When it comes to starting a new business, there are a few things you need to consider. As a business owner, your main aim is income generation and to increase overall revenue, and small businesses manage to achieve this by creating a strong brand identity that conveys a message which resonates with consumers. Building a reputable brand is essential for new businesses as it helps them stand out from their competitors. Here is a short guide to branding your new business.
What is Branding?
Branding is the image a consumer has when they think about a specific company and the way the company makes them feel. Although the visual identity of a brand, such as the logo design, is incredibly important, an effective brand goes beyond this. Good branding helps businesses convey their beliefs to consumers, which helps you connect emotionally with them. Your brand can shape a consumer’s perception of your business and help you attract your target audience.
Work on Your Visual Identity
A strong visual identity will help customers pick your brand over others, and so you need to get it right to make a good impression. Visual identity consists of a company’s logo, colors, creative design, imagery, and typography. When it comes to the company logo, many new business owners decide to take a do-it-yourself approach. Although the finished product may appear good enough, it is always better to source a professional to help you create your logo. Business owners on a budget can find quality freelance designers on platforms such as freelancer.com or fiverr.com.
Know Your Audience
One of the fundamentals of good branding is knowing your audience. Ascertaining the group of people your brand appeals to will help you develop your brand. Carry out some research on your target audience to determine their likes, dislikes, needs, and wants, and gain a deeper understanding of what motivates them. Once you know your audience, you can create a brand that resonates.
Keep Things Consistent
Once you have developed your visual identity, you must keep things consistent. Create a clear and concise brand strategy that helps you build brand recognition with your consumers. From the color scheme to the tone of voice you use on social media, make sure you integrate your brand in all operations and processes. Furthermore, customer-facing businesses should also incorporate their brand into staff uniforms and store merchandise. From custom hats and aprons for restaurant staff to branded t-shirts and bags in a retail store, there are many ways you can integrate your brand.
Find Your Voice
When cultivating a brand you need to create a persona that consumers can relate to, and an effective brand voice can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level. Your brand voice should reflect the products or services you sell, and your company’s ethics, values and beliefs. It should be apparent in all communications, including social media posts, advertising and the emails.
