Industry Insights
Our Blog
Using Fonts: 7 Tips for a Professional Brand
There are a lot of boxes to tick in the planning and design of a printed piece, today we’re covering our top 7 must-know design tips for using font in print. Here are 7 Must Know tips to up your game in the printing world.
Is Marketing Automation Software the Right Tool for Your Company?
Marketing automation can be the bridge to something great, like a well-oiled machine, connecting with prospects and your customer base.
To help you determine whether investing in marketing automation is a good fit for you, read the following situations, and find which best describes your company:
Toys R Us: Brand CPR, Just In Time for Christmas
Just in time for Christmas 2021 in New Jersey, Toys R Us is seeking to make a comeback.How would you resuscitate the Toys R Us brand? When I hear news of a major retailer rebranding, my branding wheels start spinning. Will it be a rebranding with substance, or are...
KIRKS: A Detroit Rebranding Success Story
Founded in 1946, Kirk’s Automotive needed to communicate its strength as a nationally recognized supplier to the fleet and transit customers. In 2021, their 75th year, they rebranded as KIRKS.
Make Your Message Sharable: Creating and Managing Your Brand Messaging System
Make your brand message sharable with these must-knows for creating, using, and managing your brand messaging system. Brand messaging is like currency. It’s worth something. So, how are you creating your message, and how will you “spend it?” Just as with creating and...
7 Strategies for Online ABM Lead Generation and Marketing
In this video, Linda Kleist discusses the seven strategies for online lead generation and marketing to help you open the door to content that will set your brand apart from the pack.
Your Brand Image Library: Create a Sustainable System
Creating and managing your brand image library is a critical part of maintaining your brand’s identity. Your Brand Identity Standard’s Guide directs the use of your logo and graphic style, but your brand image library carries your brand’s look and message even...
5 Steps to Manage Brand Assets: Your Brand Asset Management Plan
Is there someone in your company to oversee and manage brand assets? How intentional is your team when it comes to keeping your company’s brand assets organized and up-to-date? Do people struggle to find the latest version of anything? Has your company has been...
The True Impact of your Social Profiles
Does your Company’s social media profile make your followers feel connected to you? Or does it get lost in the sea of outdated trends and similarities? With the way that technology and social media evolve so rapidly, it is important to keep up with it by regularly...
When it’s NOT Time to Rebrand: 4 Red-Flags
Click to watch as Bill walks through the 4 red flags that show you it is not a good time to rebrand!“When is it a good time to rebrand and update your logo?” This is an important question, answered in this video, The 5 Indicators that it IS a Good time to Rebrand. An...
When Is It Time to Rebrand Your Business?
When is it a good time to rebrand your business? WATCH as Bill Kleist walks you through the top five indicators that it's time to rebrand your business. "When is it a good time to rebrand and update my logo?" This is an excellent question! If you are...
7 Vital DO’s and DON’Ts When You’re Renaming Your Business
A business name is how people will remember and find you when they want to buy. It can be a memorable name that sticks, or your business name could be an obstacle they can't get past to find you. Renaming your business with seven vital Do's and Don'ts is a quick...
When Should You Rename a Business?
When Should You Rename a Business? "When is it time to rename a business?" is an excellent question. This needs to be considered with caution because, depending on the brand equity, this could become complicated and may not need to be done. Do not do this on a whim....
Get Your Marketing Automation Comparison Guide
If you’re looking for a robust marketing automation solution and CRM you’ll want our comparison guide.Get the Comparison Guide after completing the form below:
5 Major Mistakes in Logo Design: Branding and Graphic Design Pitfalls
Bill Kleist discusses the five major mistakes in logo design and pitfalls designers make in brand identity design. If you’re considering a rebranding I want to help you avoid ending up with a logo that suffers one of these five major branding pitfalls that designers make when creating a company logo.
Is Your Brand in a COVID Cave? Get out!
Is Your Brand in a COVID Cave? Get out! People want to hear from you during the coronavirus shutdown. Though it depends on what you're saying. It also depends on what they expect to hear. According to an Ace Metrix survey conducted after the "Stay home, stay safe"...
Build—Don’t Destroy—Your Brand: How can your brand respond on purpose and mission in a crisis?
