Building Your #Brand: How to Get Started
Nancy Rubin, Ph.D.
Consultant specializing in online learning systems and instructional design
If the idea of branding your company is a mystery to you, you will need to learn the ropes soon to forge ahead. Branding is the process of creating a distinct identity for your business that makes it stand out from other companies. Branding your business early on has some really great benefits that make it worth your time if you know what to do next. Consider these five ways to get your brand noticed in the sea of business folk.
Choose a Great Name
Many people will say “branding is nothing more than a name”. However, this is not true. A big reason for building your brand is to get people to remember your name among the hundreds or thousands of ads they may be exposed to in a typical day or week. One of the first steps towards branding yourself (and the company you are trying to set up) is to have a name. Once you have a name and a logo, people will want to see what you are all about. Branding your products with special packaging can help you stand out from companies that are using the same manufacturers or suppliers.
Tell Your Story
When you tell the story of your company to the world, you are putting a human face on your brand. Sharing the story of why you started your business, what drives you, and your mission is important because it matters to people. This information is great for starting a podcast, or sharing an interesting video. If you are more of a writer or artistic type, your story can also be used to write blog posts or even create better presentations that resonate with the crowd. When you tell the story behind your brand, it will make it more personal!
Share Pictures and Videos Socially
Every business brand needs to set up social media accounts on the major sites that their customers frequent to increase awareness of their brand. Pictures and video posts on social media often get more clicks than written ones, so going the visual route is an easy way to construct your brand faster. If you can talk about popular topics, it can help tremendously in getting attention for your brand. Social media also gives you the opportunity of building an audience that relates to your business and what it offers.
Sell Your Product on Multiple Platforms
Once you are really getting going with your business, consider selling products online through various platforms like Facebook, Amazon, Instagram, or Etsy. The more customers that see your business products or the services that you offer online, the more visible your brand becomes. This is a great way to magnify your brand as well as generate some income! You can use business software to help you create a unique look for your brand and place it across all customer channels that you plan to use.
Connect With Influencers
Connect with influencers in your industry; you want to get to know them and connect with them on social media to gain more exposure for your company. If you do, you can build your brand’s reach nearly overnight. Working with influencers allows you to tap into their community and put your business out there in the limelight. It is also a great way to find other entrepreneurs to help illuminate your business or create partnerships with! If you don’t know where to start, try googling this phrase, “Find industry influencers” along with the field you are trying to break into. If you decide to link forces and partner with a powerful influencer in business, you need a business formation lawyer to ensure it is done fairly and properly.
There are all types of strategies that you can use to boost your business brand, but some work faster and better than other options. Building a brand is hard work that takes time, but it is well worth it if you intend on being a successful business owner. Be honest and fair with your customers to build trust and gain positive reviews and referrals that can grow your business even more. If you post on social media, be consistent in sharing engaging content on a regular basis to increase your brand’s reach.
Samantha Higgins is a professional writer with a passion for research, observation, and innovation. She is nurturing a growing family of twin boys in Portland, Oregon with her husband. She loves kayaking and reading creative non-fiction.
This post first appeared here.