#1 - BE A BRAND
No matter what product or service your selling, you need to, with intention, be a BRAND. A brand is simply a position within your customers mind. It is a place, a very real place and position that you hold with your community, whether it is digitally or LIVE and in person. It's the difference between a plain white T-Shirt and a T-Shirt with a designer symbol. When you clearly communicate your brand, you're on your way to success!
#2- DELIVER CONSISTENT, EXPECTED RESULTS
When you go to McDonald's, you expect the Big Mac to taste the same at every location, right! McDonald's is an iconic American brand, who with it's ubiquitous strategy, has cultivated a customer culture. We know what we can get at McDonald's in Pennsylvania and it will be the same in New York or New Jersey, California or even internationally! Whether it's a store layout or the way you write your emails or the tagline in your signature or a uniform- consider how you are going to deliver consistent and expected results!
#3- CREATE A COMPELLING STORY
Everyone loves a great story. It's the story that draws us. It's why we love to watch movies and read books and more...we love stories. We also learn through stories! How are you sharing the story of your brand. You could create a story with a series of visuals. You can create a story through testimonials from your customers. How are you telling your brand story?
#4- ALIGN YOUR VISUALS
Always remember, people are visual. Use consistent color themes, font themes and visuals to communicate your brand. From your website to your proposals to everything visually you present, be consistent with your brand visuals.
#5- CHOOSE 3 WORDS AND OVERUSE THEM
Repetition is a wonderful thing. You should have key words that associate with your brand. Personally, my word is...INSPIRATION. I would hope my friends, family and business customers would note me as being as an inspiring person. I intentionally use that word to communicate my personal brand. In my handbag business, I constantly use the word DREAMS. We tell our brand story constantly of how I started with one dream, one handbag and $100. It's important for me to communicate to my customers that DREAMS DO COME TRUE. We strive to be an inspiring brand. What words will you consistently use?
#6- BE THE AUTHORITY- FOCUS IN ON YOUR CORE OFFERING
You should be the 'go to' for something. What are you the authority on? What is the core offering of your brand or service? Can you consider writing articles to educate your current and potential customers? You can position yourself as an authority through learning videos, shared content. Get laser focused on what it is that you offer.
#7- USE EVERY FREE RESOURCE POSSIBLE
Obviously, we know that social media is an undeniable force! You should be using the appropriate channels to tell your story. You should learn how to or hire someone to send out regular press releases about your brand and business. Use free resources! If you are a promoting an event, list them on all the newspaper websites. Are you a member of a local chamber of commerce or association? Use their free ad space set aside for members. Use word of mouth through coupon deals and special packaging. Use hashtags and as your customers to share stories!
#8- SELL WITH CONFIDENCE
This is of special importance when you launch your brand....BE CONFIDENT. You must confidently offer your service and product. When you are delivering sales presentations or selling directly to a customer, you must be extremely CONFIDENT and show them that you believe in what you are doing or in the service you are providing. Confidence breeds trust.
#9- PROMOTE YOUR NETWORK
Connecting your customers is a great strategy! Perhaps you are an accountant...how about hosting a customer appreciate night? As your happy customers to bring guests! It's a nice way to create the bond- by creating a community. People love to connect. Creating those shared experiences is a fantastic way to keep your name and brand in front of your customers. Perhaps you own a salon, how about sharing your customer stories- maybe it was a bride who loved her hairstyle - share that story with your customers! Your network is an incredible resource. Tap into it.
#10- MONETIZE YOUR BRANDING
Once you've established your brand, be creative with ways you can add value and additional services. Perhaps you design neckties...what other products / services can you offer to create even more value for your customer? Perhaps you offer a professional service, can you create an event around that topic? You should constantly look at ways to surround your brand with opportunities to draw in more customers through monetization. Offer more value and monetize it. Never forget, your pricing is a strategy. Package services so people understand what you offer and make it easy for your customer to do business with you and give yourself every opportunity to add value for your customer...and monetize your brand.
