Ah, the wonderful world of business. It certainly has plenty to offer anyone really. However, we generally get what we put in, and when we make the following branding mistakes, we are practically setting ourselves up for failure. Here are the best ways to stay on top of the name game.
Effective branding requires clarity and understanding of your target audience. Confusing logos and images can drive potential customers away, so it's essential to be succinct in your branding efforts. Additionally, proper visibility through various venues, including physical signage and media presence, is crucial to success. Integrating branding with social media and maintaining a consistent image across platforms will enhance engagement and strengthen connections with your audience.
Confusing and Convoluted
Brilliant ideas for life in general might not equate into brilliant ideas for branding. When people see images or logos designed for a particular business, they don’t want to be so overwhelmed and overcome by it that they have no idea what it means. Creating complicated and convoluted branding images likely means that customers are going to be chased away. They don’t want to spend a long time figuring out what your brand’s about – it needs to be succinct.
Ignoring Target Audiences
You might be inclined to come up with something that you think is fun and interesting, and certainly, these qualities are important. However, unless you’re a part of your own target audience, your own tastes and desires don’t really matter. You’re not trying to sell the product or service to yourself; you are trying to sell it to a specific group of people. Therefore, you must analyze the needs and wants of your target audience. By crafting images that reach this group, you’ll have more opportunities for success.
Improper Branding Venues
You could have the most wonderful brand in the world, but if no one sees it, then it won’t carry any real value. You need to explore all of the options at your disposal for visibility in order to be successful. Of course, you’ll likely want to go the traditional route with advertisements in the local paper and flyers. However, you must also consider other signs of signage as well. For example, having your brand on a big sign that stands above the highways or soars above the stores is almost always a smart idea. People from all over are going to be able to see it, and it is big enough to make an impact. Be sure to choose a location that’s away from opportunities for vandalism.
Connect to Media
Some businesses keep their branding efforts entirely separate from social media, and this is not a wise plan. Just imagine how much more business you could have if you made that branding image media friendly. Not only should you use paper advertisements and signs in the physical world, you must also have a presence in the virtual world. Set up a Facebook page that addresses your target audience, and be sure that the actual brand is on there as well. You can also use the brand on the website and in emails to ensure a sense of cohesion and thoroughness throughout all of your efforts.
Jender Gilmore writes social media and technology. Her recent work lists 15 Great iPad Apps for Students and Professionals in Psychology.
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