Small business branding is the process of establishing and promoting a unique identity for a small business. This branding for small companies aims to help consumers recognize and want to do business with your company without advertising and spending money on continual marketing.
Since the beginning of time, branding has been around: cave dwellers used it by painting pictures in their homes to distinguish themselves from others in the tribe. It has evolved, but the concept remains the same: establish a visual way of representing who you are and what you stand for.
Today, branding is used ubiquitously by large corporations, small businesses, individuals, or even lawnmower salesmen! Therefore, small businesses need to spend time and money on creating a solid brand.
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So how does one go about branding their small business?
Market Research
First, it’s essential to research your market. To do this, take a survey of the relevant things to your company. For example, if you are a bakery, it would be reasonable to assume your target market is families or individuals who need cakes for special occasions. Still, you can find out exactly what people want by asking them.
Design your brand
An excellent next step is to determine the look and feel of your brand. Again, research your market. If your company wants to make cakes for people, you can ascertain that your target market consists of conservative individuals. Therefore, it would be wise to create a design that appeals to them by conveying cleanliness and sophistication through your company’s brand.
Promote your brand
Once you have performed your research and determined your design, it is vital to start promoting your brand so that consumers can see it and become familiar with what you stand for. For example, if you are selling cakes online at Etsy or Google Shopping, try using an image of your brand design in your advertisement. This way, when people are searching for the type of business you provide, they might see your brand and subconsciously desire to buy from you.
Physical Signage
Consumers can also become familiar with your brand by seeing it in a physical space, such as a storefront or a farmers’ market. Producing signage for your store (through local printers) would be an excellent way to promote your brand because people will see it every day and start recognizing what you look like.
Customer experience
Marketing is not the only thing you can do as a small business owner to establish your brand. It’s essential to also think about those little things that you or those working in your company do daily, such as writing thank-you notes and sending marketing emails.
Think about what small businesses have done to create a memorable experience for their consumers. What did they do? How did each of these companies stand out?
Conclusion
By creating a solid brand, small businesses can gradually advertise their products and services without spending money on marketing. This advertising attracts consumers’ attention through your design or other visible aspects of your business. Additionally, branding helps companies stand out from their competitors by establishing who they are and what they stand for, which can be achieved through research and marketing.