Church Logo Gallery

Getting Your Name Out There

noreply@blogger.com (Church Logo Gallery) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:00:00 +0000

I bumped into a friend yesterday who has transitioned from advertising executive to surf artist. In order to grow his new business he has had to actively promote his art to gain new customers. In the early days of his new career he would create art to promote events even if it didn't pay well because it at least "got his name out there." He wouldn't do the same now though unless there was a good return on his investment - money or new clients. Marketing pro's I work with would agree that there has to be a good ROI to do marketing. For small or new churches (or churches reestablishing themselves) I would make a case for both:

- Getting your name out there
- Getting a return on investment (visitors to your church)

Getting Your Name Out There
I've been asked if I would ever promote an organization if the result was that it made it look like everyone else. If I was new and starting out, establishing an image as a successful, growing organization would be a positive step. So, yes, I would.

Harry Beckwith, author of the marketing book Selling the Invisible, tells of a Greek immigrant who started a tour business to show people his beloved land. In trying to get a publication to do a story on him, an interested editor said he had never heard of the new travel business. He wasn't convinced it was real. If they had advertised and gotten their name out there, the editor would have followed through with the story. Applied to churches - it's much easier for people to trust you if they are familiar with you. Getting your name out there can help establish your identity and lay the groundwork of trust and familiarity.

Return on Investment
If you have a familiar presence in your community, then your communications need to be effective and measurable. For established churches, use free of low cost PR to get your name out there. If you are paying to get your message out, it needs to accomplish what it sets out to do. Have the goal in mind before you start a campaign, then perform a postmortem after the event to see if you met your goals and how you would do it differently in the future.

Maximum Impact Marketing - Frequency

noreply@blogger.com (Church Logo Gallery) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:18:00 +0000

There's nothing worse than spending time and money sending out a postcard and not getting a response. "I'll never do that again," you mutter to yourself. Yet other churches do experience success. What do they know that you don't?

I just got back from a marketing conference that listed some helpful rules for getting the most from your marketing effort. To achieve maximum impact in:
- Print (magazines/newspaper) - run your ad at least 4 times
- Direct Mail (postcards) - send out at least 3 postcards
- Radio - (promoting a weekend event) - run at least 24 spots Wed-Sat.
- Billboard - Go for at least one month.

One other word about postcards/direct mail. Direct mail is most effective with people who are already familiar with you. So while a postcard invitation may attract new people, it will probably be more effective in attracting inactive members of your congregation, or people who have some prior connection with your church.

Pepsi, Smoking & Church Growth

noreply@blogger.com (Church Logo Gallery) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:53:00 +0000

(Or how to grow your church through being missional)

(From www.presbyterianglobalfellowship.org) Will Mancini, author of Church Unique, helps leaders to recognize that a relevant model of ministry is not through internal focus. Rather, it is through participation in their community and surrounding culture. Informed by missional thinking, he helps church leaders to engage the nonaffiliated in a way that is unique to their context and culture. Will says in his book, “ Your mandate must counteract the “gravity inward ” of Christian fellowship. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said that the church is only the church when it exists for others. What keeps your church focused externally? Who do you think the most important person is to the Coca Cola company? The consumer? Which one? The Coke drinker? Nope —It’s actually the Pepsi drinker. Missional leaders need to polarize this same reality for their people. It should be clear that the most important people are those outside the church. Neil Cole sums it up well when he reminds believers, “If you want to reach people for Jesus, you’re going to have to sit in the smoking section (pp122).”

Logomania!

noreply@blogger.com (Church Logo Gallery) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:01:00 +0000

The first time it happened we wondered if someone made a mistake. A pastor ordered 6 logos. At the same time. What do you do with 6 logos, we wondered? Turns out they were all youth logos, so we called to get the story. He was buying logos to give an identity to each of the small groups within their student ministry. We thought that was pretty cool (and we cut him a deal to prove it).

This week we sold another church their sixth logo. They weren't all for youth, but rather for infants through youth. This is the third church that's purchased six logos, and the pastor said he'd be back for more.

When we started Church Logo Gallery our friends, business coaches and even pastors would call and ask if we could really make a go of it with a business dedicated to church logo design. Even I thought our customers would buy one and be done. Then pastors told their friends, or moved to a different church and gave us a call again. Pastor Dan gave us a call last week - he's at his third church and has used us three times.

