Many potential clients wonder if they're choosing the "right" designer. I've even had some potential clients come right out and ask "How do I know you're the right designer for me?"

On the surface it seems like an odd question, but it's definitely important. You're going to spend time, effort and money with your designer so you want to make sure they'll be a good fit for you and your business. 

Based on my experience speaking with potential clients, I've put together some tips to help you find the right designer for you...

It was so much FUN to be on the Speaking Panel for Networx Brisbane event "Marketing with Love - Creating Brands that People Adore" on Wednesday 30 March.

With great panel companions David Frangiosa (Variety) and Sarah Whyte (Tourism Queensland) and facilitated by Cat Matson (Alito), the discussion was potent and juicy - and totally my favourite topic to talk about!

In fact, I thought the discussion between the three of us was so full on I wanted to make a note of the points raised so you could refer to them for your own business.

(Left to right: Sarah Whyte, David Frangiosa and me on the panel at Networx Brisbane)

Creating a strong brand is something we all try to achieve.  There are many brands that do it successfully and others that just can't seem to get it together.

So what's the secret?  Well, it's got to do with understanding what - exactly - a brand actually is.

You see, many businesses (and even marketers) think that having a well designed logo is all you need to have a brand. That having beautifully designed marketing materials like brochures, websites and ads will automatically have clients beating down your door. 

Fact is, that's not true. In fact, it's only a third of the story.

Allow me to let you in on a little secret I call the "Brand Circle".  Once you understand it, you'll be well on your way to understanding how you strengthen your own brand, and get that all important edge over you competitors.

So what happens when your brand promise (the promise you make to your clients and customers to encourage them to work with you) doesn't match up to what you actually do?

• Does it really matter?
• Do customers really expect you to live up to what you say each and every time?
• Can it really affect your reputation if you don't live up to your promise?

...when it's a company profile!

You know, I see a lot of business cards in my line of work.

Not only do I design them, I see them before I re-design them. I see them in their hundreds at various networking events. I have many reference books that showcase business cards from all over the world and there are countless posts across the internet that show-off some of the greatest (and not so great) business cards that have ever been created.

On the topic of advertising, I'm often asked how can you determine if an ad in a particular magazine or newspaper will work for your business?

Here are my top tips to help you determine if an ad is likely to give you a good return on investment.

Everyone has an opinion on this topic, and I can completely understand business owners who feel confused as to whether they should "advertise" their business.

It's been raining where I live for about a week now. Not showers or thunderstorms – but grey, foggy, constant, drizzly rain.

Today in the car on the way to the office, I was amazed by the number of cars on the road that weren't driving with their lights on.

Outside everything looked grey, so those cars (particularly the dark-coloured ones) were very hard to see, what with the water on the road, reflections of other lights, reflections from buildings, rain coming down, mist and my windscreen wipers flipping back and forth.

And it struck me that, in business, your logo is like the headlights on a car.