Building a brand can be laborious. Like your business, brand identities require discipline, focus, and a great idea behind them. But if you’ve got those already, what else do you need to make your brand a success story?
1) Know thyself
The key to an amazing brand identity is simple: it's you! Your story will dictate the entire direction of your brand. Logos, photos, fonts, all of these elements of your identity come together to communicate who you are as a business. If you haven't already, make sure you can articulate your business strategy, values statements, and company mission. These are great starting points for forming a clear and concise brand identity.
2) Know your customer
Branding is more than just a story, it's how you communicate your story. Do your customers like horror movies or rom-coms? Details like these can dictate the language you use when communicating to the most important people in your business. Be aware that your customers already speak to each other using specific language online and in person, and take steps to ensure you are well-versed in their lingo. If you're not already, make yourself a part of their discussions. Become an insider to their world and build trust, empathy, and a loyal customer base.
3) Know your competitors
No matter how well you think you're doing at something, there is always room for improvement. This is true for your competitors, too. Look closely at businesses working in your same space to get a feeling for what is already successful in your market. If you can identify what could easily be improved, you can easily gain a leg up in your branding and marketing.
When you take the time to understand the landscape of your business world and the players within it, you can identify simple ways to set yourself apart and make waves in whatever you do.