Why Branding is So Important

Trust. That’s it. End of article. Just kidding, but it could be. Trust is the #1 thing that branding does for you. People go to McDonalds, despite it being McDonalds because they know what to expect. People buy Lexus because it ranks high in quality. They are confident it won’t break down. People choose Dell computers instead of saving $200 on one just like it because of the name. The brand. And, when people are looking for what you offer, if you don’t have a name they know, they usually go somewhere else.

That is why getting your brand out there is a must. But how do you do it when you are just getting started? I’m so glad you asked. I’m going to share with you some key moves you can make just starting out to grow your brand.

Social Media! Yes, Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter are still your best bets when it comes to reaching customers. Linkedin is very popular among professionals and it’s a really good way to connect with other professionals. But, it’s not used nearly as much as FB and Instagram. And, Twitter is still very popular and a great way to build an audience. So, depending on the age range of your customers, the product and/or service you offer, one or two may be better than the others.

You have to build a presence. And, that presence must cultivate the fact that you are an expert in your field or your product is the solution to a problem they have. Your service can also be a solution… but the idea is you’re going to give tips to your customers… like I’m doing right here. And, here’s the big one. You need to show people that you’re not a small fry, and to do that you need to grow your audience to a respectable level. The way you do that is you follow and you friend. On Instagram and Facebook, there are spamming rules that you must adhere to or you will get your account deleted, so look them up. But, follow and friend away. On Linkedin, grow your connections. The more effort you put in to growing the accounts, the more credibility you will have. But, you must offer quality content.

The thing about FB tho, is that your friend page is separate from your professional page. But, the more friends you have, the easier it is to grow your professional page. What you need to do is move them from friend to follower by inviting them. Just don’t spam them. Once you get your friends to around 5000, which you can if you work at it… you should have close to 1000 follows on your professional page if you take the time to invite them or send them a personal note with an invite.

Social media is a great way to start building your credibility. After that, publishing a book is one of the best things you can do as a professional. People still see authors as experts whether you have a Phd behind your name or not. And, getting to best seller status, even on Amazon is a way to increase that credibility. I have a way to get my clients there, but it’s not something I share publicly. I’m happy to discuss it with anyone who would like to get published. Just reach out.

Public speaking about your subject is another way to gain credibility. Locally, there are many organizations who would let you talk to them. Reach out to the local groups and offer to share some expert knowledge. It will seriously increase your brand.

So, growing your social media presence and showing you’re the expert in your field are ways to increase your brand awareness and trust. Growing your business by offering Free samples and discounts or great deals on small items is part of what is called the value ladder. That also increases brand trust. Specifically, what it does is get people in the door. Once you show them you can deliver, they will buy bigger items from you. It takes a lot to grow a brand. Having a professional website with professional videos that show you in action and having credible testimonials all contribute to your business success. I hope this was enlightening. I’ll be sharing more insights in the coming months. If you are looking for a marketing department at a price you can afford, reach out. I’d love to help you succeed.