Tips for Teacherpreneurs: Boost Your Brand Identity Using A Profile Photo or Logo

This summer, I will be releasing all 20 Teacher Creator’s Toolbox videos here on the Core Inspiration blog. Teacher Creator’s Toolbox is a comprehensive guide to help you succeed as a seller in the TPT marketplace. If you are interested in watching these video tutorials in chronological order, visit my video index here.

What You’ll Learn

(00:51) Option 1: The Logo

(01:31) Should You Remain Anonymous?

(01:56) Where To Get A Logo

(02:10) Option 2: The Photo

(02:27) Boosting The Personal Touch To Avoid The Corporate Vibe

(02:54) Photo Tips

(03:05) Option 3: The Phogo

(03:45) What The Top 100 Sellers Use

(04:06) Consistency Is Key

Tool 18 Transcript

A major aspect of your brand is the image that appears on every page of your store, potentially on the TPT homepage, maybe in the newsletter (fingers crossed), and in the seller’s forum. This image is…your “logo” or “photo”. So which of these is best for building your brand?

I am indecisive on the issue, so I have found a way to incorporate my logo into my photo so there is brand consistency from my blog to my store. There are many pros and cons for both options but I will focus on a few of the benefits for each and leave the final decision-making up to you.

Using A Logo

Logos are typically eye-catching, colorful images that show your unique style and personality. Your logo may even give customers a peek at the type of designs and colors you incorporate into your resources.

Logos also allow you to creatively display your store/brand name so that it can be instantly viewed on TPT and on social media sites. Most photos do not have the store/brand name attached. So, when seen out of context, logos may have a greater branding impact.

Many teacherpreneurs in the TPT forum mention they use a logo because they need to remain anonymous in the online world, which is impossible with a photo. If you have any concerns about your district, students, or classroom parents connecting you to the resources you create, a logo is likely the best choice for you.

If you are interested in using a logo to boost your brand, you can either apply the tips introduced in the design tools to create your own or hire a logo designer to build one for you.

Using A Photo

Photos are effective in bringing the human element to your brand and your resources. Personal connections are a huge part of education and many teacherpreneurs see a benefit in showing their customers who they are. Many times, I think of my favorite teacher creators as part of my collaborative planning team because they help provide the resources I need to help my students succeed. A photo helps people feel connected to you as a teacher and can even help them imagine themselves using your resources.

If you are interested in building a brand that forms a personal connection, a photo may be your best choice. Professional photos are always the best option because they don’t have that “selfie” vibe that results from taking a photo with your camera photo or computer.

Creating A “Phogo”

For teacherpreneurs who are indecisive like me, you can combine both a photo and a logo. In this case, I highly recommend making the photo the background and the logo a watermark on the photo. When done the other way around, your photo is more of a detriment than an asset.

I have also seen photos framed with the store name. This option allows you to make that personal connection but also incorporates your store or brand name so that if you photo is seen out of context, it has a bit more meaning.

What Do Most Sellers Use?

For those of you who like data to guide your decision-making process, here are some photo/logo stats (collected in 2014):

• 71% of the top 100 all-time sellers use a photo
• 70% of the top 100 all-time sellers in pre K-2 have photos
• 53% of the top 100 all-time sellers in 3-5 use a photo
• 52% of the top 100 all-time sellers in middle use a logo
• 61% of the top 100 all-time sellers in high school use a photo

Regardless of which option your choose, I highly recommend using that image consistently for anything related to your Teacher Creator endeavors. In your store, on your blog, and on any social media pages you may have. This really boosts your brand consistency and brand recognition among potential customers.

Up next in Tool 19, we will talk about linking to social media pages and your store within your product so your customers can easily reference who they should visit for their next purchase.