When it comes to your business branding, having a branding board makes a lot of sense. Not only does it serve as a quick, one-stop reference guide or reminder of the visual side of your branding, it’s also an essential tool for your outsourcers and printers.
"So, what is a branding board and why do your outsourcers need it?"
Why does your business need branding?
Branding is what helps your business stand out from its competitors. Having a uniform and consistent brand will ensure your business is putting out a consistent, memorable identity. Think of a red background with a golden arch – you’ll immediately think of a certain fast food restaurant. It’s why a swoosh tick icon reminds us of a large shoe manufacturer and an apple with a bite out of it, reminds us of… well, you get the idea!
If you want your business to be memorable, you need to have a consistent, clear brand. A recognisable brand will make your customers feel whatever you want them to feel – whether that’s warm and cosy or excited and eager. A good brand is one that will add value to your business, will be recognisable and will have your customers liking and trusting you.
What is a branding board?
A branding board is an at-a-glance crib sheet of your most important branding elements. It contains information such as your colour hex codes for your logo and branding, the fonts you use, patterns, sub mark and supporting colour palette. Unlike a style guide, a branding board doesn’t give you a breakdown on how or where to use elements. Instead, it gives you a visual summary of the visual side of your business branding.
You can put as much or as little as you like on your branding board, after all, it’s something that you want to use! If you have a tagline and/or mission statement, add it onto the board. Have a preference for social media graphics and images? Get it on the branding board.
A branding board is an essential tool for your outsourcers
it’s also something you can pass over to your outsourcers, graphic designers, website creators and social media managers, to ensure they have all the information they need, to effectively do their job. If you’re looking to get anything printed, such as brochures or gift merchandise, a branding board is something your printer will need to see.
There’s going to be a time when either your usual outsourcer isn’t available. A branding board makes it super easy to pass your project onto another outsourcer to pick up and start working on.
A branding board enables you and your outsourcers to have the whole picture. It gives you a recap on the main practical elements that make up your visual branding, along with a one-stop resource of how you want your customers to feel, along with how that looks. Not only will it add value to your business, it will also help you grow an instantly recognisable one too.