Household brand names are everywhere nowadays, from the social media giants of Twitter and Facebook to the ever-present e-commerce space of Amazon and the like; it’s close to impossible to find anyone who doesn’t know any of these famous companies. And while many would attribute this amount of success and fame to their long-standing history, it’s about time we start recognizing the efforts of their marketing and advertising teams who invest so much time toward promoting their brand image.
You see, while traditional business principles will have you focusing on more conventional aspects of the business like your core operations and business plan, a lot of startups tend to overlook the intangible assets of a company that you can’t simply put on a price tag. And despite the undeniable uncertainty and volatility that govern the global markets today, there’s no better opportunity to focus on redefining your brand image than right now.\
Brand Image Matters
Although the brand image isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you want to stay afloat during economic recessions and instability, there’s no denying that brand image matters becaus e it’s how groups of people associate and interact with your business. Therefore, no matter how well-built and functionally perfect you are from a structural standpoint, you still cannot guarantee the success of your company if it lacks any relevance or connection with your target market.
- Defines Your Company’s Values: One of the, if not the, best advantage a strong brand image provides to a startup is how it defines your company’s values and outlines how it should respond and adapt to drastic changes. For example, in the face of a battle resilience, these values will highlight which aspects and processes of the business should come first before anything else. As a result, this will improve the credibility and accountability associated with your startup from a consumer’s perspective.
- Expresses Your True Mission: Besides a company’s core values, brand image matters because it helps express the true mission behind your business, whether it be becoming the most influential restaurant chain in your locale or providing creative expression. And while that may seem shallow at face value, being in tune with your true mission makes your startup look a million times more professional and sets you apart from the many businesses that fail to do so.
#1 Start Networking With Like-Minded Entrepreneurs
Firstly, one of the most accessible ways of building your brand image and establishing your presence in your industry is by embracing the networking life and connecting with like-minded entrepreneurs. Remember, there’s only so much you can achieve and reach with your tools and skillsets, which is why building strong business relationships is essential to growth and expansion. And with enough time and effort invested, you might even find yourself lucky to create key partnerships with the right people who will work with you and also spread the goodwill and word about your startup in return.
#2 Immerse Yourself In Your Target Industry
In addition to networking with business owners and entrepreneurs, we can’t forget that research and analysis are the backbones of understanding trends and opportunities, meaning that you should spend the same amount of time immersing yourself in your target industry. Far too many startups fail because they focus too much on the internal aspects of their business without acknowledging the many external factors that they should address beforehand. So, it is in your best interests to fully grasp the ins and outs of what’s in demand and the needs surrounding your market to help position your brand better.
#3 Connect With Your Audience Online
We’ve already borne witness to the keynote presentation for Facebook’s rebranding into Meta, and more than just the technological and innovative shockwaves this has on the business world, this further cements the fact that social media is constantly evolving. And given the changes that will come in the years ahead, it’s becoming increasingly important that startups establish their brand image online and interact with their audience to increase overall engagement. Of course, all of this is easier said than done, but the earlier you can create a unique online brand image then the safer you are in the future.
#4 Invest In The Company’s Identity
Lastly, when allocating your business resources and budget, you must invest in the company’s identity as well because this will help you stand apart from your competitors. And whether it’s through reimagining your brand logo, designing more creative banner ads, or custom t-shirt designs from Art Broz, all of these empower your company and its employees. Sure, they may not be as impactful as a brand-new business project, but these will plant the seeds of motivation and solidarity.
Leverage Business Growth With A Strong Brand Image!
In conclusion, when dealing with business growth and expansion, a strong brand image is something you can’t simply pass up on because it’s how the world perceives you. And if you think you can get away with investing a small amount, then be aware that a creative and technological revolution is just right around the corner and waiting to bite those unprepared!
