Everything You Need To Know About Business Branding

We all know that products are never just products.

Coca-cola is more than just a soft drink, Lays is more than a potato chip company,  Starbucks isn't just coffee and Ray-Ban is more than just a brand for glasses.

All of these companies offer experiences, and when people buy from them, they want to have and enjoy those experiences -- not just a product.

Companies with great branding have a crystal clear picture of the experiences they want to create when you buy (or even think about buying) their products. These companies understand that their brand needs to permeate every aspect of their business, from the words used in their Instagram post to the colors used in their billboards to the materials used in their packaging. They are aware that the power of their names goes far beyond the product's label and that it can persuade customers to pick them out of a selection of competing goods.

Which is why they spend so much time perfecting their brand, and why you as a business owner should spend time doing the same for your brand.

This is why we made this guide, to equip you with all you need to know about building a brand that people will remember, and choose. 

What is a brand?

A brand is a unique quality (or set of qualities) that consumers associate with a specific company. Common elements of a brand include its name, tagline, logo/symbol, design, brand voice, and packaging. It also describes the total experience a consumer has with a business, whether they are a shopper, a client, a follower on social media, or just a casual passerby. 

What exactly is branding?

Branding is the practice of identifying and emphasizing your company's unique selling points to the general public in order to persuade them to mentally connect your brand with your products and services.

The Coca-Cola logo and color scheme, for instance, are among the most instantly recognizable in the world. There's a reason the iconic red and white typeface, colorful illustrations, and memorable design have all endured for so long—they're all part of what makes this brand so instantly recognizable.

How to Build or Rebrand your Business

1. Establish your target audience.

Successful branding efforts result in increased awareness, customer loyalty, and sales. That's something we've discussed. But first, let's back up and consider where these come from: customers. Particularly your target audience

There will be no brand exposure, recognition, trust, or sales if your product doesn't connect with the target market. 

You need to know who you're talking to with your brand before you put pen to paper (or mouse to digital document), who is your product designed for, Who would make your ideal customer, and What the purpose and motivation behind your company are. 

Make learning about your target market and customer personas a top priority so that you may use that information to inform subsequent branding choices.

Your brand mission answers the question of why your company exists. Write a compelling mission statement by outlining the goals of your company, your target market, your product/service offerings, and your process. Just a few well-chosen phrases will do to make this message stick. 

Then there are your core values. They are the guiding principles for everything you do. These values form the foundation of your company's culture and define the way outsiders view your company. Using vague terms that don't accurately describe your company's values will simply confuse your target audience. Instead, be clear, use your own terminology, and make sure that all employees uphold these ideals.

Just like a person, your company has its own unique set of characteristics that make up its "personality," or brand. People will hopefully be drawn to your company because of these traits. Therefore, having a persona that strikes a chord with your target audience can help you connect with them on an emotional level and differentiate yourself from the competition.

Think about the qualities that you wish consumers would identify with your brand. Are you hoping for a reputation for charisma, competence, or vision? Choose your personality traits and the tone you want to use. For instance, if your brand personality is calm, your brand voice might be soft-spoken and king. 

The next stage is to decide what elements will define your company. Examples of these include things like brand colors, fonts, packaging, tagline, and logo. There are associations between certain colors and feelings. Certain colors have certain psychological effects e.g Yellow reflects optimism, Red reflects pumped energy, and Purple sparks the imagination

Make sure your company's logo, colors, and overall design aesthetic are memorable and easily distinguishable from those of competitors. Consult professionals, brainstorm with your team, and work with a branding and design expert to find what works. 

Once you've completed the development of your new brand (or rebrand), it's time to start integrating it across your company. Make sure it is prominently visible in every area where your company interacts with clients. Here are some pointers on how to implement your brand throughout your company.

Website

Use your brand's colors, font, and logo consistently throughout your website. Avoid deviating from the approved brand guidelines assets. If your website doesn't convey your brand identity and values, it will confuse visitors and hurt your business. Make sure the tone of your brand is consistent throughout your website, CTAs, and product descriptions.

Social Media

Your brand's aesthetic should permeate every aspect of your social media, from profile pictures and cover art to logos and other branded elements. It's a good idea to use your company's logo as your profile picture so that people can easily identify your brand. Keep your profile information, captions, and posts consistent with your brand's tone and style, just like you would on your website.

Packaging

The product you sell is likely the first and most lasting impression your company makes on its clients. That's why you need to make sure that your packaging looks, feels, and even looks like your new brand. You should work with professionals who can guarantee consistent quality. for the best packaging, promotional items, and signs,

Conclusion

As you can see, creating a brand is not necessarily difficult or expensive. The majority of these suggestions are free or very affordable. You can launch your company's branding initiatives on a shoestring budget and ramp them up as revenue increases. Get your company's name out there by following these seven easy steps listed above, and create top-notch promotional goods and packaging designs with the best in the game- BrandIt