Comments on: Better Blog Branding: Your Blogs Hidden Messages

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:52:40 +0000

Yup but as well as a crown (packaging) any King needs an army to keep him in power (promotion)

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:52:00 +0000

Yup but as well as a crown (packaging) any King needs an army to keep him in power (promotion)

By: Guilherme Zuhlke O'Connor

Guilherme Zuhlke O'Connor — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:50:48 +0000

I totally agree!

Basically I would say that Content is king, but design is the royal garment.

No monarch can keep the throne without proper garment, and color, typography and layout seem to just fit the role of the crown and the sceptre.

By: Guilherme Zuhlke O'Connor

Guilherme Zuhlke O'Connor — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:50:00 +0000

I totally agree! Basically I would say that Content is king, but design is the royal garment. No monarch can keep the throne without proper garment, and color, typography and layout seem to just fit the role of the crown and the sceptre.

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:37:25 +0000

@Jen – Consistency is important, not that you would want to be Coca-Cola but you can spot any part of their branding and know instantly what it is, from the shape of the bottle, through to the color scheme, even that swirly swoosh thingy. You can be eclectic, but will just have to work harder at having that recognition.

@daniel – A scorecard is a great idea, if you have a post about it I would love to link to it. The way I have seen it is a simple check list, I think they called it a “brand map” or to be really fancy “weltanshaung” which I think is German for “world view”.

@Steve – Yup your writing style and tone would be the equivalent of a speakers. I tend to write how I speak too but I obviously have to change it up a bit when copywriting for clients or guest posting to fit into their style

@Armen – you will have me blushing, thanks you are very kind

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:37:00 +0000

@Armen – you will have me blushing, thanks you are very kind

By: Armen

Armen — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:22:25 +0000

Chris, I just want to stop by from my feedreader and tell you that this series is sheer quality, and I think this post may be the best so far.

You’re one of the few bloggers offer give value in 99% of your posts. I’m not even sure Mr. Rowse is that good

By: Armen

Armen — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:22:00 +0000

Chris, I just want to stop by from my feedreader and tell you that this series is sheer quality, and I think this post may be the best so far.

You’re one of the few bloggers offer give value in 99% of your posts. I’m not even sure Mr. Rowse is that good

By: Steve Smith

Steve Smith — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 02:40:51 +0000

I have noticed also that some styles of writing are more inviting also. The voice that comes out in our writing style can also go along way to letting readers know who you are. I generally write just as I would be speaking the same words. I notice alot of blog content is written in a similar style. Much different than say a newspaper or magazine article. Although I write a monthly magazine article on technology it is still written as I write here and in my blog.

Great post Chris…I specially like the part about color. Since I just today ported my blog to WordPress I have a blank slate to start with color and a theme.

By: Steve Smith

Steve Smith — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 02:40:00 +0000

Great post Chris…I specially like the part about color. Since I just today ported my blog to WordPress I have a blank slate to start with color and a theme.

By: daniel

daniel — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:16:02 +0000

something a lot of businesses do is to build up a brand scorecard. on one axis note down the elements you’re going to use to communicate your brand. on the other axis, note down every single touchpoint between the business & customers. make sure you haven’t left anything out &, whenever you update any of your brand elements, make sure they’re up to date on each of your touchpoints.

By: daniel

daniel — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:16:00 +0000

By: Jen / domestika

Jen / domestika — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:45:28 +0000

As Jan just mentioned, the friendly smile as much as the colour scheme is a big part of the ChrisG brand, warm, approachable, and instantly recognizable on toolbar or in bookmarks.

I’m not much for “matchy-poo” in interior design, but in blogging it would seem to make sense to match up the header graphics and favicon and avatar, etc… what do others think?

By: Jen / domestika

Jen / domestika — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:45:00 +0000

As Jan just mentioned, the friendly smile as much as the colour scheme is a big part of the ChrisG brand, warm, approachable, and instantly recognizable on toolbar or in bookmarks.

I’m not much for “matchy-poo” in interior design, but in blogging it would seem to make sense to match up the header graphics and favicon and avatar, etc… what do others think?

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:18:41 +0000

Yes trust is an ongoing process. As I say in the post, you have to look at the whole and not just the individual details – the pieces fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.

In the end, while we look for trust or warning signs, the final experience is what matters most, does the actual “product” live up to our branding?

We need excellent content/product/services/customer experience, but in order to get people to consume we first need excellent packaging and promotion

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:18:00 +0000

Yes trust is an ongoing process. As I say in the post, you have to look at the whole and not just the individual details – the pieces fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.

In the end, while we look for trust or warning signs, the final experience is what matters most, does the actual “product” live up to our branding?

We need excellent content/product/services/customer experience, but in order to get people to consume we first need excellent packaging and promotion

By: Jan

Jan — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:15:19 +0000

If the author looks as friendly and trustworthy as you it surely does

It is a very interesting way to look at content and design though. I would normally talk about content and form I guess, but seeing the design as another kind of communication really sets new thoughts and ideas free.

Does trust not ultimately have to be won through what you write though? That you put your face on it is telling me that you stand behind what you write, but that will only work as long as you write as you do. Any other kind of writing would deem the photo useless in gaining trust would it not?

By: Jan

Jan — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:15:00 +0000

If the author looks as friendly and trustworthy as you it surely does
It is a very interesting way to look at content and design though. I would normally talk about content and form I guess, but seeing the design as another kind of communication really sets new thoughts and ideas free.
Does trust not ultimately have to be won through what you write though? That you put your face on it is telling me that you stand behind what you write, but that will only work as long as you write as you do. Any other kind of writing would deem the photo useless in gaining trust would it not?

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:14:44 +0000

I do make an effort to answer as many comments as I can because it is how I like to be treated myself

The design of this blog is mostly tweaked based on another original design and I will be getting a professional version done soon but the color choices are very intentional, that they work might well be as much luck as I am not a designer by any means

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:14:00 +0000

I do make an effort to answer as many comments as I can because it is how I like to be treated myself