Creating a strong, professional brand can take your business to the next level. Whether you’re rolling in the high-stakes business world or the wider realms of internet marketing, it’s important to create a brand that truly stands out from the crowd. Branding takes time, effort, and ingenuity, but with a strong brand your business will better be able to command higher rates, generate more leads, and recruit more effectively, amongst other benefits.
A brand can be thought of as the product of your reputation and your visibility. Branding tools are any techniques that further refine that reputation and visibility. Here’s are some small business tips and tools for how you can go about branding your product/service so that your brand is the first thing that comes to the mind of your customers and target market:
Always Provide Excellent Customer Service
Customers are what keep your business alive, so fortify your brand by guaranteeing them prompt and exceptional service. Reviews, particularly on the internet, play a major factor in purchasing decisions these days. If you have satisfied customers, actively encourage them to leave reviews for you.
Write a Book
If you really know everything about your industry, write a book to establish your brand as the leader. A book is one of the best ways to build credibility and increase visibility of your expertise, but it does require extensive work and knowledge. Make sure you’re writing the book for your target clients, not other professional practitioners, and that the material is something they can understand.
Develop a Must-Read Industry Blog
Books aren’t the only literature that goes a long way. Blogs have exploded in the past decade and are now one of the most effective ways to develop a strong brand. A good blog can function the same way as an online magazine. The best way to maintain a blog is by posting consistently with well-written and engaging content. Remember, the blog is for increasing visibility and attracting new prospects.
Organize a Specialized Industry Conference with Branded Materials
Want to really set yourself apart as the leader in your industry? Take the bold step and boost your brand by organizing an industry conference for your specialized needs. This is an excellent opportunity to brand, not just with the panels and subject matter, but also through material branded with your logo.
For instance, you can enhance the attendee experience by giving them information through a customized screen-printed binder. It requires an additional cost, but presenting your conference accompanied by a professional custom binder, imprinted with your company logo, puts your brand directly in the spotlight and gives it higher credibility. As the conference becomes more popular, so too will your brand.
Produce a Top-Notch Video
People are highly driven by visual stimulation, and now more than ever people prefer to watch instead of read. Plus, video production tools are now far easier and economical to come by. A small investment in a memorable signature video can take your brand much further than writing. Making a quality video, of course, will require a production budget and if you’re not able to pay for a quality job, it’s best not to do it at all.
Use a Consistent Photo/Logo in All Marketing Materials
It seems obvious, but many people overlook the need to be consistent in branding. If you want to be recognizable, always use the same photo/logo on your blog, newsletter, custom binders, and any other materials. You can’t build brand awareness if people are confused about what your brand is associated with.
