Promoting your brand, and making the image and reputation of your business distinctive, can be a great way of getting noticed. Any business, whether it’s a shop, online business or a service provided by an individual, is a brand in its own right. The brand is a concept you use to connect with customers, communicate your ideology and vision, and draw in more business. Marketing your business is a tricky thing to get right, which is why there are companies who specialise in doing just that – but it’s also possible to brand your business successfully yourself.

There are several dos and don’ts when it comes to self-branding your business:

DO…

Set Goals

What do you want your business to achieve in the long and short-term? Your goals and ambitions should be incorporated into your brand, and help bring the right people on board.

On and Offline Marketing

Make time to build your online and offline assets. This means having a good website, networking and using marketing tools such as business cards and flyers. Go to networking events, send out press packages to other businesses and make sure that you’re developing an online presence. Social media is a powerful tool when it comes to branding; you have the whole world literally at your fingertips! Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn are all powerful tools for online marketing.

Check Out Similar Competition

Check out other businesses and analyse their marketing material. What works and what doesn’t? While it’s essential to check out businesses offering similar products or services, don’t dismiss businesses in other markets and industries – they might be doing something that would also be beneficial to your business. Good marketing ideas are often transferable.

DON’T…

Fabricate

When creating a brand, there isn’t any room for error. Don’t make promises that you can’t keep, exaggerate details or publish anything that isn’t true. If something goes wrong and you get caught out or can’t deliver, it could damage your reputation.

Be a people pleaser

Your business isn’t going to appeal to everyone. A strong brand image that you are comfortable with is much more important than trying to attract a wide audience. Start out small and keep your integrity.

Forget about the real world

There’s a lot more to business than just the internet. Social media and the World Wide Web contribute to the success of a business, but you still need to have a real world presence.

Think too small

As a small business owner you are of course integral to your business, but branding that focuses too much on one person is bound to fail. Think bigger than you actually are! Even if you run your business on your own, the brand should represent your business, not you.

Have you discovered a technique for branding your small business that was a success? Which ‘do’ or ‘don’t’ from the list above has had the most effect on your business branding? Let us know in the comments below.