A guest post by Michael Deane.Â
Content is king and this won’t be changing any time soon in the world of digital marketing. Consistent blog branding is crucial for recognition and authority for your business, including increasing ranking in SERPs.
But without a defining personal touch for your brand, even the best blog in the world wouldn’t succeed within a crowded Internet space. Blogs require planning and strategic thinking as well as a content calendar.
So let’s check out the blog branding guidelines for your blog in 2020.
1. Find your unique voice
Writing blog content is similar to creating art. It benefits from the artist’s (writer’s) personal touch and individuality. This is where your unique voice (writing style) comes into play.
Let your personality shine through your words. Purposefully ignoring your own writing style in favour of something ordinary will only make your business seem generic. This is not what people are looking for.
Identity is crucial for blog branding recognition and value. If you’re chosen not to write content for your blog, outsource it to a content writer who knows and values your brand.
2. Use your website header
Since your unique voice is most important ingredient for your blog’s content, your blog branding should also focus on the design aspect.
Your website header is important for your brand’s identity, especially to those who come across your brand via your blog. It should contain information about your brand, message and purpose without being overwhelming, including:
- Your brand’s logo
- Your brand’s tagline
- Design that matches your brand’s style
3. Use fonts consistently
Fonts can easily make or break your blog without you realising their importance.
As a crucial typographical element, fonts are part of your blog branding identity. Once you’ve chosen the fonts for your main headline, secondary headline/accent text and the body of the text, totally stick to this choice 100%.
Focus on fonts which are easy to read on both desktops and also smaller screens (laptops, tablets and smartphones). This means avoiding cursive scripts.
4. A blog branding colour palette
Similar to fonts, your blog’s colour palette has to be consistent and representative of your blog branding.
The colours you use are especially important when considering the effects on your readers’ eyes. Avoid using overly vibrant shades or, in the other extreme, being too light without contrast.
Your blog branding will benefit the most from a colour palette that consists of 5-6 well thought out shades, including:
- One main colour associated with your brand
- A specific colour for actions such as CTAs, links, and buttons
- A light colour for the background (white is always good)
- Preferably a dark colour for fonts (darker backgrounds should use lighter fonts, but these are more difficult to read)
- One or two accent colours to highlight certain information, images, and so on
5. Blog branding decorative elements
Don’t ditch decorative elements for your blog. They define your blog branding as much as your colour palette, fonts, website header and even your content.
Decorative elements are a vital part of digital design for blog branding guidelines in 2020, as they can separate you from the rest of your competition.
Remember things such as lines/separators, frames, bullet points, patterns or textures and icons all contribute to establishing your brand identity, much like an artist’s signature.
6. The right way to use images
Images always help a blog to come to life. Plain text, no matter how useful and meaningful, is boring and dry when not broken up by images.
Try to use high-resolution images in your blog for clarity. If you’re worried about the loading speed, you can always compress them.
It’s best to take your own photos to avoid copyright issues. If you do decide to use stock photography, make these match the overall vibe and colour palette of your blog branding.
You can also redesign stock images (pending permission) to add your brand’s personal touch such as your brand’s logo, unique fonts and so on.
7. Incorporate social buttons
Finally, when talking about blog branding, we shouldn’t forget about social buttons. This blog must-have item connects your brand’s social identity to the content you publish.
Sharing social buttons are central towards spreading the word about your blog branding and to grow your reach. Use an appropriate social button design which matches your brand’s style.
Once your design details are figured out, focus on creating meaningful and valuable content for your readership base. Remember blog branding elements of your blog will work wonders when paired with top-quality content.
About the author
Michael Deane has been working in marketing for almost a decade and has worked with a huge range of clients, which has made him knowledgeable on many different subjects. He has recently rediscovered a passion for writing and hopes to make it a daily habit. You can read more of Michael’s work at Qeedle.
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