Marketing Firm, Denver CO
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Top 10 Mistakes Companies Make When Branding

Branding is more than just a logo or a catchy slogan—it’s the foundation of how your company is perceived. A strong brand communicates who you are, what you do, and why you matter. But building a successful brand doesn’t happen by accident. It requires thoughtful strategy, consistency, and a clear sense of identity.

At Hyve Marketing, we’ve worked with businesses across industries to help them craft and refine their brands. Along the way, we’ve seen some common (and costly) mistakes that companies make—especially in the early stages.

Here are the top 10 branding mistakes companies should avoid:

No Clear Positioning Statement

One of the biggest branding missteps is not establishing a positioning statement—a concise summary of what your brand offers, who it’s for, and how it’s different from competitors. Without it, your brand lacks focus, and your messaging becomes unclear. This leads to confusion in the market and weakens your brand identity from the start.

Choosing a Name Without Securing the Matching URL

It’s surprising how often businesses fall in love with a name before checking domain availability. Your brand name should align with your digital presence, especially your URL. If the matching domain isn’t available—or worse, is being used by a competitor—you could face branding confusion or credibility issues. Always check availability before finalizing your company name.

Inconsistent Visual Identity

From logos and fonts to colors and photography style, your visual elements should be cohesive across all platforms. Inconsistency sends mixed signals and makes your brand look disorganized or unprofessional. A brand-style guide is essential to keep everything aligned, especially as your team grows or you begin working with outside vendors.

Trying to Appeal to Everyone

A brand that tries to speak to everyone ends up resonating with no one. It’s better to narrow your audience and speak directly to their needs, challenges, and aspirations. Strong brands know exactly who they serve and tailor their messaging accordingly.

Ignoring Brand Voice and Tone

Visuals matter, but your brand voice carries just as much weight. Is your brand playful and conversational? Serious and authoritative? Your voice should reflect your values and be consistent across marketing, customer service, social media, and more.

Forgetting Internal Branding

Your brand isn’t just for customers—it’s also for your team. If your employees don’t understand your brand values, mission, or personality, how can they represent it effectively? Internal branding ensures that your people live the brand every day, turning them into your best ambassadors.

Overcomplicating the Message

Brands often try to cram too much into their messaging—multiple taglines, complex explanations, or overly clever language. Simplicity wins. The best brands are clear, direct, and easy to understand, even at a glance.

Neglecting Customer Experience

Your brand isn’t just what you say—it’s how people experience your company. Poor customer service, confusing websites, or inconsistent follow-through can quickly damage the perception of your brand. Every interaction matters, and your brand should be reflected in every touchpoint.

Lack of Differentiation

In crowded markets, blending in is a fast track to being forgotten. If your brand doesn’t stand out, it will struggle to gain traction. Take the time to define what makes your brand different—and lean into it across all channels.

Not Evolving with the Market

Branding isn’t a one-and-done project. As your business grows and markets shift, your brand should adapt too. That doesn’t mean rebranding every year—but it does mean being intentional about updates to your messaging, visual identity, or positioning when necessary.

Final Thoughts

A strong brand builds trust, attracts the right customers, and drives long-term growth. But without a strategic foundation, it’s easy to fall into patterns that hurt more than help. Avoiding these common mistakes is the first step to building a brand that’s not only memorable—but meaningful.

If you’re unsure whether your current branding is hitting the mark, the team at Hyve Marketing can help. We specialize in crafting brand strategies that connect with the right audience—and deliver results.

Hyve Marketing is a full-service marketing partner, we can manage all aspects of your marketing needs: vCMO services, branding and design, website development, digital marketing, social media management, paid search, content management, photography, and video production. Contact us today for a complimentary marketing analysis of your existing brand and collateral.

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Marketing Firm, Denver CO
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Brand Assessment

At Hyve Marketing, we understand that branding is more than just a logo or a color scheme—it’s the essence of your business. Your brand tells a story, connects with your audience, and defines your place in the market. But how do you know if your brand is working as effectively as it should? That’s where a brand assessment comes in.

