Creativity is something special. We can create ideas in minutes, imagine the whole plan and get excited about all the possibilities ahead. A new nail polish that will revolutionise the nail polish industry, a stand out brand that will shine like the sun! But then it’s time to develop the strategy, think about the brand image, all the business side of things and how to flourish in the market. But what is “the market” exactly?
We can think about the market as the ocean. It’s a big big big place with tons of species that do tons of different things. And it’s so so so big that there are species that we don’t even know exist nor have any idea of what they do! Pretty much the same. Nonetheless, the market is not as tangible as the ocean. It’s more like an abstract concept, a regular gathering of people who trade, purchase or sell products or services. We can’t really swim - literally - there, but metaphorically, we can swim around the crowds looking for a good companion to join us in our quest - a business partner!
So the market is that idea of something that people do together in order to buy and sell, kind of like a club that we want to be part of if we have a product or service we’d like to offer. But in an ocean full of animal species, how does a tiny-tiny fish like the clownfish stand out? How do we make our service or product stand out from others who might be offering the same as us? How can we compete?
And here comes branding!
The importance of branding to have a stand out brand
First, it's important to know the difference between branding and brand. Branding is actually the process of building a brand, its image and reputation, whilst a brand is a marketing concept that helps audiences identify a business. Both of them are essential for building people’s perceptions of companies, products or services, or even individuals - it’s the way audiences see you! That makes them two of the most valuable assets to every company.
Branding is incredibly important because it helps to introduce your business to customers smartly and strategically. A well-thought brand strategy will help to build trust in your customers so they become loyal clients and then also attract new ones. Even help to attract other businesses that may be interested in partnering with you.
Now that you know how important branding is, either for individuals or businesses, it’s also important to know that a powerful brand starts by establishing its position in the market with a particular brand image that acts like a magnet to attract its ideal customers. With the right strategy in place, you will be able to stand out amongst your competitors and drive the future of the business.
That said, there are various ways to create a brand that truly stands out – so let’s take a look at the 7 steps for doing just that.
1. Start by planning solid marketing and brand strategy
Marketing is a MUST for the success of any brand, and it’s important to put together a plan that outlines precisely what you’ll be doing and when. This will give you the guiding principles upon which your success is built.
You should create a comprehensive and holistic strategy to make sure your brand is appealing to your customers and has the kind of personality they will feel drawn into. This will also give you the design direction of your visual identity.
2. Pick a strong name
If you want to stand out from the crowd, your name should be simple and memorable. It should mean something that reflects your brand personality, brand story or company purpose.
It can be a descriptive name, meaning that people would know what you do in seconds, though not necessary, but definitely helpful when starting out.
3. Create an eye-catching logo
Your logo is the first thing people see on your website and in all of your marketing materials.
Just like your brand name, your logo should be simple and memorable. It needs to be professional, well-designed, and stylish, so your audience can always remember it.
4. Choose your brand colours wisely
Colours play an essential role in how we perceive brands and products. Something as simple as colour can help determine whether we like or dislike something and influence our purchasing decisions heavily.
The colours you choose must reflect your brand personality, so be sure to choose the ones that best represent it.
5. Take the most out of social media
In the current world where we’re all connected online, social media supports all businesses tremendously.
Your brand should be represented on all social media platforms, so you can build brand awareness, connect with potential customers and increase sales.
6. Leverage the newest technology tools
Keep your business current with the latest technology trends! There are lots of chatbots and voice search tools that you can add to your website to help your customers navigate it and bolster your user experience.
You can always use tools like Google Analytics or Cyfe to monitor your brand’s analytics regularly and make reports so you can ensure your marketing is working properly or make adjustments as needed. And some AI tools like Bramework or Copy.ai can help you with writing copies for social media or long-form blog posts that will make your life just easier.
7. Always stay creative, positive, flexible and true to yourself
Tough your brand needs to be consistent, the world is constantly changing and you should learn to adapt without sacrificing your brand fundamentals - what your brand is, what it does, and how it communicates.
Be sure to keep your branding fresh and innovative to stay ahead of the competition. Think about new ideas and be certain that you can achieve what you set out to do!
A stand out brand will always shine for the impact it causes
We all go through the branding process with a common goal: to cause an impact with our brand and make connections with our audiences. Whether you’re just starting out in business or you’ve been doing it for years, these tips will help you create a solid brand that will help attract more customers and better compete in the market.
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