No matter what product or service your selling, you need to, with intention, be a BRAND. A brand is simply a position within your customers mind. It is a place, a very real place and position that you hold with your community, whether it is digitally or LIVE and in person. It's the difference between a plain white T-Shirt and a T-Shirt with a designer symbol. When you clearly communicate your brand, you're on your way to success!
#2- DELIVER CONSISTENT, EXPECTED RESULTS
When you go to McDonald's, you expect the Big Mac to taste the same at every location, right! McDonald's is an iconic American brand, who with it's ubiquitous strategy, has cultivated a customer culture. We know what we can get at McDonald's in Pennsylvania and it will be the same in New York or New Jersey, California or even internationally! Whether it's a store layout or the way you write your emails or the tagline in your signature or a uniform- consider how you are going to deliver consistent and expected results!
#3- CREATE A COMPELLING STORY
Everyone loves a great story. It's the story that draws us. It's why we love to watch movies and read books and more...we love stories. We also learn through stories! How are you sharing the story of your brand. You could create a story with a series of visuals. You can create a story through testimonials from your customers. How are you telling your brand story?
#4- ALIGN YOUR VISUALS
Always remember, people are visual. Use consistent color themes, font themes and visuals to communicate your brand. From your website to your proposals to everything visually you present, be consistent with your brand visuals.
#5- CHOOSE 3 WORDS AND OVERUSE THEM
Repetition is a wonderful thing. You should have key words that associate with your brand. Personally, my word is...INSPIRATION. I would hope my friends, family and business customers would note me as being as an inspiring person. I intentionally use that word to communicate my personal brand. In my handbag business, I constantly use the word DREAMS. We tell our brand story constantly of how I started with one dream, one handbag and $100. It's important for me to communicate to my customers that DREAMS DO COME TRUE. We strive to be an inspiring brand. What words will you consistently use?
#6- BE THE AUTHORITY- FOCUS IN ON YOUR CORE OFFERING
You should be the 'go to' for something. What are you the authority on? What is the core offering of your brand or service? Can you consider writing articles to educate your current and potential customers? You can position yourself as an authority through learning videos, shared content. Get laser focused on what it is that you offer.
#7- USE EVERY FREE RESOURCE POSSIBLE
Obviously, we know that social media is an undeniable force! You should be using the appropriate channels to tell your story. You should learn how to or hire someone to send out regular press releases about your brand and business. Use free resources! If you are a promoting an event, list them on all the newspaper websites. Are you a member of a local chamber of commerce or association? Use their free ad space set aside for members. Use word of mouth through coupon deals and special packaging. Use hashtags and as your customers to share stories!
#8- SELL WITH CONFIDENCE
This is of special importance when you launch your brand....BE CONFIDENT. You must confidently offer your service and product. When you are delivering sales presentations or selling directly to a customer, you must be extremely CONFIDENT and show them that you believe in what you are doing or in the service you are providing. Confidence breeds trust.
#9- PROMOTE YOUR NETWORK
Connecting your customers is a great strategy! Perhaps you are an accountant...how about hosting a customer appreciate night? As your happy customers to bring guests! It's a nice way to create the bond- by creating a community. People love to connect. Creating those shared experiences is a fantastic way to keep your name and brand in front of your customers. Perhaps you own a salon, how about sharing your customer stories- maybe it was a bride who loved her hairstyle - share that story with your customers! Your network is an incredible resource. Tap into it.
#10- MONETIZE YOUR BRANDING
Once you've established your brand, be creative with ways you can add value and additional services. Perhaps you design neckties...what other products / services can you offer to create even more value for your customer? Perhaps you offer a professional service, can you create an event around that topic? You should constantly look at ways to surround your brand with opportunities to draw in more customers through monetization. Offer more value and monetize it. Never forget, your pricing is a strategy. Package services so people understand what you offer and make it easy for your customer to do business with you and give yourself every opportunity to add value for your customer...and monetize your brand.
