Excellent branding is imperative to building a strong relationship with consumers and boosting loyalty. Top global brands have mastered the art of branding, which is why they sell more and keep growing. For instance, Apple’s consistent branding and value proposition have made it a client favorite, that’s why it has a 50%+ share of the smartphone market in the US.
What branding secrets can small businesses learn from companies like Apple? This post outlines powerful lessons entrepreneurs can learn from the world’s top brands.
Choose Branding Elements Wisely
For most entrepreneurs, choosing a decent logo and a business name translates to branding. While a good name and logo are a great place to start, a lot more goes into branding. You must choose a color that represents your brand’s core values, a good and memorable domain name, and a self-explanatory tagline.
Create a brand that consumers can tell apart from similar brands. While creativity is good, simplicity and being memorable is the goal. Look around you and observe brands like FedEx, Amazon, and Coca Cola. They don’t have fancy logos, but their brand identity is ingrained in consumers’ minds.
Provide Value and Keep Promises
One of the reasons Apple has stood out from other brands in the technology sector is consistent value provision and keeping promises. If the company promises the best smartphone camera in its next model, consumers can be sure it’s what they’ll be getting. Staying true to your brand’s core values and great service delivery build honesty and customer loyalty.
Keep in touch with consumers and stakeholders to identify areas that need improvement. Additionally, learn what your competitors are doing to offer customers value, then incorporate it into your branding.
Social Responsibility Counts
Running a successful brand is more than creating a product or service that consumers love. After all, there will always be a similar brand that’s too close to dethroning you or offers better products. So, how do you stand out from the crowd? How do you create an experience that consumers identify with and relate to?
A good example is Pepsi’s relationship with the Superbowl, a partnership that cost Pepsi over $2 billion. Showing Pepsi as a socially responsible brand that cares about sports made consumers buy its drinks more than Coke. Likewise, help your community and incorporate social responsibility into your business strategy.
A Brand Is an Experience
Top companies like Amazon have faced backlash after revelations that they mistreat workers. Consumers care about the core values and social ecosystem of your brand. Maintain a good business ecosystem and relate well with your employees, investors, suppliers, and other stakeholders. In case of any hardships, let stakeholders know early on.
For instance, let your employees and suppliers know if you are facing cash flow problems. You can save the situation by borrowing quick cash to cover expenses until your company bounces back. You can apply for a title loan with your personal or business vehicle. Simply go to Google and search for ‘car title loan near me’ to see the available options. A title loan is more affordable than a bank loan.
Be Consistent
Strong and consistent branding is key to developing customer trust and loyalty. When we speak of branding consistency, it goes beyond a product or service. Your brand’s core values, logo, and experience should be evident in the branding. For example, despite a few logo changes, Disney has stayed at the top for years because its branding creates an emotional connection with consumers.
