What the naysayers don’t understand, though, is the need for businesses to stand out and increase marketing efforts during tough economic times. Tulsa County is a business just like any other – they just serve in a public capacity. I personally think the decision was an excellent one, as Tulsa County is in dire need of competent, skilled employees. Part of attracting those employees is the County’s image. They need to appear updated and modern to be attractive to educated job seekers.

I don’t think the logo is as beautiful as those from some other cities, but we also don’t have the budget for that. We did the best with what we have.

Granted, Tulsa does need money spent on projects to improve roads, etc., but that is where city spending comes into play – not county. Come on, guys! The logo had been in use for over 40 years! It is time for Tulsa to show its true colors!

In a press release on March 16, 2009, Wal-Mart explains how the downturn in the economy led them to redesign their brand to appeal to a wider market. More and more Americans are pinching pennies and looking for ways to save. Walmart hopes these people will turn to Great Value.

Not only did the outdated logo get a new look, but the products and packaging also underwent dramatic changes. Products were submitted to rigorous market testing, while packaging was reduced when possible to maintain the company’s sustainability commitments.

Walmart isn’t the only major retailer that saw an opportunity for growth during tough times. Target has also revamped its store brand to maintain consistency and recognition throughout the entire store. Target’s marketing campaign for Up & Up boasts that they carry over 600 products for under five bucks.

Did Target do the right thing by rebranding? Check out this blog post for an interesting take on the matter.

Personally, I think the brand change by both companies was a smart move. Both logos were outdated and inconsistent. Now both are clean, crisp and recognizable.

In my opinion, this was a great time to spend the budget on a revamp. People are saving more and spending less, and store brands are key to many a household budget.

If you’re thinking about rebranding to appeal to an audience that might use your product now when they never have before, follow these two giants’ lead and jump into the waters of change!

Anyway, it was a good way to make a slow summer more productive.

It can help you pick out various color schemes to show your designer. Remember, though, this is not for print colors – only web colors. Your designer will need to match the proper print color, and some blues and reds will not properly translate into print. Just keep in mind that you have to be flexible!

Have fun and happy coloring!

The wonderful Erika Meiser of Diamond Virtual Services wanted an elegant and professional logo and website that included her chosen colors. Erika’s eggplant and cocoa color combo is a sure-fire winner! Erika’s site also includes some cool features like live chat and embedded video!Also, be sure to check out her blog!

Thanks for a fun project, Erika! We look forward to seeing your success in 2009!

Kathy’s logo and site have been an absolute joy to develop. Her style and and personality truly show through in her unique logo design.

Kathy asked me to use some special lettering to develop a font for her logo. It’s the Kathy Font! If you haven’t read her About Page to hear the story of her logo, you definitely should!

Kathy’s site is Wordpress-based, and includes a blog section. It’s bright, uplifting, and truly unique!

Thanks, Kathy! It’s been a pleasure!

HaloSecretarialServices.com is an awesome VA specializing in virtual legal assistance. Laurie Mapp of Halo asked Mad Hatter to give her site and blog a fresh, new color scheme and to revamp her logo with the new color choices.

We’re so proud of how it came out! Check out Laurie’s website and blog!

Well, let me tell you…I have worked with a lot of virtual assistants. When I say a lot, I mean a. lot. Now, that does not, by any means, make me a VA expert or guru or anything like that. Just trust that I have seen my fair share of branding blunders (if you’ll excuse the alliteration). I still have a fair number of VAs coming to me for logo design, etc. wanting me to “brand their new business.” I completely understand why I would be asked to do this (Hello!? I’m a graphic designer!) but a lot of VAs have the wrong idea about where branding actually begins.

Branding does not begin with the designer (thoough designers are hired to help make the brand recognizable and unique). Branding begins with the business idea.

Ok, so you want to be a virtual assistant. Great. There are now what, 5000 or so known VAs? Fabulous. How are you going to stand out from the crowd?

“Standing out from the crowd” does not mean you have a slick new logo that looks like no one else’s. Standing out means that you have a niche. A corner of the market that you are ready to take on. Your niche is an area of expertise that you latch onto and brand your new business accordingly.

Branding is mentioned all over the Web, but I would like to express my personal view on the subject. Branding, in its simplest form, is what everyone else thinks about you. Not what you think about yourself. Branding is more than just a logo and some letterhead. Branding is your business name, your website, your work style, your communication style. It is the promises you make, the way you treat clients, and the things you say in forums and on blogs. It encompasses all that is you and your business.

In short, branding is not something to be taken lightly, and waaaaaaay too many virtual assistants do just that.

If you’re reading this now and you’re considering starting a VA practice, I urge you to consider your branding the most important part of the start up process. It will help you decide how, where, and when to market. It will help you decide what kind of website you will need, and it will help you create a stable and lasting image for your business from the very beginning.

I’m planning a few more posts for virtual assistants, and then it’s on to other things. Don’t forget to subscribe for updates.

As a side note: You don’t have to have tons of cash to build your brand, but there are some things better left to the pros. If you aren’t a designer, hire one to create your logo. A designer (especially one that has served literally almost 50 VAs in some fashion) knows what is out there already. A designer can create the proper files for printing and web production. A designer can create a memorable icon for your brand.

I’m not just saying that because I want to design more VA logos. I’m saying that because I have been there. I have seen what works and what doesn’t. Budget money for your logo to be designed by a pro. You won’t regret it.