Branding & Marketing Tips for Startups

There’s a lot to do and plan when you’re starting a new business. But don’t neglect the marketing and branding side of things. Here are 5 clever tips to make sure your marketing and branding are as good as they can be.

1. Make Sure Your Logo is Clear and Eye Catching.

Every startup needs a great logo, and it’s not an easy thing to achieve. There are lots of mundane and boring logos out there, but the best businesses have something that’s both clear and instantly recognizable. This is what you should be aiming for if you want to perfect your branding.

Think about what it is a logo should do. It should let people know what your business is called, give them an idea of what you do and catch their attention. If you manage to tick those three boxes, you have agreat logo.

2. Build Partnerships.

When you’re starting out at the bottom, it’s not easy to get noticed above all the other startups in the market. Building partnerships with industry leaders and influential people in your sector is one way of getting seen and heard.

Talk to the leaders of companies that offer products or services that are linked to yours but are not direct competitors. If you can benefit from the existing customer base of these bigger companies, your startup will receive an instant boost. They’ll expect something in return though.

3. Focus on Your Target Customer.

You should have a fully rounded idea of who your target customer is and how you’re going to connect with them. It might sound ridiculous but drawing up a plan of what your ideal customer looks like, thinks about and does in his or her free time can help reach them better.

The way you design the imagery and iconography of your business should also be tailored to your target customer. Take the same approach to your social media output too. If you’re targeting young people, it’s best to take a more casual approach.

4. Throw a Launch Party.

There’s no better way to let people know you’ve arrived on the scene than throwing a launch party for your startup. It can act as a signal of intent and get people aware of your brand from the very beginning of your journey.

They can also be good ways to make contacts that could prove valuable in the long-term. Invite business owners and influential journalists and industry figures. Give out free gives and put out food – you can even get some logo cookies customized with your own brand logo.

5. Foster an Ethic Around Your Brand.

Your brand shouldn’t just be a hollow entity, it should mean something, and your customers should see what it means. This isn’t easy to do, but all the best companies try to do this when they’re starting out.

Your brand ethic can revolve around whichever idea you like, but it should be something real and sincere. Nowadays, customers can easily see through empty promises. Your ethic should transcend your marketing and branding ideas.

These 5 clever tips will give your startup just the boost it needs.

Startup Company or Seasoned Business…

Need assistance with your company branding, marketing or website design? If you’re a startup, the answer is “YES!” If you’re a seasoned business, perhaps you’re considering a brand refresh or a website facelift. If so, contact Gwen Canfield today for a free consultation — I’d love to help! To learn more visit my website at www.creativeinstinct.biz .