Branding is an extremely important part of a business. It’s how people come to recognize you, and it also offers an insight into what type of company you are. Branding may seem like the easiest concept in the world, but you’d be surprised at how many people get it wrong. If you want to build a great brand, then you’re going to need to work hard. Here are just some of the principles of making a splash with your brand.
It’s got to look great
When it comes to branding, looks are everything. Get it wrong, and people will instantly make the wrong assumptions about your business. Your brand is something that needs to be representative of what your business is and what it stands for – so don’t rush it. Take some time to work with designers and people who ‘get’ what it is you’re trying to achieve. You can get a lot of branding inspiration from places like Pinterest to help give you ideas of what looks great, and what’s current in today’s consumer market.
It’s not just about a logo
Many people wrongly associate branding with simply being a logo. It’s much more than that. Branding relates to everything your company stands for and what people think of when they hear or see your business’ name. When building a brand, think about how you can make an impression – a backstory and a strong mission statement can boost your business in more ways than you know. Not only that, but your branding should be incorporated into everything related to your business. Your website, stationery and even your office space should be reflective of your brand to help strengthen that association with what your business is about.
Get it out there
Once you’ve developed a great brand, you need to get it out there so that people can start to learn more about you. One way to improve your marketing strategies involves events, so why not take your business to a trade show or a public place and start shouting about it? Promotional merchandise is a great way to start building a strong brand association and doesn’t have to be costly if your budget is limited. Meanwhile, using social media to your advantage can also help you get your brand out there to a large audience.
Protect it
One key issue facing new businesses is ownership, particularly with online businesses. If you work with a product, you could find that someone, somewhere starts using your ideas for their own purposes – something that can be difficult to regulate. While there are pros and cons of a free trademark, it’s something you should do to help protect yourself in the long term. As your business takes off, you can start to look to more advanced copyright arrangements to protect your brand.
A strong focus on building your brand is vital for developing and growing your business. Once you’ve nailed your brand, your business will start to feel more authentic, with collateral for helping you grow. Start making a splash with your brand for the best results for your business.
