensure it's not already in use. 5 - Have An Idea of Your Budget Budget is important, especially with the costs associated with publishing a book. Knowing how much you can allocate to the cover design and illustrations can help you plan as well as choose a designer. 6 - Have Your Book Specifications & Design Ideas Ready After finalizing your book title and subtitle, the next task is gathering your book specifications, including your design ideas. Items to consider include: Book Dimensions: Tells the designer what size they're working within design-wise. Page Count: Tells the designer whether the spine of your book can fit text for the book title, author name, and publisher logo. Publisher Template: Publishers often have a template designers should work from. Be sure to ask your publisher and share it with your designer. Design Ideas: Googling books on similar topics can guide your design as you'll want to ensure it's unique from competitors. 7 - Knowing When to Engage A Designer Graphic Designers and Illustrators will have varying time frames for artwork completion and delivery. Reaching out to potential designers to inquire about typical design time requirements is helpful in planning for your book and deciding on a designer that works with your timing for book publication. While researching designers can be done at any time, beginning the design process before your book is finished could result in rework associated costs as book titles tend to change several times before the final manuscript is complete. 8 - Gathering Quotes After you've established the above, it's time to start narrowing down the list of potential Graphic Designers or Illustrators, reviewing portfolios, and gathering quotes. There can be quite a bit or variation from one Graphic Designer to another and from one Illustrator to another, so be sure to ask for details so you know exactly what you're getting for your money - every penny counts, especially when you're on a budget. Our article on "Tips for Choosing a Graphic Designer" also has additional helpful tips for choosing a designer. Written by: Crystal Davies, Owner, Davies Designs Studio Crystal Davies is a Brand Consultant and Owner of Davies Designs Studio. Her passion is using her 10+ years experience in corporate marketing and branding to help her clients design visions become reality. Connect with us… We’re here to help! If you need advice, have a general question, or if we can help in some other way, you can reach us via the links below. https://www.daviesdesigns.net/contact-us Facebook | LinkedIn | LinkedIn – Company Page | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram #graphicdesign #branding #graphicdesigner #graphicdesigntips #authors #bookcoverdesign #illustrators #bookwriting #publishing #selfpublishing #bookdesign #DaviesDesignsStudio #DaviesDesigns

The thought of starting a blog can seem scary, but launching a blog presents your audience with a great resource – a free resource – that helps solve problems, answer questions, and create a sense of community. It can also tie in pieces of your existing social media accounts and website while still holding true to what it is your audience is actually looking for. For example, if a follower remembers seeing a recipe posted on your Facebook page and wants to find it quickly a week or so later, they might try your website link if they’re unable to locate it in their news feed right away. Solving problems, answering questions, AND making it easy on your audience to navigate – it’s all a win-win with minimal time investment on your end. Getting Started with Blogging What do I blog about? Start by considering those lengthier, text heavy social media posts (e.g., tips, advice, recipes, tutorials, etc.) that you’re already putting out on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.). Choose your blogging platform or fire up the blogging tool on your website - and formalize them by giving those posts a quick read through and updating them to answer any questions you feel a reader may have. You can copy and paste those posts directly into your chosen blogging platform, make edits, insert pictures or videos, and save them as drafts until you are ready to publish them formally. This new, dedicated, blogging space for the important content your audience might otherwise have to scroll endlessly through a feed to find, offers endless positives. And just like how you can tie in elements from your existing social media accounts to your blog, you can also tie your blog back to those platforms as well. Not only does this sneak 'social media' peek give readers additional insight into your brand, but it creates a loop that links everything together and presents a unified representation of your business (or initiatives) and an easy-to-navigate online presence for your audience. So don't be afraid to dive on in...and... Happy Blogging! Written by: Crystal Davies, Owner, Davies Designs Studio Crystal Davies is a Brand Consultant and Owner of Davies Designs Studio. Her passion is using her 10+ years experience in corporate marketing and branding to help her clients design visions become reality. Connect with us… We’re here to help! If you need advice, have a general question, or if we can help in some other way, you can reach us via the links below. https://www.daviesdesigns.net/contact-us Facebook | LinkedIn | LinkedIn – Company Page | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram #graphicdesign #branding #graphicdesigner #graphicdesigntips #business #smallbusiness #socialmedia #socialmediatips #bloggingtips #blogging #DaviesDesignsStudio #DaviesDesigns

