When you think of starting a business, there are a number of things related to it that needs to be prioritized. Everything including the brand, logo, identity etc, etc. needs to be planned and executed well. Your business needs to have a unique selling point that will attract the consumers and make them feel that yes, they have got it! But, here we are going to discuss the benefits of branding and how some of us are not doing it the right way.
Remember some of the brands that stays etched to your mind. When someone says cool drinks, what hits your mind? Many of us including you and me had the Coca-Cola strike our mind when cool drinks were discussed. How about shoes? Nike?
Obviously, these are some of the brands that we can all relate to with ease. So, what makes these unique and has kept these connected to our minds all these years? The brand strategy that these businesses are following ensures that people fall in love with them. Here are some 6 Best Advertising Strategies For Small Business
So, let us examine the branding mistakes that you are committing with simple tips to help you work on fixing these:
The mistake is that whenever a business goes down, the business owners and managers try to search for possible loop holes where they are losing it. Several times it is noticed that people try fixing the brand image. The cosmetic fix is not what would work here when there is something else that needs to be implemented in such a situation.
So, if you really believe that it is your brand image that needs to be fixed. Then, you need it in such a way that you do not end up altering the reflection of what’s at the base of your brand.
If you are unable to bring about a balance between the new and the old version of your brand image, you will end up questioning your credibility.
When you choose a name for your brand ensure that it is strong and has a punch on the reader such that it remains etched in their minds forever. Because these names decide the scope and success of your brand if these are weak your brand will suffer.
How to fix this?
Quite simple, you can invest some time and money to develop a brand name that is quite strong and carry your brand’s name far and wide. Also, designing the logo from an expert is recommended.
What are the things to check when you are choosing a name for your brand?
Your brand will exist till your business is alive. Register and protect your brand name and ensure that no one else is utilizing the same name to promote their brand.
When designing your logo you need to be careful because it is the one that will help people to stay connected to your brand over the years. The image stays in the mind more than the words.
You need not use a complicated design, but a simple and easily understandable logo is easy to relate
As we have already discussed you need to save on your time and money when designing a brand. There are several of those businesses that are small-sized and do not have much of the budget to invest in building two or more brands. Follow the rule of one.
Just build one brand for your business to promote all that you wish to offer. You can introduce each of the new products and services as an offering under one brand.
What is it that something unique that you are going to offer which is special apart from that of your competitors?
Show your people what is that something which you have and your competitors do not have.
You can fix this by defining a brand that is different and is built on a point that is apart from your competitors.
Haven’t you given a formal introduction for your brand? Then, you are failing miserably somewhere. It is necessary to make a formal introduction of your brand and spread news assuring the point of difference that makes you different from others.
Your brand should exhibit and convey a personality and character thereby taking your business to the marketplace.
Most of the times business owners never defend the trademarks, and enforce the brand usage rules!
So, what happens is someone comes and steals it or uses it. Copyright infringement is what is happening here.
How do your protect and defend your brand?
It needs to be filed with the government and you need to purchase brand trademarks if at all your business expands across the state or crosses the national boundaries.
Also, adopt and enforce usage guidelines such that no one else inside your organization doesn’t tamper with your business’s brand identity that needs to be unique.
You need to address each of the brand-usage infraction without fail.
Every brand has a message to convey and if they do not live up to the promise your business will fail. Each brand wins if they manage to maintain the promise.
Examine the point of customer interaction where your brand interaction matters.
You need to ensure that your brand’s message, appearance and everything blends in well with the message your brand is conveying.
If at any point your brand is failing to live up to the promise either cut those points or make sure you are fulfilling those. Here are some The Hidden Agenda Of Branding – Something Start Ups Should Never Overlook
What is your unique brand identity? Are people able to relate to you through this? Ever thought of it?
Are you in need of a strong brand identity that will carry you to your people?