Why a Brand Assessment Matters

Branding isn’t a one-time project; it’s an ongoing process that requires regular evaluation. Many businesses assume their branding is strong simply because they have a great product or service, but without a clear assessment, it’s easy to overlook gaps that could be limiting growth.

A brand assessment helps businesses:

  • Ensure Brand Consistency – Over time, messaging can become fragmented. A thorough evaluation ensures your brand remains unified across all platforms.
  • Understand Customer Perception – Your brand is what people think and say about your business. An assessment helps you gauge whether your audience perceives you the way you intend.
  • Refine Market Positioning – Are you standing out from your competitors? A brand assessment identifies opportunities to strengthen your position in the market.
  • Improve Marketing Effectiveness – Clear, compelling branding makes marketing campaigns more impactful, driving better engagement and conversions.
  • Build Brand Loyalty – Customers connect with brands that feel authentic and trustworthy. A brand assessment helps you refine your messaging to foster long-term relationships.

Hyve’s Brand Diagnosis: A Smarter Way to Assess Your Brand

At Hyve Marketing, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. That’s why we developed the Hyve Brand Diagnosis—a strategic tool designed to give businesses a clear, actionable understanding of their brand’s current standing and potential for growth.

Our Brand Diagnosis evaluates:

  • Brand Clarity – Is your message clear, concise, and aligned with your business goals?
  • Audience Connection – Are you reaching the right people, and does your messaging resonate with them?
  • Market Differentiation – How does your brand compare to competitors, and where can you stand out more?
  • Visual and Verbal Identity – Is your brand’s look and tone consistent, compelling, and memorable?

With these insights, we help businesses refine their strategy, strengthen their brand identity, and increase customer engagement.

Take the Next Step for Your Brand

Your brand is one of your business’s most valuable assets, but without the right assessment, you could be missing key opportunities for growth. Our Brand Diagnosis provides the insights you need to refine, strengthen, and elevate your brand’s impact.

Ready to unlock your brand’s full potential? Get started with our Brand Diagnosis today and take the first step toward a more powerful, effective brand.

Hyve Marketing is a full-service marketing partner, we can manage all aspects of your marketing needs: vCMO services, branding and design, website development, digital marketing, social media management, paid search, content management, photography, and video production. Contact us today for a complimentary marketing analysis of your existing brand and collateral.

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Marketing Firm, Denver CO
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End of Year Message

As 2024 winds down, we at Hyve Marketing are taking a moment to reflect on an incredible year of growth, creativity, and collaboration. This year has been a journey of transformation, and we’re filled with gratitude for the clients, partners, and team members who have been part of our story.

Celebrating 2024: A Year of Innovation and Success

In 2024, we continued to push boundaries, delivering impactful marketing solutions that helped our clients achieve their goals. From crafting engaging campaigns to refining brand strategies, we have stayed true to our mission of creating authentic connections between businesses and their audiences.

Some highlights from this year include:

  • Launching new brands that made a measurable difference for our clients across diverse industries
  • Speaking engagements educating potential clients on the importance of a solid marketing structure
  • Strengthening relationships with our clients through collaboration and shared success
  • New team members to support our growth and our clients needs

Every success we’ve celebrated this year is a testament to the trust and collaboration we share with our clients.

Gratitude for Our Partners and Team

We want to thank our clients for trusting us with their brands and allowing us to bring their visions to life. Your confidence in Hyve Marketing inspires us to innovate and deliver our best every day.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to our talented team. Your creativity, dedication, and hard work have been the driving force behind our success.

Looking Ahead to 2025

The year ahead is filled with exciting possibilities, and we’re ready to build on this year’s momentum. As marketing continues to evolve, so do we. In 2025, we will remain focused on crafting bold strategies, leveraging the latest technologies, and helping our clients thrive in an ever-changing landscape.

Wishing You a Prosperous New Year

As we step into 2025, we are reminded of how much we can accomplish when we work together. Thank you for being part of our journey this year. We look forward to collaborating with you again in the coming year, creating campaigns that inspire and results that matter.

From all of us at Hyve Marketing, we wish you a joyous holiday season and a bright, successful New Year.

Hyve Marketing is a full-service marketing partner, we can manage all aspects of your marketing needs: vCMO services, branding and design, website development, digital marketing, social media management, paid search, content management, photography, and video production. Contact us today for a complimentary marketing analysis of your existing brand and collateral.

