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February 2 2024

5 Keys to Designing a Business Logo: Let’s Make a GREAT First Impression!

adminBuilding a Brand, Digital Marketing, Josh Hatcher 0

Your brand matters. The most prominent part of your organization’s brand identity is your logo. Without saying much explicitly – other than your business or nonprofit name – it manages to say so much. Above all, yes, your business logo has to look great. But designing a business logo takes an understanding of some key graphic design elements that tap the psychology of memory and decision-making.

Needless to say, you need a logo that makes a great first impression. That’s the whole purpose, right? Something distinctive. Something memorable. Something people could see at a glance, file away in their memory bank and easily recall later. It must tell your organization’s story in pictorial form.

Logo design can be a daunting task, especially for those less acquainted with the process. Those without graphic design “chops” and a mastery of design software will almost certainly struggle.

Good news! At Grand River Agency, our professional design and communications experts have done this for many customers all over. We can help you break down the key elements you need to design an awesome business logo that stands out.

The Elements of Brand Messaging Behind a Great Business Logo

Design isn’t the first step. Before we start with the art, we have to get to the core of the brand itself. What are your brand’s values, goals and target audience? What are the feelings and messaging your brand needs to convey?

A meticulous understanding lays the foundation for designing a business logo that genuinely represents the organization.

Brand Message Checklist:

Consistency with brand personality
Emotional resonance
Alignment with brand image & values

The Five Core Business Logo Design Elements

1. What’s Your Style?

There are so many ways that you can create a logo. What’s your style? (Time to dip into your closet of stylish logo designs!) The choice you make really depends on the nature of your brand and identity. But as we look at the different styles of logos, pay careful attention to what your logo says to your ideal customer.

Key Styles:

Emblematic
Lettermark or wordmark
Pictorial
Mascot
Combination

Emblematic Logo Examples

Lettermark / Wordmark Logo Examples

Pictoral Logo Examples

Mascot Logo Examples

2. Create Some Graphic Appeal

The graphic style of your logo contributes to its uniqueness and impact. Whether hand-drawn, generic, trendy or quirky, the graphic style communicates your logo’s personality and sets it apart from the competition.

We can often recognize brands without even thinking. They have a tendency to associate the symbols we see with certain feelings. Making sure your style communicates that feeling to your audience is the whole goal of designing a business logo.

Common Graphic Style Expressions:

Cute
Trendy
Intelligent
Edgy
Clean
Grungy

3. Color Choice

Color selection wields immense influence, not just aesthetically but psychologically. (Remember, we brought that up earlier?) Understanding the psychology of colors aids in choosing a palette that resonates with the target audience and avoids negative connotations.

The strategic selection of colors can significantly impact a brand’s identity and the way it is perceived by the audience. Let’s break down a few color options for example:

Blue: Trust, stability and professionalism, making it a popular choice for financial institutions and tech companies.
Red: Energy, passion and urgency, making it suitable for brands aiming to grab attention.
Yellow: Warmth, optimism and creativity, often seen in logos of brands associated with innovation.
Green: Commonly linked with nature, health and tranquility, making it a fitting choice for eco-friendly and wellness-focused businesses.

The careful consideration of color palettes in logo design not only reflects a brand’s personality, but also establishes a subconscious connection with consumers. It’s such a powerful element in the art of visual communication.

4. Font Choice

Fonts contribute significantly to the tone and personality of a logo. The type of font, whether serif, sans-serif, script, or modern, influences the visual language and conveys a specific vibe.

It’s important to do your research here. Quite often, “free” fonts are not to be used for commercial use. Don’t use a font that will leave you open to fines or additional court action from copyright infringement. Some graphic designers will actually create a custom font for your logo.

Font Styles and Tones:

Serif: Traditional, Respectable, Trustworthy
Sans-serif: Edgy, Clean, Efficient
Script: Artistic, Unique, Elegant
Modern: Dramatic, Bold, Impactful

5. Brand Message Alignment

Every design choice must align seamlessly with the brand message. The overall harmony of the logo, with each element complementing the others, ensures a cohesive and resonant representation.

