Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow better. As an inclusive marketing strategist and consultant, one of the things I talk about consistently with my clients is brand values. Many of them want to win over a bigger and more diverse customer base, but I have to make it clear that those efforts won’t be successful or sustainable if they don’t practice what they preach since brand values are now an important part of consumers’ purchase decision strategy. In fact, HubSpot’s Consumer Trends Report found that 82% of consumers want […]

Close your eyes and imagine the Starbucks siren logo in a bright HubSpot orange. At best, it’s jarring; at worst, it renders the logo unrecognizable. That’s because the Starbucks logo isn’t just about the distinctive siren graphic, or the particular shade of green, or its round shape. Each of these elements works together to make the Starbucks brand one of the most recognizable in the world. Table of Contents What are brand identity elements? Brand Identity Elements Brand elements are essential to your brand identity. Your brand identity gives your business a distinctive, cohesive look, and it communicates your values […]

Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow better. I never wanted a business that only looked good from the outside. Creating only to satisfy the eyes of onlookers, audiences, and critics would be, and will always be, a waste of my time. Over a decade ago, I walked away from a dull, corporate job because it felt like a trap — a suffocating environment designed to put me on a creatively draining conveyor belt headed for “Welcome to 65 and retirement!” Frankly, that wasn’t for me. I […]

Developing a consistent brand starts with creating a brand style guide. These branding rule books help graphic designers, marketers, web developers, community managers, and even product packaging departments present a unified vision of the brand to the public. The best brands stick in our brains because their presence is defined by the repetition of the same logo, fonts, colors, and images. Once we see them enough, they become instantly recognizable. All of this is possible when each member of your team adheres to a cohesive brand style guide. So, what is a brand style guide? In this article, I’ll go […]

Let’s face it, we could all do with a little lighthearted fun once in a while.  Last June, I and the Trends team discovered that adults were increasingly searching what we called “kidding around terms:” like “fairytale bedrooms for adults,” “adult pigtails,” and the funny list continued. As it turns out, the party was just getting started: from our follow-up research, we’re seeing consumers continue their search for positivity and jubilance. And, brands are taking notice. Here are three trends we’ve been watching in the “joyconomy” space. 3 Joyconomy Trends to Watch 1. Playful Brand Expansions Over the past two years, […]

Brand colors shape how people perceive your business. Up to 80% of snap judgments about products are solely based on color alone. That’s right, 80%! Think about McDonald’s for a moment. What pops into your mind? The yellow arches, right? McDonald’s has done a fantastic job of using its colors to establish a memorable brand identity that stays with you long after you’ve finished your burger and fries. So why settle for a forgettable brand image that blends in with the crowd? Let’s sprinkle some color into our article and discover the powerful connection between colors and branding. What are […]

In more ways than one, branding is a pillar of success. The benefits of branding can range from helping you develop a set of features unique to your business, like a logo and brand name, which allows customers to come to know your brand and associate it with what you have to offer. Branding is impactful in and of itself, but co-branding can bring other benefits, including opportunities for different audiences to engage with your brand. In this post, you’ll discover the advantages of generating brand individuality for your business and the benefits of co-branding with a partner. Table of […]

There’s nothing better than having people cheering for you on the sidelines and advocating for you in the rooms you’re not in, especially as a business owner. That’s where a brand champion comes in as someone who promotes your business to others and helps organically grow your loyalty base. Let’s dive into why you need brand champions, how to get them, and how to incorporate them into your marketing strategy. Table of Contents What is a brand champion? The Benefits of Brand Champions Common Types of Brand Champions What You Need Before Creating Brand Champions Brand champions can be business […]

Rebranding can be daunting, but it can improve your brand recognition and help you gain a larger following — and we’ve seen it done right by some of the biggest names out there. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most notable famous rebrands and what marketers can learn from them to apply to their own businesses. Whether you’re looking to rebrand your business or for inspiration to take your brand to the next level, these rebrands offer valuable insights into what it takes to refresh and modernize a brand successfully. 1. Meta In October 2021, Facebook […]

Hailee Steinfeld is mainly known for her acting chops, but her singing abilities bolster her esteem as a performer and stretch her brand to more audiences and fans. And just like her venture into music, companies often extend their brand to develop new products in industries where they don’t have any market share. These initiatives are called brand extensions, and they allow companies to leverage their brand awareness and equity to create more revenue streams. In this article, you’ll learn more about what a brand extension is and see examples of extension ideas that could inspire you. Skip to: What […]