"Every advertisement should be thought of as a contribution to the complex symbol which is the brand image." - David Ogilvy
Now that you have developed a marketing plan, the next step is to create a brand image for your business.
Do you have a logo? If you do have a logo, do you use that same logo consistently? Do you have certain colors and fonts that coincide with this logo, and do you use those colors consistently?
Creating a logo is the core of developing a brand image. People in your niche target market should be able to identify your organization simply by your logo.
Do you recognize any of these companies?
More than likely, you answered these very quickly. Of course they are:
Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Apple iPod. These companies have branded themselves so well, that even just a silhouette of a Coca-Cola bottle triggers recognition of the brand. Nowhere in these advertisements did the name "McDonald's" or "Apple" need to appear.
While it might be unlikely that any of us will create the next household brand name like Coca-Cola or McDonald's, we can certainly learn from their branding model.
Why reinvent the wheel?
It is completely obtainable to make your business as recognizable in your niche market and town as McDonald's is to the general public. If you sell insurance in a small town, why not brand yourself to be so recognizable that when people need insurance they think of you instead of the dozens of other agents? This rule applies to any business.
They key is consistency. In working with small businesses, I have consistently witnessed one mistake: Inconsistency among a brand image. For example:
A business will start up a newspaper advertising campaign using one logo and color scheme, and then start up a direct mail campaign with a completely different logo and color scheme. By the time the year is over, that single business may have ran 3 or 4 different types of advertising campaigns, with 3 or 4 different logos and color schemes. This happens. A lot.
This could go on for years, where the business struggles to find synergy with a brand image. Unfortunately this company is missing out on an opportunity to really brand themselves. In the end, this leads to mis-spent marketing dollars.
So if you don't have a set logo, or you don't particularly like your current logo...now's the time to make the change, and keep it consistent. If you don't have the skill or time to create a logo, outsource this to an advertising company or a graphic designer. The little bit of money that it costs to do this, is well worth the time and money. Many advertising companies, including
Kessler Outdoor, offer logo design at no cost to customers.
Now that you have developed a
brand image, use that theme on all of your marketing materials including:
- Business cards
- Brochures and hand-outs
- Signage
- Promotional items, such as pens, post-its, etc.
- Websites, social media
- Traditional marketing pieces
The next topic that we will cover is creating your online presence with a website, social media, and more!