Are you unique?
Greetings to all Steemians in general and Artisans in particular. It is with great pleasure that I write to orient and introduce an eye-opening topic to all artisans, most especially, those that are planning to start a business of there own or those that just started. I would be sharing some tips on how to brand one's self and business. In the course of this post,I shall elucidate on the term branding and how to effectively brand one's buisness to international standard.
To start with, can you take a minute to think about the differences between Coca-cola and Pepsi, Bic and Eleganza pen, Wizkid and Olamide, Samsung and LG, and so on. Well, in my on view, these pairs offer the same range of services BUT they are UNIQUE in their own way. They have different branding strategies even though they offer the same type of services to their customer. In other words, irrespective of varities of identical goods or services, you must strive to be unique.
Can you see the uniqueness of these two drinks?
Branding is simply that edge you have over your competitors. It distinguishes you from others and let them know who you are as well as what you have to offer. Your customers would be able to distinctly identify your goods and services anywhere and anytime. Branding could be synonymous to trademark. For instance,you can never have difficulty in identifying Coca-cola and Pepsi which are popular carbornated non-achololic drinks made from Cola or the style of singing, mode of dressing of Nigerian superstars Wizkid and Olamide. The are unique!
For you to stand out as a brand, it is advisable that you have a logo. A logo is your identity, it is you. It is not possible for two brands to have the same logo.With a professionally designed logo you would be able to publicise your brand and make people know you. I discussed with a friend who bakes cake, not as a full-time business anyways but during her spare time. I asked her if she has a logo that bears the name of her business and I was surprised by the response I got. She said she doesnt have a business name not to talk of a logo. Really? In this age? I explained to her the benefits of naming one's business and owning a logo, irrespective of the size of the buisness. Logos are very useful for promotional materials such as fliers, posters, display pictures and ad placement on social media.
In this age where almost everything is digitalised, as a brand, endeavour to have an active social media for your business such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and so on. This would enable you to communicate with your customers effectively. There should be a combination of texts, audio and video as this looks more attractive.Undertsand what you have to offer and use the best strategy to attract your customers. You may decide to use comical strategy, professional strategy - it depends on your business and its objectives. A website could also be created as well as personalised business image targeted at individual customers/clients. NB: Email messaging should be done in moderation so as not to piss customers off.
Build your communication through social mrdia
Some other tips are:
- Organizing giveaways as a form of giving back to the community and appreciating their support for your brand. This could go a long way in painting a good and enviable image for your brand. For instance as a blogger, you may decide to do free shoutout for your audience, or if you make clothes,bags, caps,snacks etc organize a buy one-get-one free promo.
- Be consistent. Let people know you for what you do.No matter how difficult it is to be consistent, endure, you'd get noticed. If you run a salon, for instance, you may adopt using neck paper always to avoid gettig your customers dirty. This would distinguish you from your competitors that ain't using it and you'd be known for it. Always satisfy your customers and you'd be surprised how they would refer their friends and family to you.
- Be patient. Rome was not built a day, Succesful brands took one step at a time to reach where they are today. Patience is key.
- Invest in advertisement and publicity for your brand. Building a brand is a joint task,it can not be achieved alone.
Thanks for reading.