When you’re working hard to ensure your online content is engaging, that you’re utilizing the appropriate social media platforms in your online presence, and even paying to reach the right audience; this added ingredient can make a world of difference in boosting the success of your posts. It’s also something most startups miss out on and desperately need to gain a following. Why Hashtags Are The Secret Ingredient This article will outline ways hashtags can benefit the online presence of your brand, business, and even upcoming events. Yes - it feels like they’ve been around forever and they are, surprisingly, something companies still miss when promoting themselves online. It could be because they’ve donned a reputation for being used for “fun” or entertainment purposes, but entertainment isn’t their only use. When promoting your company online, hashtag usage can help your brand in a professional way by: Distinguishing you from your competitors or similarly named businesses If I Google my business name, Davies Designs, I get information and images mostly about knitting patterns by a similarly named business in the U.K.  If I scroll long enough, I might see my own stuff - not so cool....BUT if I Google #DaviesDesigns, I get the entire online presence of my business immediately because I use it consistently within my social media posts, website, and additional online content. Creating a hashtag that includes your business name is a simple process and essential to establishing a robust social media presence. It's use doesn't need to be limited to online content, you can include it in printed materials as well to help promote brand awareness. Allowing you to create an online history for recurring public company events, campaigns, and fundraisers By creating additional custom hashtags for each recurring company event, campaign, or fundraiser that can be reused going forward (i.e., don’t include a year in the hashtag) helps to promote the success of your events. It will also generate and reinforce trust in your brand for those hearing about your company or company events for the first time. If they see the online history (via images, posts, and news articles) going back several years, they will be more willing to make a donation, attend the event, volunteer, etc. Remember, everyone researches everything nowadays, so this added layer of brand trust is essential in boosting any company campaign. Helping you launch a new book for publication Creating a custom hashtag for promotion of a new book is a great way to engage readers. Encouraging your audience to use your hashtag is also beneficial as this provides added awareness via social sharing (e.g., I just finished reading #TheTallTale, a must read!) and ultimately leads to an increase in sales. Connecting you with like-minded individuals  (e.g., #writersofinstagram, #writersofig) – Just like you are using hashtags for business promotion, individuals are searching those same hashtags for items that interest them. Adding additional hashtags onto your posts that relate back to a topic of interest, or an audience you want to engage with, increases your reach and thereby your following. Googling "Davies Designs" vs. Googling "#DaviesDesigns" produces very different results in the screen shots below. Using a business hashtag makes it easier for your audience to find you, so why not make it easy? Busting the Myth Hashtags aren't just for Twitter. Hashtags can and should be used consistently across all social media platforms to reinforce your brand. On Instagram for example, as you begin typing a hashtag, a listing of popular hashtags comes up in a pop-up window. Each item in the list will have a number of times it has been used, insinuating that these are also the “hot” topics that people are searching under (e.g., #marketing, #fashiongram, #fashionpost from the screenshots below). Why would you want to miss out on this added opportunity for visibility? Adding appropriate hashtags to categorize your posts on Instagram, for example, can mean the difference between zero ‘likes’ and hundreds; not including those who may choose to follow you as well as a result. Choose wisely when adding relevant hashtags to your posts. In Instagram, when the list begins to populate (as shown above), you will want to choose the hashtag showing the highest number of uses. Knowing that you want to limit the amount of hashtags so as not to appear as 'spamming,' it's a no-brainer that you would want to choose the ones in the millions versus ones that may show uses of thousands, hundreds, or lower yet. The exception here is the hashtag you'll use for your business, that will be new and may not appear and that's okay. Remember every hashtag has the potential to reach a new audience and, as tempting as it may be, adding irrelevant ones to your post to gain followers can have a negative impact on your brand (e.g., #TagsForLikes). This leads us to our next topic of etiquette... Hashtag Usage Etiquette Following some simple rules for hashtag etiquette will help ensure the success of the posts you choose to add them to. There are many, but the most important ones include: Not using another company's hashtag, especially if it is registered, unless the post directly pertains to them or you have been granted appropriate permission Not using more than 5 hashtags for social media, unless it is on Instagram or at the end of a blog where