Over the years, I’ve done a lot of logos for churches. Churches love to make sure there is a cross in their logo. Considering the symbolism of the cross, it’s a relevant choice, even though it’s overused. Far too often, though, I’ve seen the poor choice to make the letter “t” into a cross. It looks tacky. That doesn’t align with their brand, it actually takes away from meaning of the cross, making it look like an afterthought.

Stand Out With Distinction: The Path to Designing a Business Logo

A perfect logo will visually stand out but also authentically represent the heart and soul of your brand. Overall, does your logo communicate your organization’s brand identity? Do the design elements described above work together well? Does it say – in zero or very few words – what you need it to say?

Designing a business logo doesn’t need to be overwhelming. A methodical approach to identifying each of these elements can help you narrow down exactly what you want your brand to be.

Let’s be honest: no one wants to see your marketing. Better stated, no one wants to be marketed to – unless you’re being super helpful and actually solving their problems. But a great logo – can’t be ignored. It sticks in minds like a good jingle, whether they like it or not!

Do you need a business logo? Let us help! Contact Grand River Agency today.

admin

grandriveragency.io

February 2 2024

The Groundhog Day Loop: Escape the Digital Marketing Rut with Grand River Agency

adminDigital Marketing, Josh Hatcher, Nonprofit Marketing 0

“Well, it’s Groundhog Day … again.” Of course, we’re doing our best to channel our inner Bill Murray here. So many organizations are stuck in a perpetual digital marketing rut. Whether you’re a for-profit business aiming to nurture sales-qualified leads or a nonprofit appealing to big-money donors, effectively telling your story in the digital realm can be such a tough cookie to crack.

Even if you’re doing all the research and following some “digital marketing playbook” laid out by so-called experts. Many organizational executives – like you – tirelessly spin wheels to keep yourself and your teams up to speed with the ever-evolving social media landscape, maintaining a website, and navigating constant changes to algorithms and SEO rules.

It feels like a never-ending cycle, doesn’t it? So rather than getting up every morning, running into that annoying Ned Ryerson and planting your foot in that cold puddle (“Watch out for that first step! It’s a doozy!”), let’s learn how to fall in love with digital marketing and escape the Groundhog Day loop.

End the Repetitive Madness: Avoid a Revolving Door of Digital Marketers

Hiring an in-house marketing person might seem like a solution, but it can be an expensive gamble – especially for smaller organizations that may struggle even with wise staff investments. They’re a butt in a seat, 40 hours a week or more, churning out marketing content that no one wants to see until they’re blue in the face.

What’s worse, they’re likely following the failed marketing strategies of their predecessor, a Board of Directors without experience, or maybe even your own executive naivete. (Does “We’ve always done it that way” sound familiar?)

Fast forward a year, and your “marketing guru” has moved on, leaving you stuck in the same loop, repeating the process over and over again. It’s your own version of Groundhog Day, but without the comedic charm.

Consider Your Digital Marketing Options to Break Free from Groundhog Day

You have other options. You can outsource your digital marketing to freelancers. At first they seem great! Some even do a serviceable job. But their expertise is often limited to one area. You may see gains in SEO or social media engagement, while other important facets of digital marketing receive no attention at all. Your digital marketing machine can’t fire on one cylinder.

And $15/hour wages return $15/hour results more quickly than you realize. The slow trickle of progress doesn’t even come close to yielding ROI. You end up LOSING MONEY!

Hire a Digital Marketing Agency to Build a Well-Rounded Online Presence

Then there’s this option: contracting with a digital marketing agency. There are many great agencies out there – we’re friends with quite a few of them. We bring a more well-rounded and experienced crowd to the table, a team effort with wide-ranging skill sets to take your digital marketing campaigns from a napkin sketch to a full-fledged strategy to success story.

