photo credit: Cameron Cassan

A lot of satisfaction comes from taking your business card and placing it in the hand of a potential client. In fact, as a freelancer makes their list of ‘things to do’ when venturing away from the corporate world, Business cards are usually right up there at the top of the list.

Anticipation is high as you place that small, seemingly insignificant paper product in the hand of another. Undertones of pride warm your insides and boost your confidence. You are official, you are freelancing.

Some very important questions to ask yourself:

• Is the business card going to do its job of representing you in your absence?
• Will one look at the card tell the viewer what you do, how you do it, and what sort of person you are?
• Will the card convey the message you want your clients to receive?

A prominent portion of nearly every business card you see is the logo. When searching through a stack of various cards, it is the logo that catches your eye, not necessarily the name of the individual that gave you the card or even the service they provide.

Let’s think about some of the logos that have really made their mark.

Each of these three businesses have widely recognizable logos; Icons known all over the world in nearly every spoken language.

Take a tip from the success of these branding tools. Each of them utilizes a basic color scheme, has a clear and concise design concept, and the business or product is recognized by the logo alone.

Become familiar with other businesses and freelancers in your industry. Know your target audience.

You want to do all that you can to separate yourself from competition, but not so far separate that you are out of the range.

The development of your branding logo is not an overnight process. A lot of thought and consideration has to be made. Visualizing what your business will be like several years down the line is not to be forgotten.

Think Big.

Regional. Statewide. National.

Think Global.

Finally, a plan for the future that won’t take a lot of start up money to build.

Check back to read the highlights from an interview with a Professional Graphic Designer. Learn the secrets of developing your own professional Icon.