What the Heck is Branding and Why Should I Care?

There's been a lot of buzz lately about branding. But what exactly is it, and who needs to do it? Simply put, a brand is what makes your business uniquely YOU! It's the way you present your business and how the world perceives it. And, importantly, it's the way your clients remember you when it comes time to make another purchase. Branding encompasses your key marketing messages and tagline, logo, marketing materials, image, and your clients' complete experience with you from start to finish.

Do you think branding is just for those big companies, like FedEx and Coca-Cola? No way! Branding is just as important to small business owner like us. By creating a unique image and message, we tell the world what we're all about. And if potential customers like what they see, they're sure to become money-making clients!

Okay, so you have a great logo, and you use it on your brochure and business card. That's a great start to building an image for your company. But, have you taken it any further? Perhaps you have a unique concept that identifies your company, or a specific clientele, or a great customer service policy.

However your brand yourself, make sure you're carrying it over to ALL aspects of your business. Consistency in your image and message is so important to portray your company's vision. When potential clients see your brochure or web site, they get an idea of your services, your personality, your commitment to them as customers, and the way you do business. Don't have an identity crisis by mixing messages. Stick to one key concept, and do it well!

GETTING STARTED

While branding your business may seem overwhelming, it's really quite simple! Ask yourself these questions:

1. "What services or products do I offer?"
2. "What do people think when they hear my name?"
3. "What sets me apart from others in my field?"
4. "What do I want my clients to remember about their experience with me?"
5. "What type of clients do I want to work with?"

By answering these questions, you're on your way to determining not only your key marketing message and tagline, but also your choice client and unique position in your industry.

CONSISTENCY ACROSS THE BOARD Are all of your connections with your clients consistent? Make a powerful presence in your industry by incorporating your branding into every opportunity for client contact:

? marketing materials (brochures, business cards)
? web site
? letterhead and thank you notes
? newsletters and e-zines
? proposals, invoices, receipts, and other forms
? postcards and other keep-in-touch direct mail methods
? presentations, handouts, and report covers
? advertising and media interaction
? thank you gifts
? your 60-second commercial
? voice mail messages and on-hold music
? email signatures
? your personal appearance

Remember, your brand is your promise of the experience that your clients expect and receive from you! I encourage each of you to take some time this month to determine and declare your brand. You'll make it easy for your clients to have a distinct mental image of you. And not only will your clients better understand your offerings, YOU will declare your position to yourself, helping with all future marketing efforts!

Copyright 2005 Time to Organize. All rights reserved.

Sara Pedersen, author of the FREE e-zine "The Marketing Fairy's Guide to Simple Self Promotion," is a professional organizer and marketing specialist. She helps small business owners make their marketing dreams come true. Sign up today at http://www.time2organize.net to receive your FREE monthly subscription.

---

Importance of Business Branding

Branding is very important to a business, whether it is... Read More

Branding Advertising Agency

Branding used to be a fancy business word, but it... Read More

How Brand as an Intellectual Property has Led to Corporate Globalisation?

IntroductionGlobalisation is referred to as a set of profound material... Read More

Branding 101: Why Its Critical to Business Success and How to Do It Right

What's Your Brand?A brand is a product/company personality that helps... Read More

Good Logos Make Great Sales Tools

Every day, the average person is exposed to millions of... Read More

Branding: Bring Back the Jingle!

Did you grow up in the '70s and '80s? If... Read More

How To Create A Brand That Sticks

Most people, when they hear the word branding, think logos... Read More

Brand to Sell Well

Branding is an application of appropriate marketing techniques in the... Read More

Notable News - The Branding Myth

How many times have you heard of seen advertising for... Read More

Don?t Get Caught In the Trap: The BIG Difference Between Personal and Business Branding

When you're all alone in the privacy of your home... Read More

How to Write Classified Ads that Get Results Now.

SELLING DIRECTLY FROM A CLASSIFIED AD Classified ads can be... Read More

Build Brand Value BIG Time

Ask your self this question, In which business are we... Read More

Why Having A Niche Automatically Boosts Your Credibility - Become The Expert by Getting Focused

Yes, yes, we've heard it all before... loads of life... Read More

Branding Your Products Is Important

I was chatting with a couple of friends, all of... Read More

The Trust Issue In Marketing

One of the prime motivating factors in the purchase decision... Read More

Do What Works

"Can you hear me now?"You'd be hard pressed to find... Read More

Brand Equity

Brand equity can be defined in many different ways. I... Read More

Choosing The Right Business Name

Sometimes, new entrepreneurs are in such a rush to get... Read More

Living Your Brand on the Web - Part 1

OK, so you took the plunge and purchased your internet... Read More

Branding Services - Brand Identity Guru

Branding Services is a tactic that marketing executives and managers... Read More

How Will Your Visitors Remember You And Your Business? Brand Yourself From The Crowd...

Big and Yellow 'M' reminds you McDonalds... 'DELL' with oblique... Read More

Strategic Moves In The Branding Gamble!

The so called 'globalisation' has cluttered the world markets with... Read More

Articles: The Perfect Branding Tool

If you own a web-based business, you're probably aware of... Read More

Intelligent Design comes from Brand & Account Planners

I've been reminded recently, rather forcefully, that not all reality... Read More

Company Vehicles Have Advertising on Them; Tips on Driving in Parking Lots

Try to avoid backing up whenever possible. Occasionally some one... Read More

Branding Junk Removal - He Did It, Can You?

What does it mean to be remarkable?Brian Scudamore, CEO and... Read More

Top Eight Mistakes to Avoid When Naming Your Business

Naming a business is like laying the cornerstone of a... Read More

The Role of a Visual Vocabulary in Brand Identity Design

Visual elements are a major part of your business's brand... Read More

Putting You and Your Company in Position to Own Your Market

Americans have always liked their coffee hot. But then Starbucks... Read More

Personal Branding: Characteristics of a Strong Personal Brand

How many times have you been at a networking function... Read More

Brand Boring or Brand Buzz?

I heard an advertisement on the radio the other day... Read More

9 Keys to an Effective Logo

The right logo, with the right characteristics, will boost your... Read More

FTC Reviews The Franchise Rule

After more than a decade since the last attempt to... Read More