How to Create Strong Branding for Your Blog

Creating a successful parenting blog takes a lot of hard work. On the surface, creating a blog looks as simple as thinking of a name and building a website. Although that is a great place to start, running a successful blog involves plenty of behind-the-scenes work.

This article will focus on why strong branding is important, and how to build a recognisable brand with spending hundred on a graphic designer.

Table of Contents

The Importance of Recognisable Branding

Branding is one of the first things people notice about your business. Amateurish branding can allude to an amateurish business. A lack of branding can denote a lack of direction. Even if these things aren’t actually true of your business, your branding speaks to your audience before you get a chance to.

This applies to all businesses, from blogs to accountant firms to soft drinks, professional branding suggests a professional operation.

In general terms, branding builds trust. Why do people pay more for household brand names when they could opt for a cheaper supermarket alternative? The answer is, they know what to expect from the brand and usually receive just that.

A blog operates in the same way. As you build a returning audience, you build trust. If they recognise your branding over other another blog’s they may be more likely to read your reviews and click on your affiliate links. Your audience will have confidence in your advice and recommendations and faith in what you say.

How to create clear branding

To create clear branding you will need a cohesive theme of colours, fonts and graphics across your site and all social media. A logo is essential for recognisable branding – but don’t worry, it doesn’t need to be complex. A logo can just consist off your company name written consistently in the same font and colour scheme.

It is possible to buy premium fonts, but you really don’t need to when Font Bundles offers gorgeous free fonts on their free fonts page.

It’s best to choose two fonts that complement each other to create visually pleasing graphics. A popular combination is a a pairing of a serif and sans serif font together. I created this mock up of a blog banner using two free front from font bundles.

The curly font on the pink background is called Nathalia, while the sans serif font is called Blacktone Bold II (in case you wanted to get your hands on them too).

How to use downloaded fonts

When you download a font, it comes in a zip file containing a few elements. You’ll need to unpack the zip file with an unzipping tool. I use Pea Zip as it was recommended to me when I was just starting out in blogging and since it was easy enough to use, I didn’t bother looking for any other programmes.

If you use design software such as Canva, you can upload fonts directly to the branding section of your account. I pay for premium Canva, so I’m not sure if it’s a function that’s available on the free version.

Once you’ve uploaded the fonts into Canva, you can use them just like the fonts that come native to Canva.

Where to use your branding

It’s really important you use your branding everywhere you can. Most bloggers have several social media accounts, and if you don’t, I’d encourage you to reserve your username even if you don’t want to use that platform yet. At some point you may want to utilise a certain platform to speak to your audience, and your username may not be available.

As someone who’s been blogging a long time now, I’d suggest you start a Facebook Page, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok and YouTube, You can decide late on whether you want to make connections on that platform, but as a minimum, each platform should display your logo in your branding colours and your email address.

How to use your branding on Pinterest

Pinterest should be on your radar as a blogger. It can drive tonnes of traffic your way if you use it right. Branding on Pinterest is incredible important because Pinterest groups similar pins together. This means if you get a viral pin, the other pins you’ve shared to Pinterest are likely to be recommended under the pin a reader has clicked on, giving you more chances to for increasing your page views.

Here’s a mock up of a pin showing the same colour scheme and fonts as above:

If you are a regular user of Canva, you can create a template to save time when you’re pinning. The example of the pin I’ve created above is a very basic one to show of the colour scheme and font consistency with the other graphics I’ve shown in the post.

A quick branding checklist

Pick 2-3 fonts and stick to them.
Work to a colour scheme.
Make sure branding consistent over all social media.
Create templates to keep in with the theme and save time.
Consider whether the images you’re using are in line with your theme.

If you need any help with your branding, feel free to reach out to me on social media!