8 steps to branding your business

8 Steps To Branding Your Business

Brand your Business 1 Define Your Brand

2 Define Your Audience

3 Create Your Brand Name

4 Tell a Story

5 Create a Logo / Tagline

6 Create Collateral

7 Have an Online Presence

8 Establish Your Voice

Step 1:

Define your Business

1

What will my business accomplish?

What authority will by business have?

What purpose will my business serve? 1

3

2

Define

1 Purpose: to serve

coffee 2 Authority:

Brewing some of the best coffee

on the go

3 Accomplish:

Helping people start the day off

right

1

If you’re Starbucks…

Step 1:

Define your Business

2

Step 2:

Define your Audience

2

Step 2:

Define your Audience…and relate to them

2

How old are they? Is your target audience seniors

in high school or senior citizens?

What do they do? Does your audience work in an

office, do they spend their day at home, or are they moving

around all day?

Where do they live? Are you looking to sell locally, nationally, or internationally?

Step 2:

Define your Audience…and relate to them

3

Step 3:

Create your Brand Name

3

You’ve defined your audience

You’ve defined your business

Now create your brand name

How old they are, where they live, what they do, and other demographics

Your purpose, authority, and goals

Now you can create your brand name!

Step 3:

Create your Brand Name

3

Here are a couple tips to help you choose a business name

Tips from: U.S. Small Business Administration

Step 3:

Create your Brand Name

What will it look like?

What connotations

does it evoke?

Is it unique? Or is it already trademarked?

Is it web-ready?

(website, social media)

Is it easy for your

customers to understand? Picking

a name

What you do

What authority you have

Praesent et velit nec dolor pellentesque

venenatis.

Who your audience is

You al ready have the basis for a good story

4

Step 4:

Tell a Story

Your brand story

4

Once Upon a Time...

Step 4:

Tell a Story

4

There was a child who loved to explore

outside.

Once Upon a Time...

Step 4:

Tell a Story

4

There was a child who loved to explore

outside.

One day his exploring left him with a scraped

knee.

Once Upon a Time...

Step 4:

Tell a Story

4

He cried and ran into the house to find his mom.

There was a child who loved to explore

outside.

One day his exploring left him with a scraped

knee.

Once Upon a Time...

Step 4:

Tell a Story

4

He cried and ran into the house to find his mom.

There was a child who loved to explore

outside.

One day his exploring left him with a scraped

knee.

She set him on the counter, placed a

Band-Aid® over his knee, and kissed it better.

Once Upon a Time...

Step 4:

Tell a Story

Who your audience is

What authority you have

What you do 1 3 Band-Aid’s® audience is mom’s

2 Band-Aid® has the ability to make scrapes and cuts feel

better

Step 4:

Tell a Story: Band-Aid®

Band-Aid® makes bandages

5

Your logo and tagline should reflect the previous research and planning you’ve done: your brand, audience, name, and story.

Keep it simple Be honest

Be accurate

Step 5:

Create a Logo / Tagline

6

Step 6:

Create Collateral

You’ve defined your audience

You’ve defined your business You’ve created your brand name

How old they are, where they live, what they do and other demographics

Your purpose, authority, and goals

You created a logo

What you do, what authority you have, who your audience is

You’ve told a story

Reflects the previous research and planning you’ve done

You have everything you need to

start creating!

6

Banners & Signs Branded Apparel Promotional Items

Whether you’re doing a grand opening or appearing at a community event, make sure to get your new name

and logo out there

Employees and customers love company apparel. Set your

employees apart and get free advertising when you sell your

brand name shirts

And don’t forget other promotional items for your new

business. Great for employee giveaways or for free

advertising from customers

Step 6:

Create Collateral

Step 6:

Create Collateral

No matter where you are, Namify can provide you

with all the Collateral you

need

7

Your Website

Make sure you have secured a domain with your brand name. Then make sure your website

can attract the right customers.

Content Strategy

Have an idea of the things you want to post on your website, blog, and social media sites. Make sure the message

is consistent.

Social Media

Create social media pages for your brand: Facebook, Twitter, G+,

Pinterest, Instagram. But don’t just create them,

monitor them.

Step 7:

Have an Online Presence

Step 7:

Have an Online Presence

There’s a lot to monitor. But only

immerse your business in the

sites where your customers are.

7

Step 8:

Establish your Voice

Your voice is your brand; be consistent!

Your content speaks for you; it has your voice

Develop a content strategy for your business 1

3

2

http://www.startupnation.com/start-a-business/brand-building/1/

http://usmansheikh.wordpress.com/2008/09/09/5-steps-to-start-creating-a-brand/

http://www.wikihow.com/Build-Your-Personal-Brand

http://www.substance151.com/news-insights/articles-presentations/article/five-steps-creating-winning-brand

http://www.thenextwomen.com/2012/06/20/eight-steps-developing-company-brand-your-customers-will-love

http://www.shoutlet.com/blog/2013/05/from-like-to-love-why-brand-advocacy-is-crucial-to-your-business/

http://smartmarketingforbrands.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/3-reasons-why-branding-your-business-is-the-best-marketing-plan/

http://www.designsponge.com/2010/10/biz-ladies-how-to-brand-your-business-on-a-budget.html

http://www.startupnation.com/start-a-business/brand-building/2/

http://www.inc.com/guides/2011/01/new-rules-of-branding-your-business-online.html/1

http://www.sba.gov/content/how-name-business

Sources:!