Happy NY! We’re sliding into 2019 with a PMA and getting straight down to the important stuff – your business.

It’s the start of a new week and the start of a new year, the warm lethargic glow of December has now worn off, and the long stretch of January, and the year ahead, looms over us all.

But, rather than feeling down about it, putting that mounting pile of work off for even longer, or spending all day dreaming of our next holiday destination, we decided to come out swinging and get you motivated to take your business to the next level this year. You. Are. Welcome.

Here at Pistachio, we have a vast range of clients, from large enterprise to budding entrepreneurs, and it is our raison d’etre to help each and every one with the same passion and enthusiasm that we bring to every project, no matter how large or small. So, today’s blog is focused on the importance of presenting your brand appropriately and effectively, with particular focus on why this is important for small businesses just as much as it is for large corporations as well.

If you’re a small to middle sized business owner, you’ve probably had to regularly weigh up the importance of investing in marketing and developing your branding over the other seemingly more ‘essential’ components of running a successful business every day. Which is understandable, you’re busy, you’re under pressure and you’re responsible for making the right decisions that impact your staff, colleagues and family, so sometimes worrying about updating your website or managing your social media presence seems like the least important thing to focus on, or invest in.

Well, branding is just as important for small businesses as it is for big-name brands. Indeed, in more recent times, many corporate brands have been attempting to look more like small businesses in order to appeal to consumers that prefer to support independent, or family run, businesses. Why? Because a successful business relies on customers connecting emotively to a brand, namely because they share the same values and beliefs as the brand does, no matter how abstract the industry is to everyday life.

A strong brand encourages loyalty, advocacy, and it can even protect your price in times when competitors rely on promotional discounts or sales. A professional, and digitally savvy, looking brand can also give you the ideal platform from which to extend your offering and help accelerate the growth and success of your business. It can also help to define your business to yourself and your team, encouraging a better internal environment, as well as communicating your ethos to your external audiences.

Here’s 5 top reasons why we think that any growing business needs to focus on ‘building’ its brand in 2019…

Create trust:

When a company presents themselves in a professional, put-together-way, and when there is social proof that their products and service are of high-quality, customers will naturally trust that company, and thus feel more comfortable giving their hard-earned money to your business.

Improve recognition:

While your logo is not (and should not) be the be-all-end-all of your branding efforts, you should still put the time and effort into coming up with a professionally-designed, memorable logo. Not only should your logo look good, but it should also give the desired impression of your company so when people see it, they instantly think and feel what you want them to think and feel.

Make marketing easier:

Marketing is an essential component of any business, so having the right tools in place to position your business appropriately in the market is very important to its success. Is your website visible, accessible and easy to use? Are your sales and promotional items professionally designed? Do they match your online branding? Can people find and contact you easily?

If not, it might be time to think about getting your branding in order so that it’s easier for you to promote your business, and for customers to interact with you.

Motivate employees:

Anyone can hire people to work for them, but only a strong brand, and successful business, can hire motivated employees that are inspired to carry your vision and mission forward. When your brand looks good, it makes your employees feel proud. Having a strong brand is essential for employee morale and productivity, thus encouraging the retainment of good staff.

Generate new revenue:

Good branding is one of the best ways to get referral or word-of-mouth business, something that most small and growing business’s rely upon, right? And again, this is why it’s important that your logo, marketing, and reputation work cohesively to form an indelible impression on consumer minds. Think about it, you can’t tell your friend about the amazing golf clubs/hair straighteners/insert gender & age appropriate item here, you just bought if you can’t remember the brand, can you?

So, now that you know why it’s important to develop a solid and cohesive branding strategy, check in with us next week to find out a few of the ways you can do it…

And if you can’t wait that long? Get in touch today to discuss your next project with us, we’d love to hear from you!