Branding is an important part of
business and product management. This is more so because branding ensures the
recognizable face your business may have. Creating a brand name and niche for
your business, company or product is now considered a needed marketing tool in
business. Brand is a necessity as a mark of quality and assurance.
Branding processes are generally
a simple yet effective way of entering and securing a market. It eases on
financial and even HR cost on marketing. Indeed a branded business makes
marketing easier.
After determining the type of
business and its market that suit your product, you will need to make conscious
and deliberate efforts to create a brand or identity your business. Needless to
say, by not creating a brand identity for your product or service means you are
settling for the generic identity and this basically identifies all businesses
or products in the same category. A painting firm will do better if it has a
name and some other distinguishing factors beyond simply being identified as a
‘Paint Shop.’
Creating a brand for your business:
Define a Business name
Branding begins from the
conception of your business. A business without a name is like a house without
a door: you cannot access it. The influx of similar businesses makes it
important to set yours apart. This is why naming your business is important. It
helps you secure your clients/customers. The trick is in getting a suitable
name. My suggestion is that you think on a professional name—a name easily
identifiable with your line of business. This will win you about 5% of the
general market, and save you the ton of time it will take a non-professional
name to get recognized.
Define your business logo
A logo harnesses your business to
a simple identity, such that your logo represents your business even when used
alone. A matching logo is ideal, such as logos coined with letters from your
brand name or from major product tools or items. A cake stand can incorporate
an oven design into her logo, for instance.
Define your business colors.
Colors are identifying markers
for businesses. Major businesses have generic matching colors. People are often
drawn to colors such as blue and red. Bold colors are cool. Try to avoid too
many color mix. Simplicity is generally better. Clear and bold colors generally
appeal to more audience and potential customers.
Create your Business’s
Marketing Materials
Branded marketing materials are
major part of marketing success. It is important to take some time to design
matching materials (fliers, banners, even internet marketing materials). Your
marketing materials are the first point of customer interaction with your
business. A poorly designed or printed flier will basically create a negative
impression on a new client just getting to hear about your business.
Create your Business’s
Management Niche
Information put on your branded
materials must be consistent with your business’s operations and services
delivery system. Common core values are highlighted in marketing materials.
Drawn from your business strength, it is a marketing strategy identifiable with
your business, on which the brand cements a lasting reminder in the minds of
the customer. The business niche is an intricate process that covers
operational control, customer service and product management.
Spread the Word
After ensuring your product,
service system and business operations procedure are consistent with the
information on your branded materials, it is important to spread the word.
Distribute the (branded) materials-fliers, online designs etc. through appropriate
channels to build recognition for your brand. A brand is as good as its market
reach.
