Why you should never ask a friend if they like your logo.

Let's be honest, we all seek approval when it comes to the important things in our lives.

We want it from our friends, our family members, those we work with and even those close business associates. The question is, do we actually NEED approval, and if we do, are we really seeking out the best people to be giving it?

When we relate the whole approval seeking conversation to business or businesses for that matter, we open a whole can of worms that in my opinion, can make or break our business.

Throughout the branding process, especially when a new brand or logo is being developed, it is very common for clients to share the mock up designs with a few people in their "inner circle" before making a final go or no-go decision.

I get it! It it is a big decision and one you want to get right, but are the people you are asking even qualified to provide a professional opinion?

In most cases, when my clients seek feedback from others, they often return to me more confused than when we began! We might end up trying a few different alterations of the original concept design, but ultimately, 9 times out of 10, the client will agree the original concept was the best.

Research and understanding of your market is an essential part of developing the right foundation for your brand and asking for direct feedback can be a very effective way of gauging if we are on the right track. As long as this feedback is from the RIGHT PEOPLE - professional people, or those who are specifically in your target market.

Remember, it is your TARGET MARKET who you want to attract with your branding, not your friends and family.

So my point to make here is this... understand who your market is, who you would like to target and if you have a specific "ideal client" in mind. If you can identify this group, only ask people within it for their opinions.

That way the feedback you receive will be more relevant and of value to you and your business.

Don't lead with, "what do you think of my logo/brand"?

This implies for them to critique your brand elements on a surface level, which can lead to misguided feedback.

Brands are about the overall experience, so find a way in which these people can experience your brand, rather than judge it just on face value.