4 Healthcare Branding Mistakes to Avoid

Healthcare branding is a complicated gig. Anyone with experience can tell you it’s a fast-paced, ever evolving industry. Whether you’re dealing with medicine or patients, a strong branding strategy can help you stand out from competitors.

Most healthcare businesses don’t see the value in marketing and tend to overlook branding mistakes that may be costing them revenue. When done correctly, healthcare branding can not only establish you as an expert in your field, but it can help you build credibility and bring in new business, too. Mistakes could do just the opposite.
If you’re healthcare company isn’t seeing the results you were hoping for, it could be due to one of these possible healthcare branding mistakes:

Remaining stagnant: Since healthcare is constantly evolving, your company needs to be following current trends. This doesn’t mean you should chase every shiny new object that pops up on the market, but rather stay up to date on the latest news and technology available your industry. With such a fast-paced and changing industry, lagging behind could quickly cause you to lose credibility.

Budgeting: Often times, budgeting for branding, is overlooked. Some healthcare companies think they don’t need branding, and will try to save money by skimping on that part of their marketing. Big mistake! Effective branding keeps your marketing campaign cohesive, clearly communicates your mission to your audience, and sets you apart from your competitors.

Focusing only on short term goals: Building a brand takes time and dedication so don’t discard your strategy if you don’t get immediate results. You need to take the time to allow your brand message to spread, both organically and through various marketing efforts. While you should always be evaluating, don’t give up at the first sign of failure. Instead, re-evaluate and adjust to get your message and brand on track.

Failing to create a strategy: Successful brands don’t just happen. They take dedication, effort and a clear vision. Not taking the time to thoroughly outline and understand your brand message and goals could leave you and your audience with a fuzzy image and mixed emotions about your healthcare company. Take the time to plan a strategy for your brand, or outsource it to a reputable marketing agency.

No matter what field your company is in, branding can positively impact your presence. If any of the above scenarios sound familiar, take the time to learn from your mistakes and work on ways to improve your current strategy.

Build a Company Culture that Supports Your Brand

As a company, your goal is to make your customers feel that they are making the right choice when they choose to do business with you. That means you have to promise them quality, affordability and customer service. You may make numerous promises about your company and what it represents or can offer consumers, but if you can’t follow through on your promises, your customers won’t stick around for long. That is why it is important to build a company culture that supports your brand and reflects it accurately.

Core Values
Every company claims to have core values, but many don’t take them seriously. Sure it looks good to list some core values and have consumers believe that your company believes and follows them, but that isn’t enough. Your company should support and follow those values and not only know what they are but honestly believe in them and work to reflect those values in various aspects of your business practices.

Find Ways To Demonstrate Your Company Culture
Don’t just tell your customers you company cares about or supports something. Involve your customers in your core values and find ways to demonstrate all the positive things about your company.

Train Your Employees To Reflect The Company’s Values
If your employees don’t understand or find your company’s message or core values important, they won’t represent your company well and may not be right for you. When you interview possible employees, present your values and company culture and ask how the employee feels about the values and will work to represent and uphold them. You may need to show your employees how to incorporate your values and ideas into their daily work and how to express them to customers.

Having a strong company culture can be very beneficial. You will not only attract more customers, but you will keep customers longer by helping them to trust and count on your company to deliver what they want and need. If you don’t already have a strong company culture, it’s time to create one. What do your company stand for and what do you want your customers to know about it?

5 Typical E-book Design Mistakes

Designing an e-book for your business is an important investment; it engages customers and helps grow your influence online. Furthermore, it’s incredibly cost-effective compared to creating and distributing print materials. However, despite an e-book’s effectiveness, it can be brought down simply with one or more elements of bad design. Here are a few common mistakes that designers make when developing e-books; look out for them and let your designers know to avoid them.

