LeapGo is a website development company. I was responsible for client content creation across all digital marketing platforms. This post was for the LeapGo blog.

Tools and Tips to Maintain a Professional Brand

Wondering what exactly is branding and how is it important to your small business? Branding is the art of communication that builds, establishes, and differentiates your business, product, or concept. Through strategic branding, businesses communicate their unique value in a way that resonates with the consumer. The ultimate end result? The consumer feels a connection with your brand above and beyond other alternatives. There are many ways small businesses can easily build and enhance their brands. Here are just a few:

Create a Brand Guideline – Your Company’s Constitution

Creating a Brand Guideline is fundamental for your business. This document will clearly map out your brand’s blueprints. Keep in mind that branding doesn’t always mean design-related elements such as company logo, fonts, and color palettes. Branding can also mean tone of voice. How do you want to connect and speak to your audience? What is the personality of your brand? Determining these visual and writing style specifics ensures all pieces of your company’s puzzle reflect who you are, what you do, and what sets your company apart from the rest.

External Branding – Your Visual Identity

Once your Branding Guidelines have been established, now it’s time to ensure a visual consistency to your brand. Consistent External Branding makes sure your target audience receives a clear, cohesive, and reliable message. When customers visit your online platforms, does your business look the same across the board? Inconsistent branding can lead to losing customer trust. Make sure all of your tools used for anything beyond the first point of contact are also consistent with your brand. You wouldn’t want someone to have a great impression after seeing you on Facebook, visiting your website, and then signing up for your newsletter, only to receive an email confirmation that was designed in 1998 with your old address in the footer and outdated graphics.

Key areas to examine include:

1. Consistent design style and color palette.
2. Use of uniform fonts.
3. Company logo present on all landing pages.
4. Cohesive social media platforms.

Take Action – Conduct a Digital Brand Audit

Compile a list of all of the public accounts you have established that are representing your brand. Include social media (yes, even those old, abandoned accounts set up by former employees) and any other online accounts such as local listings. The objective is to get a full view of your “digital footprint” and make sure your business is represented per the terms of your brand guidelines.

Here’s a great resource from Smashing Magazine to get you started – Designing Style Guidelines for Brands and Websites.

Internal Branding – Working Behind the Scenes

Your brand image is not just what’s immediately visible to the outside world. It should carry through the entire experience and live inside your business intranet, software, and internal communications. Incorporating software that integrates your brand for accounting, human resources, and communication bring your business brand full cycle and ensures the best experience for customers, not to mention keeping all your employees on the same page.

Some of our favorite, easy to customize software include:

1. Marketing Automation & Email Marketing Software such as MailChimp and SharpSpring offer customizable templates so you can seamlessly integrate your brand. Leveraging marketing automation is not only a great way to keep your brand represented well, it’s also one of the most successful tactics we implement for many of our clients.
2. Billing software like FreshBooks help keep your brand consistent to the end of the project. We’ve used FreshBooks since 2007 and love the easy, flexible interface that makes sending out professional invoices via email or post a breeze.
3. Email signature generators like WiseStamp make it super simple to create awesome email signatures for your entire staff, ensuring a consistent branding experience. You can even create clever add-ons like including your most recent blog post or the link to your company’s app.

How LeapGo Can Tackle Your Branding Challenge

Establishing and maintaining a professional brand can be a tall order. Even well-established companies realize that they’ve been focusing on servicing clients and filling requests while letting their brand image become fragmented and outdated. This is one of the reasons I created LeapGo’s 10 Hour Flex Blocks. Do a quick Google search for “Corporate Branding Prices” and you’ll find quotes like “… our projects range from $40,000 to $110,000”. Does your company need that level of service? Maybe, but for the 99% that just need some help you can purchase a few blocks and we can get your brand looking better than ever.

Give us a call or request a quote and we’ll tell you straight up whether or not we can make a meaningful impact to your company.

What are some of your favorite tools that make representing your brand easy? Share them in the comments below.

General Mills shares with us that “Cereal eaters also consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters.”

Give Your Heart a Hug

February is American Heart Month. There’s no time like the present to take care of yourself and your body! Gluten Freely makes it easy with a huge selection of heart healthy recipes and products to get you on the road to a better YOU!

Kick Start Your Day and Heart
General Mills shares with us that “Cereal eaters also consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters.” Start your day with a bowl of cereal with sliced fruit. My favorite cereal topper is a handful of vitamin-rich frozen blueberries.

