Are you set up for success in 2016? Join 2,500 real estate industry leaders Aug. 4-7, 2015, at Inman Connect in San Francisco. Get Connected with the people and ideas that will inspire you and take your business to new heights. Register today and save $100 with code Readers.


Takeaways:

  • Professional designers are worth paying for when it comes to logos.
  • Agency branding is nice, but what happens if you leave the agency? You likely lose it.
  • The best logos have consistency, simplicity and direction.

Creating a solid, professional logo for your business is one of the most essential design tasks that you’ll have to do.

This week, on Episode 12 of the Modern American Realtor podcast, the brothers make the mistake of assuming that they have good aesthetic taste (we’re kidding, guys.)

They brought along Alli Banks, a company designer with loads of experience in the world of logos and aesthetic techniques.

Professional help is worth it

Like many expenses, agents often wonder if paying for the service is worth it. Some agents might prefer only to adopt agency branding.

But Alli told us that doing so might limit your capabilities in future designs. If you decide to transition to a different broker or firm, all of your brand value is now lost.

Also, you might be tempted to create a quick and easy logo on your computer’s default graphic design program. Alli basically said not to do that. In the world of graphic design, your decision to hire a professional will show as soon as your clients’ eyes see that logo.

The principles of design

Don’t get all Howard Roark on us. Real estate agents make tons of mistakes when designing. That’s normal. Alli said out of all the glaring errors during the designing process, the most overlooked feature is consistency.

[Tweet “Of all the errors during the designing process, the most overlooked feature is consistency.”]

Frequently, real estate agents forget that they can and should use their logo in a broad range of relevant applications. Alli laid down the ground rules for agencies’ logos: consistency, simplicity and direction.

If your logo fits all of that criteria, then it should be able to be used on everything from business cards to billboards.

Having an excellent relationship with your designer can further your brand

Finally, Alli got into the human side of logo design. Having a strong professional trust with your designer is key to not only creating a great logo but also creating a great future relationship.

If your designer is worth your time, he’ll develop a logo based on your clients, objectives and business style, as well as how much freedom you’re giving him to be creative.

[Tweet “An amazing designer will develop a logo based on your clients, objectives and business style.”]

Logos are hard. Even the simplest ones have more effort poured into them than you could ever guess. Ever notice the arrow in the FedEx logo?

Fedex logo

FedEx logo

That’s why it’s important for your real estate business to take everything into account and that you work with a professional. And always make sure you have a firm idea of your company’s representation.

Subscribe to the audio podcast on iTunes, and check out the video episodes on Modern America Realtor.

Corey Wright is the co-founder of WingWire, a custom website and blogging service for real estate agents, and co-host of Modern American Realtor, a podcast for the modern agent. You can connect with him on LinkedIn or Instagram (@filbertsteiner).

Email Corey Wright.

Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×