Enter Grand River Agency – your ticket to breaking free from the mundane and entering a world where marketing isn’t a constant struggle. We’re not just a digital marketing agency; we’re a strategic communications firm that can manage or assist any outreach effort for any purpose:

Social media marketing
Podcast production & editing
SEO
Blogging/content writing
Videography
Graphic design
Public relations
Nonprofit grant writing/donor cultivation
& More

Picture it like Bill Murray falling in love with Andie McDowell and finally breaking out of the Groundhog Day time loop – that’s the kind of magic we bring to the table!

Working with Grand River Agency means having a team of experts on hand, ready to tackle the challenges that have kept you in a Groundhog Day loop for too long. Say goodbye to the headaches of trying to keep up with social media trends, website updates, and the ever-shifting SEO landscape. Break free from the monotony, let us infuse new life into your marketing efforts, and watch as your organization attracts new donors and customers effortlessly.

Fall in love with Grand River Agency, and let’s create a marketing success story that doesn’t involve repeating the same mistakes over and over again.

admin

grandriveragency.io

September 21 2023

Breaking News: StratComm.Live Podcast IMMEDIATELY Soars to Number 8 on Apple Podcast in the US!

adminBuilding a Brand, Content Marketing, Digital Marketing, Josh Hatcher, Kelsey Boudin 0

Many of you know that we recently launched our marketing podcast for small business and nonprofit. The response from our new audience at StratComm.Live has been remarkable!

Thanks to all of our listeners, almost immediately after launching we shot to the Top 8 in the Nonprofit category of Apple Podcasts in our very first week! This electrifying achievement places us shoulder-to-shoulder with INDUSTRY GIANTS in the nonprofit realm. This demonstrates a surging interest in strategic communications for small nonprofits and businesses. Small businesses and nonprofits are hungry for expert guidance and insights in the intricate domains of leadership, marketing and fundraising.

If you haven’t tuned in yet, the time is now! Open your preferred podcast app, enter “StratComm.Live” in the search bar, and hit that subscribe button to ensure you stay abreast of the latest episodes featuring our dynamic hosts, Kelsey and Josh!

Listen to StratComm.Live Now:

New Episodes Weekly

Weekly Doses of Nonprofit and Small Business Marketing Insights Every Monday: We deliver engaging discussions on the nuanced worlds of small business and nonprofit marketing and leadership. We also include a lot of fun stories and laughs between Kelsey Boudin (the Founder and President of Grand River Agency and Executive Director at Strength Solutions), and Josh Hatcher (the Vice President of Success at Grand River Agency).

Insightful Interviews

Our podcast lineup includes enlightening interviews with thought leaders and experts in the realms of digital marketing, public relations, nonprofit leadership, fundraising, small business administration, and much more!

Meet Kelsey Boudin & Josh Hatcher

Kelsey and Josh boast a combined wealth of experience in journalism, marketing and nonprofit fundraising that spans decades. Kelsey’s proficiency as a gifted writer and Josh’s expertise in graphic design and video production have coalesced to form an unstoppable force in the realm of digital marketing. Their mission is clear: to empower small nonprofits and businesses, providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in a digital age, even if they lack the resources for a dedicated in-house team.

We invite you into our world, where we aim to engage, amuse and equip you with the skills needed to effectively convey your message to the right audience.

What’s on the Horizon for StratComm.Live?

Mark your calendars for an incredibly helpful upcoming episode featuring Nonprofit MoneyMaker, Author, Trainer, and Growth Consultant, Joanne Oppelt! Join us this coming Monday for a powerful conversation that promises to illuminate new avenues for success.

As we dominate the podcast charts and continue to provide valuable insights for small businesses and nonprofits, we are thrilled to have you accompany us on this journey.

