Establishing a strong and cohesive brand image is one of the most important things to do for your business. Check out this branding 101 guide to get started!
Coca-Cola. Nike. Google. Just hearing those names stirs a feeling within you.You can already see the trademarked red before your eyes or the swoosh on the sneaker.Google is so strongly entrenched in society it's become a verb.That's the power of branding.If you think the
world's most valuable brands like Walmart, Apple, or Disney shot out of the gate as superstars, think again.They worked on their branding to get where they are and now so can you.We've got the branding 101 guide that is going to take you from zero to hero. It's going to take a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and most importantly, brain power.If you're ready, roll up your sleeves and keep reading!
Know Where Your Brand Stands
First things first: what are you all about?Do you have a core belief system? Did you start your business to satisfy a niche demand - and be the best at it?Do a deep dive into your brand's personal philosophy. Here you will discover the bedrock to build your company identity on.Once you know where your brand stands, you can start solidifying the image you will project to the world.
Understand Your Audience
This is a key component of branding 101 - knowing who your main audience is.Think about the things that you buy or the services you use regularly. Why do you stay loyal to them?For example, Nike is a big name because they cater to and understand runners' needs. They famously created their famous "waffle"-style sole to help make running more comfortable and increase speed. They know their main audience - runners.Look at your target market. Is it moms? Gamers? Foodies? Understand your audience and you'll understand your brand.
Know Your Niche
Are you worried your brand might be too niche? Don't.When you set out to offer your product or service, did you try to make it as vague as possible to please as many people as you can?That's a branding 101 mistake. Don't hold back from being the best you can be in your chosen field.If you're selling bananas, you will sell the best bananas. Are you all about Thai massage? No need to branch out into reiki or rolfing - focus on your craft.Eventually, you might feel the need to expand. For now, your brand should be about doing your thing and doing it right. You'll build a loyal audience and word of mouth is very valuable.
Go For The Right Look
When we mentioned Coca-Cola, that bright red comes to mind, doesn't it? That's the power of a strong branding image.Your image is so powerful that it can make your company instantly recognizable with just a visual cue. The right color can even increase brand awareness by
up to 80%!Before you farm out logo creation to just anyone with Photoshop, take a moment to think about what you want your look to be.
As we mentioned, colors play a large role in perception. You can have luxurious black, playful purple, or vibrant green.The shape of your logo can convey a lot of information, too. Large fonts take up space in a powerful way. Blocky edges make you seem sturdy.Choosing your brand's image is no easy task. Take on this assignment with care and consideration.
Be Consistent
This is another branch of your branding 101 strategy. Make sure that no matter where your brand shows up, you maintain a consistent image.Use the same palette across the board. Stick with the same fonts as well.This presents a unified face and makes it seem that the right hand always knows what the left is doing.You will cultivate authority and reliability, two things that all good brands should have.
Be Tech Savvy
You've got your company motto, you've got the right look, and you're paying for ad space. Word of mouth is generating plenty of business for you, too.What else could you need?If you feel that you are an old-school style company or a brick-and-mortar store that won't benefit from an online presence, you're wrong.Having a steady and consistent brand presence online is one of the newest chapters in the branding 101 guidebook.You don't have to spend a lot of money, either. Social media is free and helps you show off multiple facets of your business.Being smart about SEO gets your name at the top of the search engine list. There are tons of
great tools and companies that can help get you started.
These services are affordable and effective; try them out and watch your clicks come in!
Expanding Your Brand
What if you've reached the pinnacle of success but want to start expanding? Keep your brand's image and goals in mind and you'll do just fine.Let's say you want to offer a different version of an existing product. An example would be Apples iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.The 6 Plus has a bigger screen in response to consumers' wants and needs. This is called a line extension brand strategy.Another idea for brand expansion is called the fighter brand strategy. This is when you target a competitor instead of a consumer.Maybe your competitor offers a product that you don't. You can create a new product and compete with them directly. If you've built your brand correctly, then your loyal customers will respond.
Graduating From Branding 101
Now that you've got the basics, it's time to expand on your knowledge. Take some risks, always keeping in mind the foundation you built your brand on.It's important to always be investigating your brand. Don't rest on your laurels; that's a recipe for going stale.Look at what your customers respond to and grow with their needs. Refresh your brand carefully and thoughtfully.Looking to launch your brand online and want to make sure it looks perfect? That's what we're here for.Style The Web is all about bringing the most modern and refreshing web design inspiration to you.We would love to see what you have to offer. Send us a submission or
contact us today!
