Branding for Beginners

How many of the biggest companies in the World do you think you would be able to recognise if they did not have a brand? Think about the red and white of the coca cola cans, the golden arches of McDonald's and the infamous picture of an allen key to represent Ikea. When establishing your business in the marketplace, it is important that you can separate your company from the plenty of others doing the same thing as you. Branding is an extremely rewarding marketing avenue to go  down, as it can establish your company at the forefront of the market.

image source

Those unsure of where to start should start with these top 5 beginners tips, before starting on a new concept or strategy.

The top 5 branding for beginners tips

• Promote your business personality, concept and values – It is important to show the customer as much as you can about your company values from your branding. If you are promoting a 'green' or environmentally friendly product then think about the colouring and symbolism in the images you use for your logos, website and so on.

• Be different – What is it that makes your product or service unique or better than others? Whatever the key differences are, put them across in the type of branding that you go for. Look at other similar companies and what they are doing, then set out to be as inventive as you can to rival them.

• Remember who your product is for – You should already know who your target market is, so be sure that your branding reflects that. Pick images that work with your chosen audience, as well as colours or sounds that they are more likely to feel an emotion towards. It is important that your market research is thorough before rushing ahead with branding.

• Ensure your brand is protected – Legal protection is the key element to ensuring your colours, symbols, logos or even music, are not used by another company. If you protect your branding in every country in which you operate, then you do not have to worry about another business passing your brand off as their own.

• Branding is an investment – Even though we may be seeing tough economic times, it has been proven that company branding has an average of 4% return on investment. Making sure you have the right image for your company can increase customer trust, sales and overall marketplace standing.

If you are keen on creating a brand for your business, but are unsure on which avenue to go down, then it may be worth contacting a design agency that can help you go through some ideas. Having an expert in marketing on your side can be the difference from getting lost in the crowd, or standing out as a pioneer in your industry. Companies such as Open Water can help you develop ideas you already have, point you in the right direction or even start from scratch on a brand new concept.