Leading and marketing your small business or nonprofit organization can be fiercely competitive and sometimes even confusing. (Dare we say, confounding?) We’re here to help you crack the code.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn from industry luminaries and partake in meaningful dialog. Subscribe to StratComm.Live today! Together, let’s elevate your marketing and leadership prowess to new heights. We’re here to help you succeed.

admin

grandriveragency.io

September 7 2023

Grand River Agency Appoints Josh Hatcher as Vice President of Client Success

adminJosh Hatcher 0

OLEAN, NY – Grand River Agency is pleased to announce the appointment of Josh Hatcher as Vice President of Client Success. With a strong background in creative marketing, graphic design, writing and leadership, Hatcher brings over 25 years of experience to serve GRA’s small nonprofit and business clients across the United States.

Hatcher will oversee a team of designers, writers and marketing experts, fostering strong client relationships and driving the agency’s commitment to helping clients succeed in their strategic communications endeavors. Hatcher’s skills with content strategy will map out a unique plan for even small clients to achieve big-market outreach and impact.

His expertise in comprehensive marketing strategy, video production and social media, combined with his success in growing his own podcast at Manlihood.com, will also play a pivotal role in the agency’s expansion into podcast marketing services.

“Josh comes with decades of experience in so many different professional communications arenas,” said Kelsey Boudin, President and Founder of Grand River Agency. “Asking him to become our VP of Client Success was an incredibly easy decision. He began in digital marketing and website development work when internet commerce was still in its relative infancy. That perspective, having evolved alongside the digital realm, gives Josh the ability to see strategies and solutions that others would overlook. That’s worth its weight in gold for our small nonprofit and business clients, who must stand out in all the noise against competitors with ample resources.”

Hatcher’s hire is a strategic move for Grand River Agency, which recently rebranded from Southern Tier Communications Strategies, LLC. Having previously worked with the agency as a part-time contractor for the past three years, his transition to a full-time position marks a significant milestone in the agency’s growth and expansion plans.

“Grand River Agency’s approach to marketing, with integrity and putting clients first, is truly remarkable,” said Hatcher. “I get charged up when we help clients succeed. When their phone starts ringing, and their emails start coming in because of the strategies we’ve implemented, that really makes this all work.”

Boudin added, “Josh is particularly committed to our nonprofit marketing clients. Most nonprofits aren’t aware of how much they must accomplish with each post, appealing to both the individuals they serve and the funders who make it possible. His strategies are rooted in data and analytics, but they also take a special human touch for what resonates.”

Grand River Agency sets itself apart in the market by offering a broad spectrum of communications services, catering to both nonprofit organizations and small businesses. The agency’s expertise in grant writing, combined with their focus on crafting compelling messages for donors and the general public, has been a driving force behind their significant growth in the nonprofit sector.

That storytelling is amplified by both Boudin and Hatcher’s experience in journalism, “We’re professional storytellers. Digital storytelling is the new journalism. Josh’s journalistic background in print, radio and broadcast journalism adds even more layers to his expertise,” Boudin said.

As Grand River Agency expands its reach beyond the Southern Tier of New York, the company’s commitment to building strong relationships with clients remains steadfast. With Hatcher at the helm of client success, the agency is poised to achieve new heights in delivering tailored marketing solutions, Boudin said.

Email josh@grandriveragency.org for a free consultation. For more information, visit grandriver.agency and subscribe to the free podcast at stratcomm.live.

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About Grand River Agency:

Grand River Agency is a strategic communications firm, established in 2020 in Olean, NY, that specializes in delivering comprehensive communications solutions to businesses and nonprofits. With a dedicated team of experts, Grand River Agency helps organizations to amplify their message, establish a strong brand and achieve sustainable growth. For more information, visit www.grandriveragency.io.

admin

grandriveragency.io

August 16 2023

Case Study: Neighborhood School of Dance

adminVideo Projects 0

In 2022, the folks at Grand River Agency dove headfirst into an exciting video project with Neighborhood School of Dance in Olean, NY. This adventure involved some pro-level video shoots, cooking up a script, giving directions, and putting together a bunch of recital videos from Miss Brittany Thierman. All of this hustle was to help create a snazzy 5-minute video that could introduce the dance school and tell their story to the community.

