Branding Your Small Business

Three Tips to Boost Your Brand Identity

Building a Recognizable Brand

All businesses have a general brand which includes a logo, website, signage, business cards, and other marketing materials. But have you ever thought about a business’s brand identity? A brand identity is truly what consumers think about when they hear the business’s name or if they automatically think about the business when they want to purchase certain products or services. When we think of fast food, the first two institutions that come to mind for many of us are Burger King and McDonald’s. Consumers automatically think of these businesses because of their brand identity.

Businesses that have a brand identity have made a connection with their consumers and have also made a positive impression upon them. Consumers trust these brands, have invested with them, and know what they are going to receive when doing business with that particular company. But, how did these businesses get where they are now? How did they go about building a strong brand identity?  A business’s brand is so much more than its logo, colors, slogan, or the way it looks and nurturing a strong brand identity is the key to success in all businesses, both large and small.

Start with the Basics

In order to build a successful branding identity, it is important to hone and perfect the foundation of the business’s brand. The foundation of any identity with in business lies within the company’s initial marketing efforts, such as the company’s logo, slogan, website and other materials. It is very important, early on in the business’s life, to establish brand guidelines and determine how these elements are to be used. Make sure to apply specific rules to how the company’s logo can be used, how its colors can be used, and what images should be associated with the company in order to provide consistency.

Consumers Should Know the Face behind the Brand

Small businesses have the unique opportunity to work face to face with most, if not all, their customers. This aspect is vitally important to the brand identity and even the longevity and success of a business – some businesses have failed simply because they did not connect with the customers. Consumers want to know who they are dealing with and want to make connections with actual people instead of just a business entity. Make it a point to really get to know your customer base – be in tune with their wants, know how to fulfill their needs, and show them that you care and appreciate their business.

Community Involvement is Important

Small businesses are part of their community in more ways than just where the store is located. Consumers who shop with you live in your community and your employees usually live in the same community. A great way to get exposure for the business’s brand and to help form consumers opinions about the company is to reach out and get involved in the community or communities in which you work. Activities such as sponsoring local charity events, participating in parades and other community events as well as volunteering with other local businesses helps to get your brand out there into the community where your target market lives and works. This also helps to build your brand and your company as one that cares about their customers and their community.

Do need help building your brand or are you looking for a home business opportunity to provide you with the financial freedom you have always wanted? Stacy O'Quinn has mentored dozens of small business owners and used the techniques he learned from Dani Johnson training. To find out how Stacy can help you, click here.

*Photo Courtesy of Tony Fischer via Creative Commons License