1. Color

At first glance, an e-book format offers the opportunity to use so many colors and images that aren’t available in print format due to cost issues, or simply because they don’t look the same. However, it is important not to overdo the color usage, as this will only distract readers and create a jarring image that ruins the overall e-book experience.

2. Cover design

A cover is the first, and in many cases, the only thing that a potential e-book reader will see; browsing through numerous titles, the cover is supposed to capture a reader’s attention and motivate him or her to download the full title. If a cover looks like every other cover out there, the user will move on. That’s why it’s crucial to design a cover that is unique and easily recognizable; it has to be one that a reader will remember and immediately associate with that particular e-book. The most common designer’s mistake is designing a generic cover; this significantly decreases the e-book’s success.

3. Fonts

Although it might be tempting to use what might seem to be a “fun” or interesting font, it is ultimately more important to use a simpler one that draws readers in and makes the e-book easier to read. As a general rule of thumb, sans serif fonts work best for reading on electronic devices, which e-books are intended for; a font size, furthermore, should be neither too large nor too small, with size 10-11 being the most recommended.

4. Formatting

Basic formatting, such as spacing and text justification are critical to the design of an e-book. A typical mistake may include overusing centered text; while it may be helpful to draw attention to a header, it ultimately is harder to read and creates a less professional format. Spacing mistakes include leaving too much or too little space in between letters, sentences, or paragraphs, leading to confusion and poor aesthetic appeal.

5. Readability

Common readability issues include long blocks of text, uninterrupted by images, graphics, or page breaks; a reader will get lost and be unable to continue reading if an e-book is designed this way. Failing to include elements that help the reader organize the information, such as page numbers and headers, can also impede readability.

What is Content Marketing and How To Use It

What Is Content Marketing

Content marketing is a type of writing that allows you to gain customers and make more money as a business. It is a way of using content to drive people to your website or make them interested in your products and services. Some companies choose to hire professional writers to do content marketing for them and others are capable of handling this task themselves. Content marketing is an easy and successful way to get your business name out there and get people interested in your company.

Why Is It Useful

Content marketing is useful because it is simple advertising. People are always looking for information online and if they happen to stumble across information or content that directs them to your website or offers information about your company, they are likely to become interested and willing to learn more. This could also lead to them telling others about your website or business and eventually, you begin to gain more customers as a result of the content marketing reaching so many people.

How To Successfully Use Content Marketing

The best way to create successful content marketing articles is to give the readers useful information while connecting it to your business, website or company. The content should not only inform the readers, it should explain to them how your products or services can help or benefit them. At the end of your content you should include a link to direct them to your website. When a reader is genuinely interested in what they are reading, they will be anxious to learn more or take action for or against what they read. If you offer a link or a next step, they are likely to click on it.

Content marketing doesn’t have to be complicated or confusing and you don’t have to be a professional writer to master it. Focus on providing useful information as well as information about your company and your content marketing will be successful. You may also choose to have someone create the content for you. No matter what you choose, content marketing can help you business grow.

File Extensions…What Do They Mean?

If you are planning to hire a designer to create or plan the layout for your website, you will likely receive many documents and images in a variety of file formats. It is important to know what these formats are and how to use them. Once you understand what each format does and how it can best be used, you will be able to use them to build your website the way you want it.


GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format. These types of files are used for both websites and emails and are able to minimize files, making transfers easier. GIF format can be used for website logos, buttons, banners and clickable icons.


EPS stands for Encapsulated Postscript. This format is used for high-resolution images that are can or will be printed. EPS is versatile and can open and edit vector images. It can protect images and but does not require any specific software to open images.


AI stands for Adobe Illustrator Document. It is a popular image format that is used by many designers and editors. AI is used to create logos and banners and can also be used to create vector images, which are easy to edit. AI is preferred because it is easy to use and is a versatile tool.


PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics. These files are fully interactive and often large files. Websites are an example of a PNG format. PNGs can be changed and do not lose their quality because they are low-resolution files. PNG formatted files are not suitable for printing.


