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Your enterprise should ‘think brand’ and you should have a brand strategy. Here is a Mind Map (click to expand) which shows the key elements of branding. Scroll down to see a checklist, which explains what the branches mean.

Branding Mind Map by Nigel Temple

Brand strategy

Begin with a clear set of objectives for your brand. What does it stand for?

What is the one word which you would like customers to associate with your brand?

What short phrase sums up your brand and sets it apart from the crowd?

The key issue is to differentiate your brand, which may not be easy if you are operating in a crowded marketplace.

Successful brands are built on strong values

If you are creating a brand, it will be built on your values.

Write a list of your values and include them within your marketing plan.

Position your brand

Every brand is positioned in its marketplace in relation to its competitors.

What’s the big idea?

Successful brands are underpinned by a central idea. What is the big idea which drives your brand? (If there is any difficulty in responding to this question – call me).

Do your products / services fit with your brand?

Are they aligned with your brand values? Do they support the brand or detract from it?

The customer journey

From initial encounter and awareness, to desire, purchase and advocacy – is there brand consistency? I am not just referring to your visual brand identity, I am talking about brand identity and character.

Visual brand identity

Are you using your logo, colours and typeface consistently? For example, I have used Arial for as long as I can remember. I use it within my website, blogs, emails and all of my printed matter.

Staff, colleagues, teams – do they get your brand?

Does everyone within your enterprise understand what your brand is all about? Gather them together and ask them to write down what your brand stands for. Compare the results. (Be prepared for a surprise). Incidentally, engaged staff create the best brands. (If you would like me to come over and do this exercise, you are welcome to contact me).

Promotional mix

Is your promotional mix integrated? Does it all have a consistent look and feel or is it all over the place?

The human brain and branding

People love stories. What stories are there to tell about your brand? How are you getting these stories out there? People learn through experience – what kind of experience does your brand deliver? Above all, how does it make your customers feel?

Brand results

An established brand is worth more money than a non-branded enterprise. Brands attract more customers and they deliver a higher level of profitability than their commodity cousins.

If you would like to talk to me about your marketing strategy and brand – by all means get in touch. This could be one of the most important and influential conversations you ever have about your business.

Nigel Temple

Nigel is a marketing consultant, author, speaker and trainer. He shows businesses how to get better results from 21st century marketing – starting with marketing strategy and brand positioning. He advises business owners, boards of directors and teams.

Nigel has an honours degree in marketing and served as a Faculty Member and Course Director at CIM (the Chartered Institute of Marketing) for 12 years. He led over 500 Business Link workshops, focusing on marketing strategy and internet marketing. Today, he delivers marketing events for The Marketing Compass which provides impartial marketing advice for business owners.

To find out more about Nigel’s services email joanna@nigeltemple.com or call Joanna on +44 (0)1628 773128.

He welcomes media enquiries about 21st century marketing, social media and digital marketing. He has appeared within the national press and broadcast media.

Nigel is the founder of The Marketing Compass – join thousands of business owners and marketers, tell us about your business and ask some marketing questions.

Follow Nigel on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nigeltemple

Nigel Temple

Author Nigel Temple

Nigel Temple is a marketing consultant, speaker, trainer and writer. Topics include: AI / ChatGPT, Marketing strategy, Digital marketing, SEO, Copywriting, Mailchimp. Nigel is available to hire for a consultancy meeting, training workshop, speaking event or marketing project. Email: nigel@nigeltemple.com Or call Nigel on: 01628 773128

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