When looking at big brands such as Apple, you might be tempted to think that they built the brand overnight. What does it take to build a unique brand from the ground up?
During the initial stages of brand building, it is essential to ask yourself the following questions:
- What should my brand resemble?
- What do I want people to think of it?
- Will it strike a chord with my intended audience?
It is no easy task, but it is doable if you follow the steps we have outlined for you in this article.
How to Build a Brand
A brand is more than just a well-known name and a unique logo that is easily recognizable in a crowded market. Your brand is what comes to mind whenever people interact with your company.
A brand is made up of a logo, reputation, voice, product, name, fonts, and colors. These aspects, among others, affect how people perceive a brand. Consistency is what keeps a brand afloat and helps you to build a lasting legacy.
Building a brand can be broken down into seven simple steps.
STEP 1: Understand the market.
You can’t jump into business without knowing who your competitors are and finding out what your target customers are like.
You can find this information by browsing online and asking around to learn the beliefs and expectations of your customers as well as their language of expression.
STEP 2: Focus on a specific target market.
No person is like the other. It is pretty challenging to build a brand that will cater to everyone, especially in its initial stages.
Getting to know the character and personality of your customers will help you stake a claim on the market and use words that will appeal to your audience.
STEP 3: Choose a name that suits your personality.
Choosing a name for your business is one of the first important decisions you’ll have to make.
Don’t just pick a random name; take your time to carefully consider and ask for opinions.
STEP 4: Pick a slogan.
A memorable slogan is a nice-to-have tool that you can use as a tagline in website headers, social network bios, brochures, custom packaging, and anywhere else.
You only need a few words to make a significant impact. A good slogan is succinct, memorable, and leaves a lasting impact in order to increase brand awareness.
STEP 5: Think about the visual representation of your brand.
The visual representation of your brand determines the reception it receives, and this is where colors and fonts come to play.
Other than defining your brand’s design, colors also convey the emotion you want to transmit and help you keep it consistent throughout all your activities. To avoid confusion, use colors and typefaces that set you apart from your direct competition.
Keeping your fonts simple and basic is the greatest way to develop a brand. Please do not use too many fonts; keep it at two fonts.
STEP 6: Create your logo.
A logo is one of the fundamental marketing tools for any company.
It is the face of a brand and is found anywhere your brand is recognized.
Develop your brand with a distinct, recognizable logo and easy to use on various platforms.
STEP 7: Apply your branding throughout your company.
When you use your branding throughout your company, it creates a unified brand story. A brand story is a description of who your company is and what it stands for.
Using branding on your custom packaging sets the tone for every customer engagement with your brand, both online and in-store.
Grow Your Business as You Evolve Your Brand
The process of developing a brand does not end with the creation of a logo or tagline or even with the commencement of your brand awareness campaign. Keep your branding consistent everywhere your customers interact with your brand.