The Do’s and Don’ts of Branding for Businesses 

Introduction 

Do’s and Don’ts of Branding for Businesses, as the title suggests, are things that you need to keep in mind while branding your business. These things will make your business stand out and attract attention of your target audience. In this article, we are going to discuss everything you need to know about Do’s and Don’ts of Branding for Businesses; from what exactly it is, benefits it offers, how you can use it to attract more customers, etc. 

No one wants their business to fade into obscurity, and while there are countless products and services available, your company’s branding can help it stand out from competitors or even dominate entire markets. By understanding what defines a brand, you can begin planning how yours will function in today’s competitive landscape.  

DON’T try to be everything at once 

Every brand or business has a specialty, area in which they can offer unique insight or expertise. It’s tempting to try to be all things at once (especially if you want your business to cover as many bases as possible), but nothing good comes from trying to appeal too broadly. Give your audience something they don’t have anywhere else and offer them what they really need, not just what they might need. If you give customers exactly what they want, they will reward you with loyalty.

Focus on one specific niche at a time until it is well established; then expand into other areas of interest. DO give your brand a distinct personality: No one wants to do business with a faceless corporation. Customers are more likely to trust brands that show a human side, and people will also be more likely to buy from you if they feel like they’re getting something personal in return. If you want customers to fall in love with your brand, you need to let them know who you are as an organization, what values are important to you, and what drives your decision-making process. 

DO consider your strengths when branding 

Many successful businesses start with a unique idea or invention. For example, Google started out as a search engine company; Apple began as an iPhone manufacturer. If you have something to offer that’s unique, think about how you can incorporate that into your branding. You don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket, but it’s important to consider what makes you stand out from competitors when creating a brand identity. These maybe as; 

• What is it that will draw people in?  
• What is yout niche product?  

• What makes your product unique?  
• What problem does your product solve?  

Whatever it is, try to incorporate it into your brand design and overall business plan. The more memorable your brand, the better chance you have at building a successful business.

DON’T use visual assets that don’t relate to your business 

If you are opening a frozen yogurt shop, don’t use images of hotdogs on your website or in your marketing materials. Even if hotdogs sell well in your area, it doesn’t mean you should use them. People associate images with brand recognition, so make sure those images match what your business does. 

If people see pictures that don’t match up with what they think your company does, they will feel like something is wrong. For example, if we opened a frozen yogurt shop and used images of hotdogs on our website, people would feel confused about our business. They might even assume we were selling both things at once! That kind of confusion can lead to lost customers. So it’s important to showcase your products by using relevant imagery. 

DO connect emotionally with your customers 

This one is easier said than done, but getting your target market to connect with you emotionally can have a powerful effect on your bottom line. Think about it if people aren’t emotionally connected with you, what would ever make them choose you over your competition? Emotional connections lead to loyalty and customer advocacy. And if you think emotions are too touchy-feely for business, consider that some of today’s most successful brands (think Apple) are built entirely around an emotional connection with their customers.  

1. That’s not just marketing mumbo jumbo 

2. That’s real business success. 

So how do you start building that kind of emotional connection? Start by asking yourself why your customers choose you over your competitors. Once you figure out what makes you unique and desirable, start communicating those points to potential customers through every aspect of your brand. 

DO use catchy logo and slogan  

When people see your logo, they should immediately know who you are and what you do therefore It is important to brainstorm ideas that really show what makes your business special as it will be worth it in the long run. You want something memorable that people will easily recognise when they see it on social media or walking down Main Street.  

Your logo should also reflect how your brand is unique from others. If there are similar logos out there, try to make yours stand out by adding a personal touch (for example, using an icon of something relevant to your industry). 

DO show what you can do for customers through videos, photos, social media posts, etc. 

You want your customers to know who you are, what you’re about, and what you can do for them. A great way to show customers all of these things is through video and photo updates on social media accounts that relate directly to your business. Customers can learn more about your business by seeing how it operates in everyday life. By promoting transparency in a fun way, your customers will learn more about your brand and trust that they will be well taken care of if they work with you. This also helps build loyalty with customers because they feel like they have been given an inside look into your company culture.  

For example, craft breweries often post photos or videos of employees hard at work brewing beer or taking care of other tasks involved in running a brewery. In doing so, craft breweries create an authentic connection between their brand and their consumers which leads to customer loyalty over time. 

DO make an effort on every project you do 

No matter what your business is, every business needs one thing – satisfied customers. It is impossible to be successful if you are not creating products or services that your target audience actually wants or needs.

This means that it’s important not only to pay attention to how you present yourself but also how you make others feel through every interaction. But don’t stop there – make sure that every part of your business reflects who you are as a person so that those around you will respond in kind.  

DON’T be over confident

In addition, try not to put yourself on a pedestal; after all, even if you are incredibly talented at what you do, there are plenty of other people who have similar skills.

If you come across as too confident or arrogant, your clients may be turned off by your attitude. Instead, show them that you’re approachable and willing to listen to their needs. This will make them feel like they can trust you with their business and it could lead them to want to work with you in the future. 

DO tell people what you’re about, who you are, and why they should listen to you 

You don’t need a flashy logo or outrageous image to stand out but;  

• You do need to make sure your website gives visitors an idea of what your business is about. 

• You want potential customers and clients to be able to see who you are, why they should listen, and how you can help them.  

If you work in real estate, for example, then it makes sense to include pictures of homes that you’ve sold in the past. If you own a bakery, show off some delicious treats on your homepage. A good rule of thumb is that if it helps people understand what kind of service or product you offer (and how great it is), then it belongs on your site. 

Conclusion 

Just because you are a small business doesn’t mean you can’t compete with larger competitors. By implementing branding strategies that resonate with your target audience, you have a greater chance of competing in your industry. And remember, just because something is trending in one sector, doesn’t mean it will work in yours.

So what are you waiting for? Start optimizing your brand and grow your business. If you need help developing a strong brand strategy or marketing campaign, please contact us or follow us on Facebook.