Happy surprises that make our day. Thanks. We appreciate you. And if you buy more than 4 pre designed logos at once, give us a call so we can find out more about your ministry. We'll help you out with the price, too.

Which Logo File Should You Use?

noreply@blogger.com (Church Logo Gallery) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:13:00 +0000

Have you ever created a document, went to insert your logo and wondered if you were using the right file? I think most people have been there. It isn't one of those situations where you worry that your computer will shut down or crash, but it can be frustrating to have a document that doesn't print well because you didn't know which file to use.

At Church Logo Gallery, we include a document with every personalized and custom CD we send that explains the various file types, and when it's best to use each one. For instance, a commercial printer will most likely want a Pantone.eps file for your stationery for 2 color printing. Information on vector and raster formats, as well as which files have transparent backgrounds are all included.

It's one of those sheets that you may never look at - kind of like directions from the newest thing you need to put together. I understand - I'm the same way. If you purchased a personalized logo from Church Logo Gallery, wish you had the Tip Sheet and don't know what you did with it, email us and we'd be happy to email you the pdf file. Let us know if we can help. Our customer service doesn't end when we send you your logo.

Having the Right Kind of Logo Files

noreply@blogger.com (Church Logo Gallery) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:54:00 +0000

When we design a logo, all the focus goes on the design. After we send it people start wondering if they have the right kinds of files. Most logo design companies supply the customer with a tif, jpg, and pdf file, and sometimes an eps. We recently worked with a designer who said he just needed an eps file from us, which is the file we start with before we make all of our other files.

At Church Logo Gallery we go overboard and send a CD with 15 different files including ai (Adobe Illustrator), eps, tiff, psd (Photoshop), jpg, png, gif, and pdf in the appropriate rgb, cmyk, grayscale, and Pantone colors. Our reasoning is this - better to cover all the bases and give our customers more than they need than to field calls from frustrated clients needing something they don't have. Our guess is that our customer will find a file format that works well in most situations and use the same file 90% of the time, but it's always good to know they'll have what they need when they need it.

The light went on for our designer friend. He had supplied previous clients with eps and ai files, only to hear back that they needed additional files. It's more time on our end to make that many files, but we think it's time well spent. We hope you'll agree.

A Word About Pricing

noreply@blogger.com (Church Logo Gallery) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 01:06:00 +0000

Some of our customers try to bargain with us. We realize pricing is a game to some people. My mother-in-law is like that. She won't buy anything unless it's on sale, and she has fun sharing how she made the best deal possible.

It makes sense to me to look for bargains on commodities. Paper, toothpaste, socks - it's all kind of the same, so if I come across a bargain on a commodity I go for it. On the other hand, I would never try to bargain with a surgeon or the guy that's fixing my brakes. If my life or peace of mind are on the line, I'll worry about how to pay for it later.

So when it comes to Church Logo Gallery, you might wonder where we fit on the spectrum between brain surgery and toothpaste. We know your life doesn't hang in the balance with our work. But our design has an influence on your image. If it's done right it adds value to your ministry. The right image sends the right message to the right audience. It's easy to remember. People have a better understanding of what you're all about. The right image is designed well. It lasts a long time, and it's an asset. Corporate images like Nike's are valued in the billions of dollars.

How do we build in value? Experience - we design more churches than anyone, and there are reasons why. We understand churches. It's our niche and our passion, and we do it better than anyone. We're strong on the design end. Part of that is talent, and a larger part is hard work. We're good storytellers. Our peers regularly recognize us with national awards as a result. The pleasant surprise has been that some churches come back to us for more. We've had a handful of churches ask us to design 4 logos for them, and 2 churches have had us design 6 logos. We'll pour our heart into exceeding your expectations and enhancing the image of your ministry.

If you're looking for the lowest price, you won't find it here. If you're looking for the best value, give us a call. A few years after designing a logo for a church in Missouri I talked with the pastor's wife. She said when they asked us to design their logo it was a stretch for them financially. When their small congregation saw the logo they were excited because it gave them the right identity. It provided a cohesive image - they understood what they were all about. She said they just built their first permanent facility and said she didn't think it would have happened if they didn't have the right logo. The right image can make a huge difference.

