Do you need to be refreshed in your business? Take my free Business Revival Challenge!
Do you want to do a deeper dive into business planning and get step by step help? Take my business planning workshop and come away with a complete business plan!
So I kind of disappeared for awhile. So many responsibilities I’m trying to handle at once! But until now this blog was my last priority because frankly I wasn’t sure how it all fit into the big picture of my business.
But it’s becoming more clear to me now. And also what’s become clear is I can’t do it all by myself. That’s why I’m excited to announce that I have a new team member, Tammie Polk. Below please find an important note from her:
It was February 2013. I was headed back to work after being on maternity leave for 12 weeks. I knew I didn’t want to be there. I knew that we could’ve made it for at least six months with our income tax refund. I had to do something! When the email came out asking for those who wanted to leave at the end of the year (I worked at a school), I was the first person to respond! It was then that I told myself that it was time!
But, I changed my mind. I started another job in August that offered more flexibility. I said to myself, “Okay. I can make this work.” And then, my husband got a promotion that caused me to have to let that job go. We were a one-car family and that wasn’t going to work out. I was stuck! I needed to do something, so I turned to the Internet for help.
Months later, I met Dana. I’d already established my business to a degree, but it wasn’t sparkling like she was talking about. Something was missing. She reached out to me and told me about Brand Identity Quest, which I was hesitant about at first. Like many others, I looked at the price. Even with the monthly payments, I was like, “I don’t know.”
All of a sudden, 3 payments of $27 really didn’t look that bad. Dana challenged me to invest in myself. She told me how important that was to do, so I did! I had to. Why?
I found myself wanting to give up on what I started. I was ready to quit. I was about to close my business, pay the taxes I owed, and wait for a better time. Then, I had my strategy session with Dana. The roadmap she gave me not only brought me down off the ledge, it helped me to strengthen my business, start writing again, and led to me starting a second business with her support still at my side.
I found my Brand Identity through Dana’s Quest. Choice Home Education Consulting and Tammie Terrell Mompreneur Coaching exist today because I saw that, for the price of a night out with my family of five, I could have that sparkling future that she talked about. From One King’s Daughter to Another and The Virtuous Business Woman—my book projects—exist today because I worked through the thought-provoking, engaging, and challenging lessons I found in Brand Identity Quest—TWICE! Plus, the additional investment of Dana’s coaching time was well worth it, including the design of one of my logos.
How frustrated are you in your business endeavors right now? How much better do you want things to be? Do you believe in yourself and what you’re doing enough to invest in it? What is your business and happiness worth to you? How long are you going to sit here and stare at this email?
Are you ready to take this plunge into discovering your Brand Identity? If so, click here now to register into the program and claim your 3 free strategy sessions!
The journey of a lifetime begins with a first step! Will you take it?
Recently, I’ve run across many business owners who realize they need to update their Website, but they don’t understand the importance of having a brand strategy FIRST.
Here is a video to help you understand why it’s so important.
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Is this something you are struggling with? Would you like to learn more about how to create a wildly successful business that will last a lifetime? Please take my free mini course by clicking here.
Last fall, Nathan Creed, my nephew and apprentice, helped me create a free video series called 3 Keys to Valor. Here is a little snippet of one of the clips. I think you’ll enjoy this!
Do you want to know more about the 3 Keys to Valor? Watch the trailer!
With the advent of Internet Marketing, branding in marketing is absolutely essential and not just for big corporations anymore. At best, you have 10 seconds to get your prospect to click on your image.
Is your brand attracting the kind of attention you want or does your brand leave your traffic snoozing because it looks indistinguishable from every other brand out there?
If your brand is less than exciting, don’t worry. I’m going to share with you five steps that will help your company brand soar above the competition.
Your brand should accurately reflect your company’s reason for existence. Call this your mission, your vision, your Unique Selling Proposition.
Whatever you call it, the more clarity you have on why you are in business, the more your brand will accurately portray the essence of who you are as a company.
The result? You will increase your name recognition and brand awareness. If who you are is reflected accurately in your business image, your prospects will be naturally attracted to your brand and ultimately the products or services you are offering, which will increase your bottom line. Further, congruence between image and essence translates to customer trust and loyalty.
In other words, your brand delivers what you promise. When your brand does not accurately reflect your business, your prospects may feel jipped. LIke you overpromised and underdelivered. You do not want your brand reflecting this bad business modus operandi!
When you aim at nothing, you will hit nothing. You need to completely understand the customers or clients you are trying to reach. The more detailed description you have of your ideal client, the better your brand will be, the more magnetic your brand will be.
You cannot be all things to all people. That is impossible. Instead, find your niche and research this niche thoroughly.
Don’t know where to start? Often, the best place to start is an audience for whom you have an affinity. One that you can relate to.
Are you a mother? Then market to moms!
Are you passionate about real estate? Market to fellow realtors!