you can typically get away with more. Even then, Instagram has a limit of 30, but I wouldn’t use more than 8-10, ensuring that additional hashtags (outside of the chosen one for your business name) are related to your post. Note: If you are a startup just getting established on Instagram, you get a free pass to use more hashtags. Just know that once your audience is established, you'll want to cut back so as not to annoy followers into unfollowing you. Don’t #hashtag #every #word in a #paragraph, it #gets #annoying for the #audience #reading it Do a spell check to ensure your hashtag is spelled correctly Curious about what hashtag misuse looks like, click here for some entertaining examples. FAQs for Hashtag Usage How do I get started using a hashtag for my business name? The first step is simple, just do a search for it. If you then find that it’s already heavily in use, then try another similar hashtag name. Once you find one that doesn’t appear to be in use, you can choose to register it. How many hashtags should I use in my posts? For businesses, I would choose one or two to use at all times (e.g., - #DaviesDesigns & #Marketing for my business with 'Davies Designs' being the business name and the added hashtag of ‘marketing’ indicating the services we provide). You can typically get away with more hashtags on Instagram, but I would limit hashtag use to five or less on Twitter or Facebook. Do I really need to use hashtags? I would Google your business or past events to find out how your results come back, especially if you’re not using paid advertising. If you come up on page two of a search, then you may want to start using hashtags to see how it can improve those results. Don’t forget to see how you appear when looking at an image search as well, especially for events, campaigns, and fundraisers where photos, flyers, and logos would appear. Note: It may be beneficial to go back and edit past posts to include the new hashtag you plan to use going forward to help with creating an online history. How will people know to search for our business hashtag? You’ll have to promote it! Let them know you’re using a new hashtag via social media, encourage them to use it as well when mentioning your business or event, and remember that using it consistently across posts also reminds your audience you’re using a hashtag. Note: It will take time once you begin using hashtags for search results to appear, so be patient and don't give up on them before they have a chance to work. Typically results should show in 30-60 days. Where can I find resources to help me with hashtag usage on social media? There’s a ton of information out there, but some great articles can be found in these links for Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to get you started, complete with visuals and online tools to help you track hashtag usage. Of course, we're always available to help as well. In Summary If you’re posting online, there are only benefits for your brand by using a hashtag or two, as long as they’re used wisely and consistently. Remember... Aim to use your business name hashtag in every piece of online content and possibly offline content as well Create additional hashtags for every event, campaign, fundraiser, soon to be/newly published book; to encourage social sharing, stimulate conversations, increase participation, and boost sales Topic related hashtags can help you reach a specific audience or connect with like-minded individuals Hashtags should be used consistently across social media platforms - they aren't just for Twitter Obey hashtag etiquette to maximize success In little to no time at all (and at little to no expense), you can be casting your net farther than before and getting a deeper reach into those key audiences. So give them a shot! Written by: Crystal Davies, Owner, Davies Designs Studio Crystal Davies is a Brand Consultant and Owner of Davies Designs Studio. Her passion is using her 10+ years experience in corporate marketing and branding to help her clients design visions become reality. Connect with us… We’re here to help! If you need advice, have a general question, or if we can help in some other way, you can reach us via the links below. https://www.daviesdesigns.net/contact-us Facebook | LinkedIn | LinkedIn – Company Page | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram #graphicdesign #branding #graphicdesigner #graphicdesigntips #business #smallbusiness #socialmedia #socialmediatips #hashtagetiquette #DaviesDesignsStudio #DaviesDesigns

It happens to every growing company and, in truth, it’s not a bad problem to have. At some point your company will need to refresh its branding and, knowing that rebranding is an investment, how can you know when the time is right? "Branding: The marketing practice of creating a name, symbol, or design that identifies and differentiates a product or business from other products or businesses."  – entrepreneur.com 5 Reasons to Consider a Branding Refresh 1) You’ve Been Receiving Feedback That Your Company Branding Is Stale Or Out-Of-Date You’ve been in business for a while now and although things are going great, you’ve started to receive feedback from clients or customers that, although they love your services, an element of your branding is lacking…something. First off, take this as a compliment. Even if it comes in the form of a snarky comment from a competitor, take this as a compliment. You’ve accomplished a stellar reputation and people know your services are to be trusted even if your brand appearance is in need of an update. If you find yourself in this position, don’t panic, every growing company will encounter this at some point, even several times. All it identifies is that your business is growing and you’re probably in need of a branding refresh to continue that growth. In a time when businesses are facing as many challenges as they are, you’re doing things right! Note: The key here is to identify consistent and constructive feedback as other kinds are best taken with a grain of salt. Likewise, you can pick up cues from facial expressions and reactions during meetings, conferences, when giving your business card out, etc. (e.g., Your audience didn’t seem as impressed with a PowerPoint slide until after you’d spent time speaking to the content. In other words, your PowerPoint branding didn’t grab their attention, but luckily your carefully constructed content made up for it.) "It's not just about being 'pretty;' it's about appeal, professionalism, and appearing organized. If your company branding appears disheveled, that's the impression you're communicating to potential clients..." 2) Your Competitor’s Branding Is Impressive Competition keeps branding fresh because it forces companies to get an edge. One of the most powerful ways to get an edge is to refine, fine tune, or refresh company branding. Impressive branding will win new customers and increase sales. One the flip side, existing customers expect you to keep up with the times, but how long they wait for you to catch up is anyone’s guess. Always remember that a brand that appears impressive can also be misconstrued as being impressive, so if you’re seeing your competition win more customers as of late with mediocre service offerings, it might just be time to refresh your branding. You’ll need to be prepared when their consumers catch on that it was all just smoke and mirrors. Note: To put it simply, for new customers: Professional Branding = Brand Trust. It’s up to you to follow through with stellar services once you’ve grabbed their attention with the "pretty" branding. The illustration below provides a little more insight. You can also learn more here. "Increased Effort + Consistency + Attractiveness = Increased Consumer Trust, Followers, & New Business Opportunities" 3) Your Visual Brand Identity Doesn’t Appear To Match Your Brand Reputation Your company reputation is part of your overall brand – what you live and breathe as a company - and if you already have an amazing brand reputation, it’s not hard to sync up your visual brand identity, but it does take time and careful planning. But why should you worry about it – you’re business is doing fine, right? The answer is simple - it’s what your customers expect. With all of the information sharing and competition, your existing customers are used to seeing companies in a state of constant competition (whether they realize it or not). The companies that “keep up” with the trends, with their brand image, and who work to spread their message in new and innovative ways, are the ones that will continue to win the business. If you find yourself in a situation where your company reputation has overtaken your visual brand identity (i.e., your reputation is amazing but your branding is stale), the trick is to not let these components of your brand stay out of sync for too long. When you have the benefit of a stellar reputation, it can mean that you may not immediately feel the effects of what happens when your visual brand is lacking. Staying in tune with your competition and revisiting your branding periodically should allow you to create an action plan before your business feels any impact. “Your customer’s expect you to keep up with the times. In a way, it confirms that your business is still relevant and up to the challenge of new demands.” 4) You’re Expanding Your Horizons Congratulations! You’re a growing and expanding business! Whether you’re expanding by opening a new location, offering new services, or adding employees; you’re likely in need of a brand refresh. Why? Because any time a business expands, it means that new information is generated that needs to be shared with customers, clients, business partners, etc. The fastest way to share new information is through your branding. Your website, printed materials, promotional emails, capabilities presentations, business cards, logo, etc. are all likely in need of an update with any business expansion. If you’re already making updates, it’s worth spending the time to decide whether your overall branding is still working for you or against you. If sales have dropped or you’re noticing unusual trends emerging with no obvious direct contributors, then it may be due to outdated branding. Take this opportunity to make the maximum impact with a branding refresh that boosts your business in the biggest way possible. 