Photo-A-Day #1419
I’m going brand crazy lately because I am so excited about my upcoming new Blog design. Yes, my blog is being redesigned by someone really cool. I don’t have the design to share with you, yet. But, I do have the new logo. I’ve been reading about branding and getting your brand out in front of everyone. So I stopped calling this blog The BenSpark and shortened it to BenSpark.com.
People seem to know me as Ben. When I go to conventions people call me Ben. So I am known as Ben Spark. That works for me, it works for this blog. For the past 5 years I have commented on blogs all over the place under the name BenSpark. So my brand is out there. But I’m still not making it personal enough. I started the branding overhaul by personalizing my Twitter Account. If you are on twitter it is crucial that you create your own background and you brand it. Make it personal and let people know who you are.
I began to think about blog conferences and blogger events. Bloggers like Shoemoney and John Chow have T-shirts that they give away. Other bloggers have their brands out and about as well. So I decided to step it up and put my brand out there too. I already have my “I’m Not A Famous Blogger” T-Shirt and I also decided to buy some baseball hats and have the new logo embroidered onto the hats. I haven’t done that step yet but hopefully they will look as sweet as the mockup I created from these photos that I took with my Xshot today.
I have some other branding related ideas for swag and as they happen I’ll talk about them but I don’t like revealing much about this until I actually have items in hand. But if you are heading to IZEAFest or Affiliate Summit East you may get a chance to pick up some BenSpark.com swag. I’m going to have some good stuff too!
Okay, so what do you think of the hats? I personally like the flames but Allison says they are a bit redneck. However, I don’t care, I like flames, I love em on motorcycles, my Harley shirts and even on Optimus Prime (I’m sure my Transformers lifelong fan status might be revoked just for thinking that). But I’d like to hear that you folks have to say. Let me know what you think of the logo, the hats the colors. Which color is your favorite?
I think the orange one. I liked that energy drink I thought it tasted better than Red Bull.
Shelby,
That is good to know about the BluFrog. Glad you liked it, hope you aren’t up all night. The orange one is a nice one, looks pretty good too. I bought one of each at least so I could figure out which one would be the best. Now I have to find a bowling shirt with flames to go with it.
I would absolutely choose a hat with flames over a hat that has no flames! lol
I’m stoked about a new design coming in, I can’t wait to see it. Love the brand too. Although am surprised you didn’t have a contest about it. ;p
Chicas last blog post..Diced
Chica,
I think the flames really stand out. Allison was just giving me some ribbing.
As far as a contest about the brand, I’m going to do something like that once the new site design is up.
I am not a big hat wearer but the ones I wear all the time are my Entourage and EAS nutrition. Why?, they are both low dome (not trucker),all cotton, with the fabric size strap (not the plastic) so they are comfortable. Both have embroidered logos and the Entourage one has HBO.COM embroidered over the closure in the back. Flames I like but do they attract more attention then the logo ? You really want the logo to make the hat cool not the flames.
I am thinking they are cool enough without the flames. You already have the SPARK on the hat your readers need to be the ones that fan the (imaginary)flames.
lennys last blog post..A tiny bit of digital Lomography
Lenny,
That is a very good point about the flames on the hat vs the logo. These hats do have the velcro size strap. I’ll have benspark.com on the back around the opening. The thing I realized is that if I am taking photos I have to wear the hat backwards. I like baseball hats and occasionally wear them but as soon as I start shooting I have to flip it backwards. I really like the orange one on backwards. That was an interesting one to do with the Xshot.
The flames look great Drew! Love it!
Babas last blog post..Lost Followers?
Baba,
Thanks very much. I’m excited about them. We’re getting the logo put on for real on Sunday.
The orange one def rocks in my opinion! I dig the flames…you’re on FIRE!
Awesome idea, Drew! You know, if you need someone to “test the product,” I’m available. 🙂
Ashley K. Edwardss last blog post..IZEAFest ’08 Invites All Bloggers and Advertisers to Annual Social Media Conference
Ashley,
I will certainly keep you in mind. 🙂
A brand that defines itself narrowly and with detail. Examples include Starbucks, Ray-Ban, and Kleenex.
Vague brand: A brand that defines itself via characteristics, emotions, and broad strokes. Examples include IBM (the new IBM), National Geographic, and Disney.
As you develop your brand, try to think into the future to where you want to take it. I am not suggesting that you start off with a hard-to-control vague brand, but with proper planning, your move to a broader brand will be much simpler than if you try to do so with a specific brand.
Joys last blog post..Power Networking Event
Joy,
I like your ideas, I would love to try a review copy of the brandmelive system. You can contact me through my contact page so we can work out details for you to send me a copy to review.