What is branding?
“The process involved in creating a unique name and image for a product in the consumers’ mind, mainly through advertising campaigns with a consistent theme. Branding aims to establish a significant and differentiated presence in the market that attracts and retains loyal customers.”
When was the last time you have reviewed your company brand? Is your brand strategy competitive? Most importantly does it represent the voice of your business? These are questions we as entrepreneurs must ask ourselves. Branding is important to all businesses be they big, small or startup. Your brand is indicative of who you are.
Build a strong foundation.
The logo. This symbol is how consumers recognize your business. Make it secure in what you want your company to represent. Visual identity is crucial. The logo should also be versatile, capable of being used in all aspects of marketing. When seeking a logo the best option is to review may different options before deciding on the final one. The opinion of fellow entrepreneurs, family, and friends can be quite helpful.
Who are you? 
I have worked with many entrepreneurs who describe their business as an extension of themselves or their baby. If you are of like mind, then it is important to ask yourself the following questions.
- What is the company mission?
- What are the characteristics of the business?
- How will my values be perceived?
- How will consumers view the features and benefits of my products and services?
- Will my customers be loyal to my brand?
Answering these questions will ensure a strong brand identity. Once you have thoroughly studied your responses to these questions then once again examine your logo.
Brand formalized.
At this point in the branding process, you have a logo in place; a catchy tagline and mission statement carved in stone. Now is the time to go live. Put the word out about your startup; your intent is to break the internet with the news of your business. Social media is the perfect accomplice in this journey. Here are a few ways to introduce your business.
- Company website.
- Blog
- Facebook Page
All of the following allow you to build a community or a forum for you to advertise your services and your product. Pay much more attention to the comments and questions of your customers. There are many benefits to utilizing these and other social media sites. Use social media to your advantage through regular and memorable posts. Smart marketing tactics will not only put your business in front of consumers but also ahead of the competition. Leads and sales are important, but consistency will prove to be much more lucrative. Put forth the necessary effort and care into building your brand; it will withstand the tests of time and make you a success.
Quote Courtesy of Brainy Quotes
Branding definition from the business dictionary.
Featured branding image by Peggy_Marco.
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