Why Branding?
Having a concise, clear image that you project to your clients and customers is important in today's market. More and more people are leaving the job market and creating their own business, whether by choice or necessity, so the competition continues to expand. Therefore it is increasingly important to stand out among your competition. You want your business to be memorable!
Customers remember images and feelings that are evoked more than just a name on a business card. What type of feeling do you want your business to evoke in your customers / clients? How do you want to be remembered? Do you want to be the first one your customer thinks about over your competition? Of course you do. But what do you want to be remembered for?
?Your excellent customer service?
?Your winning smile?
?Your product?
?Your prices?
?Your logo?
How are you different from your competition? What makes your business special? Ask yourself these questions and then look at the answers. Maybe you are already projecting a particular image. It is cohesive, or is it sloppy? Do you even have an image? Do you have a brand name? Do you have any sort of identity?
What about your services? Does each one have a different look, feel and image, or does it tie into the image of your business? Can you look at your services and see the brand name, image or theme running through each description? Choosing to use the same logo on all your materials, sticking with a consistent color theme and playing off a specific theme is part of branding.
For example, a recent episode of Taking Care of Business on TLC television highlighted a company that custom designed baby gift baskets. Their logo, color scheme and theme were brought together to expand their image. The professional business mentors assisted the owner with creating press releases and media kits for his baby company that were done like birth announcements. This created visual interest, continued the theme of the company and along with the logo and color consistency, the branding was top notch. As a result, he had several articles written about his business in key magazines that target his specific market.
What about your company? Does your image reflect your product? Do your customers recognize you by your business name or a product name? Are you consistent with your marketing message? These are ALL important questions whether you are starting a business or looking to expand your existing business. So, ask the questions, listen to the answers and create a plan for branding your business!
© 2005 Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster is a managing partner in Baraka Bay, a visionary business and organization development consultancy. They offer unique knowledge, techniques, and expertise to provide solutions, services and products for businesses, organizations and individuals. http://www.BarakaBay.com
Publisher's Guidelines: You may freely publish this article online, in email newsletters, or in print so long as the resource box and byline are in tact. Author would appreciate a notification, but that is optional.
 Google News Updated : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:25:52 GMT Hurricane Gustav Strengthens, Accelerates, Heads for Cuba, Gulf - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Patrick Donahue and Robin Stringer Aug. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Hurricane Gustav strengthened and picked up speed as it headed toward western Cuba and the US Gulf Coast cities ravaged by Katrina and Rita in 2005, after lashing the Cayman Islands with ... Video: Gustav Follows Katrina's Path Some leave Gulf Coast ahead of likely evacuations Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:40:06 GMT US Oil, Gas Producers, Pipelines Brace for Gustav (Update1) - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Margot Habiby Aug. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Royal Dutch Shell Plc and BP Plc plan to finish shutting oil and gas production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico and Enbridge Energy Partners LP will close pipelines as Hurricane Gustav gains strength and moves ... More volatility seen with hurricane, payrolls Airlines bounce as oil gives up early gains Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 11:21:02 GMT Comcast to Place a Cap on Internet Downloads - New York Times
New York Times - By BRIAN STELTER Comcast, one of the country’s largest Internet providers, said this week that it would place limits on customers’ broadband usage. Comcast's Answer to ... Critics Question Comcast Broadband Caps Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:08:14 GMT Obama campaign buoyed by convention - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - He sees an unusually strong jump in support after the carefully choreographed event in Denver. By Peter Nicholas, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer DENVER -- Amy Pearl is the sort of Democrat who made the Barack Obama campaign nervous. Look out, Palin The Hillary factor . . . Hillary supporters aren't bitter; they're concerned Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:00:48 GMT Sign of the times - BBC News
BBC News - As Russia and the West warn of a new Cold War after the Georgian conflict, the BBC's Humphrey Hawksley in Moscow tries to imagine what it would look like. European Union to Hold Urgent Meeting on Russia last straw" for Russia Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 11:10:28 GMT S. Ossetia to be absorbed into Russia - United Press International