JPG or JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. This format is a popular one and is used for images. The images lose quality as they become smaller, but print well and in high resolution.


PDF stands for Portable Document Format. PDFs are used for sharing and viewing rich information from any application. PDFs can be viewed on any computer and by anyone but can also be password protected. PDF documents can also be edited and resent and are a way to exchange information.


TIF stands for Tagged Image File. These files are photographs and images and are suitable for printing. TIF files are large files.

Trying to understand the many types of file formats and extensions may be confusing, but is simple. Learning how to use these formats will make you a better designer and editor or can help you better understand how your designer creates websites and files.

Effective Resume Design




Information Overload


Keep It Simple



6 Tips to Design on a Budget

Watching pennies is important for every not-for-profit organization; those that are creative in nature need to be especially vigilant. It can be difficult to create beautiful work when you are working with a tight budget. However, it is not impossible. Keep reading for some tips on how to create beautiful work on a tight budget.

Use free stock photos 

Using the best images in an important aspect of creating the perfect design. Although there are many online avenues to stock photos, many of them come with a cost. However, there are many lesser-known free sites as well. These sites have great photos to choose from that don’t cost a dime.

Use free fonts 

There are as many free fonts available as there are free stock photos. Although it can take some time to look through them all to find the perfect one, it is possible.

Borrow from yourself 

Do not forget that you are a creative person. If you have already designed something that you really like, reuse it. It is easy to swap out colors, fonts, or make some other minor changes. Once the original design has been repurposed, it is ready to use in another way.

Use a template 

Using a template is a great way to get started on a project without having to spend any money. Most templates give the user control to change an aspect of it, so creating something completely original by using a template as a base is completely possible.

Go for high impact rather than high concept 

Don’t forget the standard rule of advertising, “sell the sizzle, not the steak”. Spending an exorbitant amount of time creating designs with lots of ornate flourishes can cost you money in the long run if it doesn’t sell the product. Sticking to the basics and creating simple yet effective designs can save both time and money.

Do not try to please everyone 

Agreeing to make every tiny change everyone involved with the product asks for costs time and money. When you get into this habit, a project that should have been finished quickly can end up sitting on your desk for weeks. Decide on a design, have it approved (if necessary), and complete it. Not only will you save money, but you will also be happier in the long run.

Saving money on design projects ultimately means a not-for-profit will have more money to allocate to other areas of the organization. Creating fabulous designs on a tight budget definitely take some patience and skill. However, making the effort is well worth it.

Guide to Client Pitches

Knowing how to correctly and efficiently pitch your design ideas to clients is an extremely important skill to have. In order to get work (Repeated work, at that), as a designer, you have to be able to get the client to see your vision as you see it and make them fall in love with it, as well. Minimally, it’s necessary to convince a client that your design fulfills their needs and serves their goal better than any other design could. In the interest of moving forward with a client, your pitch must stand out and be persuading. Doing such things as having a thoroughly structured and thought out presentation and extensively researching your client and their needs will get you ahead of the game.


  1. Have a strong presentation

When delivering a pitch, it is important to have some type of idea about how you will go about presenting it. HOW Design University instructor Douglass Davis has devised a seven-step plan to help with the delivery of the pitch to subtly sell it without it being obvious. Such steps included in Davis’ plan are insight (Share an observation), therefore (Explain your conclusion), concept (Present your idea), execution (Explain how your design will meet your client’s goals), benefit (Explain how your design benefits the client), message (Explain what the consumer gets out of it), and objective (Briefly come back to the client’s goal).


  1. Know the client

Being that your client is the one who makes the big decision on whether your design fits their goals or not, it is extremely vital to know as much about your client’s needs, wants, and interests as possible. Talk to them about their vision. Check out some of their past projects. Try to get a feel for what your client wants by looking at the project from their perspective. Getting to know more about your client will allow you to tailor your design and pitch to fit their goals accordingly.