Do you love animals? Then market to fellow animal lovers!
I think you get the idea. Whatever market you choose, outline specific details like education level, geographic location, gender, marital status, income level, interests, etc.
Keep this in mind when developing your brand. If you need to, cut out a picture that encapsulates your target market and stick it to your computer monitor. Never forget WHO you are in business for!
Because when you remember your target audience in your branding, your marketing is more effective. You will reach the specific people who are interested in your product or service and your profits will soar!
Do it yourself logos and “custom” designs are a dime a dozen. But buyer beware! A cookie cutter logo may not do your company justice! And it may look, in fact, amateurish.
When your brand does not come across as professional, it shows to your prospects that you do not treat your business seriously. And if you do not treat your business seriously, then what does that mean about your product or service and the customer service that comes with that product or service?
A cheap brand comes across as just that–cheap. And cheap brands are indistinguishable from the competition, which means your brand gets left in the dust.
Don’t let that happen to you. If you want to design your logo yourself or buy a stock logo, at least do research on what makes an effective image and what makes a cheap image. Do your homework and your brand will soar above the competition!
Today’s marketing is relational. The Internet is vastly anonymous and your prospects are scared of scams. Your prospects may also be tired of corporations “running the show” and prefer to work with someone real, down to earth.
Including a photograph of yourself with your brand will help build trust with your prospects.
But make sure it is a good photograph! It may be worth the investment to hire a professional photographer. If you decide not to hire a photographer, at least make sure you find a person you trust to take your photograph.
Like a logo, a cheap photograph translates to a worthless product or service. Your customers will not be drawn to your page and you will be again left in the dust behind your competition.
Applying your brand consistently or the same to your business cards to your website to your email marketing to your social marketing will increase your brand awareness and name recognition.
You want your prospect, when they click on a banner to your website, to instantly be able to recognize your page as the same entity.
Or when a prospect clicks on your landing page for your ezine offer, you want that ezine to have consistent branding with that web page. Otherwise, your new subscriber will unsubscribe you because they don’t remember you!
Remember, it takes at least seven exposures of a product or service to make a sale. So building a consistent brand across all mediums is building a brand awareness that will result in more leads and more sales. It is also building trust. It shows your prospect that you are serious about your business and they can depend on your product or service to solve their particular problem. And when your prospect feels like you can solve their problems, your profits will soar and your competition be left in the dust!
Practice these steps above and you will find that your prospects aren’t snoozing anymore at your images, but instead, your brand sizzles, soaring above your competition and resulting in a better bottom line!
Photo by Sam Beasley
So how do you that and where do you start?
Keep reading to find out more!
1) Make sure your branding is based on thorough analysis.
I see this mistake over and over again. A logo is chosen to represent a brand that has nothing to do with the company. It just looked good. Or perhaps it was cheap or just designed arbitrarily.
To make your logo and brand TRULY stand out, you need to do some research up front. This takes thorough analysis. You need to know what makes you unique from your competition, what your vision is for your company and brand, who your target market is and much, much more.
2) Make sure your brand image communicates a specific message.
After you have done thorough analysis, you need to synthesize what you want to communicate in one sentence. What is it that you want your audience to “get?” Will they understand your message in 10 seconds or less? If not, you will not get the attention you need!
For instance, awhile back I designed a logo for my husband’s new business that he is building. I had it made into a sweatshirt and one day he was wearing it in public. A person unfamiliar with Travis and his company looked at the logo and said, “Oh, you do… ”
This is what you want your prospects to understand immediately. Exactly why your company exists and what you can do for them.
3) Make sure your brand is authentic.
You need to present yourself as an original. After all, there is only one of you! Like a snowflake, we are all unique individuals. Your brand needs to reflect this.
When the perception of your target market equals reality, then you will have an effective brand. Think through this exercise: what are the five words that I want my target market to perceive me as? Now BE that perception and reflect it accurately in your brand image.
4) Use an appealing mix of fonts, color, and graphics.
You need to approach your brand image with a design concept. Don’t just use Helvetica for the fonts for your business name! Make it different with the use of typography.
And remember that color sells. Use it to your advantage. Graphics will make the appealing difference that can make your logo image stand out!
But be careful. Remember that logo images are above all symbolic. It’s easy to get carried away (don’t I know it!), but above all you want your logo image to be readable and recognizable.
5) Be consistent on all mediums.
From the moment your prospect sees your business card, signage, catalog, website, or however they encounter your brand, you need to guide them through an experience that builds trust and credibility. For instance, when you give them a business card, it should stand out with your unique brand image, which should lead them to your website with the same brand image, which should lead them to the next step, and on and on.
You want them to feel comfortable with you, create name recognition, and build an unconscious awareness that indeed they are doing business with a person they like, know, and trust.
So there you have it. Five ways you can make your brand stand out. When you follow these steps, you will have a brand that sizzles and a future that dazzles!
