{"id":24726,"date":"2017-10-12T10:30:44","date_gmt":"2017-10-12T15:30:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/blog\/?p=24726"},"modified":"2025-06-18T15:46:08","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T20:46:08","slug":"small-business-brand-avoid-stock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/blog\/small-business-brand-avoid-stock\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways Stock Art Is Killing Your Small Business Brand"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Oh no! His business used stock art…<\/p><\/div>\n

Your brand identity<\/a> should be like a fingerprint – unique and associated with your business only.<\/p>\n

Everything about your brand identity, from your business name<\/a> to your logo<\/a> to your website design<\/a>, should support and communicate your brand’s unique identity. As we previously explained<\/a>:<\/p>\n

A brand is the sum total of the experience your prospects and customers have with your company. A strong brand communicates what your company does, how it does it, and at the same time, establishes trust and credibility with your prospects and customers. Your company\u2019s brand is, in many ways, its personality. Your brand lives in everyday interactions your company has with its prospects and customers, including the images you share, the messages you post on your website, the content of your marketing materials, your presentations and booths at conferences, and your posts on social networks.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In an article for Forbes titled Why Branding is Important,<\/a> Scott\u00a0Goodson preaches the gospel of branding<\/a>:<\/p>\n

No branding, no differentiation. No differentiation, no long-term profitability. People don’t have relationships with products, they are loyal to brands.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So why on earth would you consider using stock art or stock images to represent your brand?<\/p>\n

“It’s cheap and convenient!” I hear you say.<\/p>\n

But, stock art is the opposite of a fingerprint – it’s generic, lacking in personality, and the very same stock art could and does show up on your competitors’ websites, business cards, and logos.<\/p>\n

It’s one reason that a business owner should never buy logos at so-called “logo stores”<\/a> that sell pre-made generic templates.<\/p>\n

Generic, stock art, and images will weaken and muddy your brand.<\/p>\n

When you consider the lawsuits you may face if you misuse stock art… it may not be so cheap and convenient after all.<\/p>\n

Your brand deserves – no, needs<\/em> – better than stock art.<\/p>\n

Here are 5 reasons stock art is killing your small business brand.<\/h2>\n

Generic stock art steals your brand’s voice<\/h3>\n

Millions of businesses are competing for attention every day. And thanks to the Internet, people have easy access to a wider range of options than ever before.<\/p>\n

If you’re starting a new business<\/a>, you are trying to find ways to set your business apart from competitors.<\/p>\n

So, how do you differentiate your business from every other business in this vast marketplace?<\/p>\n

The answer: \u00a0your unique brand identity.<\/p>\n

Your brand identity should be as specific and unique as possible. After all, no other business is exactly like your business. Your unique circumstances and vision are one-of-a-kind.<\/p>\n

Your brand identity should reflect that.<\/p>\n

Your brand identity should also remain true to your business vision. Crowdspring founder and CEO Ross Kimbarovsky reminds us<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Great brands have genuine, clearly articulated and consistent missions.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A clearly articulated, consistent mission<\/a> coupled with the specificity of your authentic brand identity demands a visual language just as specific.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, stock art exists to be malleable and adaptable to a wide range of users – the more buyers can use it, the more profitable it is for the creator. \u00a0By design, stock art is the opposite of specific. Therefore it can\u2019t have a strong point of view.<\/p>\n

Yet, your brand needs a strong point of view if it’s going to stand out.<\/p>\n

Generic stock art cannot effectively communicate your brand identity to the world. And, it doesn\u2019t help anyone get to know or trust your brand. Stock art strips your brand of its identity by making your business look like every other business using stock art.<\/p>\n

No successful entrepreneur made the use of stock art a crucial part of their business plan<\/a> for their startup.<\/p>\n

Instead of stock art…<\/strong> Sing your brand’s voice loud and proud. Make art design choices that will give your brand a consistent, clearly articulated point of view. Invest in an original\u00a0logo and website design that captures the unique essence of your brand.<\/p>\n

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