As a business owner and entrepreneur, I’ve learnt a very valuable lesson over the years. With every business I’ve worked with, mentored or led, I’ve noticed one key thing: branding can change everything.
No matter what industry you work in, the competition will always be fierce. And nowadays, you need more than just quality services to excel. To really make an impression, your business will build a good reputation along with a large injection of personality to make it memorable with your target audience.
So, whether you’re posting content online or simply interacting with clients, you need to be aware of how you represent yourself as everything will be influencing your brand image. And nailing that concept can have some key benefits…
Raise your credibility
It doesn’t matter how talented you are. Without developing a recognisable vision, no one will know who you are or what you can do.
Now is the time to shout about your successes, regardless of how big or small they are. From winning awards to simply doing something well, if people know what you’re doing and how skilled you are, they’ll see you as a reliable and knowledgeable business.
Expand your clientele
The best thing about getting your branding right will be having your business recognised by an expanding group of people. Not only will your services be in demand by this growing clientele, but you and your business will soon see expansion opportunities on the horizon.
Knowing the benefits, it’s time to implement a good brand strategy. But how can you ensure you boost your appearance in the best way?
Believe in your business
I’m a huge believer in positive thinking: if you don’t believe in yourself and your team, why should anyone else? Be your own biggest fan, and ensure your colleagues feel the same way. If they don’t, find out why and seek a resolution that will restore their passion in the business.
Once you have confidence and self-belief, you’ll pass that confidence on to your clients, and they’ll be more trusting in your business’ talents.
Define your strategy
If your current strategy isn’t quite working, or you’re putting one in place, it’s imperative that you sit down and take the time to really think about it. I’ve found that the most important question to consider is; Who are you?
Be bold and memorable, but only if it matches your culture and your ethos. Your brand should simply be oozing your company’s personality and needs to be an honest reflection of you and your values. Once you’ve got that accurate representation, you can easily live and breathe your brand 24/7.
Consistency is key
Once you’ve defined your tactics, you need to ensure it’s implemented successfully across the board. Take the time to sit with your team and ensure that they’re happy with any changes before ensuring they’re consistent with the branding that you’ve all agreed on.
They should always be on brand, and if they love working with you and your business, they will be sure to tell others. The key is with them treating the brand with respect outside of work as this is how you achieve true brand success.
Look at the likes of feel good companies such as Virgin and Apple. They’re bold with their branding, but it still makes their brand values clear. And, for the most part, they their staff are perceived to adore the brand, making it even more compelling for customers.
For any business, but especially those just starting out or going through a tough time, good branding can be your key to success. Focus on both your goals, plus the aims of your clients, and deliver it consistently to see scalable success.