Whether you’re starting a new business or are looking for a way to revitalise your small business, it’s vital to take a good look at your brand. When you’re a small company, it can be easy to see yourselves as a business first and foremost, rather than a brand.
However, it’s essential to get into the mindset of thinking about your brand from day one if you want to build a strong presence that will be easily recognisable to customers.
The Nantwich News recently offered some advice on how to get small business branding right, noting that whether you’re starting your foray into branding as your company is getting started, or coming back to it after a few years of trading, there are plenty of benefits to be had.
It’s worth bearing in mind that you’re unlikely to be a branding expert, which means it’s worth hiring a branding agency in Buckinghamshire to help you with this phase of your company’s development.
So, where do you begin? According to the news provider the logical place to start is by finding your unique selling point (USP). You need to understand what sets you apart from the competition, and it’s this that should drive your brand.
“Think about what makes your business unique: what drives you? What’s your story? What do you do that other businesses don’t do?” the publication stated. Once you’ve worked out what your USP is, you need to find a creative way of selling that.
When it comes to creating your brand identity, the key is to be recognisable. That might sound obvious, but it’s an essential part of creating a strong brand. You need a company name that’s instantly recognisable and memorable, and all the visual elements of your branding should not only be easy to recognise, but also stand for the image you’re trying to project.
If you’re not sure what we mean by recognisable, think for a moment about Nike and its Just Do It tagline. This slogan was recently named as the most memorable brand slogan of all time, with 45 per cent of people able to recall it on the spot.
Simple is often better where slogans are concerned. You need to make it easy for people to remember, as well as making sure that it ties back to your company and core values.
Consistency is vital too. It’s not enough to stop with your company name and logo design, you need your brand to feed into every part of your business.
“Everything you do in business should be absolutely on point with your branding, from your logo and slogans, to all online communications and even how you conduct customer service,” the news provider stated.
One thing you need to be mindful of, however, is that as a small business you need to develop a brand that’s trustworthy and authentic. Many consumers will inherently trust a small firm more than a large company, so don’t make the mistake of making your brand too corporate.
Take inspiration from large companies by all means, but remember that however you brand your company, you need to make sure that it’s true to your ethos and beliefs.