[b] Hello Everyone,
I need help with chosing my logo and business cards: Here are the samples… This is for a Real Estate Investment Company. Can you give me honest criticism about the design I chose… Is it professional enough?? Is it colorful enough?? Any opinions are really appreciated… My website, business cards, post cards, and car magnet will all look like this… [/b]
Business Cards
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j59/Sinnamon_Mami/bizcardpreview.jpg
Return Label
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j59/Sinnamon_Mami/returnaddlabelpreview.jpg
Letterhead
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j59/Sinnamon_Mami/letterheadpreview.jpg
Car Magnet
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j59/Sinnamon_Mami/carmagnetpreview.jpg
I really like it. I think it is eye catching, different enough to stand out, and the flow of the artwork is pleasing.
I am asssuming you are a woman, based on the design of the logo, not even considering the color. If you are a man, I’m going to suggest that you reconsider.
PS: if your company name is SinnCity, with that card, people are going to assume you are running a whore house.
haha… I’m in marketing, and that logo says nothing about real estate investing. Think about what kind of real estate you are investing in then think of any icons that would be easily associated with it. You could also use financial based icons for your logo. It should be able to work well on a hat or a business card. Good luck!
I am a very feminine woman but no the name of my company isn’t Sinn city that does sound like an unscrupulous business LOL, I didn’t want the logo to be stiff and boring but I do appreciate all of the responses… I’ve been told by other people it’s not professional enough and I won’t be taken seriously, so I’ll just try another logo :biggrin
Those people are wrong, if a motivated seller sees your banner there no way there gonna say “I don’t think the ad is professional enough so i’ll just let my house foreclose” Get a bright yellow obnoxious template that screams out what you do. For Example: I Will Buy Your House…CASH…FAST!
I agree with Brian…for the most part…no one (in need) is going to refuse your services because of your logo/marketing/brand, etc.
I do think it’s “professional enough” and like Tater said, it is eye catching. I do however think the fit isn’t right for real estate investing. It almost crosses me as something that belongs on a wedding invitation. Hopefully that doesn’t strike you as insulting…not meant to be at all. Just think with your [obvious] talent, there could be something else created more in line with your intentions.
Chris
Thank you so much Brian and Chris, no I didn’t take offense at all. I appreciate all of the responses. :smile
I honestly wouldn’t waste my time with all the design elements. I understand how important marketing and branding is, but REI is a unique sort of biz where you can still make a ton of money WITHOUT wasting all your time with logo and letterhead design. I’d wait to worry about those things AFTER you have some income coming in, instead of spending your precious time and resources on something that probably won’t recoup the dividends that you may think they will.
Thanks for the heads up Jake, so what do you suggest?
I have seen folks just using yellow paper with red ink…no log of anything. It looks more like a letter personalized to a seller (or potential seller).
Not saying not to use more imagination than this…just saying just about anything could work…
What’s your strategy, meaning how often are you really going to utilize your letters/biz cards/bandit signs? If you’re wholesaling, I could see how you’d use these marketing tools very often. I myself rehab houses so there aren’t a ton of times where I use the items you’re currently working on (except my business cards).
Think modern, professional, sleek. Drop the frills and color-they’re very distracting and look like you’re advertising for a cheesy beauty salon or floral company! Remember, you’re running a real estate BUSINESS, so just keep it professional. You want people to remember you, but not for the wrong reasons!lol
I agree with you Jake. Think strategy. I am female and the logo does say florist. Choose something simple, simple and simple. Don’t overpower the message with the logo.
Good luck.
Thinking about branding when you are starting out is probably a route that will cost you a lot of money and get you poor results.
Go to the library and get some books on Direct Response Marketing. Dan Kennedy’s Ultimate Sales Letter is a good start. Drayton Bird’s Commonsense book is good to.
You just won’t have the budget to brand. Get them to pick up the phone or click now for a reason.
There’s a HomeVestor’s Franchise in my market place that spends 15k a month+add’l direct mail and gets few leads than I get with ugly unprofessional looking marketing. I spend a fraction of that and will get far more leads and have far higher profitability.
Market to a targeted list
Send a personalized message
Give them a specific reason to respond and a way to respond right now.
I’ve seen many a 4 color glossy campaign mailed to 10k owners and get squat for response and zero deals and I’ll get 60 calls and 20 seller info sheets and 2 deals from a list of 1200 on a crappy looking 4x6 card (but this list is tight and the message contains most of the direct response elements).
I do use odd shaped business cards but no logo
Never had a logotype on my letter heads
done over 400+ transactions.