Comments on: 9 Branding Tips for Small Biz

By: Jessie

Jessie — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:28:33 +0000

Great Article. And I agree, Keep it simple and to the point. This will make the brand and business seem very strong.

By: Branding Tips for Small Biz - my.bookmarks

Branding Tips for Small Biz - my.bookmarks — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:23:48 +0000

[...] Think again. Here are 9 easy tips you can use to grow your brand with your client or customers. (full story)Related PostsNo Related Post addthis_url = ”; addthis_title = ”; addthis_pub = [...]

By: al

al — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:06:12 +0000

Kinda disagree with logo examples but other than this post is very enlightening perception means everything

thx

By: Brisbane Marketing Consultant

Brisbane Marketing Consultant — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:10:43 +0000

Local business networking takes some effort but does build business and long term relationships.

By: Mike Vallee

Mike Vallee — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 08:12:19 +0000

Nick,
I love this article, and the replies it has generated.
As a graphic designer who loves to create logos and help clients with their branding, all these points make sense. As computers help make designing logos easier, I balance the fine line between watching more and more clients want to “do it themselves” and assist them when I think I can steer them in a better design direction. Most just want a “swoosh” to call their own. Convincing them that a logo should not be the end of their “branding” is much more difficult. Thank you, and Andy Nulman’s blog for leading me to what has become an eye-opening web experience.
Mike Vallee
Montreal, Canada

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 22:53:42 +0000

Dare say, I couldn’t have said it better. Value offerings are merely statements if they are not integrated with who your are as individuals identified with a certain product or company. Estalishing belief systems within an organization can strengthen and solidify branding to the point of self-induced marketing. Often, representation transcends resourceful manipulation. Adhering to practices that demonstrate leadership,integrity and ethical standards, and consistently striving to develop strong relationships become critical identifiers that serve as an anchor when the unexpected happens beyond our control.

I like your thoughts!!

By: Nick Rice

Nick Rice — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:40:46 +0000

Here’s the trap that most business people fall into; they think branding is a visual-only exercise. I.e. the look & feel of logos, website, color palette, etc… And while that does have a direct impact on your overall brand impression; it’s not the core of what “branding” is.

Branding is the art of creating and maintaining alignment between how you want your organization to be perceived and the living breathing gut feelings of your employees, clients, suppliers–and whomever they talk to about your organization or offerings.

Every element of your business contributes to (or detracts from) your efforts to ensure alignment. That’s what makes branding such a tough thing to get your arms around.

Since we’ve talked about Nike above, let’s use them again. They spend hundreds of millions globally on advertising to “paint a picture” of what it’s like to wear and use Nike products. Energy, Motion, Speed, Activity, Self Esteem, Part of the Pack, Winner, Confident… Then, out of the blue, it’s discovered that a sub-sub-sub contractor in Malaysia uses child labor and suddenly a large % of your efforts are simply erased and replaced with negative feelings. It doesn’t matter that Nike probably has no idea who this manufacturing contractor is; their brand image is affected by every part of their supply chain–even the parts they don’t control.

This is why the last 3-4 tips above are most important. You must pro-actively improve alignment between how you desire to be seen and what employees, suppliers, and clients/customers are actually feeling about you.

Great comments!

By: Christine

Christine — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:11:53 +0000

If you look up the term “business” you will find that the word itself refers to a particular trade or profession that involves the exchange of money for goods or services. Rarely is any business owner in business merely for the exchange of money for goods or service. I would venture to say that most owners have a value in mind, a value that their product or service presents to the consumer. At start up, they initiate their offering with great enthusiasm and vitality. They feel that their offering is better, perhaps less expensive, or more involved in caring for the individual customer. I ask my clients how they will present their value offering to every consumer–but without words or direct experience. It is that image, that presentation, which initiates the action of branding. Branding is a mirror of your value offering.
It is important to consistently be aware of how you are affecting your customers. It is critical to keep in touch with a consumer’s impression, and branding can be a conscious, action, purposefully directed by the business owner.
What is your distinctive purpose that sets your business apart from your competitors? What identifies your business product or service as a unique value to your consumer? Why should a buyer choose to no longer purchase from your competitor and buy from you? Is your logo consistent with these crucial identifying aspects or patterns? What is the impression that consumers are getting from your logo? Color is also key. How do your employees affect the buyer experience and opinion? Are your strategic protocols in line with your branding image? Do your employees exemplify and reflect this image? Do you solidify your brand when you participate in community events?
The word that you own in a consumer’s mind can be directly pursued by the business owner in every state of affair. When this attention to detail is recognized and acted upon by the owner, branding becomes a created and valuable marketing tool and strategic plan.
When a business owner thinks in terms of impact and image, and takes advantage of every opportunity to gain consumer awareness and recognition, every point of impact consistently mirrors branding your business in the consumer’s eye and experience. The most successful engaging companies have been built on a foundation of providing a unique consumer experience and value offering that became identifiable to their name. It takes determination, thoughtful preplanning and detailed attention. Don’t leave your business to the consumer to identify. Your business is your branding!

By: Don Allen

Don Allen — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:30:57 +0000

I concur about the the logo won’t make or break a company, but I would add my 2¢ about companies that have logos so hard to read or figure out they are worthless.
When was the last time you viewed a logo and had to scratch your head to wonder are they sell soap, autos or something else.
I believe in the old saying KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid.

By: Jim Hinckley

Jim Hinckley — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:55:11 +0000

Nick, very good article. BRAVO especially on points #7 and 9. Those two (especially #9) just happen to be the focus of a branding article I wrote recently. I’d appreciate you could read, comment on, and rate it:
http://www.squidoo.com/brandingyourgrowingcompany

As for logos, they are like frosting on a cake: very visible, appealing to the senses, they define the “surface” of the brand. The frosting might get you to try one slice of the cake, but probably not why you’re coming back for seconds, thirds, and more.