How’s the Branding Coming Along?

It’s already April – how have you been doing on your resolution to update the brand strategy of your business this year? If you’ve been lagging behind a little, don’t give up just yet. After all, we’re just heading into the second quarter of 2017, and there’s still plenty of time for you to give your enterprise a much-needed facelift so that you can continue to grow and succeed in the months and years ahead. Strap on your boots and make the decision that NOW is the time to update your brand strategy… and follow this guide to get it done!

What’s a Branding Strategy, Anyway?

Before diving into the best ways to go about updating your brand strategy, you should probably have a working knowledge of what a branding strategy is comprised of. When you think of a brand, you probably visualize a well-recognized company logo. There’s a good chance that you can even identify a brand’s colors. A brand is much more than just that, though. In fact, a brand is the sum total of how your entire customer base perceives your business. This means that branding pertains to visual images, web design, content, customer relationships and community management, social media presence, and so much more. If your current branding strategy isn’t covering all of these bases, it’s time to change things up. A solid branding strategy will put the proper focus on each of the aforementioned areas in order to create a well-rounded perception of the business, and a brand that is personable, likable, and trusted.

Tips for Your 2017 Branding Strategy

Now that you’ve got a better idea about what should go into a good branding strategy, you’re ready for some pro tips on how to pull it all off. Here are a few expert ideas:

Set a Budget for Success

You don’t have to break the bank in order to properly market your brand, but you certainly can’t afford to be stingy, either. It’s important to sit down and consider all of the different areas that will need to be covered in your 2017 branding strategy and to set a budget for each. At the same time, consider the other resources (i.e., personnel) that will need to be available in order to achieve your goals. Budgeting for both time and money will help you stay on target and set you up for success from the start.

Consider Your Audience

You already love your brand, so it’s a complete waste of time to focus on yourself when establishing your branding strategy. Instead, you should be completely focused on what makes your audience tick, what inspires them, and what drives them to make buying decisions. Taking the time to thoroughly research your audience’s needs and desires, and creating buyer personas, will empower you to market your brand in a way that is relatable and helpful.

Learn From Your Competitors

When updating your branding strategy, it’s a good idea to take inventory of what you’re doing right, and where you could use some improvement. One of the best ways to do this is to compare yourself to the competition. What are some things about your brand that make consumers choose you over your competitors? Those are the things you want to keep doing and expanding upon. What do some customers like about another brand more than your own? These are the things you need to switch up in order to stay relevant and earn more business.

Study the Results

Whenever you make a change to your branding strategy, it’s a good idea to utilize analytics tools that will help you understand how consumers are reacting to the adjustments. From here, you’re able to make smart decisions about where to place your focus, and what elements of your strategy may need to be readjusted.

Are you ready to update your brand strategy? Let Madison Taylor Marketing be your guide. As branding experts, we’ll take your business to new highs in 2017 and beyond.