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.
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, contact 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. Remember that engaged teams create the best brands. (If you would like some help with 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 and he provides marketing AI training. He shows businesses how to get better results, starting with marketing strategy advice 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 presented over 500 marketing workshops for the UK government, focusing on marketing strategy.
To find out more about Nigel’s services email: nigel@nigeltemple.com or book your free discovery call:
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