I saw this display yesterday close to my home.
Have to say, Mc Donalds delivers this to perfection!
Watch what you say in your ads!
Branding a Small Business
Most small business owners will scoff at the mere mention of the word branding for small business. At a juncture in their small business where every penny is being watched to ensure movement toward eventual profits, branding a small business hasn’t even entered the equation.
The real truth is that all businesses – big or small – have a brand within them. It’s a matter of finding a way to bring it out to make your company stand apart from your competitors.
Many small business owners neglect branding because they feel it’s an expense they can’t afford. But branding a small business can help position you as the expert in your niche – and it can catapult your profits upward faster than many other components within your business strategy.
While it’s true that the big businesses shell out big bucks to make a brand for their company, it really isn’t necessary to spend that much money. Branding is what sets you apart from other companies offering the same type products or services as you.
It could come from your logo, awesome customer service, the quality of the product you put on the market, or the buzz you generate in your niche. The next time you watch television, actually pay attention to the commercials.
What are some of the brands you see in the companies that placed those ads on the air? State farm insurance has a commercial jingle that says, “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” It’s not only their jingle – but also a brand, because it invokes feelings of trust in their target audience.
You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get a brand for your company. Figure out what you want to be known for and develop a tag line or motto for your business.
What makes the store Payless shoes stand out from their competitors? The simple fact that the customer pays less for a pair of shoes than most shoe stores! They created branding right in their business name.
Branding is not something you have to break the bank to get. Figure out what your company or product’s strong points are and build from there. Let your business grow and get your company’s image developed by providing a brand to make you stand out from those you’re competing against. This is how a big part of marketing a small business.
A free Hug for you
Not everything is about business or small business marketing.
Some days it is just about giving free hugs!
Tips for bloggers
I’m assuming you have a blog. A blog is a must today in business.
If you don’t, please, start one today. It is easy and free.
If you don’t even know what a blog is or why you should have one, you can find more information about blogs here.
Today, these tips are for people that have a blog.
1. Write mostly in first person
2. Attribute links to source material
3. Blog title should include a description of what the blog is about.
4. Write about a variety of topics, some business related, some personal.
5.Headline should be simple and include one of your important search terms
6.Make it easy for visitors to subscribe to your RSS
7. Include photos, audio and videos regularly
8. Use a domain name that match a search term that is important for your business.
9. Your blog should live in your business domain. (ex: buzzbooster.com/blog)
10.Include links to your company.
11. Vary the length of your entries.
12. Invite comments from visitors
13. Respond comments from visitors
14. Have someplace a photo of yourself.
15. Provide readers with a way to contact you.
16. Provide a search option
17. Make it easy for people to bookmark your entries to digg.com, del.icio.us, StumbleUpon and/or other social bookmarking sites?
Blogs are fun, help you position yourself as the expert in your industry, is your own media and helps you build a group of followers.
Time spent blogging is time spent building your business.
Why Small Businesses Fail
We have a great interview with business consultant Rudy Ortiz on the main reasons why small business owners fail and what to do to avoid this kind of problem.
Listen to Why Small Businesses fail.
Outsourcing Design
Look at this website and how it is structured to serve people looking for designers and designers in search of some extra work. It is very interesting as an idea http://www.crowdspring.com
Where is BuzzBooster?
We’ll be speaking around Salt Lake this month and the next. Hope to see you in one of them, stop by and say hi if you’re there!
On June 13th we’ll be at the Chamber East Monthly Luncheon, the topic will be: Social Networking & Media – LinkedIn.com or FaceBook.com
On June 19th we’ll be at the Volunteer Jamboree talking about consumer behavior: Who is your customer? to RSVP email: vlee@slco.org
On July 17th we’ll be at the GKIC Utah Chapter. The topic: No B.S. Social Media Marketing
So what if it’s a commodity? Tell a Good Story! ;)
David Kiley brought up what I thought was an interesting point about branding. In an article about the world’s best vodka he points out that vodka’s taste notes are so subtle that people make their choices based on bottle and label design, country of origin—and brand story.
I agree with him, good branding counts in this world. “The brand imagery, billions of dollars, and hype surrounding Grey Goose, Absolut, Ketel One, and of course even Trump Vodka, have all created very definite preferences for something that is meant to be odorless, colorless, and tasteless. If Perrier and Dasani can do it, why not vodka?”
It doesn’t matter what your product is, if you can drive it with a good compelling story you’ll hit a homerun. I can’t stress it enough. Think about it, people will go out of their way and pay a lot of cash for something as commoditized as water or as “neutral spirit” as vodka because they’re “buying” the story. In your business, what story are you selling?
Wise Chicks Podcast for Female entrepreneurs
Check the new Wise Chicks podcast for female entrepreneurs and women in business.
Listen to Wise Chicks Podcast now!
I Heard About it on The Interblag!
I always get a kick out of Randall Munroes’ cartoons.
