More than a logo

In 2022, there are thousands of brands out there, with the rise of the online world allowing people to be their own boss and sell their product or service. Television favourites like Dragons Den have shown us that companies thought up in a boxroom or on a dining room table can really take flight, and what once was an idea on a napkin can be found on London billboards.

In the marketing world, the word "brand" and "branding" can be seen as another annoying corporate buzzword, but in reality, your branding is so much more than that.

What is branding?

Everything you do within your business is branding, and no, it's not just your logo! Branding includes everything from your website, social media platforms, media pack, product packaging, yes, we mean everything. Your brand is also your promise to your customer that you will consistently give the best service and experience to them. In many cases, once a consumer has found a brand that they like, they will remain loyal to that company for life, passing on the favour to friends and family members alike.

Is there a product your parent always used to swear by, that you now always reach for in shops? Now apply this to your own business. Branding helps you become that memorable product or service which gets 'reached for' first!

Why is branding so crucial?

Branding differentiates you from competitors. Why should they choose you? What makes your company different? You can't be everything for every person, so find the unique elements to your brand and showcase these.

Are you a luxury brand which promises indulgence and a higher price tag, or is your cheap and cheerful product perfect for those on a budget?

Branding has a huge impact on sales and the longevity of your business. Want to stay afloat once you get started? Make sure you have killer branding which can't be ignored.

Brand is just a perception, and perception will match reality over time. - Elon Musk

Not only is branding important for your customers, but a strong message promotes employee loyalty and retention. Make every member of your team feel like they're a part of something bigger. Working for an exciting, dynamic brand will inevitably encourage a better quality of work and better employee retention.

How can I brand my business successfully?

Building a brand doesn't happen overnight, and there will almost certainly be some wrong turns and team arguments along the way! There is no roadmap to success, but building a brand is made easier if you:

Market research

Without a customer base, there really is no business! You need to know everything there is to know about your audience and competitors. Creating customer profiles is one of the most practical ways of visualising the type of people who will want to buy from you, and how you can tailor your branding to them.

Mission statement

Building a successful brand is about finding your personality. The same tired techniques have already been used time and time again. Find what makes you unique and use this to sail across the marketing ocean. Creating a mission statement helps you to align your goals with your actions.      

Colours and font

Brand guidelines and things like a logo, are probably one of the most obvious things to work out. We're sure we don't need to tell you that colours and fonts have a psychology behind them, and appeal to different types of people, so don't even dip your toe into this before you know your audience.

Brand story

A brand story creates an emotional reaction, which is desperately needed in the storm of faceless advertising. How and most importantly why does your company exist. What makes you different to other companies? And a huge one at the moment, how does your company contribute to society. Societal good is a huge focus for most audiences at the moment, and brands which align with our beliefs and views will win, every time.

Rebranding

Now we're not trying to get ahead of ourselves, but every good brand must eventually have a rebrand. Developing your business is a natural part of progression and no matter how good a logo or colour scheme is, sometimes you just outgrow it. Having a storyline of your branding is a medal of honour, showing how far you've come and how things have changed along the way.

Your brand is the single most important investment you can make in your business. - Steve Forbes

The final word

Your branding is so much more than a logo, but it’s a good place to start. Work with an experienced designer who can integrate your brand message into artwork which reflects your vision. With a combined proficiency in all things marketing our team work with established brands through to start-up projects, supporting their vision and goals with our expertise.

Amplify your marketing journey today with a kick-off chat with one of our team. Call boxChilli HQ today to find out more about how we can help you reach your goals!