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Marketing Services, Denver CO
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End of Year Message

As the year draws to a close, we at Hyve Marketing would like to take a moment to express our sincerest gratitude for your unwavering support, collaboration, and trust throughout this remarkable journey.

This year has been a testament to growth, innovation, and our unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled excellence to our clients. We are thrilled to share with you some of the incredible milestones and enhancements that have shaped our year:

Empowering Brands: We are immensely proud to have collaborated with dozens of clients, helping them elevate their brands through transformative upgrades. Witnessing our clients’ success stories has been the driving force behind our dedication to providing game-changing solutions and strategies.

Enhanced Capabilities: To better serve you, we’ve expanded our team’s expertise by adding a full-time Social Media Manager, a new Videographer, and fostering partnerships with renowned photography experts. These enhancements have enabled us to amplify our creative capabilities, delivering visually compelling and impactful content tailored to your unique brand identity.

Innovation and Creativity: Throughout the year, we’ve continued to push the boundaries of innovation, striving to bring fresh ideas and strategies to the forefront. Our commitment to staying ahead of industry trends and embracing cutting-edge technologies remains unwavering, ensuring that we offer you nothing less than the best.

Client-Centric Approach: At Hyve, our clients are at the heart of everything we do. Your feedback, insights, and collaboration have been instrumental in shaping our strategies and services. We remain dedicated to fostering strong partnerships and delivering solutions that exceed your expectations.

Looking Ahead: As we approach the new year, we are filled with excitement for the possibilities it holds. We are committed to further elevating our services, embracing innovation, and continuing to be your trusted partner on your journey to success.

Thank You: We extend our heartfelt thanks for your continued trust and partnership. It’s your unwavering support that fuels our passion for excellence, and we look forward to achieving new milestones together in the coming year.

Warmest Wishes for the Holiday Season: As the holiday season approaches, we wish you and your loved one’s joy, peace, and prosperity. May this festive season be filled with happiness and unforgettable moments.

In closing, we want to express our genuine appreciation for being a part of our journey. Your trust and collaboration have been the cornerstone of our success, and we are honored to have you as a valued client. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous new year ahead!

Hyve Marketing is a full-service marketing partner, we can manage all aspects of your marketing needs: vCMO services, branding and design, website development, digital marketing, social media management, paid search, content management, photography, and video production. Contact us today for a complimentary marketing analysis of your existing brand and collateral.

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Denver CO, Marketing Firm
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Ideas For Client Holiday Gifts

The holiday season is upon us, and it’s the perfect time to spread some cheer and show appreciation to the clients who have been with us throughout the year. Gifting is a beautiful tradition that allows us to express gratitude, foster relationships, and strengthen connections. If you’re looking for unique and thoughtful ideas for client holiday gifts, we’ve got you covered!

Personalized Gifts

Personalized gifts are a fantastic way to show your clients that you value them on an individual level. Engraved pens, for instance, not only serve as practical office tools but also carry a personal touch. It also gives you the opportunity to incorporate your brand and brand messaging.  Each time your client uses the gift, they’ll be reminded of your thoughtfulness.

Moreover, branded stationery can give your clients a professional image and enhance their branding efforts. Monogrammed tech accessories, such as custom phone cases or laptop sleeves, are not only functional but also stylish, making them excellent choices for clients who are tech-savvy.

Gourmet Gift Baskets

Gourmet gift baskets are a delightful way to treat your clients to an array of indulgent goodies. A basket filled with artisanal chocolates, fine wines, and gourmet snacks can make for a truly special and indulgent gift. These gifts are perfect for clients to enjoy with family and friends during holiday gatherings, or they can savor the treats themselves, creating a moment of indulgence and relaxation.

Whether it’s a rich dark chocolate truffle or a bottle of aged red wine, the flavors and aromas in these baskets can create a multisensory experience that your clients will appreciate and remember for years to come.

Charitable Donations

Making a charitable donation in your client’s name is a unique and meaningful way to express gratitude. It demonstrates your commitment to making a positive impact in the world. Choose a charity or cause that aligns with your client’s values or interests and make the donation on their behalf.