Cooking Up the Narrative

Kelsey Boudin from Grand River Agency teamed up with “Miss Brittany” to create the first draft of the video script. They wanted this script to be a mirror of their vision and to effectively tell the story of NSD.

Action on Set

Grand River Agency pulled together their A-team: Isaiah and Melody Hatcher from Recollection Films. With their movie-making gear and their knowledge of lighting, camera angles, and audio, they made the whole thing look like something out of Hollywood.

Kelsey stepped up as the director, helping to coach and coax the best out of the dance teachers, parents, and dancers.

Final Script Edits

After the filming gig, it was time for Kelsey and Josh Hatcher to play the review game. They pored over the footage and did a bit of script surgery. See, this part’s like a hidden gem – making sure all those off-the-cuff moments on camera click perfectly into the story puzzle.

Lights, Edit, Action!

Now, here’s where the magic happened. They took all the best bits from the recital footager, mixed in their own shots from practice and the facility, and Josh Hatcher put on his dancing shoes. He jazzed things up with graphics and handpicked music. Then, like a maestro, he lined up sound and video from different angles and edited out the top takes. The final cut is a perfect spotlight on NSD, showing off how much they love their students, their community, and the art of dance.

The Big Reveal

With the thumbs-up from everyone, it was showtime! Grand River Agency helped the school share the video on their YouTube Channel and social hangouts. It was like sending out a party invite to the whole town.

Here’s a look at the video that Grand River Agency produced for Neighborhood School of Dance!

Mini Movies, Big Impact

Oh, but that’s not all. After nailing the main video, Grand River Agency got crafty. They whipped up a bunch of short videos from the same footage for the school to pop on their social media. It’s like spreading butter on toast – more videos meant more eyeballs on NSD’s awesome story.

So, there you have it, the tale of 2022 when Grand River Agency and the Neighborhood School of Dance made video magic. From brainstorming scripts to snappy edits, this adventure showed how teamwork and storytelling can get a community excited about dance fever!

Do you need a video for your organization?

Get in touch with us and we’ll help you tell your story!

admin

grandriveragency.io

August 16 2023

Case Study: Walsh Academy / Southern Tier Catholic School Video Project

adminVideo Projects 0

In 2022, Grand River Agency tackled a video production project for Archbishop Walsh Academy / Southern Tier Catholic School in Olean, NY. The project involved multiple professional video shoots, script writing, directing, and editing to create a 5 minute informational video to introduce the school and their values to the community.

Writing the Script

Kelsey Boudin at Grand River Agency worked with the administration at the school to put together an initial video script that represented their vision, and communicated their message clearly.

The Video Shoot

After working with school administration to schedule the interviews, Grand River Agency worked with our team members, Isaiah and Melody Hatcher of Recollection Films to accomplish the filming. Their professional equipment and knowledge of video production allowed for us to create a cinematic quality video. Kelsey was on hand as director, interviewing the subjects and helping them feel comfortable with their time on camera. Some of the interviewees were children, or had never been on camera before. Kelsey’s coaching helped them all communicate their message with grace.

Script Revisions

After the shoot, Kelsey and Josh Hatcher reviewed the footage, and based on the interviews, revised the script to work with the actual content that was captured. This is part of the process that often goes unnoticed – but it’s vital to make sure that those extra moments that turned up on camera make their way into the final project.

Editing the video

Josh Hatcher showed up on a separate occasion to capture extra footage around the school to use in the final product. He also created graphics and secured music rights. Syncing audio and video from multiple camera angles, editing the best takes, and assembling the final video in a way that clearly communicates the school’s vision and tells their story in a way that is compelling and visually appealing.

The Final Product

After we completed the edit and got approval, we helped the school upload the video to their Youtube Channel and social media platforms to distribute to their audience.

Short Form Edits

After we created the longer informational video for this client, we used the footage to create a number of shorter videos for them to share on social media outlets.
This allowed them to amplify their reach by creating multiple videos that they can use to help get their message out to more people.

Do you need a video for your organization?

Get in touch with us and we’ll help you tell your story!

admin

grandriveragency.io