Branding your business is more than just creating a logo. When you hand out a business card, people are going to see your logo. When they search you on social media or website, they are going to see your logo. However you need to look past your logo when you are thinking about the branding of your business. A logo is just a small part of the overall branding of your business.
There are many different aspects of your business branding that need to be considered and focused on when creating your image. It is important to look at each of these, as together they will create the look and feel that those potentially buying from you will see.
Logo and Colours
The logo and colours are still an important part of your branding. Without them – you are going to look pretty plain, right? Time and effort need to go into the creation of these. They need to be something that aligns with the business, shows who you are and what your business is all about.
The colours and logo that you choose need to then be integrated across all communications and marketing that you used. The important part of the design side of your brand is making sure that there is repetition across all of your documents and communications. Having a clear set of branding colours and logos shows that you are professional and established. It also helps people recognise you in an already crowded marketplace.
Communications – Verbal and Written
The way you communicate with your customers and potential new customers is an important part of your branding. It shows the people you are speaking to who you are, how you interact with others and what your business can do for them. Having a clear, professional and inviting nature about your communications will make people remember you and remember your brand. Using correct grammar, professionally written emails, and correct terminology, shows that you are professional and wanting to work with the customer. Respect for the person you are speaking with or emailing is a very important thing to have and it will make a lasting impression of your brand.
Social Media Branding
The way in which you conduct yourself on social media will say a lot about your brand. This covers more than just your business social media accounts. With your business social media accounts, you need to be sharing content that is relevant to your business and to your target market. Sharing content that is not relevant is going to result in you loosing followers and not having the effect you would like. The way that you reply to comments on your social media accounts is equally as important as what you post. When you are replying to comments on your posts, you need to ensure that you continue to maintain your professional standard.
There will be times when negative comments are left on your pages. The way in which you address these will show a lot about the business and the brand that you are trying to create. This also goes for the content you share and the comments you leave on other pages from your personal accounts. Normally you will have listed on your account where you work, which means that anything that you post from your personal account can be linked back to your business. You need to maintain a smart outlook on social media and not get caught up in posts that can have a negative impact on your business.
Appearance
How many times have you had workers arrive at your house to complete a service and you have looked at their appearance? I am not talking ‘the hot tradie’ type of thing. More so the way that they conduct themselves. Appearance says a lot about your brand. If you are conducting your business outside of your home, whether you are hosting seminars, attending markets or simply making a video to put on social media – you need to pay attention to what the consumer will see when they look at you.
Conducting yourself in a professional way will say a lot about your brand. Consumers want to work with someone who looks the part, who knows what they are doing and are confident in it.
Appearance in business is more than just the clothes that you wear. It includes the overall presentation, the confidence that you show and the impression that you leave on them.
Values
This is probably one of the most important parts of your business branding. The values which you and your business have. Being able to share your values with your customers will help them to make an informed decision on you and your business. There could be 50 businesses that are doing the exact same thing as you. Some may have nicer logos, others may be able to provide the product or service at a cheaper rate. However if you have a clear line of values and an ethos for your business that you are confident with and that aligns with the customers – they are more likely to choose you to take on their business. Your values are an important part of your business. Outlining your values on your website and your social media will show that you are confident with them. Customers will respect you for this and it will help you to bring in customers that have the same values as you. It is a win win situation.
So remember, whether you have already created your business, or you are still getting everything together to launch your business, your branding is more than just a logo, it is a representation of you and of your business. It shows your customers who you are and why they should choose you.
Branding is an invaluable part of your business and something that should be thought about and implemented with a clear plan in place.
If you have not thought about your business branding – now is the time to start.
What does your brand say about your business?