A certificate or letter acknowledging the donation can be included with a personal note explaining the choice of charity. This thoughtful gesture not only spreads goodwill but also showcases your company’s commitment to social responsibility, fostering a deeper connection with your clients.

Tech Gadgets

Tech gadgets, such as portable chargers, noise-canceling headphones, or smart home devices, make excellent holiday gifts for clients, especially in our tech-driven world. These gifts are practical and offer everyday utility, making them appreciated by clients of all backgrounds.

For example, a high-quality portable charger ensures that your client’s devices remain charged while on the go. Noise-canceling headphones offer an escape from the daily hustle and bustle, allowing for relaxation and focus. Such tech gadgets convey your thoughtfulness for enhancing their digital experiences.

Experience-Based Gifts

Experiential gifts provide your clients with lasting memories. Consider gifting spa days, cooking classes, or tickets to a concert or sporting event. A spa day offers relaxation and self-care, allowing your clients to unwind and recharge. Cooking classes foster culinary creativity, and concert or sporting event tickets provide entertainment and excitement.

Each of these experiences not only adds joy to your client’s life but also symbolizes your appreciation by granting them the opportunity to create moments they’ll cherish forever. It’s a unique way to strengthen the bond with your clients and offer them something outside the ordinary.

Remember, the choice of gift should align with your brand, client’s preferences and the nature of your professional relationship, ensuring it resonates with them on a personal level. Personalization and thoughtful presentation go a long way in making your client holiday gifts truly special and memorable.

Hyve Marketing is a full-service marketing partner, we can manage all aspects of your marketing needs: vCMO services, branding and design, website development, digital marketing, social media management, paid search, content management, photography, and video production. Contact us today for a complimentary marketing analysis of your existing brand and collateral.

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logo and branding

Why a Brand is MORE than Just a Good Logo: Insights from Hyve Marketing

In the world of business, establishing a strong brand is paramount to success. However, many people mistakenly believe that a brand is solely defined by its logo. While a well-designed logo is undoubtedly important, it is just one element of a comprehensive brand identity. A brand encompasses a wide range of components that work together to shape how a company is perceived by its audience. In this blog post, we will explore three crucial reasons why a brand is so much more than just a good logo.

 

Brand Storytelling

A brand is essentially a narrative that connects a company with its target market. It goes beyond a mere logo and encapsulates the company’s values, mission, and unique selling proposition. Through brand storytelling, a company can establish an emotional connection with its audience, fostering trust and loyalty. A captivating brand story creates a powerful identity that sets the company apart from its competitors. It helps customers understand the company’s purpose and why they should choose its products or services over others. While a logo can serve as a visual cue, it is the brand’s story that truly resonates with consumers and influences their perception and decision-making.

 

Consistent Branding

Consistency is key when it comes to building a strong brand. A logo alone cannot maintain a consistent brand experience across all touchpoints. A comprehensive brand strategy incorporates consistent visual elements, messaging, tone, and customer experience. It ensures that every interaction with the brand reinforces the desired image and reinforces the company’s values. Consistent branding builds familiarity and trust, making it easier for customers to recognize and connect with the brand, regardless of the platform or medium. It also helps differentiate the brand from its competitors and creates a cohesive and professional impression.

 

Brand Experience

A brand is not merely a static entity; it is an identity, an ongoing experience that customers have with a company. A logo may be the initial point of contact, but it is the overall brand experience that leaves a lasting impression. The way customers interact with a brand across various touchpoints—such as websites, social media, customer service, packaging, and physical stores—shapes their perception and loyalty. A good brand experience goes beyond a logo’s visual appeal; it encompasses factors such as ease of use, customer service, quality of products or services, and the overall feeling customers get when engaging with the brand. By focusing on delivering a consistent and positive brand experience, companies can create lasting relationships with their customers and foster brand advocacy.

 

While a good logo is undoubtedly an essential element of a brand, it is just the tip of the iceberg. A brand encompasses a multitude of factors that shape the perception of a company and its products or services. Brand storytelling allows companies to connect with their audience on a deeper level, while consistent branding creates recognition and builds trust. Ultimately, it is the brand experience that determines how customers perceive a company and influences their loyalty and advocacy. When it comes to marketing and branding, make sure to trust Hyve Marketing for the insights on how a brand should be shaped. Remember, a brand is more than just a good logo—it is a holistic representation of a company’s identity, values, and promise to its customers.

