Developing a brand community of loyal customers should be a top priority for any successful business brand.
At this point, you don’t have to rely solely on adverts, adverts and adverts to promote your brand. You also need to build a strong community that will help to enhance customer experience.
In order
At first, defining your brand may seem pretty easy but you need to realize that it involves critical reasoning, decision making and data collection. You need to develop a well-crafted statement about what your brand represents, your brand standards, the type of products and services you have to offer, your target customers and what should be expected.
Brand and marketing for 2016 is the talk of the town. Read up on 5 ways you can start building your small business brand today.
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Content marketing is the useful, informative, and creative way to build relationships with your customers with your brand and your business.
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So many misconceptions about being self-employed and owning your own business. Here are a few I’ve experienced in my business life that maybe you can connect to also.
Anyone who is an entrepreneur, or has started a small business of any kind, has had to deal with the perception that because they own a business, they must be rich. Oh how I wish this was true. And, logically thinking, if it was, then the small business failure rate wouldn’t be running at around Y1-25%, Y2-36%, and Y3- 44% (staticbrain.com).
Although, most start-ups begin on varying budgets, the idea here is that most entrepreneurs are entering into this area of their lives because of one of two things. Either necessity, or passion. The biggest being passion. Most entrepreneurs will tell you that it’s the elusive desire to work for themselves, provide a much needed product or service, or the freedom of being their own boss.
I actually started my business in design from a desire of both necessity and passion. My necessity pushed me further into growing my business and that passion kept me consistent in my desire to grow as a business owner. Both for financial and personal freedom.
Whatever the reason may be, assume that at the start most entrepreneurs are barely making ends meet. That most are definitely fearful of what their financial future looks like. That they have risked a great deal in order to have taken this leap to pursue their passion in entrepreneurship.
So to be safe, this would not be the best time to be hitting them up for a loan. In fact, if you are friends or family with a new small business owner in your circle….take them to lunch. Trust me, they will appreciate it.
It’s not unreasonable to think that self-employed individuals definitely have some flexibility in their schedules. As a matter of fact that’s one of the greatest benefits of working for yourself.
However, don’t confuse that with “copious amounts of time” it’s just not reality. Honestly the opposite is true. Especially if you’re building your business with sweat equity. You literally don’t have “hours” you work because you are willing to work at any hour for pretty much any client. Ok, well that doesn’t sound great, but you know what I mean.
As a designer, the term “starving artist” takes on an entire new meaning. I understood that I was willing to take any job, any specs, and pretty much at any rate just to get SOMETHING in the works.
Anytime you perceive “free-time” in all reality is lost opportunity to work. Small Business owners will learn either by reading what I’m saying, or learning the hard way, that they have to stay busy. There is always work to do, even if it’s building your business. You should always be your first client.
I mean you’ve been a friend since 1st grade why wouldn’t I give you something for free? Well, probably for the same reason that you can’t go into your job and give them a week worth of free employment. If the purpose of your business is to make money then I will charge you. You won’t get free work, whether a friend or family member. If you’re making money in your venture, then expecting free design work really isn’t fair.
One lesson I learned early is if you DO discount a rate, show it on the invoice. Not to let the client know how much they are saving, but to show the value of the work they received. Nothing hurts your business worse than you undervaluing your product or service. Sure it may be necessary to cut your rate, put a product on sale, in order to get the customers attention….but don’t do it blindly. Make sure your client knows they got a deal. Yes, even friends and family.
Ok, so I’m not a complete stickler. I’d be lying if I said I never work for free for friends and family, but I’ve found a way to incorporate that into some specific boundaries that I have established for myself and my business.
The first area that I work for free for friends or family are life events. Graduation Announcements, Wedding Invites, Funeral Programs etc….. I WILL design these for free. I don’t know why, I’ve just never felt right about charging for these. Maybe it’s the sentimental part of me, but if I can be a part of the atmosphere of the event, then I’m more than honored to do this work. That one for me was always a no brainer.
The Second, I am open to consider doing free work for ANY company/business/event that is a not-for profit business. It’s at my discretion and according to my availability. I do like to take on pro-bono work at least a few times a year, or when business is slow. It’s also a great source of inspiration because most non-profit work, in design at least, serves to be a great source of design exploration.
There’s a ton of freedom with design work in this field because the majority of people you are working for appreciate you helping them, and it feels good to do it. I’ve heard of designers using this as a means to gain exposure for their business. idk, I guess that’s ok, a free plug. But if you’re doing pro-bono work it should be done without any strings attached (and that means no notoriety). Of course, you find your boundary and work within them.
