A recent article by Conner Forrest on techrepublic.com looks at 3 key tips for nailing the branding for a startup from the get go.
Branding is hard, sometimes deceptively so.
You may think it’s obvious who and what your product is geared towards, but that isn’t always the case. Getting your brand right takes work but, if done well, can lead to a more successful business.
At its foundation, branding is the identity you build around your product and the story you tell about your business. As part of the 36|86 conference in Nashville, a panel of three branding experts (Nora Levinson of Caeden, Jared Nixon of Shark Branding, and Dan Stephenson of Dan’s Gourmet Mac and Cheese) sat down to share their thoughts on what makes great branding for startups.
Here are some of the key takeaways.
Simplicity: The first consideration you should have around your brand is simplicity. Nixon recommends boiling it down to three words that encompass everything you’re about. Create a brand that is simple enough to be remembered, but also impactful enough to differentiate your company.
The question to ask yourself is: What are you selling? Some companies sell products, some companies sell services, some sell a lifestyle. Your branding and the messaging around your company should tell your customers what you sell and what problem you solve in their lives.
Know your customers: make sure you know your customers, even down to the minor details within a demographic. For example, if your product targets young girls, the differences between very young girls, teen girls, and young adult women are staggering. So, go after the right people. Also, go after your actual customer, not who you want to be your customer.
Good branding will take money. One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a startup founder, according to Stephenson, is trying to avoid investing in branding from early on. Spending early and smart is critical, as it can be a huge pain to change your branding once your company has grown and gained traction.
Read the full article here.
