I started my business in 2006; I was clueless about marketing and branding my business.

Do you feel that way too?

As creative business owners, we grow organically. In time, we learn and understand ourselves and our why with being in the market.

You don’t always “get” it from the get-go and that’s okay!

That’s why this blog exists.

Here are some ways you can start thinking about your branding and how that ties in with word of mouth marketing.

Colors alone can define your brand

Colors of your brand define your target customer and how they perceive your business.

It’s subconscious but it matters.

One of the first few things you should decide on in your business is the colors that represent your company.

You can show this off in your logo, your business card, website, packaging and so on.

Just like Target is always red and Victoria’s Secret pink.

We’re naturally programmed to view the world in a very visual way.

Different colors evoke different emotions and feelings.

What colors do you choose for your brand?

Check out this article on How Color Builds Your Brand and this one on How To Choose Brand Colors.

Why do you do what you do?

What’s the purpose of your business?

What are people’s split second impression of your business?

Figuring out your why will not come easy.

You figure this out over time when you start to notice the way people react to your products.

It’s how people perceive your business and how they will remember you.

It’s the feeling they get when they see your brand.

People buy based on feelings and emotions.

Being clear about your why will not only help you stand out from your competition and make you media and PR worthy.

You’ll start to build a strong foundation for your business and it’ll be easier for you to define your target market and all other marketing essentials.

When you have your why, make sure you’ve got this glued to the back of your eyelids.

Use this in every point of contact you have with your customers:

• Website/shop
• Emails
• Product descriptions
• Social media posts
• Face-to-face communication

Presentation matters

Don’t use frumpy line sheets made by your graphic designer wannabe cousin-in-law that end up looking like some high school project.

Make a line sheet that you would get in the mail from companies like Pottery & Barn.

Brand your packaging just like Pandora would with their jewelry boxes.

Make your business cards attention grabbing and creative.

Stamp your logo and URL on your shipping envelopes.

It doesn’t have to be expensive.

You can DIY everything and still create a memorable and special experience for your customers.

Your presentation needs to be accessible; make it easy for people to understand your message/your why and make people need to feel something.

Evoke some sort of emotion in them and you’ll have successfully imprinted your brand in their minds.

How word of mouth ties in

Once you come up with a brand that creates an unforgettable experience for your customers, people will start to connect with your brand.

The moment your customer receives their package in the mail, they (hopefully) feel a surge of positive emotions.

You’ve given them something to talk about.

They’ll start telling their friends and family about you.

Then they’ll be searching for you online and they’ll visit your website.

They’ll be thinking about you and eventually they will figure out some reason to buy your product.

The power of branding and word of mouth marketing shouldn’t be underestimated.

Implement these branding strategies and build a sustainable business for yourself!