As a business owner, you’re probably aware of the importance of branding to your business. However, while brading is crucial, you can’t just dive into it, particularly if your business is a start-up.
Getting branding right at the onset can be overwhelming, which is why this article breaks down everything you need to know about creating a successful branding for your startup.
But first, what is branding?
What is Branding
Branding is an idea, name, logo, or any feature that differentiates one business from the other. It is what people remember when your company or business’s name is mentioned. When you hear “Puma”, you immediately see the leaping puma in your mind.
That is the core of branding.
There are quite a few big sports brand but they are all differentiated by their branding.
While the goods and services you offer may be imitable, it is essential to differentiate your business to create a solid emotional bond with your target audience.
Branding is an essential when starting a business. It is the core process of building a specific image or impression in the minds of your target audience.
One powerful tool for creating a solid brand is digital marketing. With digital marketing, you can control the brand perception of the public and ensure it accurately reflects your company’s mission and values.
Successful companies today are value- enthusiasts.
What do we mean?
Value speaks to your clients and customers more than it does to you. It stems from what your customers can achieve from using your product. It’s not about the qualities or benefits your products or services hold, but their worth in the eyes of your customers.
Apple Inc. for instance, has successfully created a brand that customers are loyal to and will defend. Apple products hold great value to their customers and that is an effect of branding.
However, knowing your values as a startup is just one aspect of branding.
The first step to building a successful brand is by defining your target audience.
Who are the people you are trying to reach?
To determine this, you should;
- Consider who already buys your product. What age range does your target audience fall in? Where do they live and what are their interests?
- Identify industry trends and identify holes you can fill in your industry.
- Know your competitors and who they serve.
- Identify who isn’t your target audience.
An excellent way to make this research is by engaging people on social media (digital marketing) or distributing customer surveys. When you know your target audience, you will be able to make better branding decisions.
The second step is to create a brand style guide. A style guide is your brand’s identity, from colours to logos, and elements. It should be consistent and cohesive in a way that makes your brand easily recognisable across all platforms. Once your style guide is in place, the next step is to create your logo.
Logos are vital in branding because it is the FIRST THING people remember when they hear your brand. Your logo needs to be unique and memorable.
Ensure you use colours, fonts and images that represent your brand and set it apart from the competition.
Once the logo ticks all the right boxes, you should focus on investing in quality content for your brand. Beyond the logos and colours, quality content is essential. As earlier mentioned, branding in this age requires digital marketing comes with investing in quality articles, well-produced videos and podcasts, and attractive graphics.
Quality content can only be developed when you know the why behind your brand.
Every successful brand or company has a purpose behind its existence. Yours shouldn’t be any different.
We agree with Simon Sinek when he says, “people don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.
In defining your brand purpose, you should ask these four questions.
- Why does your business exist?
- What differentiates your business from others?
- What problem is your business birthed to solve?
- Why should people care about your business and all it offers?
The answers to these questions make your unique selling point {USP}.
Another crucial aspect of your brand is your mission and vision.? Your brand must reflectyour company’s vision and mission. This tells your customers how passionate you are about the brand you’re building. Your brand’s vision guides the future of your business as businesses without vision lacks direction.
Finally, you should identify the benefits and features your brand offers. Creating a unique and memorable brand for your startup means you have to focus on what makes your business unique.
Your audience need a reason to choose your brand over the others.
Conclusion
With the proper branding knowledge and a strong strategy, it won’t matter if your business is a startup. You can gain visibility, build a loyal, ever-growing customer/clientele base and boost revenue.
Developing a brand is vital to the growth and visibility of your business and we hope this article helps as your guide to building a successful brand for your startup.
Need more guidance on branding and digital marketing?
Boldfruit Brand Agency is at your service.
For more info, send an email to info@boldfruit.com or call +2347035254913.
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