6 Things to Do When Starting a Brand

Your brand is the foundation of your business; trying to start one without it would be like trying to build a house without a base for it to stand. However, it can be challenging for new business owners who lack experience to ascertain the best strategy for building a trustworthy brand.

It requires a lot of effort with no immediate payoff, but establishing a strong brand image is one of the most valuable long-term investments you can make in your company. But you don't have to go alone to it. Here are six brand-building methods to help get you started:

Create a Unique Brand Name

First impressions are everything; if you want your business to stand out, you have a memorable name. But a good brand name doesn't just grab people's attention; it tells a story.

Take Apple, for example; a tech giant that gets its name from a simple, two-syllable word that anyone familiar with the English language can recognize, yet it has layers of meaning that tell you everything you need to know about the company and its services.

When coming up with a name for your brand, you should be asking yourself:

• Is it overly long/complicated?

• Can it be confused with another company?

• Does it have meaning?

• Is the meaning related to the product/service you provide?

Designing a Recognizable Logo

People retain images in their memory longer than words, so having a recognizable logo to accompany your brand name is especially important. Many of your favorite brands didn't accidentally choose their logos; colors, symbols, shapes, and even font choices are all carefully considered for their universal symbolic meaning. A logo that sticks with your audience tells a story about your brand through the visual language of design.

Building a Navigable Website

A great brand name and logo aren't worth much if you don't have a functional website. Your website lets potential customers learn more about your brand and its services. It's also where business takes place and where conversions are made. When building your company's website, consider:

• Page layout

• Readability

• Clarity

• Presentation

• User experience

Social Media Marketing

Nowadays, everyone is on social media, making it the perfect platform for reaching potential customers. Establishing a social media presence for your brand can improve organic reach and provide a cost-effective marketing tool.

Email Marketing

People are constantly bombarded with information, making finding what they're looking for difficult. Compiling a mailing list of past customers interested in staying updated with your brand is an effective method for retaining their business. A simple email wave is a quick and easy way to increase conversions and traffic.

Audience Engagement

The key to building a long-lasting brand is to inspire a sense of loyalty in your audience. Social media has made it easier for brands to engage directly with their audiences, so if you want to stay visible, you must post frequently.

This process can be the most time-consuming of any other method on this list, but having a loyal customer base who trusts you is an invaluable asset in any competitive field -- so get out there and start brand-building!