Branding is more than your business logo or your brand colours, it is the why of your business, the who and how of your brand, usually in visual form. Have you ever wondered how Coca-Cola has managed to stay in business for decades without compromising on its product? Branding! It is the heart of their business and they have been able to connect with their consumers in a special way.

Branding is an opportunity to connect with your audience and give them an experience of a lifetime.

It is the process of inviting them into your space and making them feel connected to your brand. However, for this to be achieved, you must have built a strong foundation for your business.

IDENTIFY YOUR VALUES

Identifying the core values of your business is important. Your values are meant to guide your business decision. Do you know your why? What are your goals for your business? Do you have a target market? The sooner you get your answers, the ready you are. Be aware that, as an entrepreneur who is just starting out, you might not have all the answers but keep your values in mind because they are your roadmap. If you are just starting out, ponder on what you do best and how you can use that knowledge to help others and stand out.

CHOOSING YOUR BRAND COLORS

 This might be the most colourful and entertaining aspect of branding. Choosing colours for your brand is important for cohesiveness, visibility, and professionalism. Having the same colour palette across your platform also showcases your values as a brand. The most important visual elements for your branding are.

  • LOGO – A logo is one of the most important visual elements of your brand as it identifies your business to the market. Your logo should set the tone for your brand and entice your audience. You might want to consider it as a trailer while your brand is your movie. What is the importance of a trailer? Yes, that is what a logo does to your brand. Quick tip, always go for simplicity.
  • BRAND COLOR – Finding the perfect colour for your brand can be the most difficult to achieve. Entrepreneurs are usually concerned about using two or more colours to appeal to a lot of people. While that might be correct, it is not mandatory. Go for colours that complement brand, and if you are confused between choosing colours, choose neutral colours.

SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION

What do they say about promoting your brand or counting down before the launch date? Yes, you can do this on social media. Extending your brand beyond offline activities is key. Share your journey and why you are starting your business, illustrating who will benefit from it. For instance, if you are starting a fitness brand, you can start sharing some tricks and hacks and position yourself as an expert.

When creating your brand, think about what you want to do, how you want to do it, who are you doing it for and how does it help them. The answers to these questions will guide you into positioning yourself strategically. Jeff Bezos, Amazon Founder, once said, “Your brand is what people say about you when you are not in the room”. So, brand yourself, send a clear message to your audience, convince them that your brand is here to stay.