Do you want to learn more ways for your brand image to stand out and for your business to be successful? Take my free 5-day mini-course that will give you the foundation to build a wildly successful business!
Today I experienced what it is like to be satisfied with a brand.
As an As Seen on TV fan, I had always been curious about Pajama Jeans.
The commercials always say that they are so comfy, that they’re just like sweats.
Well, it’s true!
The product really does live up to their brand marketing!
How refreshing!
Now think about this. How do you feel when you purchase a product or service and it doesn’t live up to its promise? The brand is damaged in your eyes, right?
That’s why building a brand based on authentic identity is so important!
You’ve got to thoroughly analyze who you are and what you offer and WHOM you offer it to!
When your customers find out that you came through with your promise of delivery, your brand will stand out. Because they will want to talk about you! In a positive light!
What was the first thing I did when I realized I was thrilled with the jeans? I shared my experience with my friends, especially on Facebook!
So be authentic in your brand and it will sizzle!
Want to learn more about how to make your brand sizzle? Take my FREE 10 day mini-video course and read my free report!
Need to get started right away on how to make a custom brand and custom business cards? Take my online tutorial course! You can get started immediately even if it’s 2 am on a Sunday!
Want even more help? Help from a branding consultant in a workshop atmosphere? Join my webinar program starting on April 10! You will have a new logo image, business card, and web banner in seven weeks!
In this Internet age, branding in marketing is absolutely essential. It’s not just for big corporations anymore.
Think about this: At best, you have 30 seconds to get your prospect to click on your image. First impressions are everything!
So is your brand attracting the kind of attention you want? Or does your brand leave your traffic snoozing because it looks indistinguishable from every other brand out there?
If your brand is less than exciting, don’t worry. Over my next several posts, I’m going to share with you five steps that will help your company brand soar above the competition.
5 Steps to Make Your Brand Marketing Soar Above the Competition
Step 1) Make sure your brand represents the essence of who you are.
Your brand should accurately reflect your company’s reason for existence. Call this your mission, your vision, your Unique Selling Proposition.
Whatever you call it, the more clarity you have on why you are in business, the more your brand will accurately portray the essence of who you are as a company.
The result? You will increase your name recognition and brand awareness. If who you are is reflected accurately in your business image, your prospects will be naturally attracted to your brand and ultimately the products or services you are offering, which will increase your bottom line. Further, congruence between image and essence translates to customer trust and loyalty.
In other words, your brand delivers what you promise. When your brand does not accurately reflect your business, your prospects may feel jipped. Like you overpromised and underdelivered. You do not want your brand reflecting this bad business modus operandi!
Relationship marketing is the new wave of business. Social media makes this more relevant than ever. Don’t be left behind in the dust. Learn how to be authentic and you will soar above your competition!
Keep checking back for the next four steps! Better yet, subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss anything!
Want more valuable tips on how to soar above your competition? Check out my FREE 10 Day mini course that will have you soaring in no time at all!
Want even more help so your brand can truly slam your competitors? Sign up for my extensive course on brand marketing!
Do You Want a Dazzling Future?
I am holding two events that will make your future so bright you will have to wear shades! One is free and one has a limited offer that will knock your socks off! Keep reading for more info!
FREE Webinar: 3 Ways to Make Your Future Sizzle!
In these uncertain times, is a dazzling future possible? Absolutely!
Come to my FREE webinar tonight at 7 pm EST and be inspired to live an abundant life of joy and peace! This will give you hope and encouragement for your future as well as the future for your children.
Special Time-Limited Offer: Discount on My Brand Identity Webinar Workshop Programs!
One way to have a dazzling future is to create multiple streams of income. In my webinar training course starting on Wednesday, I will be sharing with you step by step guidance on how to start a business, build a brand, and design your own strategic marketing plan.
Whether you are interested for yourself or would like your high school student or college student to participate, this course will help you discover your unique God-given passions and build them into an authentic brand/logo image identity that will help your future to truly sparkle. Even if business isn’t your forte, this course will help job seekers, ministry leaders, musicians, artists, writers, and authors! At the end of the program, you will learn the graphic design skills necessary to create a one-of-a-kind logo!
My webinar training program starts Wednesday, September 14 at 2 pm EST. If you can’t make all the sessions, don’t worry; you will have access to the recordings.
And for a limited time, you can receive a 50% discount on your first month’s tuition fee! There are programs to fit all budgets, so reserve your seat today! Just enter coupon code SIZZLENOW upon checkout.
Your satisfaction is of utmost importance to me and it is a 100% guaranteed program. What do you have to lose? Get started right away! Your dazzling future awaits you!
Register here for the webinar programs!
Register here for the self-paced study program!
Thank you so much for being a valued fan of Brand Identity Mentor! I look forward to seeing you on the webinar tonight!
Blessings,
Dana Susan Beasley
Publisher, AngelArts