Even as a small business, you can make big waves with your customers. Branding allows companies of all shapes and sizes to reach their customers and establish themselves within their industry. Overall, the right branding materials can make a substantial difference in your bottom line.
But, how can you ensure that your branding gets noticed?
That’s where we come in. This article will outline seven unique ways to help your business stand out. Follow these guidelines, and your customers will pay attention.
Be Bold With Your Signage
Physical signs command attention – so are you using yours effectively? These days many businesses choose digital signage over physical ones, but the fact is that you want something for your customers to notice when they’re visiting your storefront. Examples of physical signs include:
- Building Commercial Signs
- Custom Banners
- Vinyl Wraps
- Window Graphics and Decals
- Yard Signs
Each sign works well for different purposes. For example, your building sign should notify customers of your business name, logo, and a little about what you do. A custom banner, however, can work for events, promotional sales, and temporary information (e.g., still open during renovations).
When coming up with your signs, you want to utilize bold fonts and captivating colors. You don’t need a master’s degree in color theory, but understanding how colors affect people helps. For example, red can stimulate the appetite, while blue helps individuals feel calm and relaxed. Use these color “hacks” to your advantage.
Get Tactile With Your Marketing
We’re not disparaging digital marketing, but we don’t believe you should solely rely on it. Physical media offers a unique experience that can’t be replicated on a screen.
One perfect example is the direct mailer. You can send a postcard-sized advertisement to people within a certain area, letting them know about your business. You can use mailers to highlight sales, offer discounts, or promote specific items.
Best of all, when developing a direct mailer, you can use textured paper and graphics to get your customer’s attention faster. For example, embossed lettering and thick postcards will make the ad stand out much more. People will take notice of your brand, and they’ll remember your company later on.
You can also use the same approach with your business cards. Instead of a glossy 3×5 card, try something different and unique, like bamboo wood or a sleek, faux-metal finish. Just make sure that the material matches your business.
Highlight Your Company’s Good Side
These days, customers want to buy from companies that operate with social responsibility. This term can refer to charitable contributions, high worker wages, full benefits, and more.
So, if you take care of both your customers and your employees, be sure to highlight that in your branding. For example, if you donate food or products to a charity, let guests know that their purchase goes toward a good cause. Likewise, if you offer high wages and competitive benefits, you can promote employee testimonials on your website.
Overall, consumers are much savvier today than in years past, and they want to make sure that their money is going toward a good cause.
Go Behind the Scenes
Although brand loyalty is much more prevalent today, it’s still hard for people to connect with a business. If all your promotions and marketing materials just show products and logos, your audience won’t engage as deeply.
One way to add some humanity to your brand is to go behind the scenes. Show off some of your workers and managers and let customers know who they’re interacting with regularly.
You can also showcase your operational activity. For example, if you manufacture your own products, you can create videos illustrating how they’re made. By allowing customers to peek behind the curtain, you’re creating an aura of transparency and authenticity.
Reinforce Your Mission Statement
What is the primary goal of your business? What motivates you to get up every morning and run your company? That’s your mission statement. However, does your marketing and branding reflect that?
Slick designs and catchy slogans are great, but they’re so much better when there’s something real behind them. If you’re not sure what your mission statement is, now is the time to put it into words. Then, you can make sure that all your branding aligns with your mission. Even if doing this results in minor changes, customers will still take notice. Again, it’s all about authenticity – the more you can show that, the better.
Be Entertaining With Your Promotions
One issue that many small businesses have with their marketing materials is that they don’t invest in fun, engaging graphics and designs. In many cases, brands offer direct, simple promotions that don’t inspire creativity or innovation.
Simply put, don’t just tell your customers about your business and products. Instead, tell a story and make it interesting. Doing this helps your audience connect with your brand and understand what you have to offer.
Overall, get creative with your marketing and have some fun with it. If you take your brand too seriously, it can be off-putting to new customers.
Address Your Customers Directly
One of the best ways to improve customer engagement is to know your audience. Who are you selling to? When answering this question, you have to be specific. Don’t respond with something like, “women age 20 to 30 with two kids.” Instead, focus on one person, like a single mom working two jobs with two children under 10.
By getting specific, you can address unique concerns and problems with your marketing and branding. Doing this further engages your customers and makes them more likely to trust your business.
Get Graphic Design Services From WorkSafe TCI
Knowing how to brand your business is only the first step. Now, you have to deliver high-quality ads and promotional materials. Fortunately, WorkSafe TCI offers tons of graphic design services for small businesses like yours.