5) You’re Beginning To Lose Business Last, but not least, you’re beginning to lose business. This is the hardest to come back from as it starts a process that can become expensive to rectify, but it is possible. If you find yourself here, it may take more time to recover than it would have in the above mentioned indicators. A branding refresh may be needed, or you may want to rebrand entirely. At this point, it may be best to consult with a professional on whether branding is a factor and, if so, for a strategic marketing plan for moving forward. Be sure to share all of your pain points with your consultant, even if the downturn was due to internal issues, there is always a way to minimize the damage. It just takes open and honest communication with a consultant you can trust. Written by: Crystal Davies, Owner, Davies Designs Studio Crystal Davies is a Brand Consultant and Owner of Davies Designs Studio. Her passion is using her 10+ years experience in corporate marketing and branding to help her clients design visions become reality. Connect with us… We’re here to help! If you need advice, have a general question, or if we can help in some other way, you can reach us via the links below. https://www.daviesdesigns.net/contact-us Facebook | LinkedIn | LinkedIn – Company Page | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram #graphicdesign #branding #rebranding #graphicdesigner #graphicdesigntips #business #smallbusiness #DaviesDesignsStudio #DaviesDesigns

Unleash the Power of Blogs in 2024: 15 Tips to Rock Your Blogging Game Hey there, fellow blog enthusiast! Ready to dive headfirst into the wild and wonderful world of blogging? Buckle up, because we're about to embark on an epic journey filled with laughs, insights, and a whole lot of blogging wisdom. In this guide, we'll unravel the power of blogs in 2024 and arm you with top-notch tips and strategies to kick-start your blogging adventure like a boss. So, grab your favorite caffeinated beverage and let's get started! Why Start a Blog for Your Business? So, you're thinking about starting a blog for your business? Great choice! But before we dive into the nitty-gritty of blogging, let's take a moment to explore the incredible benefits it can bring to your business: Establish Customer Trust with Expert Advice: A well-crafted blog positions your brand as an authority in your industry. By sharing valuable insights, tips, and advice, you demonstrate your expertise and build trust with potential customers. Generate Leads: Blogs are powerful lead generation tools. By offering valuable content that addresses your audience's pain points, you can attract qualified leads who are interested in your products or services. Boost SEO: Search engines love fresh, relevant content, and a blog is the perfect way to keep your website updated with new content on a regular basis. By optimizing your blog posts for keywords relevant to your business, you can improve your search engine rankings and attract more organic traffic to your site. Gather Audience Insights: Your blog is a goldmine of data about your audience. By analyzing metrics like page views, bounce rates, and social shares, you can gain valuable insights into your audience's preferences, interests, and behavior. Grow Your Email List: A blog is a great way to grow your email list and nurture relationships with your audience. Offer valuable content upgrades, such as ebooks, cheat sheets, or exclusive content, in exchange for email sign-ups to build a loyal subscriber base. Gain Loyal Social Media Followers: Share your blog posts on social media to expand your reach and engage with your audience on platforms they already use. By providing valuable content that resonates with your audience, you can attract loyal followers who will help amplify your brand's message. Now that we've covered the incredible benefits of blogging for your business, let's dive into the 15 strategies you can start using now to get your blog off the ground and make it a roaring success! 1 - Find Your Blogging Niche Think of it as finding your blogging soulmate. Before you start typing away, take some time to discover your blogging niche. What topics are you passionate about? What sets your brand apart? Find your niche, and you'll attract a loyal audience who can't get enough of your unique perspective. 2 - Craft Captivating Headlines Because first impressions matter. Your headline is the first thing readers see, so make it count. Use catchy phrases, intriguing questions, or even a dash of humor to grab attention and entice readers to click through. 3 - Master the Art of Storytelling Weave tales like a digital bard. People love stories, so use your blog to tell them. Share personal anecdotes, case studies, or even fictional narratives to captivate your audience and keep them coming back for more. 4 - Be Consistent with Your Content Consistency is the name of the game. Whether it's once a week or once a month, establish a regular posting schedule and stick to it. Consistent content keeps your audience engaged and helps build trust and credibility. 5 - Optimize for SEO Because Google is your blog's best friend. Learn the basics of search engine optimization (SEO) and optimize your blog posts for relevant keywords. This helps improve your visibility in search engine results and drives organic traffic to your site. 6 - Create Eye-Catching Visuals A picture is worth a thousand words. Spruce up your blog posts with high-quality images, graphics, and videos. Visual content not only grabs attention but also enhances the overall reading experience. 7 - Engage with Your Audience Start a conversation, not a monologue. Encourage reader interaction by asking questions, soliciting feedback, and responding to comments. Building a sense of community around your blog keeps readers coming back for more. 8 - Promote Your Blog on Social Media Spread the word far and wide. Share your blog posts on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to reach a wider audience. Don't be afraid to get creative with your promotion – think eye-catching graphics, engaging captions, and maybe even a TikTok dance or two. 9 - Guest Blogging Team up with fellow blogging comrades. Reach out to other bloggers in your niche and offer to write guest posts for their sites. This not only exposes your blog to a new audience but also builds valuable relationships within the blogging community. 