Michael Devault

Apr 15, 2024 | fitsmallbusiness.com | Michael Devault

When you decide to start a small business, you'll most likely think at least a little about where you'll advertise your new venture. What you might not consider is how you'll convey to graphic designers, advertising copywriters, and website designers how to talk about your brand, the colors you want to use, and the dimensions of your logo. That's all information included in a brand style guide.

Apr 12, 2024 | fitsmallbusiness.com | Michael Devault

When I first started out in digital marketing, online reviews were barely "a thing." A few customers would go on Google or Facebook and post a comment or two-but for the most part, the notion of customer reviews was limited to word-of-mouth or positive testimonials posted on websites. There simply wasn't any reputation management software because the need wasn't there. My, how times have changed.

Mar 18, 2024 | fitsmallbusiness.com | Michael Devault

Some time after filing your LLC and before your grand opening, you'll start advertising your business. Advertising can mean posting pay-per-click (PPC) ads on Google or broadcasting commercials on television or radio. So many kinds of small business advertising exist, and it's nearly impossible to list them all. At the same time, you're probably wondering what you need to do for your business and-more importantly-how much it'll cost. So, what is advertising?

Mar 15, 2024 | fitsmallbusiness.com | Michael Devault

Choosing brand colors is an essential step in creating your brand's identity. Think about this: Hospitals and banks often employ blue, but beauty shops use pinks and pastels. To select the right brand colors, you'll need to express your brand's personality. Once you can do that, take a moment to consider the meanings behind the various colors. Only then can you choose which colors best express your brand's identity.

Feb 21, 2024 | fitsmallbusiness.com | Michael Devault

First, a question: What is the very first impression the vast majority of potential customers will have of your business? Chances are you said, "My logo." And it's true. The best brand logos make powerful first impressions and cement those brands in the minds of the people who might eventually buy whatever the business is selling. But is your logo making the right first impression? An effective logo is one of the core parts of building a strong brand presence.