Why Branding is Important for your Small Business
Many small businesses overlook branding efforts because they think of themselves as a business and not a brand. To them, it seems that having a brand is only for those big fish with a large budget. Resigned to their supposed small-fish status, small businesses only think as far as a creative logo and some business cards.
But branding is essential for businesses of all sizes because it increases their value, gives employees direction and motivation, and makes acquiring new customers easier. When customers see social proof that your product or service is that of quality, they are willing to trust. Branding creates trust.
"A successful brand strategy gets your customer to instantly think and feel what you want them to think and feel."
Branding is also one of the best ways to get more referrals or word-of-mouth business. Again, this is why it's crucial that your logo, marketing, and reputation work with your customer in mind—that way, it works seamlessly to form a lasting impression. The goal is to get them talking (bragging) about you to others.
Lastly, use emotion. If you give customers a reason to feel something about your brand, you have given them a reason to buy or hire you. Most people make purchasing decisions based on emotions, not logic. By creating marketing for your brand that is loaded with emotion will only add to the customer experience. Therefore, transforming them into your brand ambassadors.