So if we don't bargain, we hope you understand why. Honestly, our price is right.

The 7 Laws of Winning Logos

noreply@blogger.com (Church Logo Gallery) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:16:00 +0000

OK, these aren’t laws. These are actually more like 5 things designers agree on, and 2 that I would I wouldn’t let go of for anything.

1. Well Crafted
Good software in the right hands is a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, the work of an amateur is hard to disguise, so go with a pro who knows what they are doing. It will be money well spent.

2. Reproduces Well
Some logos look great on your computer but don’t print well. Or they don’t work in black and white for a phone directory ad. Ever try to make a banner with a small TIF file when what you really need is an EPS file? Make sure your logo works for all the applications you will need.

3. Enduring
We worked with a church that had their previous logo for over 50 years. Styles change more quickly these days, so it's unlikely your new logo will take you to the second half of the century. The saying, ‘Nothing dulls faster than a cutting edge' also applies to the lasting power of logos. The more trendy your logo is, the sooner it will be out of style. A more timeless look probably won't look as fresh. If you want your logo to look good and last, go for a balance of the two.

4. Memorable
It seems obvious - I mean, who would purposely create a forgettable identity? Good logos are interesting and recognizable.

5. Distinct
Your logo shouldn’t look like everyone else’s. A few years ago it seemed like everyone added a swoosh to their logo. Originality stands out.

Our Top 2 Traits for a Great Logo:

6. You Gotta Love It!
Have you ever had a car where the best thing you could say was it got you from point A to point B? Your logo shouldn’t be like that. Your logo should be like the car you enjoy being seen in, that gives you a little boost of confidence (bad theology, but you know what I’m saying). It’s the car that when your friends say they like it you point out even more things you like about it.

A good logo is satisfying. It creates a great first impression, makes you feel like you’re the captain of a winning team or a smart CEO. If it means paying more to take it to that level, consider it a worthwhile investment. You have to live with it everyday for years. Make sure you like it, or better yet - love it.

7. It Fits
When you look at your logo you should feel like ‘That’s us.’ It has the right personality. Whether it visualizes a value that's central to your church, a nearby landmark, a symbol synonymous with your church, or communicates what your church is in the process of becoming - your logo needs to match your church. If it communicates something you aren’t, people will catch on quickly and you won't be able to repair the damage soon enough.

No one knows your church like you do. Pick a skilled designer who understands churches, but realize what you bring to the table equally determines whether your logo will be successful or not. You, plus the right designer equals a winning team - and better yet, a winning logo.

The World's Best Church Logo!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Church Logo Gallery) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:16:00 +0000

I’ve come across a few sites that claim to show the best logos ever created. Some are business logos, and I’ve seen a couple of sites claiming to show the best church logos. Maybe I shouldn’t complain - our logos have made it into a few books and sites featuring logos judged to be in the top of their class. I’ll admit, too, that there are logos that are favorites of mine because of a clever visual pun, hidden meaning, pleasing design, or other detail that gets a designer like me excited.

Here’s the problem I have with judging a logo as “the best.” What is it the best for? I saw a clever logo for a St. Peter’s Church. It was of a rooster - you know, when Peter denied Christ and the cock crowed. It’s been over a year since I saw the logo and I still remember it. I laughed, and it was nicely done, but is this the image you would want people to associate with your church? ‘Oh yeah, those guys go to the church that denies Christ,’ or worse yet, the unchurched person that doesn’t make the association to begin with and wonders what in the world a rooster has to do with being a Christian. I think it’s clever, but even I would deny being a member of that church – award or no award.

Context is critical. The values a logo promotes, or the emotion it evokes may work great for one church, but do nothing for yours. The best logos today probably won’t make the list in a few years. Tastes change. Your community will change, and probably your church, too. You want a logo that will have staying power, but nothing stays current forever. In design as in cutlery, nothing dulls faster than the cutting edge.

The point is this: A logo is only best if it’s best for you. If your church is EastPointe, it won’t do you any good to have a logo showing a stream. It would make perfect sense to have a logo that in some way denotes East or comes to a point. While we can admire the style or certain aspects of other logos, the most important thing is that it communicates a compelling aspect of your church or in some way tells your story. If it does that, tell everyone you know that you were smart enough to get your hands on the world’s best church logo.