There are so many amazing healthy gluten-free cereal options. Serve up a bowl of Orgran’s Multi-grain O’s with Quinoa or Honey Nut Chex. Looking for a warm and hearty breakfast? Glutenfreeda’s Banana Maple with Flax Instant Oatmeal is a perfect choice.

Need an on-the-go breakfast? With 9 grams of protein, make and take this Orange Papaya Cooler.

The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Grains, especially whole grains, are an essential part of a healthy diet. All types of grains are good sources of complex carbohydrates and some key vitamins and minerals. Grains are also naturally low in fat. All of this makes grains a healthy option. Better yet, they’ve been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers and other health problems.”

Change out your gluten-free white sandwich bread with these whole grain and multi-grain options. Your heart will thank you! Gluten Freely’s Sandwich Bread recipe uses sorghum and garbanzo bean flour. No time to bake homemade bread? No worries, there are plenty of whole grain bread options including Udi’s Whole Grain Bread, Glutino Multi-Grain Bagels, and Schar Multi-Grain Sandwich Bread.

Eat Your Veggies!
This Healthified Chopped Salad Recipe is not only delicious but has 52% less fat, 36% fewer calories, and 64% more vitamin C than the original recipe! Served it sliced and diced. Double your nutrients with this recipe for Veggies and Kasha with Balsamic Vinaigrette. What exactly is kasha? Livestrong shares a benefit of kasha is that it is a wheat-free source of whole grains. Your body will thank your for this fabulous side dish of Garlic Green Beans.

Get the Skinny on Lean Protein
Ocean-farmed salmon contain some of the highest levels of Omega-3 fatty acids of all cold-water fish according to Salmon of Americas. Planked Salmon with Peach Mango Salsa is a healthy restaurant-style specialty in your own backyard! Let your slow cooker to the work with this protein-packed Hearty Chicken Rice Soup using Progresso Reduced-Sodium Chicken Broth.

“Farmhouse Style” is beautifully simple, functional, and oh-so inviting.

The Essential Guide to the Farmhouse Style

“Farmhouse Style” is beautifully simple, functional, and oh-so inviting. Whether you love the traditional farmhouse look or farmhouse rustic with a bit of industrial on the side, The Amish Craftsman Team is here to share their insider tips on creating your very own cozy Farmhouse atmosphere.

Farmhouse Materials

Fabrics
Incorporate fabrics such as ticking stripes, buffalo check, burlap, or linen to create an informal “lived in” feeling. Fabric is a fantastic and easy way to add a dash of Farmhouse to any home.
Include some vintage grain feed throw pillows to your sofa, a ticking stripe runner to your dining room table, or check curtains at your kitchen window. A word of caution: use patterns sparingly. Too many patterns can overwhelm a room instead of accent it.

Natural Wood
Simply stated, natural hardwood is beyond compare and a superb addition to your Farmhouse furnishings. Wood is one of the most popular materials in Farmhouse designs. From furniture (check out our Pinterest page for inspiration) and flooring to exposed beams, natural hardwood brings a wonderful warmth to any room.

Furniture with Character
Traditional farmhouses often have furniture passed down from generation to generation. Here at The Amish Craftsman, our heirloom quality Amish made furniture will be a part of your family gatherings for years to come. A charming piece of Farmhouse furniture is the Pie Safe. This cupboard with doors, featuring decorative pierced tin panels, was originally designed to store pies after baking. Use one of our custom pie safes for storage in the kitchen or dining area.

Down Home Decor
Farmhouse décor is simple and without airs, welcoming visitors to come in and stay a while. Decorate your home with touches of enamel and stoneware, mason jars, and wood or tin signs. These charming and nostalgic touches create a warm and family-oriented atmosphere. Are you keeping Grandma’s jadeite dishes or milk glass vases boxed in the attic? Unbox them and proudly display her collection for all to see!

Family-Style Dining
The kitchen is known as the heart of every home. This is where your family and friends gather and make memories. In many of today’s homes, the kitchen and dining areas blend into one to create a larger space. Add a Farmhouse-style table to comfortably accommodate everyone. Our solid hardwood Double Pedestal Tables are carefully crafted for not only visual appeal and utility, but to last for years to come.

The Amish Craftsman is Houston’s go-to store for custom, high end, heirloom quality furniture made by a select team of Amish furniture builders using traditional woodworking techniques. We’d love for you to stop by and let us help you pick out the perfect pieces for your home! Located at 5555 Washington Avenue @ TC Jester, we’re open Monday through Saturday.

What’s your prized “Farmhouse Style” possession and what makes it so special to you? Share with The Amish Craftsman Community in the comments below!

Eight Amazing Things That Happen When You Decide to BE Yourself!

