Before we begin, let’s see what branding is and what it’s all about. By definition, branding is a process of building an image and identification of a company to the public’s eye. A company can use various strategies to create a strong brand, such as by creating and utilizing a unique logo, shape, color, graphics, name, and many other things they can think of, which would generate brand popularity and awareness in their field of work.
As an entrepreneur, you should definitely focus your efforts on building a strong brand. It is imperative to think about every single brand element (name, logo, tagline, color scheme, message, support system, etc.), and have them in place. We’ve compiled a list of useful tips for investing in the proper branding techniques and helping you to start off the right way.
#1 Online Presence
Whichever kind of work you do, online presence is absolutely necessary. Build your own website or another type of online platform, engage with your audience on social networks, and amplify your content. Use Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. There are different options, and you should find which social network resonates with your business. Build an email list, have a good design, have a unique voice, and always stay authentic. Also, never forget to leverage the power of networking, guest blogging, and content marketing.
#2 Design Makes a Brand
Design and branding are made almost inseparable. Creating a unique and smart design is crucial when you’re having a major company launch and would like to be in the center of attention when you launch it in the market. Design is what unites the vision, mission, and all branding features, merging them into a branding plan across different platforms – digital, social, and print. Your website should be responsive as well, so it scales to size on various devices, including desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
#3 Weave Your Company Brand into Everything
When it comes to personal branding, it should be woven into your life. It involves every action with business colleagues and friends, not only the clothes you wear. The moment you start trying to be somebody you’re not, it will definitely show.
#4 Be Consistent
What the brands that you’re most loyal to? What is that about them that earned your trust? Usually, businesses earn our trust because they’re dependable and consistent, which proves the importance of consistency for a company’s brand image. All of your marketing assets and communications should tell your brand’s story.
#5 The Brand and the Company Should Always Match
There are companies whose logo simply doesn’t match with their identity – to what they do, offer, or their business policies. For example, if you run a brewery in Tennessee, then you should have beer mugs with your logo, to make sure you’ll be able to attract customers. What you have to do is just let your business plan come alive, and your mission statement and vision should live the dream of yours. Consider different printing services and get flyers, freebies and all sort of other promotional materials as they help consumers connect to your brand.
#6 Associate Your Company with Strong Brands
Whether your personal brand will get stronger or weaker depends on its connection to other brands. In order to make yours stronger, you should take a look at the brands in your business niche, find and leverage strong ones.
#7 Never Try to Please Everyone
Don’t try to please everyone, because it can’t be done. You should find a specific set of users and learn how to be the best brand possible to them. Have this stick to you at all times, and you’ll eventually realize the importance this has to you as a business owner. You can’t do everything, so just be yourself and don’t be afraid to say things others won’t. You’re here to grow a business, not try to please everybody.
There’s no limit to how you can raise your company’s brand awareness, as long as they’re exposed to you. If you manage to insert your brand’s name into people’s everyday vocabulary, you’re doing it right. Some of the out-of-the-box methods for spreading brand awareness are offering premium content, creating an infographic, hosting a podcast, setting up PPC ads, and running a social media contest.
A digital marketer from Sydney. Works as a blogger, Senior Editor for Bizzmark blog and a lecturer at Melbourne University. Tweets industry related articles.
