What is a brand and what does it mean? A Brand helps identify who you are and what you offer. As a small business, raising brand awareness is critical to the success of your business. Customers should recognize your brand and how you differentiate yourself from your competition. Your brand includes your company name, logo, slogan, website, printed materials, promotional materials and how your relate to your customers through social media.
Branding takes time and work. It’s not enough to start a business, have all your “ducks in order” with all your branded materials and website in place and then, not market yourself. marketing is part of your branding process. Whether you hire out or do it yourself or even a combination of the two, it is important to increase your business exposure to the clients you are trying to reach.
“Build it and they will come” – not true for small business. You have to develop your relationships – in person and online- and show why you know what you are talking about; your helpfulness; ability to problem solve and critically think; your reliability, loyalty and dependability; and your technical expertise. Brand awareness happens when people order from you and come back. Brand awareness happens when Google sends traffic your way because people are inquiring about products and services you offer. Brand awareness happens after you have successfully implemented several marketing strategies that translate in business for you.
