The 4 C’s of branding to help your business look established
Here are four ways you can establish your brand as an established player in the market — whether you have a brand new business or have been in business for a long time. To stand out in your industry, you have to create that “gotta-have-it” factor for your potential clients. Remember, people are watching and making their decisions on whether or not they will work with you in the future, whether you notice or not.
To keep your business looking legit, it’s as easy as the 4 C’s of branding!
1. Is your brand CLEAR?
2. Is your brand CREDIBLE?
3. Is your brand COMPELLING?
4. Is your brand COHESIVE?
Keep reading to learn what we mean by these questions!
Is your brand clear?
Can you explain your offer in just a couple of words? Take a couple seconds and think about what your business elevator pitch is. Can you tell a complete stranger what you do?
At a glance, someone should know exactly why they should buy from you. Remember, they don’t necessarily need to know what all that entails just yet. (That’s for a discovery call after they’re already interested in working with you).
Make sure that your messaging is concise and succinct. People typically spend less than a minute looking through your website (Source: Klipfolio), so maximize that time. Make sure there’s a couple of keywords or services that will stick.
Is your brand credible?
Use reviews and social proof. Don’t just share your product or service without the context of people’s experiences. Happy clients will talk about their experiences working with you.
Let others do the talking for why what you’re selling really does what it says.
Is your brand compelling?
People don’t remember what they are told, they remember how they feel. Creating a compelling brand can be done through a variety of ways, but our favorite is to show the results of your work. Post before-and-after photos, result statistics and percentages from testimonials, and relatable storytelling.
The message isn’t “Work with us if you want,” it’s clients responding to your message with, “I want to work with you!”
Is your brand cohesive?
Most buyers aren’t purchasing from your brand on the first exposure they have to it. A buying cycle can mean that a prospective customer is in your funnel for days or even years, and is having an experience with your brand before they even buy from it. Come off as polished and professional with a cohesive look they start to recognize and want to experience for themselves.
According to IndoorMedia, the Marketing Rule of 7 is still applicable nowadays. This is where a consumer needs to see a product/ad/brand at least 7 times before it’ll really stick and resonate with them. Having a cohesive brand and messaging from your business will reinforce your offerings.
Branding (and marketing) is sometimes playing the long game of building reputability from passive followers and lurkers.
We want to hear from you! How is your business following the 4 C’s of branding?
P.S. Did you catch our Instagram Live on the 4 Ways to Look Like an Established Brand? Watch the replay here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CnhrFJnBH_l/