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How to use handwritten fonts in your branding

I initially created a collection of graphics for an Instagram post during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic; "With unpredictable finances during this time I would like to offer some tips for DIY branding!⁠ This first tip is about using handwritten fonts for your social media tiles.⁠ I hope these tips come in handy for you!" – The post ended up being super helpful to those who saw it, so I have decided to turn it into this Blog....

Why isn’t my new website showing on Google?

Google is an incredibly powerful and smart tool, but it can be a little slow. If your beautiful new website is not appearing in Google searches for your business name it's likely because Google hasn't indexed your website yet. When Google has indexed a website, it means the website has been found by the Google crawler bots, and added to their list of Live websites. A process that can take anywhere from just 4 days, to six months! When you publish a new blog post, site page, or website in ge...

Spotlight on Sara-Jane Austen, from The Freelance Village

Our villagers get to be involved in some amazing projects with awesome clients and this month we’re shining a spotlight on Sara-Jane Austen – a graphic designer from Wellington who specialises in visual branding and web design.  As you can see from her work below – she's an absolute rockstar! And we're so happy that she is a part of our village of freelancers....

What are logo variations?

A brand identity consists of so much more than one logo. Here I will explain what logo variations are, why you ideally should have them, and how to use them in your business....

Why do my colours look different when printed?

There are different types of colours; RGB, CMYK and PMS....

How to get the perfect images for your website

There are so many talented photographers out there. You may have fallen in love with the images on their social accounts, or they've taken great family images your friends, or a cute baby, or they took your wedding photos and you think they're the greatest – and I bet they are! I follow many photographers and I am mesmerised by their talents and great eye. However, taking images for websites is a different ballgame. Here I will explain why....

How to best reflect your business with your shopfront signage

In early 2021 Jaideep and Sonali – proud owners of the Centre Of Dental Excellence in Tawa, Wellington (https://www.dental.net.nz/) - connected with Jo from Ctrl+P (https://ctrlpforprint.co.nz/) about printing and replacing their signage. Jo contacted me about designing the rebrand; “The name is staying but they’d like to refresh the colours and present a more clean and modern look – I know you’ll be able to work with them to create the right look.”  Sonali, Practice Manager, fo...

How to create an email signature in Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo & Apple Mail

In this video tutorial, Jo will talk you through the process of crafting a polished email signature across various major email platforms. You'll also gain valuable insights into best practices, all while utilising the HubSpot email signature generator: https://www.hubspot.com/email-signature-generatorDiscover how to fashion an email signature that suits Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple Mail. Jo's tutorial demonstrates that you can seamlessly incorporate images, links, social media icons, and eve...

Everything you need to know about logo files

Whether it's a custom or pre-made logo, you need to understand logo files so you can use the best version of your logo for your business.Logo files have different types that allow you to use your logo on different platforms and medium. For example, a logo that you'll place on your website would be a different file from what you are going to use for your printed merchandise or promotions....

What pages should you have on your website?

Having a beautiful online presence is important, but so is deciding what content will be on your site.To help you get started, I’ve listed 8 pages which I feel are essential for your website as a small business, and some tips for what to include on those pages....

Shutterstock's colour palettes for your brand

At the start of any design project I ask my clients for examples of other businesses which appeal to them, both personally and professionally. I then take these preferences to create a colour palette which will embody what their business is all about, attract the right clientele, and contain the essence of who they are and what makes them unique. When you're not thinking about colours daily it can be hard to know where to begin! I saw this wonderful blog on the Shutterstock website and thought I...

How to get your business found on Google

This makes it very important for businesses to have their website feature in the top search results. You can get your own business listed on Google easily and quickly by using Google Business Profile....

Brand photoshoot - 10 steps to getting the most out of yours

Branding photoshoots create a sense of trust in you and your business. If potential clients feel connected to you through your stories and images they're more likely to want to invest in you, rather than a 'faceless' brand.⁠The idea of being photographed can seem too daunting, and you may be tempted to use stock images so you don’t have to get in front of the camera. Even though we have thousands of free stock images available to us, nothing beats unique and personalised images for your own ...

How to plan your website content in 3 simple steps

What should you write? How many pages do you need and which ones? On top of that, your website content needs to be strategic, not just sound nice. You want your website content to: welcome visitorshelp them understand what you do and how you can helphelp them feel comfortable to buy your products or hire you....

What is a brand?

Imagine a look for your business that you (and your audience) want to dive into and never leave, which also tells a story to your audience about who you are. Do you love various different design styles and feel like a bit of a magpie, wanting to have a bit of everything, and finding it hard to narrow things down?!Do you wish for a logo and visual design style that reflects your level of professionalism and expertise?Do you feel like you try to reinvent the wheel on every marketing piec...

Let’s create your dream client avatar!

A huge part of the Logo and Branding process requires a strong understanding of your target market. This blog aims to help you figure out who your target market is....

What's in a name? How to choose your brand name

Over the years I’ve worked with many start-ups, and have gained some valuable knowledge about choosing a name. I am no expert in this area, but I can offer some handy kick-starter tips… Key points to keep in mind when choosing your brand name: Is it available?Is it search friendly?Get creativeDon’t offendBe official  ...

How to know when you need a rebrand

your ideal clients looking at your branding and website and breathing a sigh of relief, knowing that they have found the person to solve their problems.  To feel confident to move forward because everything you are communicating tells them you’re going to deliver. But right now, if someone was to make a first impression from the way you’re presenting yourself, you feel they wouldn’t get you. They wouldn’t feel like they can totally trust you....

How to build trust in your brand

Here are four keys to building a brand your clients can trust....

"No one wants to read your life story"

...that’s what they say. But perhaps you want to see if we’ll connect before contacting me?...

How to find your dream Graphic Designer

Graphic Designers are visual communicators. They use text and image to portray messages and solve problems. Their aim is to help people understand, through colour, tone and mood, through both written and visual language.  It may seem designers are just creating 'pretty pictures', but there is a lot of mind power that goes behind every decision a graphic designer makes. There is also a bit of a psychology in typography (font choices, how they make you feel, the way the text is laid out, etc)...

Visual branding identity guidelines – what are they and why do you need them?

Ensuring everything from your email newsletters to your business cards look and feel like they come from your company is vital to help customers (and potential new customers) recognise – and remember – your brand. To do this, you will need a Visual branding identity guidelines document. This document will become your guidebook for creating any new images for your website, physical documents, or other communication for your clients....

Marketing your business with print collateral

Basically, print collateral materials are a collection of printed “leave-behind marketing materials”. They can be utilised to support your product, service or event your company or business may be trying to promote. There are a number of options for marketing your business. Printed material such as brochures, flyers, postcards, posters and banners are a great way to promote your products and/or services. Printed collateral has many advantages, but there are some disadvant...

Free stock photography websites

Here's a handy list of websites you can find high quality, free stock photos for your website, blog or even your next PowerPoint presentation! (FYI... finding images on Google Images can be a breach of copyright!)...

Send the right message with your brand colours

Colour is what gets your audience to see what you want them to see, feel what you want them to feel, and to do what you want them to do.  You might notice that technology or finance companies use blues and cooler tones in their branding, or that health food brands often use greens and earthy browns. This is in part thanks to colour theory and the effect that these colours have on us.  We don't all react the same way to colours, as we all have previous experiences with colours from...