I think it’s important to not turn into a tyrant or scrooge, when you become a small business owner. Which means staying faithful to the friends and family that were faithful to you. Give back from your passion what you can. I’m not saying give away at the extent to damage your business venture, but “give-back” should constitute at least some value of your services and yes the recipients of that should be your closest friends and family members and those within the community that could benefit from what you do.
For some reason it seems like if you own a small business, long lost friends, family members, ex-colleagues, and old high school sweethearts…. reach out to you in order to find employment. U.S. Small Business Administration show small firms employ just over half of the private-sector workforce and created nearly two-thirds of nation’s net new jobs over the past decade and a half.
Now with that kind of figure, of course one would assume that we’re always hiring just because our neon open sign is lit, and we have purchased our business license. NOW, let’s understand that the term “small business” is a broader term on a national level than the small business I’m discussing. The SBA considers firms with fewer than 500 employees a “small business.” I’m discussing the mom & pop shops and the one-woman shows.
It costs money to hire an employee. Even one, and even minimum wage. There are taxes involved and most of the time the help we need isn’t in the menial tasks that we COULD potentially hand off to someone else. We need help in the areas that are usually more technical, more strategic with a specialized skill set.
So, is the first line of jobs available for my business going to be someone who can answer my phone, send out my invoices, or respond to emails like an administrative assistant? Not likely, because what I need are skill sets that will expand upon the businesses and services that I’m offering or wanting to offer my clients.
So for a designer, I’m looking to hire employees like an accountant, business strategist, blogger, content strategist, web developer. These as you can see are all specialized skill sets. Once I’m in a place to not have to answer emails personally to clients, well then this blog will no longer apply.
I swear it took me YEARS, and I’m not exaggerating to say YEARS to convince my family (especially my mother) that I had legitimate “clients”. That my design business was no longer just something I did for fun. That I literally worked with large corporations and legitimate business heads in areas of technology, real estate, service industry, media, etc…
For some reason, it’s hard for people to see the person I used to be, and the business person I’ve grown into . Honestly, I’ve had a tendency to keep my business and my family separate for a lot of the formidable years of business growth, because I didn’t want my already insecure spirit to be shaken. It’s hard being in business for yourself. It’s even harder to not have the people closest to you fully on-board with your vision.
Keeping your business plans, your expectations, hopes and dreams limited to a trusted “few” is something I highly recommend. Your business is honestly to be protected, and sometimes that protection needs to be implemented against a well meaning Aunt Sally, that thinks your business hopes are “cute”.
Until a point where your business is speaking for itself, so to say, keep it under wraps. Even Jesus was kicked out of his hometown because those that saw him growing up weren’t geared towards seeing him as anything other than the child he had been. This is a great lesson for business as well. Keep it under wraps. Let your family and the outside world see it’s growth from their own perspectives. All in due time.
Your brand presence is important to your business, for brand awareness, online and print advertising and for marketing your business. Because small businesses often have small marketing budgets, utilizing the power of having a consistent brand will help to maximize your message in the marketplace.
Utilizing an Alaska web design firm that also understands online marketing, brand design, and branded content, will give you small business marketing budget, the biggest bang for your buck.
Brand recognition grows over time and ensuring your brand is consistent across all of your online and print channels is even more important than what your budget is for marketing services.
It is important for your marketing campaign to have a consistent brand across all online channels. Whether you are marketing your brand through SEO (search engine optimization), Social Media Campaigns, Print Advertising or Video/Commercial means…the one underlying and most important element is that your branding remains consistent.
Here’s a quick read on how to maximize your Online Brand Marketing that further explains the importance of brand consistency and online marketing strategies.
One of the most recognizable parts of your visual brand is your logo. Finding out rules of how to create an effective logo design are an integral first step. Hiring a professional graphic designer to assist on establishing your initial brand, or rebranding an existing brand can help to ensure a powerful and memorable logo direction.
Ensuring your logo is consistent across each of your online channels is crucial. Having a consistent visual brand is essential in ensuring that your company’s visions and mission are reflected.
It should be the same on your website and all your social media pages.
Anytime it comes up on another site, your logo should be the same as on your own site.
If you have partnerships with other companies and they advertise that on their website, send them an image file of your logo and ask for theirs.
Cross marketing accurately is helpful in consistent branding.
There is a feel and vibe that comes from the word choice used by companies on their websites and social media.
Depending on the type of business you have, you may have a more fun and light hearted vibe or a more serious and informative feel.