United Press International - TSKHINVALI, Georgia, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- South Ossetia says it will become part of Russia and host Russian military bases under a new agreement. Video: UN does have double standards Kremlin announces that South Ossetia will Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 11:01:52 GMT Experts: Silver lining for ‘viable’ Mitt Romney - Boston Herald Boston Herald - By Edward Mason Mitt Romney - once a top contender to be John McCain’s running mate - may have suffered a bruised ego when he was passed over for the little known Gov. It's not Pawlenty, it's Palin Pawlenty, after the pick, another day at fair Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 04:13:29 GMT Website Traffic Promotion |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Mascots are the unique dolls or puppets that help identify... Read More My first year as a Cyberpreneur was a steeplearning-curve. I... Read More "Make no little plans, they have no magic to stir... Read More Let me tell you a story about Pete and a... Read More Back to the era of the Hawaiian monarchy, the origin... Read More The public buys far more than just your products, services... Read More In a world of co-branding, point of destination strategies and... Read More The quality of your logo can mean the difference between... Read More I love Pepsi. It's that slightly sweeter taste and the... Read More Branding your comapny should be the first thing a company... Read More Branding TodayHave you ever had a good brand experience? How... Read More Color is a highly personal experience ? everyone has favorite... Read More A corporate logo design should be highly instrumental in building... Read More Every company has a brand (how people think of them)... Read More Logo, graphic, icon, logotype, typogram, logoform, image?call it what you... Read More June 13, 2005 -- Jane Chen (Producer) of the Red... Read More How many times have you been at a networking function... Read More Colour is essential to building a strong brand.Many of you... Read More Do you have the architecture in place to make sure... Read More Adored, respected and coveted by customers and organisations alike, corporate... Read More You wouldn't skip letterhead when sending out a sales letter... Read More As many people know Industry Trade Journals in America have... Read More Having a concise, clear image that you project to your... Read More Make A Bold Promise Then Back It Up With An... Read More Building a product into a brand leader is not easy,... Read More
Adsense
websites
Mascots ? The Killer Promotional Concept
My First Year In Cyber Space
Boston Brand Building - Brand Identity Guru
Corporate Internet Branding ? Branding Your Business Online
Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry
Business Branding - How Character Affects Customers and Your Business Image
Co-Branding in Automotive Service Businesses
Is Your Logo Helping or Hurting Your Business?
Branding Article: Pepsis Missed Brand Opportunity
Branding Your Business To Make More Money
Branding Guru - Brand Identity Guru
Choosing the Right Color Palette
Corporate Logo Design ? 6 Keys to Success
7 Branding Secrets: Ready or Not?
The Keys to a Great Logo
Light Up Necklaces Help Promote Red Doors Movie at the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival Awards
Personal Branding: Characteristics of a Strong Personal Brand
Brand Building For Profit: The Colour Behind the Brand and Why I Wear Red Ties!
Great Brands Depend On Attention To The Brand Architecture
Managing the Corporate Brand - a Reputation Perspective
Don?t Overlook Your Email When Considering Your Brand Identity
Trade Journals in Franchising
Why Branding?
Simple Risk Reversal Formula Will Send Your Sales Into Space (2 of 2)
Build Brand Identity Through Product Branding
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Brand Building 101
Building your brand into a brand leader isn't easy. There... Read More
Britney Spears Branding
How would you like to sell as much in one... Read More
Value-pricing Strategy: Were not The Cheapest but...
In this highly competitive online marketplace, it can be difficult... Read More
Quality and Service - Yeah, Right!
One of the critical drivers of business success is having... Read More
The MOST Expensive Mistake You Can Make
Most people who own a small business have a huge... Read More
Branding ? Brand Identity Guru
Brands are important aspects of any business, but unlike money... Read More
My First Year In Cyber Space
My first year as a Cyberpreneur was a steeplearning-curve. I... Read More
Brand Love, Part 2
Last issue, I talked about increasing your Brand Love-- meaning... Read More
Brand Extension; Going from Consumer to Commercial
As more and more home pressure washers are sold at... Read More
Effective Branding...Whats in a Name!
Ask any marketing executive and they will tell you that... Read More
Build Customer Loyalty by Promoting Your Customers
Do you want to attract new customers while building greater... Read More
The Trust Issue In Marketing
One of the prime motivating factors in the purchase decision... Read More
Brand Image - Brand Identity - Brand Strategy - Brand Identity Guru
Consumers perceive and accept many brands within a certain trade... Read More
Go Ask Alice
One of fiction's finest marketing minds, The Cheshire Cat, once... Read More
Entrepreneur Speaks on Brand Extension in the Franchise Cleaning Business
On question I have been asked over and over again... Read More
Brand Your Name!
Have you ever thought about branding your name? Does the... Read More
Don?t Overlook Your Email When Considering Your Brand Identity
You wouldn't skip letterhead when sending out a sales letter... Read More
Branding Services - Brand Identity Guru
Branding Services is a tactic that marketing executives and managers... Read More
How to Work with Your Graphic Designer
As a graphic designer, I can tell you something right... Read More
Optimize Your Mailing List For Better Results
A list of customers who have previously bought from you... Read More
Into The Limelight
To stand out in a cluttered world, become a recognized... Read More
Creative Branding Increases Sales Through Company Recognition
The one thing that everyone has in common is that... Read More
Clouds Gather Before A Storm: Utilizing The Power Of Brand
How brand management can help utility organisations to create a... Read More
How to Create Your Own Mail Order Products
Pick up almost any book or report on Mailorder Selling... Read More
Logo Design - Corporate Identity Branding - Brand Identity Guru
Like it or not it's who you are. Your corporate... Read More
Branding |