When you own a business, the main goal is always the same, create a brand that is memorable and recognizable. But where do you start, what do you do? This is the question I get the most and not only from startups but also from businesses that are a bit longer around. Let’s start giving more attention to your branding and create a memorable brand in just a few steps.
Starting a business can be easy nowadays but creating a brand can be challenging sometimes if you don’t have any experience. That’s why we going to talk about some simple tasks where you can start by creating a strong brand.
No matter what kind of business you own or how different you are from the next person asking this question, you all have one thing in common: You want your brand to get recognized to improve brand awareness.
Here are some tips to help you achieve this goal and get you brand recognized, regardless of what industry you`re in.
1. TELL A STORY
Your business needs a story, this is one of the most effective ways for you to develop brand awareness. People love stories and want to hear your story, a good business story with great ideas will get potential clients to put their trust in your brand. Without a story, it will be hard to get your message across to the right people.
2. DEVELOP A STRONG LOGO
This sounds maybe like a no brainer but is really important to have a unique logo for your brand. Having a strong logo that presents your brand can be as important as having the right story to tell. Whenever you think of a brand the first thing that comes to mind is always the logo, when you only see a logo you can associate that logo to the right brand. Having a strong logo can say more than 1000 words.
So, what’s makes a great logo? It has to be unique, well-crafted and able to tell the story of your brand at one glance. Your logo impacts purchase decisions and aids in developing the overall attitude towards your brand. You can’t afford to miss out on making the right first impression.
3. QUALITY PRINT MARKETING
In the age of online marketing, never underestimate the power of high-quality printed marketing materials. Business cards, flyers and even personal letters carry a high degree of trust and believability.
Remember, at the end of the day, you’re still talking to real people so it’s important that your printed materials are designed for, well, real people.
In order to have quality printed marketing materials, it’s best to invest in quality printing services. If you want design and functionality that will speak to your target market, always consult with experts.
4. INVEST IN SOCIAL MEDIA
These days, you simply can’t develop a brand without investing in social media. Social media has become the gateway for clients to know more about you.
Not only is it a great tool for developing brand recognition, but it’s also the fastest avenue to get your brand’s message to the right people. Make sure to use it well.
Since almost everyone is already on social media, set yourself apart by engaging followers with high quality posts that offer tips, special offers and even related human-interest stories.
Don’t make the mistake of using your social media accounts as a means to promote your brand 24/7.
5. WRITE A BLOG
One way to get clients to know more about you and eventually trust you is to write a blog. It’s not just great for developing brand recognition, you can also use your blog to inform, entertain and foster trust with your target market.
Establish your brand online by writing 2-3 quality articles per week. If you don’t have the time to create your content, you can always ask the help of your employees.
This way, you’ll be able to quickly fill up your editorial calendar and at the same time show off a more personal side to your brand.
6. SEND NEWSLETTERS
Just like a blog, email newsletters can help your brand generate interest and trust with your target market. Sending your mailing list, a personalized clear concise message on a user-friendly interface can help them keep your brand in mind.
If you don’t make the effort to stay in touch with your clients, you’re guaranteed to lose them to competitors.
Since most people have already become immune to email newsletters, brevity is essential. Make sure that your message is tailored to your audiencia and contains a strong and clear to action.
7. PRODUCE OTHER QUALITY CONTENT
Other than blogs and newsletters, you can also create other forms of quality online content that will help establish your brand online. If you want to increase your brand’s status as an expert in the industry, you can try hosting a weekly podcast specifically catered to meet your target market’s needs and wants.
Even if podcasting isn’t actually your thing, there are other forms of online content that you can produce for your target market. Whatever medium you choose, always remember that part of establishing your brand is giving your clients what they want and exceeding their expectations above and beyond.
8. REWARD REFERRALS
Word of mouth is still and will always be the most powerful way to get in leads. If you still haven’t made it a habit to reward existing clients for referrals, it’s time that you create some sort of program that will encourage them to talk more about you to their peers.
Remember, the happier your existing client base feels about your brand, the more likely that they’ll be talking about you with other people.
Setting up a rewards system is as simple as offering a discount or incentive whenever they refer new clients to your company. Just make sure that you communicate the details to your clients so that they know they have something to get excited about.
9. PARTNER UP
Networking is another great way to get to the right people to pay attention to your brand. By attending trade shows and local networking events, it will be easier for you to get your brand out there and maybe even find the right people to partner up with.
The key to finding the right partners is to focus on the verticals. Look for other brands that have the potential to grow with yours. As much as possible, avoid partnering up with direct competitors, especially if you’re the one with all the advantages.