Branding although a commercial concept, does need a personal touch to it. The idea od identifying it with the respected target audience is important. With the current rising surge in the online industry, brands have a concrete platform to plan for development and growth. Building and expanding your network leads to brand recognition. I too,agree with the idea of taking your brand out to communities and utilizing such channels as an effective medium. Great blog!
BUILDING BRAND MUSCLE
Brand Workout Program
This is for all the brand masters out there who may have had sand kicked in the face of their brands on the beaches of the business world. A healthy fit brand is a brand to be reckoned with.
A brand willing to sign-up for this bootcamp is one that recognizes the value of stretching their brand muscle and takes their market with a strengthened brand position. This is not a workout for the feeble minded. This is not a 3-day-a-week brand workout, but an intensive 24/7 regime.
Take you eyes off the prize and your brand will put that belly fat right back on, and your brand loses the momentum it has build from the program.
All right let’s stop talking and starting working!
The Warmup.
Make sure that you have all the necessary items to represent yourself. Business cards, letterhead, brochures and presentation folders. Do you have a powerpoint for generic pitches and a resource website? Is there a tool on your site to harvest eMails and eMail marketing components? These items could be considered basics. Be sure that the brand image is consistent across all.
Heavy Lifting
Have you a strong positioning strategy? Do you stand out from the competition with a strategy based on differentiation? Living up to your brand promise is the toughest part of your brand workout. It relies on you having the moxie to carry out your strategy no matter what state the economy is in. There are not many brand visionaries who have what it takes to break a sweat here.
Blogging while not for the faint of heart is a premium channel of promotion. Doing this exercise properly will reward your brand many times over.
Over-deliver on your promise and make customer relationships a key driving force within your brand culture. Use every opportunity to provide valuable experiences. Don’t try to make it easier on yourself. No sweat, no reward.
The Cool-Down
Are you taking your brand out into the community and attending networking opportunities and volunteering your time? Pushing your personal brand within these channels are important to the overall health of your brand. Networking online is also a key part of this workout. Frankly, you have to constantly move your brand forward with as many touch-points as you can handle.
The Frequency
This has more to do with what fits you. We all have a life and other responsibilities. But once you commit yourself, you have to execute your brand intentions. Consistent effort with reward you. In networking, giving comes before getting. Reaction to your efforts will reinforce your determination in branding. Every time you feel the burn, you will know your brand strength is growing.
Author: Ed Roach (123 Articles)
For 25 years or so I have developed positioning strategies for small businesses that helps to differentiate them. I appreciate working with companies who see the value of going beyond mere slogans and have a desire to sell from compelling positions. Opportunities come to light in every discussion. I consult predominantly with small business and and implement the solutions developed. I've had the pleasure of being interviewed in all media regarding branding small business, most recently in "America's Best" magazine and the "Christian Radio & Music Industry" trade magazine. I am available for speaking engagements and I have authored "The Reluctant Salesperson", an Introvert's Guide to Selling. Contact me if you are looking for practical advice on bringing your corporate brand to the next level. I also have international speaking experience including a recent event in Prague, Czech Republic. I am currently working on a branding conference in Mumbai, India for next year. I can be contacted directly at: 519-324-9536 or ed@thebrandingexperts.ca Blog: TheBrandCorral.com Twitter: BrandCorral Facebook
3 comments - add yours
tom
June 8, 2010
Ed Roach
June 13, 2010
Thanks for your great input Tom. I’m sorry to respond so late as I was distracted by a tornado hitting our property last Sunday, no injuries but lots of damage.
Maricel
June 19, 2010
I believe that the consistency of your action is the most important factor. Being consistent to all your effort is what you actually need in order to be successful.