10 - Monetize Your Blog Turn your passion into profit. Explore monetization options like affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and digital products to generate income from your blog. Just remember to keep your audience's needs and interests front and center. 11 - Offer Value-Driven Content Give your readers something to chew on. Focus on creating content that educates, entertains, or solves a problem for your audience. Value-driven content keeps readers engaged and positions you as a trusted authority in your niche. 12 - Stay Updated with Trends Keep your finger on the pulse of the blogging world. Stay informed about the latest trends, topics, and tools in the blogging sphere. Embrace new formats like podcasts, video content, or interactive storytelling to keep your blog fresh and relevant. 13 - Network with Other Bloggers It's all about who you know. Build relationships with other bloggers in your niche by attending industry events, joining online communities, and participating in collaborative projects. Networking opens doors to new opportunities and expands your reach. 14 - Measure Your Success Numbers don't lie. Track key metrics like website traffic, engagement rates, and conversion rates to gauge the success of your blog. Use analytics tools like Google Analytics to gain insights into your audience and optimize your content strategy accordingly. 15 - Have Fun with It Life's too short for boring blogs. Above all, have fun with your blogging journey. Let your personality shine through, experiment with different formats and styles, and don't be afraid to inject a little humor and personality into your posts. Blogging isn't just about churning out words on a screen – it's about building connections, sharing stories, and making an impact. With these 15 tips and strategies in your arsenal, you're ready to unleash the full potential of your blog and take the online world by storm. So, go forth and blog like there's no tomorrow, my friend. About Davies Designs Studio Established in 2015, Davies Designs Studio is a Charlotte, NC based design agency offering creative solutions across various mediums including graphic design, photography, website design, and marketing. They collaborate with clients to deliver impactful final products that are creative, innovative, unique, inspirational, and exceed your expectations and goals. In need of design assistance? Contact us

At Davies Designs Studio, we believe that colors are more than just hues on a screen—they're powerful storytellers that evoke emotions and create lasting impressions. This color palette, a harmonious blend of modern hues and warm accents, exudes a sense of industrial modern - yet rustic - sophistication. With its industrial blues, calming grays, and touches of earthy tones, it's perfect for businesses aiming to convey a balance of modernity and warmth. Imagine these colors gracing the identity of a coffee shop, a modern seaside restaurant, or even a healthcare practice. They evoke a sense of rejuvenation, sustainability, and a touch of rustic luxury that resonates with today's mindful consumers. Color Palette: Warm & Refined As beautiful for décor as it would be for a website - this is a palette that can elevate your brand's identity and captivate your audience. About Davies Designs Studio Established in 2015, Davies Designs Studio is a Charlotte, NC based design agency offering creative solutions across various mediums including graphic design, photography, website design, and marketing. They collaborate with clients to deliver impactful final products that are creative, innovative, unique, inspirational, and exceed your expectations and goals. Ready to start your design adventure? Contact us!

Does Your Team Understand Your Brand? 15 Key Tips and Strategies to Educate Your Employees and Turn Your Team Into Loyal Brand Ambassadors Welcome to the ultimate guide on turning your team into brand ambassadors! Imagine your employees, not just clocking in and out, but living and breathing your brand like a bunch of brand-savvy ninjas. Intrigued? You should be. Because when your team truly understands your brand, magic happens. Productivity skyrockets, customer service shines, and your brand's voice echoes far and wide. So, let’s dive into the fun world of brand education with 15 tips and strategies that are as trendy as they are effective. Start with a Brand Bootcamp Think Rocky, but with brand values instead of push-ups. Kick things off with a comprehensive brand bootcamp. Get your team together for a day (or two) of immersive training that covers your brand’s history, mission, values, and vision. Add some fun elements like quizzes, team-building exercises, and, of course, plenty of snacks. Create a Brand Playbook A little brand bible to keep everyone on the same page. Your brand playbook should be a handy guide that outlines key elements like your brand voice, messaging, and visual identity. Make it engaging with visuals, real-life examples, and maybe a few jokes. Because who says playbooks have to be boring? Host Regular Brand Workshops Because Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is brand knowledge. Regular workshops help keep your team’s brand knowledge fresh. Cover different aspects each time – from