  1. Do your research, extensively

When you present your design idea for the first time, your client will naturally have questions. Even so, it’s key to do your research so well that you answer all of their questions within your presentation or leave your client with a minimal amount of questions to ask. Be the answers man. Ask yourself all the questions your client would ask while researching so you’ll have a solution ready for them. This makes you look efficient and quickly calms any concerns your potential client could have. Not to mention, you’ll increase their confidence in your designs.

Graphic Design: What is Negative Space?

No matter what art form you are working in, the composition of a piece is of utmost importance. Knowing how to properly balance artistic elements to reach a harmonic and satisfying whole is one of the primary challenges of becoming a great artist and producing marketable and engaging works.

When creating any composition, the use of negative space will often make or break the piece. Simply put, negative space is the space that surrounds the elements of an image. For example, if you were looking at a painting of column against a white background, the negative space would be the white background.

Having the proper amount of negative space, and placing the elements within it appropriately, have a major impact on how a viewer engages with a piece. From corporate logos to high end art, improperly applied negative space will make it difficult for your eyes to focus on the piece as a whole.

In films, the use of negative space can be particularly important. As the amount of space kept relatively “empty” in a frame will help guide your eye from one image to the next in a way that helps Hollywood perform its “invisible” continuity editing style. In fact, films can be a great way to see the use of negative space in action when first becoming familiarized with the concept.

Negative space not only affects how a viewer will engage visually with a piece, but it can also help in communicating an idea. An off-center element within a negative space, for example, can provide a sense of unbalance or confusion. If you were trying to provide a commentary on the instability of an object, the use of negative space could provide a helpful tool in achieving your goal.

Although negative space is more often focused upon in minimalist works and designs, the importance of it extends to every art form, and every piece. It is practically impossible to escape negative space when creating art. From the actual space inside of the canvas or medium, to the location something such as a sculpture may be presented in, the negative space will affect the overall impact a piece has on an audience.

Once you begin appreciating what purposefully implemented negative space can accomplish, you will start to gain much more from the objects around you.

Meaning of Color Part 1: Blue

Colors play a big role in how we see the world, not only physically but emotionally as well. Whether you notice it or not, certain colors can affect your mood in certain ways. Some colors might make you feel sad, and others can make you feel excited or even anxious. The interesting thing about colors and emotions is that many colors affect people the same way. . Since colors are so important in our daily lives, it makes sense for businesses to use colors in their advertisements and marketing to evoke feelings and help customers remember logos and brands.

All About Blue
One of the strongest colors and one that many businesses use in advertising is blue. Blue is a dominant color. When a person sees the color blue that often feel safe, calm, relaxed and secure. Blue is often used in company logos and brands. Blue is a dominant color and is often used to show that a company is reliable, trustworthy and professional.

How Colors Affect Us
Colors can affect everyone differently, but in many cases they don’t. Most people have the same reactions to certain colors and there is a scientific reason for it. When a person sees the color blue, the body begins to produce chemicals that are soothing or calming. The body literally relaxes, and the person may feel content and safe. This is because so many blue elements in nature are also calming and relaxing. The sky and water are both represented by the color blue and are associated with feeling relaxed and peaceful.

How The Color Blue Can Help You
If you are looking for a color to add to your business logo, website design, and advertising, think about what you want your customers to think and feel as soon as they see your marketing materials. Most people react to color without even realizing it, so before a customer even reads your materials, he or she has already formed somewhat of an opinion about your brand. By choosing the color blue to represent your company, you are telling your customers that they can be safe and confident with their decision to do business with you. You are telling them to trust you and to relax and allow themselves to be “taken care of” by the company.

Color is an important part of our lives. Not only do we enjoy colors, but they can affect how we perceive things. If you want your company or business to be associated in a strong, dependable and professional way, you may want to consider including blue in your logos, brand, website design or marketing materials. How do you feel when you see the color blue?