Branding goes beyond your logo, website and social handles. It’s about reputation, customer experience and what sets you apart from the competition.
But where do you start? Here are 4 steps to help you start building your brand:
BE YOUR OWN BIGGEST FAN
It should go without saying that you should be using your own products, referring your own services – and believe in your own business. There is no better brand ambassador than the one the one person who lives and breathes it every day. This comes back to passion so if you’ve got it, flaunt it. There is no comparison to authenticity and if you’re not passionate about your business, potential clients and customers will be able to see right through you. Make sure you are reminded of your WHY every day and don’t take your wins (as big or as small as they might be) for granted. If you want to connect with your customer let the passion for what you do shine through.
FOCUS ON BUILDING LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS
Trust is the new foundation of building customer loyalty, rather than the aggressive, rapid-fire sales and marketing tactics of the past. Work on building this from the ground up, whether face-to-face, online or over the phone. Making contact and being genuine about your relationship with the customer breeds long-term loyalty. Be sure those interactions aren’t just focused on making the sale, but rather keeping the lines of communication open. Not only will these customers or clients feel comfortable to purchase from you for the long-term but they’re also much more likely to refer your business to friends and family.
ADD VALUE FOR YOUR CLIENTS OR CUSTOMERS
Go beyond. Give them more. Set yourself apart from the others that simply provide only the basics of the product or service your customers want/need. High-level customer service, special promotions or providing valuable information, particularly via your website or social media, is an ideal way to show you are willing to above and beyond for your tribe.
But what do you give them? Make sure to first examine who they are, what matters to them and why they chose your business over your competitors. This research will allow you an insight and a platform to further stand out from the crowd by giving your customers/clients more of what they want – even if they didn’t know they wanted it yet!
KNOW YOUR WEAKNESSES
Understanding what you do well as well as the things your business isn’t so great at is crucial to strengthening your brand. If you need to outsource, do so. If something goes wrong, be honest. And if something isn’t working, change it. Keep your customers or clients updated (on what they need to know) because transparency builds credibility and, if you want your brand to stand out from all the noise, credibility is important.
It’s passion, trust, value, belief and honesty that are the building blocks of a successful brand – no matter what industry you’re in.
