When discussing brands and small businesses, one cannot help but feel hopeful—all big brands started off with an idea, and as small businesses, too. Hence, there is no reason why your business, no matter its current size, shouldn’t become a highly successful brand one day.
10 Simple Ways to Build a Brand for Your Small Business
Here are ten tips that will shed light on how to build a brand for your small business, even if you are a solopreneur.
1. Be unique
Perhaps it’s easier said than done, but it’s the truth. In order to attract more customers and investors alike, you have to offer something the market still hasn’t heard of. Your product or service has to be genuine enough to provoke wonder, curiosity, or even shock. The most important thing is that no one feels indifferent to your brand identity.
2. Create a memorable logo
Once you decide on your main product or service, you need to create a good name and a memorable logo. Some companies choose to do this later, but you’ll have the highest chances of success if you differentiate yourself from the others early on.
Visual effects are more powerful than ever nowadays, so it’s imperative that you create an excellent logo and brand identity to use in print, online, and in social media.
3. Define your ideal customer
Once you have defined your mission, it’s high time you defined your target audience.
Make yourself wonder: who are the people that are going to buy my service or product?
Why do they need it?
How long will it be of use?
If you can answer these questions, you are on the right path. The answers will help you with both short and long-term plans, i.e. you will be able to create profit if you know what exactly your customers are aiming for.
4. Let your customers become your brand ambassador
Speaking of customers, they should be viewed as something far beyond regular "buyers." You ought to think of them as the brand ambassadors, because each and every one of them is a walking representative of your brand.
Therefore, establishing a friendly rapport is essential, as well as keeping them happy and satisfied. Ensure that you always entice your clients to use more of your services by offering special discounts, loyalty programs, and so on. Generally, people love belonging to a club and getting recognition for what they do, even if it’s just a simple purchase.
5. Do everything with quality
The key to building an outstanding brand is quality, and it’s not negotiable. Whatever you are offering, you should stand behind your product with pride. Of course, that implies that the quality should match the price.
Wow people with your excellent offer, and they will keep coming back for more. Amidst a plethora of poor-quality products, yours will be a breath of fresh air, and remembered more easily.
6. Be consistent
If you really wish to break into a market, it is absolutely necessary that your brand strategy is consistent. At the very beginning, you cannot afford to have minor alterations every now and then – those would be the sign of weaknesses.
In addition, you aren’t that famous yet, so it’s hard to believe in a brand which is constantly changing its attitude. What you say on your website has to match your Facebook page. Stay true to yourself, and the people will begin to swarm in once they see you mean business.
7. Use social media
Now that we have mentioned social media, let’s discuss it further. It can’t be denied that Instagram, Facebook, and similar social networks have immense power when it comes to promoting brand awareness. Don’t be too lazy or penny pinching to hire a specialist and dedicate yourself to brand advertising via social media. Your big break is probably a few likes away, no matter how simple it sounds.
8. Be bold and daring
While your product quality will get you far, being courageous will get you there much faster. Don’t be afraid to speak your mind and present your brand as the best possible product or service. If you believe in its potential, share your passion with the world and it will come back multiplied.
9. Use print advertising
Though it may seem too obvious and obsolete to some, print advertising is actually quite effective in developing your brand. Everybody loves receiving presents, so feel free to have your logo printed on pens, USBs, notebooks and similar giveaways. They will remind your clients of your brand experience and hopefully, trigger some interest as new potential customers.
10. Don’t be a copycat
It’s no mean feat, but it has to be done. Do not in any way try to copy one of the big brands. Avoid making comparisons – others will do it for you. Unless you wish to fade away in the mass of other small businesses which are looking up to their big competitor, remain true to your vision and drive.
Admittedly, you’ll find that creating a brand for your business is more complex once you begin applying these ten small business branding tips. However, even though it is challenging and demanding to build your own brand, one day you will look back and know it was all worth it.
Tanya Mayer, our guest author, is a blogger from Brisbane, Australia.
She is interested in writing on various topics and contributes to many blogs and websites, with a focus on small business and marketing.
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