Eight Amazing Things That Happen When You Decide to BE Yourself!

Sometimes it’s easier to hide behind a “more comfortable” version of ourselves. It may be our lack of confidence, clarity, etiquette, influencers, or simply the fear of judgment that causes us to hide, withdraw ourselves, and change our personalities to fit into our surroundings.

However, you can learn to embrace your true self and nurture your spirit. Ready for a change? Read on to be inspired by what actually happens when you choose to be YOU no matter the circumstances!

1- You Feel a Deep Sense of Freedom
You are completely free! There is no role playing or hiding behind a mask. What a sense of relief to be YOU… Speak your mind, own your thoughts, and do what feels right to you. Now think of a situation in your personal life or career where you could benefit from more freedom. Think about these specific situations and ask yourself if you are truly being yourself in that situation or if you are trying to “fit in”? Reflect on this and your opportunities to change and gain more freedom. Let your inner self shine through – you are beautiful inside and out!

2- You Don’t Blame Yourself
When we are not entirely true to ourselves, something automatically feels “off”. Deep inside we know we aren’t being honest. This causes a feeling of blame and every time you act against your true self, an internal conflict is created inside. Take a moment and identify where and when you find yourself being critical within your life. When do you blame yourself for acting a certain way? Ask if your “true self” would have been doing the same. Your answer will tell you if authenticity could be the reason behind your blame.

3- You Increase Your Self-Esteem
You deserve to take care of yourself. Become your own supporter, cheerleader, and coach. Aspire to be YOU instead of the “adapted” version of you. Did you know that choosing yourself is one of the highest forms of self-esteem? When you choose yourself, it means you are honouring yourself, your true desires, thoughts, and feelings. Could you use a little more of self-love? Be mindful of every time you choose to be unconditionally “you” and every situation when you sense total alignment with your genuine personality. How do you feel? Proud or ashamed? Supportive or critical? Find your own way to positive self-esteem using your authenticity. Now is the time to nurture you!

4- You Receive Powerful Intuitions
You can feel the truth of intuition deep within your heart. These guiding thoughts come from a profound place that is authentically connected with your higher self. This miraculously happens when you are in a state of pure alignment and connection. Being you is the most important component to these intuitions. The more you are yourself; the more you are guided to expand toward your real aspirations. It’s truly powerful! Take time to write down your intuitions and perceptions in a log or journal. Never underestimate their compelling message.

5- You Inspire Others with Your Uniqueness
Think of who inspires YOU and why. Then step back and realize that you also have the power to inspire others. When you are yourself without holding back, you allow others to see your gifts, talents, uniqueness, traits, and even flaws. Inspire the world with your personal story. What defines you and makes you one of a kind? Don’t hide behind a wall feeling uncertain in sharing yourself. Your story may resonate with one or one million people. No matter how many, your special self inspires others to be the best that they can be.

6- You Can Help Make a Difference in the World
It is a sad fact that within some societies, people are deprived of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, health, shelter, and education. These individuals are most likely struggling with equality and freedom of rights as well. We are fortunate to have control over and celebrate our freedom. By being your true self, you can make a difference for those who are unable. In honour of people without the luxury of well-being and freedom, YOU can help bring light to those in need and change mentalities. The evolution can begin with you!

7- You are Growing
By now, you’ve learned that when you’re not trying to fit in or be “part of the crowd”, you are able to be true to yourself. Take pride in not forcing yourself to do something that isn’t really you. Being inauthentic creates a block that forces a gap between you and your actions. You deserve to freely grow and achieve what you want deep within your core self. Imagine not having any of these gaps and blocks. It is possible! You can be a free bird, growing and flying…faster and higher!

8- You are in Your Genius Zone
Remember the times in your life when you were “in the zone”? Ideas, plan, decisions, concepts…everything just flows flawlessly! This is the Genius Zone and nothing can stop you. Feelings of self-confidence, creativity, enjoyment, and excitement surge through your body. This occurs when you are in perfect alignment with your thoughts, your emotions, and your actions. All of your positive and productive energy is available for you to dedicate to whatever you are working on achieving.

On the flip side, where do you think your energy goes when you try to be someone else? What type of emotions do you feel? What thoughts are you trying to cast away when you close your eyes on your real self? This negative behaviour is distracting all of the elements you need to be in your Genius Zone. Don’t let negative thoughts overtake you – being yourself and accepting yourself will keep you in the Genius Zone now and always.
These eight simple points can change the way you live your life. Let yourself and your heart be open. Working on learning to love and support YOU will bring a powerful feeling of fulfillment and content!