If you’re serious about taking your business to the next level and really starting to pick up some pace, then you’re going to have to take a step back for a moment to look at the bigger picture. Many people believe that once you’ve got a business name and a funky looking logo in place, that you’re pretty much good to go – suffice it to say, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Of course, a logo is very important. It allows for the instant identification of who you are. That being said, a brand is the underlying emotion behind what they feel when they come into contact with your company – how their senses react. A pretty logo will inspire admiration, though a well-thought out brand can promote all manner of feelings! The depth of which is entirely up to you.
But how can you successfully build a brand? In this post we’re going to explore a few different ideas for getting started!
1 – Understand Your Target Audience
Before you go anywhere, who is it that you’re selling to? In order to create a provocative brand that inspires people, first you need to understand the people you’re trying to inspire. Not only will identifying your target audience help with building your brand, but also help towards generating new ideas for products and services. The more you explore, the more you’ll discover!
2 – You’ve Got Your Logo – Now Get a Tagline!
Your tagline is in essence, your mission statement – it clearly defines what your business is about! It’s word for you and your customers to live by, and it’s the next step is building your brand and taking it to the next level. Depth is the key to inspiring a worthwhile sensory response to your ideas.
3 – Do Your Research
What are you up against? Many people make the mistake of believing that their ideas are unique, when in actuality, they’re not. That’s not to say that they’re not good ideas, but your best bet is to research what you’re up against, take a look at your competitors and let your ideas evolve from there.
4 – Find Your Voice
How do you want your brand to be perceived? Would you like to adopt a more corporate tone and command respect? Or would you like to take a more light-hearted approach to the way that you engage with your audience? You can take any approach, but it’s important that you remain consistent. So, think long and hard before you make your decision, because your voice is a vital and important aspect of your overall brand identity.
5 – Sum Your Brand and Business Up in One Short Pitch
No more that several sentences are need – you need to find a way to capture your entire brand mission, your services and products and why people should take notice. Use your brand voice when doing so and you’ll feel it slowly begin to take form!
6 – Incorporate Your Brand into All Aspects of Your Business
Social media, blog posts, article submissions, press releases, tweets, Instagram posts – everything! You should feed your voice and brand image through every aspect of your business. Take full advantage of every outlet available to you and make sure that you maintain a level of consistency when doing so. It should be visible in everything from your corporate business card, to your website, your product packaging and even your staff uniforms – Let your brand be the glue that bonds everything together.
7 – Spread the Word
You are your brand! So, talk about it, write about it, in fact go right ahead and shout about it! Be your brands biggest advocate and watch with pride as it begins to set. In addition to that, stay true to the cause and remember that it takes time. Every day you should be working towards building your brand up and dreaming up new, exciting and innovative ways to transform your small business into a brand worthy of recognition and excitement!