For the majority of businesses, developing and applying a coherent branding strategy usually comes as an afterthought. But, research shows that businesses with robust brands generate great profits and gain great advantages over their competing rivals.
A trademark alone is not what generates a great brand but a complex combination of activities supporting how the business is explained especially to the customers and employees. A brand is the overall experiences your customers and prospects have with your business.
So, how can you build a powerful brand on minimal budget? Let us discuss 7 tips to help you make a start:
Be unique
Apple, one of the superior brands of our generation had a rebirth when in 1997 it launched a revolutionary marketing campaign designed to make people “Think Different”. At this moment, Apple products are considered to be far better engineered, specially designed, more enjoyable, and more dependable than products from its competitors.
To develop a unique brand look at the features that makes your small business outstanding, your story, as well as the things you do that others in your rivals don’t
Grow and maintain your community
Nearly all the world’s leading brands, such as Google and Facebook set aside moderate amounts on advertising and marketing and rather, concentrate on developing and strengthening their communities. Those businesses recognize that if people have confidence in a brand’s community, they are going to ultimately trust the brand. These goes without saying that, Small business owners can create robust online communities on several social media channels.
Develop impressive goods and services
Considering that the primary reason people write about brands is to write about their unique experiences with the products or services, that is why Apple’s apex ranking is not contestable – lots of people greatly appreciate Apple’s products.
A number of companies quit working on developing great products when they achieve success. This is obviously an error. For instance In 2008, Nokia became the one among the 10 most valuable brand in the world but 3 years later the company was ranked 81st. Hence even a powerful brand can experience a fatal blow as soon as it stops working on developing great products.
Have a solid name and logo
A powerful brand is well known. Popularity begins with the name of your company. The name will be on your business cards, other advertising and marketing materials and virtually everywhere in print and online. Hence it extremely important to take all the time required to develop a solid brand identity for your business.
Be consistent
A lot of small businesses erroneously change their messaging based on their audience. As an example, a business could take a much more serious tone on their site but an extremely cheerful tone on their social media page. This could puzzle your customers and prospects. To develop and uphold a powerful brand, every part of your brand must be equivalent to your product or service and you ought to be consistent in showing your brand.
Always keep your promises
Even though this is a wise practice, you’d be amazed the number of small businesses that tarnish meaningful relationships by declining to keep their guarantees and pledges. Satisfied customers who trust and feel great about your company are your greatest referrals, hence it important that they trust you and can vouch for you at anytime.
Deliver value
Value doesn’t typically suggest the cheapest prices. A small business could put emphasis on product leadership producing the best quality products in the market, operational excellence or impressive customer service or even concentrate on two or more values.