TL;DR: Stop procrastinating and give your business the oomph it deserves.
If you've been on TikTok or Instagram at all, you've probably heard a few influencers mention "branding". From the Kardashians to Target, even Bluey is an entire brand, (with one of the fastest selling RSDs this year).
So what is branding, and why is it important? Effective branding is like creating a personality for your product, service, or company. You want it to be on point, so your target audience recognizes it and feels like they get it (and by "it," I mean your product, not a bad case of the Mondays). More importantly, you want your target audience to have an emotional connection with it.
Here are 5 short and simple reasons why branding is important to stand out in your biz:
Your brand is what sets you apart from your competitors. It’s what makes you memorable and recognizable in a sea of boring, beige businesses. And let’s face it, nobody wants to be beige. (You heard me Gwyneth Paltrow!)
Let's say you've started up your own ant farm company, but so did your sister-in-law (who loves to compete with you), how will people know where to go when their 5-year-old wants an ant farm really, really, really, really badly? If people can't tell the difference between your business and your sister-in-law's, you've got a problem.
A strong brand can make your business look more professional, established, and trustworthy.
Going back to the ant farm example: think about it – if someone is choosing between your businesses and your sister-in-law's business, and one has a polished, cohesive brand, while the other looks like it was put together in Microsoft Paint, which one do you think people will be more likely to choose? Sloppy work scares away customers and screams, "I AM A SCAM!"
Your brand should be a reflection of your business’s personality and values. By creating a brand that resonates with your target audience, you’re more likely to build a loyal following of customers who feel like they’re a part of something special. When customers feel connected to your brand, they're more likely to engage with your content, buy your products, and recommend your ant farm business to others.
Consistency is key for branding, from your website to your social media posts. It’s the foundation upon which you build all of your messaging, so it better be damn good. By creating a set of guidelines that your brand subscribes to, it makes translating those ideas that much easier instead of starting back at square one.
This consistency will make it easier for customers to recognize and engage with your brand across all channels.
There's a reason why everyone wants to work for Google and Apple. Their products are industry leading, fun and popular. As a result, they are also the hardest places to land a job. There's nothing worse than needing help and not finding a hand. By taking the time to establish your brand and invest in your business, people will want to invest in you too.
Great brands sell themselves, and an enthusiastic employee will have no problem explaining why your product is best.
Now go forth and brand like you mean it. Your business (and your bank account) will thank you for it.
