How to Choose Brand Colors that Make You Memorable
Let’s play a quick game! Name 5 companies that use red in their branding. Now, name 5 companies that use blue. How about green? Or yellow? I bet you could name at least one brand for every color of the rainbow with no problem.
That’s the power of color. It’s not decoration. It’s recognition.
Why your brand colors matter
It’s crazy how your brand’s colors can influence how your clients perceive you before you even say a word. According to a study performed by the University of Loyala, Maryland, “color increases brand recognition by up to 80%.” This recognition then creates:
Curiosity…client are reminded of you
Traffic…they’ll visit your website or social media to see what you’re up to
Conversion…they’ll book a discovery call and invest in your services
For CEOs, dentists, nonprofit leaders, and top-tier experts, choosing the right brand colors will also portray credibilty, professionalism, and authority. So your brand feels grown-up and aligned with your next chapter/business goals.
How to choose brand colors strategically
Start with words
Define how you want to be seen. What three words capture your brand vibe and personality? Why are they important? These words will become the anchor for your color decisions.
Think of your dream client
What colors, styles, brands are they already drawn to? Understanding what resonates with them ensures your brand fits in with the other brands they’re already attracted to.
Find visual inspiration
Look beyond the internet. Color inspiration is all around you. Your closet, home, travel, or architecture can revewal colors you naturally gravitate towards and represent your brand’s vibe and values.
Choose your brand colors thoughtfully
I recommend 6 brand colors to give you flexibility and consistency without feeling too matchy, matchy:
One (1) main color
Two (2) complementary colors
One (1) accent/pop color
One (1) light neutral, and
One (1) dark neutral
Apply colors strategically
Use your brand colors across all your marketing materials…your website, logo, social media, presentations, and every client touchpoint. Each application reinforces brand recognition and builds trust.
My favorite color resources
Coolors.co is a fun and super-fast color palette generator where you upload a photo to create a color palette for you
Color Collective’s Palette Perfect by author and designer, Lauren Wager. There’s so much color inspiration in these two volumes that big-name brands use these books, too!
Color Palette Cinema is an Instagram account I stumbled upon. it lists out color palettes from movies! So if you ever asked yourself, “If my brand were a movie, what would it be?” Then this might be a great place to find color inspiration.
Your brand colors are more than a visual choice
They are a strategic tool to strengthen recognition, build trust, and position you as a leader in your industry.
Curious to see if your brand colors are living up to their fullest potential? The Brand Possibilities Report is a visual audit that shows what’s strong in your business and where a few strategic design tweaks could elevate your visual presence. So your brand feels professional, thoughtful, and inspiring.