Branding Your Small Business

Determine the key components to get started.

You and your brand are synonymous  in a small business.  So how do you begin to craft your brand? 

Determine the key components to get started. Invest time and money to get it right from the start.  Engage family, friends and potential customers to provide the feedback during the creative process. Start with these basics.

Understand your value propositions.  This is a business phrase for defining  the problem you are solving that is worth paying for.   

Compose a 60 second sound bite that clearly spells out what you do and three benefits of your brand or service.  You are delivering a benefit that someone will pay for - define it!

Select a winning name for your business. Make it simple to say and easy to spell.  

Choosing  Zwyega is a bad idea. Creative is one thing, obscure means no one will find you.  Check out if the domain name is available.  It is often important to reflect what your business does. There is a reason a business uses the word “salon” or “spa” in their name – to make it easy for customers to find you.  Make certain the name has a positive connotation for your business:  Atlas Massage sends a mixed message, choose words that suggest a clear visual element.

Craft a tagline that resonates for your brand.  Zappos.com is Powered by Service!

Zappos.com identifies its mission and promise in a defined tagline.

Design a logo that reflects your brand personality. A great logo enhances your brand and creates a feeling of authority and trust.  Hire a designer within your budget to get it right. Be sure to protect your logo with a trademark. Use your logo on everything, your website, business cards, brochures.  Your logo identifies your brand or service to your customers. Think Apple!

Now it’s time to market your brand so customers can find you. 

Claim your business name on the active search engines with getlisted.org  

Set up a free Facebook business page with your logo, tagline and contact details.

Head over to wordpress.com and set up your website and your blog.

There you have it. Your brand is ready to be discovered!