MBMB Day 4: Protect Your Social Identity

Welcome to the Mom Blog Money Blog Series! For 30 days we are following the Mom Blog Money Blog Workshop (affiliate link) sharing some tips so that we can work through the steps and grow together. Grab your coffee, have a seat, and join us. 

In Day 3 we discussed how and why to automate your social media sharing. Today we are on the subject of protecting your social identity with a focus on BRANDING!

I have had this workshop for about a month now and am amazed every time I log in.  There is really so much to learn and so much information that you could work for a year and never touch on all of Laurie’s information.

For example:  The work for today comes in 8 steps.  Yes, 8 steps!  I, obviously, can’t break down each step with my problems, places I went for info, and statistics but I can have a look at the step protecting my social identity by using branded graphics.

We discussed branding your blog to make money in day one which covered the topics of your blog’s URL, header, sidebars, footer, and blog button. We will be taking that information one step further in today’s post.

So, branding… Yes, you are a brand! Do you cover all aspects of branding on your site?

You need to!  When someone sees you on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, forums, etc they should recognize that it is YOU!  If you see golden arches anywhere, you know it is McDonald’s.  Don’t you?  It should be the same for you.  People should be able to have your logo in the Logo game app and know it.

This was a very hard day for me and will not be complete until I can get some extra dollars. I do not have an actual logo and really need one. I need to use that logo throughout all aspects of my blogging career from the 4 sites to all places of social media!

List of Graphics

Step 7.  On Day 1 we talked about how important branding is and we’ll continue to do so throughout the workshop.  So do yourself a favor and hire a blog designer who “gets your aesthetic” and have her create these graphics for you.  You’ll need this list of graphics to have professionally created for your blog as we continue on the 30 Day workshop.

 

1. Header
2. Blog button {add alt-text}
3. White, transparent logo with .com
4. Profile picture
5. Linky Party:  Post header, button {add alt-text}
6. Monthly Themes:  post header, button {add alt-text}

This step really struck me!  I have multiple linky parties between my sites.  I also do regular themes.  I have NEVER thought to use my brand on those graphics.  Where have I been?

So, I have been doing some research on finding someone affordable to redo my graphics.  I wanted to share those resources and my researching tips.  Yes, I can make them, but I honestly do not have the time right now and would rather outsource it.

• #1 – I made a list of all the things I need graphics for, expanding on the list from Mom Blog to Money Blog.
• #2 – I did a Google search for “hire blog design” and started working my way through them making me a list of places that I felt fit.  I decided based on multiple things from their portfolio to simply the way they wrote.
• #3 – I visited several sites that I really liked the look and feel of and looked near the bottom of their sites for the blog designer.
• #4 – Once I had a good list of people that I liked, I started contacting them for quotes and such.  I want the perfect fit that would be around for the long haul and I needed a really good price.

Unfortunately, it takes money to make money and while I feel it is essential to follow each item step by step, I just can’t afford it at the moment. LOL!  So, I have my list and I will continue working my way through with the hopes that semi-skipping this crucial step will allow me to make enough money to purchase the designs that I want.

Also check out these posts on free resources you can use to make a header, how to legally create your own header and blog designers to update your site.

In the meantime, I am working on banners and buttons one at a time and plan to have them all by the time I finish the 31 days!

What about you?  Do you have a logo?  Do you use it across all avenues?

Don’t miss Day 5 which focuses on designing a beautiful blog.

Kelli gives you hints and tips on how you can save money homeschooling and homemaking! At Deals_3BD she posts coupon/ad matchups, the best homeschooling freebies, printable coupons, and kid friendly recipes.