 

Hyve Marketing is a full-service marketing partner, we can manage all aspects of your marketing needs: vCMO services, branding and design, website development, digital marketing, social media management, paid search, content management, photography, and video production. Contact us today for a complimentary marketing analysis of your existing brand and collateral.

 

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The Role of SEO in Boosting Website Traffic and Conversion

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, and it is how you improve your website to increase visibility on search engines. People talk a lot about SEO because it is integral to a successful business. With over 50% of website traffic coming from organic sources, your SEO can make or break your business. Let’s talk about the role of SEO in boosting website traffic and conversion.

 

Why SEO Matters

First-page search results account for over 67% of all clicks. Consumers are increasingly turning to search engines for products and services, if your product or service is not visible online it is missing the lion’s share of the business.

 

Types of SEO

There are two main types of SEO. There is technical SEO and on-site SEO. Both of these are integral for driving traffic and conversion to your website.

Technical SEO is the process of optimizing all of the technical aspects of your website. These technical things can include website URLs, picture URLs, and metadata for all of your blog entries and static pages. It is also important to avoid broken or dead links because these will lower your SEO score.

Next, on-site SEO is all about the content of your website. This is what most people think of when they think of SEO. On-site or content optimization needs to be optimized for two audiences. It must be optimized for people as well as search engines. The ultimate goal is to produce helpful and high-quality content, but it is also important to include keywords that help search engines find the information. Optimizing title tags, headers, image alt text, and long-form keywords is key to having quality on-site SEO.

Whether you’re trying to drive more traffic to your website or increase the percentage of conversions per visitor, SEO is the key to that improvement. SEO stands for search engine optimization, and proper SEO helps your website rank high on search engines. SEO can be confusing and overwhelming, especially if you do not have the right SEO partner. At Hyve Marketing we build a clear & actionable SEO strategy following our framework. Our SEO strategies and services are proven to fuel results.

If you are interested in improving your website’s SEO and growing your business, Hyve Marketing can assist you with your goals.

Hyve Marketing is a full-service marketing partner, we can manage all aspects of your marketing needs: vCMO services, branding and design, website development, digital marketing, social media management, paid search, content management, photography, and video production. Contact us today for a complimentary marketing analysis of your existing brand and collateral.

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right brand identity

Three Important Aspects of Having the Right Brand Identity

The idea of branding has changed throughout the years and depending on the setting. Traditionally, the use of a brand was to establish livestock or belongings as owned by a specific person. The modern use of branding is not much different, except it has a different purpose. Branding in the business sense is all about establishing a name, style, and vibe for a product or organization.

 

Having a strong brand identity can increase profits and create customers for life. Let’s talk about three important aspects of having the right brand identity. 

 

 The idea of branding has changed throughout the years and depending on the setting. Traditionally, the use of a brand was to establish livestock or belongings as owned by a specific person. The modern use of branding is not much different, except it has a different purpose. Branding in the business sense is all about establishing a name, style, and vibe for a product or organization.

Having a strong brand identity can increase profits and create customers for life. Let’s talk about three important aspects of having the right brand identity.

  1.     An appropriate logo. First, you must have an appropriate logo. Selecting a logo for your brand can be difficult because what appeals to you visually may not be what is best for your brand. For example, if you have a plant blog, then having a modern, sharp logo probably won’t fit the emotions you want to convey.
  2.     A consistent style. Next, you have to commit to a consistent style. Styling is one of the fun parts of having a brand, and being consistent with it allows customers to recognize your products from afar. A good example of this is Louboutin. You may not be aware of the Louboutin brand, but Most people will recognize the red bottoms and be able to attach that to an identity.
  3.     A unique value proposition. Finally, and most importantly, it is important for your company to develop a unique value proposition. A unique value proposition is something that establishes why your brand is different from competitors. This shows customers how you will solve their problems and why they should connect with you instead of the competition.

