Simple Steps To Building A Brand Without Breaking The Bank

So what exactly is branding? Most new business owners (and some that have been around for a while) have heard the word “branding” and “brand awareness” but they really don’t know what it is.

Most of the time, you hear these buzz words from big marketing and advertising agencies and your first thought is “branding” translates to “expensive”.

The truth is that branding is much more than expensive logos and letterhead yet much less at the same time.

First off, branding does not have to be expensive. It does not require an expensive logo or a market study to see what colors your target market will like better.

Its more about your persona. Your company should have its own persona. One that stands out. One that means something. A persona that stands out on it’s own.

You also have what we call personal branding. This is what I like to talk about the most.

The ability to create your own celebrity status in your industry and be remembered in your community and within your target customers.

Forget about the logo. Yes, you need one but don’t obsess about it. Think more about what you stand for.

• What is your personality?
• What are you giving out to the community?
• How do you help your prospects and customers?
• What is it that makes you stand out from the crowd?

When it comes to traditional branding, I like to keep it simple.

Pick a font. Pick a color. Stick with it. That’s it.

What you really should think more about is what REALLY makes you stand out from your competition.

Do you use fresh ingredients when everyone else uses canned stuff?

Do you show up in a “Men In Black” outfit when you are on a service call?

Are you the surfer guy that everyone loves and wants to be like?

What is it that makes you different from everyone else. That is branding.

Your personality in itself can be your brand. I know of one motivational speaker that is rude, blunt and really ticks off many of his listeners. But… 1. He is not someone that you will forget and 2. Those that do like him LOVE him. They are his own fanatics and they follow everything he does.

Think about it. What is it that will get you remembered? Your actions? How you talk? What you say? These are the things that build your brand much faster than a fancy logo and that special font you are so excited about.

Take a stand and do something different. Stick with it. Build a reputation that will last for years with your action.

Your logos, colors, etc all play a part in your branding but it goes way beyond that. If you want to really be remembered, you must do something worth remembering. It’s a lot easier and will cost you a lot less.