The Benefits of Good Communication

noreply@blogger.com (Church Logo Gallery) — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 01:10:00 +0000

Who is Your Communications Officer?

The local paper profiled a new city communications officer, a first for the city. The reporter asked why the city needed a communications officer. She said:
• Each resident was a shareholder in a multimillion dollar organization that needed to be informed.
• Communication is more complex than in the past.
- The use of visual images, or
- Other communication vehicles
made a difference in communicating effectively.
• A dedicated communicator ensured that the right message got to the audience at the right time.

When asked about her responsibilities, she included:
• Informing residents about programs, projects and services.
• Making sure the messages were disseminated through the right media.
• Coordinating special events and meetings.
• Creating and maintaining a clear identity for the city.
• Providing photography, graphic design, and production services.

How do the residents benefit from her services?
• They feel more plugged in.
• They have easy access to understandable information.
• Residents would view the city as being more transparent.
• Good communication fosters support, partnerships and understanding
between the residents and the city.
• Residents would be aware of the many good things taking place in the city.

I immediately related what she was saying to churches. By developing a system to communicate through your website, newsletters, brochures, and during worship, you can realize the same benefits my neighboring city did. Depending on the size of your church, this doesn't necessarily take a full time staff member to do.

Food for thought.

The Genesis of Church Logo Gallery

noreply@blogger.com (Church Logo Gallery) — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 18:55:00 +0000

A friend of mine owned a store in a prime location. He said a lot of thought went into the place, most of it AFTER he opened. I think that’s how its been with Church Logo Gallery, too. We went into it thinking talent, passion, and caring about customers were a winning formula - and we still do, but business skills, marketing know-how and continual upgrades to both product and processes have played an important part as well.

Church Logo Gallery officially started in 2002 after I left Outreach, Inc. I had been the Product Manager after serving as the Art Director (Creative Director) since 1999.We got off to an exhilarating and exhausting start. My staff consisted of a designer fresh out of college with loads of talent and a few months experience. Together, we created 72 new designs, a handful of new products and a 48 page catalog in two months. It nearly killed me, but sales exploded and we had a happy sales staff.

As enjoyable as it was creating new products, my passion for designing logos never dimmed. I love telling a story in a nutshell, of communicating a vision and capturing the personality of a church in a small space. When I left Outreach I was able to focus on the area I enjoy most. While I brimmed with optimism, my friends and business advisors all wondered if I had lost my mind. Logos for churches - were there really enough churches out there who needed a logo? Six months into it I began to wonder myself. Sales were slow. I thought then, and still do, that if you do great work and let people know about it the rest will fall into place. Sales picked up. A large web developer called. Lifeway picked our logos to sell on their Specialty Imprints website. Little by little we grew. My designer from my first days at Outreach, Melanie, has been with Church Logo Gallery from the beginning, and more recently another Outreach graduate has joined us. We’ve added much needed support and accounting help.

So here we are five years later - still passionate about serving churches with all we have. Wisdom from hard work and experience is taking root. While we’re getting stronger on the administrative side, our work is winning more recognition from both churches and the design industry. In 2007 we picked up twice as many awards as we did in 2006. We’re still learning from our customers and through trying new approaches in communicating the timeless message of Good News our faith hs to offer. To all the pastors and churches who have teamed with us, thank you. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you on the front lines.

The Power of a Brand

noreply@blogger.com (Church Logo Gallery) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 23:27:00 +0000

In a recent study, researchers served preschoolers carrots and other veggies from plain containers. To no one’s surprise, the kids didn’t give the snack a passing grade. Then they were served the same food in containers that included a McDonalds logo. The kids liked these vegetables. The only difference was the logo.

We are not impartial to brands. They stand for something, and the companies that can effectively articulate what they stand for are able to not only stand out but build trust and loyalty with their customers. The McDonalds logo meant something to those young kids. Can you articulate what your church stands for? Does your logo help tell the story? It should.

Welcome

noreply@blogger.com (Church Logo Gallery) — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 19:42:00 +0000

We will be posting helpful articles and tips on the latest in church branding. Feel free to add your comments.