What is Branding?
Branding is crucial to the success of your business. Why? Because your customers will never remember your company without a consistent branding effort. Branding should create an image in your consumer's mind. When you think of Ford, their logo or maybe their tagline comes to mind almost instantly. That brand image is due to branding that has been consistent for about 100 years.
This is the voice and message for your company. It should define your goods and services as well as your values. Most importantly, it should distinguish you from the competition. The more unique your brand message and benefit can be, the more you will stand out in any industry.
Your branding efforts should be aimed at the primary target audience of your goods and services. You must establish brand equity, which refers to the credibility and trust you create between your brand and the target. This requires raising awareness for your brand and building loyalty. When customers need your product as a solution to their company, you want to be the first one they think of.
Your brand's image is something that your target can personify and relate to. It gives your brand a personality and allows them to connect with your message. This will help them choose your brand over others when making buying decisions. It’s simple, the more you can relate to the target with your brand, the more likely they will be to buy.
Just showing what you sell or do is not enough. You must show why you sell or do what you do. Overall your branding is a marketing tactic that can last a lifetime if done correctly.