Are you struggling to generate brand awareness for your business? You’re not alone. About 45% of marketers say generating awareness is a priority.
Meanwhile, 46% of shoppers will pay more for familiar, trusted brands.
If your brand strategy is failing, use this Branding 101 guide to ensure brand growth this year. Following these do’s and don’ts will help your business thrive!
Do: Conduct Research
Before developing your brand guidelines, learn more about your industry, customers, and competitors. Gathering research will help you develop a brand that appeals to your ideal customers.
You can connect with customers on an emotional level to stand apart from competitors.
Gathering industry and competitor research can help you identify which brand elements or strategies work. You can also learn to avoid the mistakes your competitors made in the past.
Use both data and emotion when developing your brand strategy. The research will help you avoid making assumptions.
Don’t: Mimic
Don’t copy what your competitors have done in the past. Consumers will recognize you’re copying other brands. They might struggle to differentiate your business from others in the industry, too.
Avoid following the crowd when it comes to trends or hashtags. Don’t apply marketing tactics that are ill-suited to your brand or target audience.
Instead, embrace what makes you unique. You could develop a viral advertising campaign as a result!
Do: Maintain Consistency
Establish brand guidelines to keep your branded materials consistent across all marketing channels. Following these guidelines will help you avoid off-brand materials. Your guidelines should include your:
- Voice
- Tone
- Personality
- Mission statement
- Vision statement
- Company values
- Logo
- Color palette
- Font styles
- Imagery styles
Make sure all members of your team are on the same page. Promote your brand internally and externally. If people start using different brand elements, you could confuse customers.
They might think they’re looking at materials for a different business.
Don’t: Wait to Rebrand
Don’t wait too long to rebrand. Consumers will recognize you’re falling behind the curve. They might think your business is outdated.
Customers might start turning to your competitors if your brand isn’t current or modern.
Do: Be Adventurous
Don’t be afraid to take risks! Developing brand strategies outside of your comfort zone can ensure business expansion. You can recognize new opportunities your competitors are lacking.
For example, you can start using digital marketing strategies to reach customers online.
Don’t: Limit Your Reach
Don’t limit your brand growth by choosing one digital marketing strategy. Consider:
- Web design and development
- Content creation
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Paid ads
- Social media marketing
- Email marketing
You can use a professional SEO service to help customers find your brand online.
Diversifying your digital marketing strategy will help you expand your reach to new customers. It can help brand awareness grow until you’re a memorable brand.
Branding 101: Develop Your Brand Today
Start reaching new customers with your upgraded brand strategy. Apply the tips in this Branding 101 guide to expand your reach. With these tips, you can become a familiar, trustworthy brand.
In time, you’ll gain loyal customers, ensuring business expansion and growth.
