Written by Matt Birch on July 5, 2021

Tips for choosing the right colors for your brand, business

Marketers have been leveraging the power of color psychology for years, and you can apply some of their methods to help grow your business.

Use of color theory dates back to the days of traditional advertising, with agencies attempting to influence perception, drive behavior or set an agenda. And while different eras showcased different color schemes -- with bright, vibrant, accent colors being popular in the '70s, while the '90s saw a rise in the traditional red-black-white palette -- the methodology behind it remains the same.

There are a number of reasons why agencies use color and music to affect mood and drive behavior. The most powerful one is that they target the irrational portion of the brain, otherwise known as the limbic system. It operates quite differently than the prefrontal cortex, which handles judgement, and rational decision making. For example, if you send a proposal to a client, they might focus on the cost, because it's a set number, which can be measured.

But the limbic system is quite different, as it's focused on emotions and feelings. Marketers use colors, music and messaging to make consumers feel a certain way, attempting to influence them into taking action.

So what emotions are associated with colors? Read on to find out.

How to use color theory to fit your business strategy

  • Red

    It's known that red attracts the eye more than any other color. Red is strong, and best utilized with muted, complementary colors, for proper contrast.

  • Orange

    The use of orange can draw attention, as it's vibrant, so it's viewed as being energetic and dynamic. But, unlike red, it does so with warmth and joy. It's commonly used by fitness, tech and sports businesses.

  • Pink

    This color is viewed as safe. That's why pink is commonly used for beauty brands, and children's' toys.

  • Blue

    We see blue everywhere, as it's one of the most commonly used colors. It's seen as being calming and trustworthy, and it conveys a sense of security and loyalty. Finance and health companies leverage it, as do social media platforms.

  • Green

    Right on brand, green is believed to be environment-focused, with an eco-friendly appeal. Businesses that focus in health, wellness and nutrition niches tend to use it.

  • Purple

    Purple can be overlooked by some, but it does a great job of conveying royalty, wealth and grace. It's seen as being luxurious, which is why tech and candy companies feature it prominently.

  • Black

    Boldness and sophistication is the name of the game here. Black, with the right font, can also be viewed as being elegant, so that's why fashion and media companies like it.

  • Gold

    We can't forget about the most shiny color. Gold is popular for logos that attempt to display a sense of prominence, stemming from power and money. You'll see its use in the hospitality, resort and automotive niches.

  • Silver

    Last but not least, silver doesn't have much impact on color psychology, but it does look cool. It's modern, and automotive companies love it.

 

Summary: Why color theory should be a part of your brand strategy

Marketers and business owners both understand that using the right strategy to drive action is imperative to optimize conversion rate.

And while your business' Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) vary based on your respective niche, conversions are vital for all companies, as revenue is vital for growth strategy. The use of color theory can help influence consumers into taking a specific action, whether it's on your website, storefront, billboard, logo, business card, pitch deck or any other channel used to showcase your brand.

So make sure to devote time to selecting your brand colors. Not only that, make sure to leverage color theory in all your marketing efforts.

Article written by Matt Birch

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