Every brand starts with a story. You might not be able to spin it around a campfire but it's still your story. Think about what made you start your business. What are the most important things that your products or services do? Some small businesses in The Woodlands might get their story from their Texas roots where people are proud to stay local while thinking globally.
To make a strong brand you need to know this story and be able to tell it in a clear way. You need to make sure you're not using jargon which is a language that only marketers seem to know. Your story should be honest community driven and new just like The Woodlands. Make it simple so that people can connect with it. In short you want to get to know people well.
Want some examples from real life? We can learn from brands like TOMS [https://www.toms.com/us], which connects its story to social impact and H E B which focuses on being locally grounded while serving the greater good. They've both told stories that are true because they are honest and easy to understand.
Once you have your story the next step in building your brand is to make a visual identity. It's not enough to just choose colors or a logo you also have to make a look that fits with your story.
Colors are important because they can change how you feel and the mood without saying a word. Have you ever noticed that blue is a color that banks like? Being honest and reliable is the most important thing. If your business is in The Woodlands maybe greens and browns will help you feel more connected to nature. Choose something bolder if your business personality is more daring.
You should also think about fonts and other design elements that fit with the core of your brand when you make your visual identity. Keep in mind to be consistent. When you think of fast food you probably think of the golden arches of McDonald's [https://www.mcdonalds.com]. You can find it on all of their websites packaging and ads. It's easy to understand and easy to find. That kind of power comes from a strong visual brand.
Now let's talk about a harder part the way you talk. Your brand voice is how you sound when you talk to customers write emails and post on social media. It's your business talking it's how your customers hear you. If your brand were a person what would it sound like?
Being friendly and relaxed can help you connect with people a lot. But it should be right for the person you're talking to. You might want to use a more formal polished tone if you're offering high end services.
To do this think about all the ways your customer interacts with your brand. Keeping the same tone in a social media post or a printed brochure can help potential customers feel like they belong and set expectations for them.
Getting to know local businesses and working with them is a branding strategy that doesn't get enough credit. The Woodlands has a strong sense of community which means that small businesses can work together a lot to get your brand out there.
You can show off your brand to people who aren't already customers by going to local events craft fairs or community days. And it doesn't always mean paying for something or setting up a booth for your product. Show what your brand stands for by interacting with local coffee shops art galleries or farmers' markets.
You might also want to co brand with other businesses that share your values. You can reach more people and make a shared value proposition by working with a local business that shares your values.
Last but not least the most important thing to remember about branding is to be consistent but open to change. It might seem strange but the most important thing is to find a way to keep your brand elements the same while still being able to adapt to new situations and times.
It's important for small business owners in The Woodlands to stay up to date because markets and trends change. You should always stick to your core message and values. After that adapt to changes in the local culture technology or industry without losing the deeper meaning of what your brand stands for.
These changes should happen on their own and not feel like they have to. For instance you could change your packaging to be better for the environment or switch to a new social media site to meet younger people.
Nike [https://www.nike.com] is a well known brand around the world that does this well. It still cares about athletes but the way it does things and the programs it runs change to stay relevant and connect with the audience. You can do something like this on a smaller scale by always asking customers for feedback and keeping an eye on what the community wants and values.
Branding is more of a process than a goal. It changes but the things that make you who you are stay the same.
That's all there is to it. Branding isn't as scary as it sounds. If you want to build a business brand in The Woodlands that really connects with your audience you need to know your story make a visual identity find your voice build relationships and find a balance between being consistent and being flexible. Working hard being patient and being honest with yourself are the keys. Start small and think big.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