storytelling techniques to social media best practices. And remember, interactive is the name of the game. No one likes a snooze-fest. Involve Everyone in the Brand Story Get personal. Encourage employees to share their personal stories and how they connect with the brand. This not only makes the brand more relatable but also strengthens their personal investment in it. Gamify Brand Education Turn learning into a game. Use gamification techniques to make brand education fun. Create a leaderboard, award points for participation, and give out prizes. Think of it as Hogwarts House Points, but for brand knowledge. Brand Ambassadors Program Recognize and reward your top brand advocates. Create a program where standout employees become brand ambassadors. They can lead workshops, mentor new hires, and be the go-to person for all things brand-related. Plus, a little extra recognition never hurts. Interactive E-Learning Modules Because who has time for boring old manuals? Develop engaging e-learning modules that employees can complete at their own pace. Include interactive elements like quizzes, videos, and scenarios to keep things interesting. Monthly Brand Challenges Keep the excitement alive. Challenge your team with monthly brand-related tasks. It could be anything from creating a social media post to coming up with a new tagline. The best part? The winner gets bragging rights and maybe a sweet prize. Open Brand Communication Channels Because two-way streets are better than one-way lectures. Create open channels where employees can ask questions, share ideas, and give feedback about the brand. Use platforms like Slack, Teams, or even a good old-fashioned suggestion box. Storytelling Sessions Bring out the inner storyteller in everyone. Host sessions where employees can share stories about their experiences with the brand. It’s a great way to build a narrative and make the brand feel more personal and relatable. Brand Immersion Days Step into the brand universe. Organize immersion days where employees can experience the brand first-hand. It could be visiting a flagship store, attending an event, or even a virtual reality tour of the brand’s history. Leverage Social Media Social media isn’t just for cat videos. Encourage employees to follow and engage with your brand on social media. Share internal content and celebrate their contributions publicly to boost morale and engagement. Leadership by Example Walk the walk. Leaders should embody the brand in everything they do. When employees see their leaders living the brand values, they’re more likely to follow suit. Feedback Loops Because feedback is a gift. Regularly ask for feedback on the brand education process. What’s working? What’s not? Use this feedback to make continuous improvements and show employees that their opinions matter. Celebrate Brand Wins Together Celebrate like it’s 1999. Whenever your brand achieves something significant, celebrate it with your team. It reinforces the importance of their role in the brand’s success and keeps the momentum going. Educating your employees about your brand doesn’t have to be a chore. With a bit of creativity and a lot of enthusiasm, you can turn it into an exciting journey that everyone wants to be a part of. At Davies Designs Studio, we believe that a well-informed team is the cornerstone of any successful brand. So, let’s get your team speaking your brand language fluently and having a blast while doing it! Ready to elevate your brand game? Contact us today and let’s make some magic happen. About Davies Designs Studio Established in 2015, Davies Designs Studio is a Charlotte, NC based design agency offering creative solutions across various mediums including graphic design, photography, website design, and marketing. They collaborate with clients to deliver impactful final products that are creative, innovative, unique, inspirational, and exceed your expectations and goals. In need of design assistance? Contact us

Unleashing the Power of Social Media for HR: Your Ultimate 2024 Guide to Recruiting Talent Ever wondered how HR pros snag top talent these days? The secret’s out: social media is the playground where the best talent is found! If you’re still stuck in the days of newspaper ads and job boards, it’s time to level up by unleashing the power of social media for HR. We’re diving into the hip and happening world of social media recruiting with a sprinkle of humor and a dash of 2024 trends. Grab your coffee and let’s get recruiting! Why Social Media Rocks for Recruiting Gone are the days when LinkedIn was the only kid on the block. Now, it’s joined by the likes of Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok! Yep, you heard it right—TikTok. Why? Because that's where your potential new hires are hanging out. Let’s see how you can leverage these platforms to snag the best of the best. What Quality Candidates Want Before you dive in, you need to know what today’s top talent is looking for. Here’s the scoop: Company Culture: They want to know what it’s like to work at your company. Fun Fridays? Team-building retreats? Show it off! Career Growth: Showcase opportunities for advancement. No one wants to be stuck in a dead-end job. Work-Life Balance: Highlight flexible working hours, remote options, and wellness programs. Employee Benefits: Good health insurance, retirement plans, and unique perks. Social Responsibility: Candidates love companies that care about the world. Flaunt your CSR initiatives. Top Platforms and How to Use Them