Do you have a great idea for a new, woman-owned business? No matter which industry you’re eyeing, there’s always room for innovation and creativity. Yet, the road from daydreaming to reality might seem like a daunting one.
With so many competitors in the marketplace, you may wonder how you can help your brand stand out. Is there a secret formula or a hidden code that you need to crack before you can find success?
The good news is that your goals are more accessible than you might think. Today, we’re sharing a roadmap to help you build your own brand from scratch. Follow these steps and you’ll be on the fast track to the top.
Photo by Sunder Muthukumaran.
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Research Your Target Audience
Before you start buying products and marketing your company, the first step is to research your target audience. Put simply, these are the people who would make the ideal buyers for your business.
Think about the type of shoppers you want to visit your website or walk through your brick-and-mortar shop doors. Are you catering mostly to stay-at-home moms? Is your demographic working women, senior men, or kids and teens?
There isn’t a right or wrong answer, but you’ll need to get specific here. There are very few brands that appeal universally to everyone. The most successful ones are those that are more narrow and direct in focus.
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Consider Your Brand Personality
This one might seem a little tricky. A brand isn’t a living, breathing entity so how can it have a personality?
In this case, think about the kind of vibe you want to send to your company. Is it fun and flirty or straight-laced and serious? This will usually tie back to your target audience, and the kind of images, fonts, and messages you think they’d like to see.
Once you’ve dreamed up a personality for your brand, it’s time to bring it to life! Check out the professional branding services being offered at local digital marketing agencies near you or online. As you explain your brand vision to the team, they’ll know how to translate it into tangible marketing materials you can use to reach new customers and grow your business.
From your website and social media pages to your print flyers and brochures, make sure your brand personality stays consistent. This is key to building recognition and establishing a following.
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Choose Your Business Name
When you know your target audience and you’ve established your brand personality, it’s time to pick the name you’ll use for your business. This sounds like a simple step but it can be more difficult than you think!
The key to acing this part of the branding process is to take everything that you want your customers to know about your company and distill it all the way down to just one or two words.
To be memorable, the name should be descriptive without being too technical or direct. It should also be easy to pronounce, spell, and remember. There are a few different routes you can take, and here are the most common ones:
- Emotive names: Elicit emotional responses from your buyers
- Descriptive names: Simply describe what your business does
- Compound names: Combine descriptive words into one creative term (e.g. Facebook)
- Origin names: Detail where the business originated or the name of the founder
- Initials or acronyms: Shortened versions of longer business names (e.g. BMW)
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Make a Slogan
You don’t need to go overboard with the slogan you use for your business. It doesn’t have to be overly artistic or the work of a wordsmith. In fact, it will be easier to remember and recognize if it’s short and sweet.
To create the perfect one, think of the type of products or services your business provides. Then, create a one-line catchphrase that captures this offering in a nutshell. Once you have it, add it to all of your marketing materials so it becomes synonymous with your brand.
This may include your website, print marketing items, social media pages, and more. Keep your slogan short and simple so people can search for it easily, even if they don’t remember your exact business name.
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Create a Website
It’s 2023. If you don’t have a digital presence, you can guarantee that your successful competitors will. Even if you plan to operate fully in the physical realm without an e-commerce storefront, you still need a user-friendly website.
There are many design elements that go into making your site accessible and enjoyable to navigate. Unless you’re a tech wizard and you like working on these projects, it might be more feasible to hire a web design firm to take care of this step for you. These are experienced experts who know all the ins and outs of professional site design, and they’ll know how to make your stand out.
If you decide to tackle it on your own, it’s important to know what to include. Here’s a quick list of the most important features to prioritize in your site build. It’s also important to make sure your website is mobile-friendly, so your current and future buyers can access it on the go.
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Get the Word Out
Once you’ve spent time, money, and effort establishing your brand presence, it’s time to shout it from the rooftops! These days, the quickest way to gain visibility is to post online. Establish social media profiles on the big four (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter) and stay active and responsive on them.
Write and share blog posts that help you build credibility and thought leadership. Share promotions, discounts, and special deals as you create them. Advertise your business on local event pages, or consider sponsoring local activities to get your name out there. If you print physical business cards, put them up in public places (like the community coffee shop) to get even more eyes on your name.
Build Your Brand and Become the Creative Woman You Are
We all have creativity and inspiration stored within us. If you’re ready to transform yours into a tangible, successful business endeavor, there’s never been a better time to get started.
Now that you know the secrets of building your own brand from scratch, the sky’s the limit. Start with the basics, and give yourself time and space to grow. Invest in key elements such as great web design and professional marketing support, and create a team that believes in your brand as much as you do.
Before long, success won’t just be at your fingertips. It will be wildly within reach and yours for the taking!
