How can you make brand guidelines accessible to all stakeholders?

1 Use a clear structure

Your brand guidelines should have a logical and intuitive structure that guides the reader through the different aspects of your brand. Start with an overview of your brand vision, mission, values, and personality. Then, explain the core elements of your brand identity, such as your logo, color palette, typography, and imagery. Next, show how these elements are applied in different contexts and formats, such as print, web, social media, and video. Finally, provide some examples of dos and don'ts to illustrate the best practices and common mistakes of using your brand guidelines.

2 Choose a suitable format

Your brand guidelines should be available in a format that suits your needs and preferences. You can create a PDF document, a web page, a slide deck, or a video to present your brand guidelines. Each format has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the level of detail, interactivity, and accessibility you want to achieve. For example, a PDF document can be easily downloaded and printed, but it may not be very engaging or dynamic. A web page can be more interactive and responsive, but it may require more maintenance and updates. A slide deck can be more visual and concise, but it may not cover all the nuances and variations of your brand. A video can be more captivating and emotional, but it may not be very practical or searchable.

3 Make it user-friendly

Your brand guidelines should be easy to use and understand for your audience. You can use simple and clear language, avoid jargon and acronyms, and explain the rationale behind your brand choices. You can also use visual aids, such as icons, charts, graphs, and screenshots, to illustrate your points and show how your brand works in action. You can also add some interactivity, such as links, buttons, menus, and filters, to help the user navigate and explore your brand guidelines. You can also provide some tools, such as templates, checklists, and resources, to help the user apply your brand guidelines in their own projects.

4 Update it regularly

Your brand guidelines should be up to date and relevant for your current and future needs. You can review and revise your brand guidelines periodically, or whenever you make any changes to your brand strategy, identity, or communication. You can also collect feedback from your stakeholders, such as surveys, polls, or interviews, to understand how they use and perceive your brand guidelines. You can also monitor the performance and impact of your brand guidelines, such as metrics, analytics, or testimonials, to measure their effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

5 Share it widely

Your brand guidelines should be accessible and visible to all the stakeholders who need to access them. You can use different channels and platforms to distribute and promote your brand guidelines, such as your website, intranet, email, social media, or blog. You can also create and join communities and networks to share and discuss your brand guidelines with your peers, experts, and influencers. You can also organize and participate in events and workshops to educate and train your stakeholders on how to use and apply your brand guidelines.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?