 

Having an established brand identity is integral to successful marketing. The clearer your brand, the easier it is to market to your target customer and the faster your business will grow. Whether you need help establishing a brand or developing a successful marketing plan to reach your target audience, Hyve Marketing can help you reach your business goals.

Hyve Marketing is a full-service marketing partner, we can manage all aspects of your marketing needs: vCMO services, branding and design, website development, digital marketing, social media management, paid search, content management, photography, and video production. Contact us today for a complimentary marketing analysis of your existing brand and collateral.

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what is a vcmo

What Is A VCMO?

As a small business owner, there are dozens of tasks to complete. Many of these tasks can be spread across various categories, such as your finances, marketing plan, and general operations. You are also the help desk and the returns department. With so much to do, you may have considered investing in a vCMO.

 

What is a vCMO?

A vCMO is a virtual chief marketing officer who is employed virtually, or on a part-time basis. If your business is just getting off the ground or is a small, tight operation, you may not have the budget for a full-time marketing officer. A quality compromise for this is having a virtual CMO. You get the benefits of a full time leadership insight without the price tag of an executive head count. 

What To Look For In a vCMO

A good vCMO should have experience in marketing and managing a team. They should be familiar with the top social media sites of the moment and how to make them work for the business that is employing them. 

An experienced vCMOs should be capable of many tasks, including developing marketing plans, assessing sales and marketing activity, participating in leadership team functions, and managing agencies and vendors. They should also be capable of providing voice of customer insights.

VCMOs have other benefits, too. They have the ability to give an outside perspective on your business and current marketing strategy. Since you are hiring them as a part time employee or a contractor, they can give unbiased opinions of your business, your products or services, and your ideas.

Invest Wisely

Marketing is an integral part of business success, but if you’re a small business owner, you may not have the money to employ an experienced marketing officer. If this is the case, your best case scenario may be hiring a vCMO. A vCMO gives your business access to an experienced marketing executive without hiring them full time. If this sounds like something you can benefit from, we can help! Hyve Marketing, is a full-service marketing partner, and we’re capable of managing all of your marketing needs, including providing you with an experienced vCMO!

Hyve Marketing is a full-service marketing partner, we can manage all aspects of your marketing needs: vCMO services, branding and design, website development, digital marketing, social media management, paid search, content management, photography, and video production. Contact us today for a complimentary marketing analysis of your existing brand and collateral.

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brand guide

Every Business Needs A Brand Guide

Whether you own a roofing company, med spa, or sell a product, every business needs a brand guide. A brand speaks through visual language, writes in a consistent voice, takes on a perspective, and evokes a specific feeling, a brand guide ties it all together, therefore every business needs a brand guide.

What Is A Brand Guide?

 A brand guide is a document that details a company’s visual identity, along with rules and guidelines for any client-facing communication. Brand guides set forth rules for how you can use the logo, font type, color, typography, and the brand’s positioning statement. They might also include mission and values.

  Example of a Brand Guide:

brand guide 

The Timing of a Brand Guide

 A brand guide can only be created once all other elements of a brand have been satisfied, which include:

  1. Defined color palette
  2. Hierarchy of typography
  3. Imagery style
  4. Consistent icon family (if applicable)
  5. Logo in color, black, and white
  6. Positioning Statement

The Importance of a Brand Guide

Whether your business is large or small, a brand guide is critical to helping your brand to work effectively. Without the guidelines it provides, your brand’s message can change at any point by using the logo improperly or because you introduce a new color.

Here are just a few of the reasons you need a brand guide:

  1. Brand consistency
  2. Sets standards
  3. Provides a tool
  4. Avoids confusion

Whether you are creating a brand from scratch, pivoting your existing brand, or just developing your brand strategy and its strategies further, every business needs a brand guide to ensure that the brand’s message stays consistent. We’d love to help. It’s never too late to develop brand identity guidelines. In fact, recognizing you need them means it’s the perfect time to have them created.

Hyve Marketing is a true, full-service marketing partner, we can manage all aspects of your marketing needs: branding and design, website development, digital marketing, social media management, paid search, content management, photography, and video production. Contact us today for a complimentary marketing analysis of your existing brand and collateral.

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