What is Start-up Branding?

 

2022 promises a better year for start-ups as the economy and policy eliminate some restrictions in penetrating the market. Today's technology offers an excellent opportunity to reach a wider and diverse set of audiences. However, increasing opportunities also means stiff competition. It is why start-up branding is a critical factor that determines the company's success, survival, or demise.

 

What Are the Elements Included in Start-Up Branding?

 

Branding for start-ups should be carefully thought of. It needs to go through a series of planning, brainstorming, consultation, testing, and revision. It has to include all the essential elements to get it right.

 

Name of the Company

 

You may look at the company's name as a simple matter, but something as simple as this can create a significant impact on your start-up branding. Your company's name should be based on your targeted market. It also needs to focus on the goal of the company. You also have two options when finding the right name for your company; either you will utilize a word in the English Dictionary that resembles your business or create a whole new word (i.e., Google, Hulu, etc.)  Remember that naming the company using the latter would be more expensive.

 

Logo

 

A logo is a visual representation of your company. It tells a story about a company. For instance, Amazon has a smile logo that points from A-Z; this means that Amazon is offering you everything from A-Z, and they are hoping that you will be happy with your experience with them. The logo should relay the right message of the company to the audience when developing your start-up branding strategy.

 

Marketing Strategy

 

Your marketing strategy contains different elements that can affect your start-up branding. How you market your product can create a significant impact on your branding. For example, luxury brands will never sell their products in Walmart. High-end hotels such as Ritz Carlton are priced twice as much as Hilton Hotels since they want to create the impression of glamour and luxury and offer better services that Hilton cannot provide.

 

Graphics

 

The picture that you utilize and the scripts can highlight the message of your brand. You can hire a professional graphic designer to develop personalized graphic designs that you can use on different channels.

 

Social Media Presence

 

Today's technology does not only open your business to a broader set of audiences. It also emphasizes the power of the consumers. Nowadays, it is so easy for consumers to express their dislike or appreciation for a company. Branding for start-ups requires them to mitigate the damage done on social networking sites by responding to them immediately.

 

Customer Service

 

Suppose the customer service you are offering the consumers does not necessarily support your company's marketing strategy. In that case, you can expect that your start-up branding will soon need to go through a reevaluation process. Giving an optimum service to the customer is critical to ensure that your brand will b remembered by your target audience. Always ensure that the welfare of the customers is your top priority.

 

These elements can highly affect your branding. So it would be best if you established a solid foundation on your business plan when thinking about these elements.

 

Common Mistakes on Startup Branding

 

Branding for start-ups can become a daunting experience for local and small companies. A good start-up branding needs a considerable amount of resources to succeed. It is an integral part of every business. Those who do not have a clear definition of their brand will have difficulty creating a distinct image in the market. To avoid some of the most common pitfalls, here are some common mistakes in the company's branding campaign.

 

Focusing too much on advertising

 

Based on the survey of Affinity, 63% of the local and small companies are spending too much of their resources and time marketing online. Unfortunately, they are not conducting targeted marketing on blogs, social media, and websites. Plus, they are neglecting public relations when doing so. PR is an inherent part of marketing as it determines what most people are saying regarding your brand. Remember that what the public say is more important than what you claim about your business when developing your start-up branding. When building your brand, you have to find a balance between advertising and public relations.

 

Neglecting the power of online advertisement

 

Study shows that 55% of the local business does not have a website. Website is an essential part of your company's start-up branding. It serves as the face of your company online. The online world offers vast possibilities and opportunities for your companies. It allows you to target a wider audience, build your credibility and enhance your presence in the market. According to the study, the number of people turning online before executing a purchase is increasing. It is projected to increase in the coming years as more and more people utilize their smartphones when searching for products. Therefore, you need to build your website, social media profiles and create a blog.

 

Rejecting the help of the Employees

 

Webroot reports that 40% of the companies prohibited their employees from accessing social media account. Local companies should reconsider this protocol, especially during start-up branding. Allow your employee to access Facebook as long as it will benefit the company's branding. Your consumers are hoping to connect with you to have an insight into your company. Utilize your employee to patronize your company to build your company's brand and develop a relationship with the consumers.

 

Complicated Brand

 

Let us take a look at the logo of Coca-Cola and how it has changed over the years. The fonts may have slightly transformed, but you can still see the original look of the logo. Small companies can learn a lot from this company during their start-up branding. It doesn't have a complicated logo, colors, graphic elements, or others. It is simple, clean, and concise.

 

Start-up branding can make or break your company. By including the elements we've mentioned here and avoiding the common mistakes, you are moving towards the right path.