Build—Don't Destroy—Your Brand: How can your brand respond on purpose in a crisis? This pandemic is touching everyone. In our businesses, we have an opportunity to lead with our unique purpose and gifts. The pressure is on. I've been in touch with clients and heard...
Impact100 Metro Detroit’s TV Show: Promoting the Work of Nonprofit Heroes!
Impact100 Metro Detroit is on TV Identity Creative is honored to be a sponsor of Impact100 Metro Detroit's TV Show, Fueling Transformation. Nonprofits heroes in Metro Detroit work tirelessly, behind the scenes. The work they do makes a tremendously positive impact in...
Know the Two Goals of Branding
Connect your rebranding to something they care about. Do this, and you’ve made an emotional connection. That’s the most powerful connection.
Pitfalls of PowerPoint: Avoid These Five PowerPoint Atrocities!
Some companies have banned PowerPoint in meetings and presentations. That’s extreme. Understandably, when it’s used as a crutch for the presenter’s notes, creates a mundane series of slides, or inflicts ineptly designed pages on the audience, it makes sense to outlaw...
Baking a Brand Makeover: Rebranding with a new logo is icing on the cake!
Like making the perfect bake, rebranding requires the right ingredients, skill, and passion. When rebranding with a new logo for a brand makeover, meaning makes it work. Which Facebook page looks like a national brand? The Bakease "Before" Rebranding with a new Logo...
Augies Building Services Brand Makeover Story
Founded in 2007 as Augie’s Janitorial Service, Matt and Sharon Bazell knew that the logo with which they started their business would eventually hinder the growth they envisioned. As they had expanded their service offerings, their growing commercial client base meant...
Think Outside The Tri-fold
The pressure is on! It’s time to create something original. You need a brochure to leave with prospects, take to a tradeshow, or send as direct mail. What is your default go-to print piece? What’s the first thing you think of? A (yawn) tri-fold brochure? A shiny...
MapleWorxz Gets a Logo – It’s Michigan-grown pure maple syrup.
The slogan “Taste the Michigan Tradition” focuses on its Michigan origin and the flavor which the traditional production methods help create. The same production methods which were first used in 1949 are used today, and it’s still evident in the distinctive MapleWorxz Pure Maple Syrup taste.
Event Branding: Troy Family Daze Event Logo
The Problem: The previous Troy Family Daze logo was too detailed. It did not read well on event signage, promotions, and T-shirts.
The Winning Solution: The TCF wanted to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the festival with a fresh and meaningful Troy Family Daze brand identity.
7 Critical Client Onboarding Steps for Creatives
People like to know what to expect. Create an organized and well-planned onboarding process. When a new client is walked through a process that explains what they can expect when doing business with you, here are at least 7 wins.
Why a Nonprofit Recharged Its Brand
A Nonprofit Startup In May of 2016, I was invited to a luncheon to hear three nonprofits make a presentation with the hope of winning a high-impact grant. For me, it was just another "calendar event" where I needed to show up. To my surprise, the event was emotionally...
MRPR
No one at this reputable accounting firm knew what was originally intended with its old logo design. The leadership team at MRPR wanted to update their brand identity with a fresh and relevant look. Click through the sections below to view the process! MRPR Group,...
Print Is More Powerful Than Ever When…
...It's done well, but it needs to be exceptional. DIgital and video marketing are big. The debate has been brewing for some time as to whether print is dead. Really, the dispute should be over. Much research has been done and the studies are out: print is potentially...
7 Tips for a Winning Print Ad: For Your Unique Brand
Recently asked if I could give some tips to make print ads that get results. That’s a great question. You want creative and smart ways to connect with the people you want to attract and build credibility for your unique brand.
Hashtags for Business #Whyhashtag? Smarter Social for Your Brand
There are clear and basic benefits of hashtags for businesses. From Forbes magazine, “tweets with hashtags get two times more clicks, retweets, favorites, and replies than tweets without hashtags.” In addition to having a very practical purpose in interacting with potential clients, hashtags are relevant. They add interest to your post and shows that your company fits naturally into the social media realm. (If you’re finding social media a challenge for your small business, you’re not alone, there’s help for you here!)
Social Media: PAIN or GAIN for Small Business?
How does your social media rate on your marketing-to-do list? If you’re selling to businesses, here are 10 compelling reasons why you will want to keep your social media channels flowing with relevant content.
