Small Business Brand Ideas | Work Smarter, Not Harder! The 6-Step Process Of Building An Iconic Brand
Small Business Brand Ideas | No matter how groundbreaking the product or the service you’re providing is, it won’t do you any good unless your potential clients are actually aware of it. In order to stand out from the crowd of countless similar small businesses targeting the same audience, you’ll need to come up with a strong marketing plan; however, keep in mind that this doesn’t mean only posting a sales message on social media and having an ad printed in the local newspapers. Marketing is about building a solid brand for your business!
Many small business owners mistakenly believe that branding is reserved only for large corporations, but it’s really just as important for small businesses. The majority of businesses in the private sector are small businesses just like yours, so it’s safe to say that the competition is tough, and your branding strategy can be the tipping point between securing a potential gig or making a sale and losing a potential client. To help you build a brand that stands out and grows your business, we gathered some of the most effective budget-friendly branding tips.
The Name And The Face Of Your Business | Small Business Brand Ideas
What are the first two things that come to mind when you hear the word “brand”? Chances are, you think of logos and business names. We’re talking about two most recognizable elements of your business identity, so you’ll want to take some time to think about them and come up with something that will last as long as your business. Changing any of these two elements down the road can cost you more than you think, and actually do more damage to your business than good, so have a professional design your logo.
Define Your Message | Small Business Brand Ideas
Standing out means being different, so you’ll need to be able to answer a few difficult questions about your business. What is it that makes what you do unique? Why should your potential clients choose you over similar businesses in your niche or your particular area? Branding a business is all about finding a simple yet effective way of communicating your unique selling points to your target audience.
Come Up With A Unique Voice For Your Business | Small Business Brand Ideas
What you say is important, but don’t overlook the way you say it! In addition to clearly defining your brand message, you’ll also want to create a unique voice for your business. This is the language and the tone you use to engage your potential clients – whether over the phone, on your website, or even through social media. Make sure you keep it consistent throughout your materials and different platforms you use; in other words, don’t use an overly formal tone of voice on your website and a completely laid back tone on social media. This will only confuse your potential clients.
Have Great Products And Services | Small Business Brand Ideas
Word of mouth marketing is an incredibly effective strategy that can really grow your business. However, keep in mind that if you fail to keep your promises, you’ll never manage to bring your clients back, let alone get them to recommend you to their friends and family. Never lose sight of your product or the service you’re providing; instead, keep working on it and improving it. Even some of the strongest brands have suffered after failing to meet and exceed their customers’ expectations.
Be Consistent | Small Business Brand Ideas
In addition to consistently using the same voice throughout your marketing materials, you’ll also want to build a unique and cohesive visual identity. The easiest way to do this is to clearly define your branding guidelines that will regulate the colors, fonts, and even logo variations you use throughout your materials. When done right, you’d be surprised how effective color alone can be in representing a brand.
Build A Strong Online Presence | Small Business Brand Ideas
Keep in mind that your potential clients will start doing their research long before they decide to hire you or do business with you, and most of this research will happen online. In other words, having a small business website is no longer optional, no matter the service or the product you’re providing. It doesn’t need to be an intricate platform – if anything, it should be a simple showcase of your work with all the important contact details featured on each page, so your visitors have everything the moment they decide to pick up the phone and schedule a meeting.
However, having a strong online presence doesn’t stop with having a website set up. You’ll also want to build a solid social media presence. Why should you bother with Facebook and Twitter if you already have a website? Well, your potential clients are on Facebook and Twitter, as well as other social networks, which means you need to be there. Try to engage your potential clients in conversation instead of simply bombarding them with countless sales messages and you’ll not only stand out, but also build a reputation of a reliable and established expert in your industry.
It’s Easier Than You Think | Small Business Brand Ideas
Once you clearly define your business, brand message and your visual identity, you’ll have a much easier job of setting up a marketing strategy that will get you noticed and grow your business. Just keep in mind that your brand will have to talk the talk and walk the walk, so don’t sugarcoat your promise. Be true to your brand and your clients will thank you for your authenticity.