LinkedIn: The heavyweight champion of professional networking. Posts: Share job openings, company news, and industry insights. Visuals: Use professional photos of your team, workplace, and events. Frequency: Post 3-5 times a week. Boosting Posts/Ads: Run ads for 30 days with a budget of $500-1000. Instagram: The visual storyteller. Posts: Showcase company culture through behind-the-scenes snaps and employee takeovers. Visuals: High-quality photos and engaging Stories. Frequency: Post daily, use Stories often. Boosting Posts/Ads: Run ads for 14 days with a budget of $300-600. Facebook: The all-rounder. Posts: Share longer-form content like company updates, employee spotlights, and events. Visuals: Mix of professional and candid photos. Frequency: Post 2-3 times a week. Boosting Posts/Ads: Run ads for 30 days with a budget of $400-800. TikTok: The newcomer with a punch. Posts: Fun, engaging videos showcasing your workplace. Visuals: Short, snappy videos with a human touch. Frequency: Post 3-4 times a week. Boosting Posts/Ads: Run ads for 14 days with a budget of $200-500. Tailor Strategies for Specific Roles Recruiting Nurses for a Hospice Organization Essential Info: Highlight the compassionate nature of your team, benefits, and patient stories. Visuals: Photos of nurses in action, team events, and patient interactions. Post Example: “Join our compassionate team at [Your Hospice]. Enjoy a supportive work environment, comprehensive benefits, and the chance to make a real difference. #NurseLife #HospiceHeroes” Recruiting Administrative Staff for an Air Conditioning Company Essential Info: Detail the job role, company stability, and career growth opportunities. Visuals: Office environment, team working together, and company outings. Post Example: “Ready to cool down your career? We’re looking for dynamic administrative staff to join our team! Great benefits and a fun work environment. #AdminJobs #CoolCareers” Recruiting Executives for a Corporate Business Essential Info: Emphasize leadership opportunities, company vision, and strategic goals. Visuals: Executive meetings, corporate events, and team successes. Post Example: “Step into a leadership role with [Your Company]. Drive innovation and lead a talented team to success. Competitive salary and excellent benefits. #ExecutiveJobs #Leadership” Best Practices for 2024 Consistent Branding: Keep your messaging and visuals consistent across all platforms. Engage Regularly: Respond to comments and messages promptly. Showcase Diversity: Highlight the diversity and inclusiveness of your workplace. Utilize Video: Video content is king. Use it liberally. Employee Advocacy: Encourage your employees to share job posts and their experiences. Leverage Hashtags: Use relevant hashtags to increase reach. Run Targeted Ads: Use platform-specific ad targeting to reach your ideal candidates. Track Analytics: Monitor your engagement and tweak your strategies accordingly. Use Lead Magnets: Offer something valuable in exchange for contact info, like an industry report. Website Integration: Don’t forget to link back to your careers page! Final Thoughts In the post-COVID era, social media recruitment is more vital than ever. Candidates are scouring the web not just for jobs, but for a glimpse into the culture and values of potential employers. So, get creative, be authentic, and let your social media channels shine. Remember, it’s not just about finding employees—it’s about showcasing why they’d be lucky to work for you! There you have it, folks! With these trendy, effective, and sometimes laugh-out-loud tips, you’re ready to conquer the social media recruitment game. So, let’s get posting and find those superstar employees who’ll help your business soar to new heights in 2024! About Davies Designs Studio Established in 2015, Davies Designs Studio is a Charlotte, NC based design agency offering creative solutions across various mediums including graphic design, photography, website design, and marketing. They collaborate with clients to deliver impactful final products that are creative, innovative, unique, inspirational, and exceed your expectations and goals. Need more tips or just want to chat about how to keep your business buzzing? Reach out to us at Davies Designs Studio! We’ve got your back, rain or shine. 🌦️

At Davies Designs Studio, we believe that colors are more than just hues on a screen—they're powerful storytellers that evoke emotions and create lasting impressions. This color palette, a rich blend of warm hues and accents, exudes a sense of earthy - yet rustic - sophistication. With its autumnal earthy tones, it's perfect for businesses aiming to convey a balance of modernity and warmth. Imagine these colors gracing the identity of a coffee shop, a modern book shop or library, or even a Christmas Tree Farm. They evoke a sense of calm coziness that invites today's mindful consumers to explore more. Color Palette: Warm & Inviting As beautiful for décor as it would be for your Instagram - this is a palette that can elevate your brand's identity and captivate your audience. About Davies Designs Studio Established in 2015, Davies Designs Studio is a Charlotte, NC based design agency offering creative solutions across various mediums including graphic design, photography, website design, and marketing. They collaborate with clients to deliver impactful final products that are creative, innovative, unique, inspirational, and exceed your expectations and goals. Ready to start your design adventure? Contact us!