6 Practical Steps to create new brand
What does
branding really mean? There are a lot of different definitions floating
out there, and way too many misconceptions. I define branding as the process
with which you "define your company’s distinctive value, one that your
customers desire and are willing to pay a premium for." Branding can
be a very complex and involved process, as well it should be. But there are
practical steps you can take to steer your branding in the right direction.
I've provided them here.
STEP 1:
Define Your Business Framework
First define your business by outlining it’s vision and mission statements, and
core values. A vision is a statement about what your organisation wants to
become, while your mission statement is a precise description of what an
organisation does. For example, Nike’s vision statement is, “To Bring
inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world",while Apple
Computers mission statement reads, “Apple is committed to bringing the best
personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals
and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software and
Internet offerings."
Your core
values should represent your fundamental values and beliefs that define how
your business behaves, how it will value its customers, suppliers and staff.
Some examples would be passion, accountability, and respect.
STEP 2:
Define Your Target Market
Understanding the ideal customer for your product is vital to your ability to
remain relevant and competitive. Start by profiling your ideal customer along
categories like sex, occupation, age group, education,
geography, income, and buying habits.
STEP 3:
Define Your Value Proposition
What compelling, unique value do you offer to your target market that they
simply cannot ignore. Know your core competencies, what your business
does best, and always remember, you can stand for only ONE thing or you will
confuse the marketplace we are over with few topics of create a new Brand lets go further..
.
STEP 4:
Understand Your Product
Get to know your product intimately and what makes it distinctive and desirable
to your target audience. What solutions do you offer customers? What are the
features and benefits? Where is it positioned along price and quality? What
value-added services do you offer?
STEP 5:
Create Your Brand Graphics and Message
A great logo visually represents your business and lets people know right away
what you do. It should be accompanied by a tagline that clearly reinforces your
value offer with very few words. For consistency, use a graphics standard which
specifies corporate colors, treatments and type fonts that your company adheres
to.
STEP 6:
Develop an Integrated Marketing Plan
Develop a plan centered around assuring every dollar you spend brings in more
that $1 in return. If not, don’t be afraid to stop and re-assess. Continual
testing is the key to finding your best marketing mix. But stay away from the
“one-off” approach of putting an ad in one magazine and sitting back waiting
for the phone to ring. Rather, use an integrated approach that includes
advertising, PR, sales promotion, etc. that creates a synergy and reinforces
your campaign message. This makes it easier for your audience to recall your
brand. It also helps you develop that perception of omnipresence where your
brand name seems to be everywhere.
After
you’ve completed these 6 steps, continually measure your brand against this
checklist to ensure it stays strong:
- Is your message powerful and
compelling enough to gain attention?
- Is your offer attractive
enough to distinguish you from the competition?
- Do you engage in creative
ways to increase the profile of your company and its competitive
advantages?
- Are you consistent and
persistent using an integrated marketing approach? Does each medium
reinforce the others?