Branding 101 – 5 Easy-To-Implement Rules for Simple and Good Branding

Building a successful brand does not have to be complicated or stressful. Following a few simple rules can help you do more than just maintain your business—it can help drive growth!

  1. Images without a logo is a no-go. All of your marketing materials, including social media posts, ads, signage and documents should have your logo and contact information. An eye-catching ad that goes viral becomes wasted potential if your audience has no idea who you are and how to connect with you. This information does not have to be large or intrusive, but it should be visible. It can be as simple as including your social media handles or your email address.
  1. Choose brand colours and texts carefully. Research indicates that the most popular colour in North America (and worldwide) is blue, followed by red and green.

The colours and font types you choose will represent your brand. They should be enticing to your core audience and indicative of the image you want your brand to convey.

Do your homework. Survey your target demographic about their likes and dislikes and let this information guide you. The more connected you are with your audience, the more you will learn about which fonts and stylistic themes will engage them.

…And always remember…consistency is key!

  1. Choosing your brand’s ‘voice’. The tone of the copy in everything, from your Instagram captions to your sales pitch, should be consistent and representative of your brand. Audiences feel more connected to brands that they can personify.

What kind of personality do you want your brand to have? And, is that personality attractive to your customers?

Once you have found your voice, implement it across all areas. Even your internal communications should maintain your brand’s tone. Any and all interactions with your audience (including how your customer service representatives speak with customers) should reflect your brand’s voice.

  1. Shower your brand with attention.

Logos and taglines are important, but this does not mean you should invest your entire budget in just these areas. So many small businesses are guilty of spending far too much time and money on the visuals, without putting any effort into crucial areas like engagement, consistency and copywriting.

The image you project through your logo and ads should be reflected in every part of your business. Customer facing content like webpages, public profiles and social media accounts should be updated frequently and with a professional appearance.

  1. Get a second opinion (or three). You know everything about your business and what you can offer, but a stranger will not. To know whether your branding does a good job of captivating your core message, run it by a few people before settling on the final product. 

Family and friends can offer great insight because they probably already know what your business does and they can give you feedback on whether your branding is effective in communicating your message. You should also reach out to fellow industry professionals with expertise in various areas in your field.

Want some guidance on implementing a great branding strategy? Contact us today! Our knowledgeable experts are always happy to help.