The message of your company can be easily construed on each online channel with carefully chosen words and font choices.
Releasing press releases, weekly blogs, social media content will allow for your branded content marketing to be useful and to further keep your brand consistent. It will also help steer all the media about your business.
You can’t know if your brand is consistent unless you’re constantly on the lookout for what’s out there about your business.
Check out any likely places your business name will come up including sites like Yelp, TripAdvisor, Angie’s List, and any review site specific to your type of business.
You can’t change what people say but being aware of it will help keep your brand consistent.
Contact us today to see how we can help with your brand!
Bianca Frank Design offers a comprehensive brand and brand development package that can be utilized to begin or reinvigorate your small business marketing strategy. Whether you are in need of small business marketing strategies, graphic design, brand design, web design, or just need consultation on where to start. Drop a note and we will be in touch soon.
Anchorage Alaska Business Advertising Design Strategy
It can’t be said enough – a cohesive message across all of your marketing platforms will ensure your business’s advertising is consistent. If a client goes to your Facebook page, it should have the same look and feel as your own website. Print material should have a flow of ideas, language, and presentation that represents your company’s message as well as agrees with the rest of your advertising efforts. Design is the visual way to ensure all of these media outlets match and give off the same vibe, tone and voice of your company.
While creating advertising on your own may save you money, it won’t save time and it won’t give your business the polished, professional appearance it needs to get the results you want. Even if you have one simplified ad created by a professional to express your message, reusing that ad in multiple media outlets will still allow you to keep costs down as well as maintain a professional appearance. You can also hire a designer on a retainer basis, where you utilize their knowledge and feedback to ensure your materials are as effective as possible.
As a consumer, we all have multiple options on what company we choose to hire or purchase from. However, most people are drawn initially toward the advertisements that look most professional and put together. Think about how you choose from your available options. Without more information to assess the different options, the better design will draw you in. It looks better, and in turn expresses a more credible company and/or service.
With the help of a designer, you can see real results when you utilize proper design techniques in your advertising. Markets have many different trends and the design style that is effective in each will fluctuate based on any number of factors. Your target demographic, what your product or service is, or where you are connecting with your audience are all areas a professional designer can assist you. In turn finding a professional designer can not only gain you results but will also maximize your marketing dollars. After all, you get what you pay for.
The whole point of advertising is getting the results you want, which usually calculate to more clients! Make sure you are investing as much time in sending the right message to your audience, as they are in choosing to use a credible business for their needs.
Not sure where to start with design for your Anchorage business? Contact us today to see how we can help turn your message into a client!
The idea behind any company branding is to catch your customer’s eye and get them to ask more questions. Your Anchorage Alaska Brand, Logo Design or Graphic Design needs a unique feel to stand out in the crowd. A few tips can help take your Alaska brand to the next level!
There are many Alaska companies that play into the weather and terrain of Alaska when putting together their brand.Images of mountains, ice, water, trees, and other natural touches can be found in many, or even most, Alaska branding. It doesn’t mean you can’t use these motifs, but make them your own with uncommon colors, textures, or accents that take your brand from ordinary to extraordinary.
Don’t forget, your business is already unique by itself. Your brand should reflect your own unique vision and message, meaning it will have its own unique feel without too much effort!Play into the things you like and that speak to the audience you’re targeting.
Once you have figured out the way you want to make your Alaska brand unique, use different or unusual marketing tools.For example, typical bottled water companies might use water bottles to advertise their company. What about ice cube trays? Key chains are common advertising but those with fun and custom shapes or bangles are usually the ones that end up on everyday key rings.Some of the different tools may be more expensive since they aren’t standard but the cost is worth it if you are constantly getting word of mouth advertising from your clients.
Make sure to pick something about your business that makes it the most unique and different and play those differences up! Your customers will appreciate the efforts!
Some examples of some great Alaska Brands that are not specifically calling attention to the typical motifs:
Bristol Bay Native Corporation | Steamdot | Food Bank of Alaska | the 49th Supply Co. | Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau
These are companies that Bianca Frank Design was not a part of creating, however, they are inspiring Alaskan brands that have stepped away from the “Alaska” status quo and I admire each of these brands for that reason.
Do you need help defining and designing what makes your brand different? Contact us today to talk!
Bianca Frank Design offers a comprehensive brand and brand development package that can be utilized to begin or reinvigorate your small business marketing strategy. Whether you are in need of small business marketing strategies, graphic design, brand design, web design, or just need consultation on where to start. Drop a note and we will be in touch soon.
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