A brand is who you are. It’s your statement. When you have a specific brand, it tells how you are different from your competitors. You could distinguish yourself by your low (or high) prices, impeccable service or the specialized products you offer. Your brand is your business at its core.
There are companies that specialize in helping other companies with branding. Following are a few ways you can begin to brand your company, however, do keep in mind that your brand is much more than a logo or tagline.
- Design a creative logo. If you’re having a problem designing your own, consult a graphic designer. Short on cash? Try your local college or university’s art department. There are also websites that offer logos.
- Create a memorable tagline. We created two – “making you more visible” and “never let them forget you.” Try to convey what your business does in seven or fewer words. Taglines create a simple and easy way to remember you. They also help to further explain what your company does – which you may not be able to do with just the name of your business.
- Create your colors. Stick with them for a least a few years. Pepsi will always be red, white and blue. You know UPS because of their brown truck. They even have a commercial: “What can brown do for you?” It’s their brand. You know it when you see it. It’s universal around the world. Create your memorable brand so that you can be more visible.
- Create a catchy outgoing phone message. Let them know all about you when they call. Instead of, “I’m away from my desk, please leave a message,” why not, “We’re the number one company in America that does what we do, and the winner of the 2010 We’re the Best Award.”
- Create a website. You can create many sites without professional help. There are free templates and programs out there, so do your research. Ask other business associates how they developed their websites. If professional help is needed, seek a web designer. Every business needs a website. Start one now.
- Design a business Facebook page and set up a Twitter account. Even if you have a website, a business Facebook page and Twitter can help keep your clients informed in real time. Many receive more views and can be more interactive and readily updateble than traditional websites. It’s OK to have all three.
If you need assistance in branding your business, call Visibility Marketing Inc. – we can certainly assist you on how to “be more visible.”