Are you on a shoestring budget for your business branding?
Have you been trying to do a lot of it yourself and gotten stuck wondering what you have to have and what isn’t really necessary?
Here is a quick primer on three branding and business elements you can let go of and still succeed wildly. And when you do succeed wildly you can invest resources into these pieces appropriately. Until then, save your money for where it is needed most, your real time marketing, getting in front of your market at live events, networking, charity functions (if that is where they hang out and many clients with money do), and more.
You are your own ultimate competitive advantage, stop getting stuck in the tools of branding. Be the brand you are.
#1 Skip the Logo:
I’ve met more business owners hung up on their logo or lack thereof, sure that somehow this “mark” of their business will translate into dollars. Get over yourself. It isn’t going to happen. This only works when you get as big as Nike, as fast as Ferrari, or as luxurious as Tiffany.
In the meantime, something simple or nothing at all, will work just fine. As a speaker, I’ve used my face as my brand, after all it is what shows up to do the work! As a coach, I’ve used my initials and name, not some symbol that won’t be remembered. Think for a minute right now, can you remember any brand logos of companies smaller than the Fortune 1000?
A logo doesn’t mean success.
Clever & Accurate Branding#2 Ditch the Fancy Website:
You are just creating rabbit holes for visitors whom you probably aren’t even tracking (Google Analytics to your rescue.) A simple web page or templated wordpress site is way better with a call to action at the foot of each page. You can invest from $500-$2K on this with a reputable designer.
Don’t do it yourself, unless you love doing it and are good at it. Your talent is better invested in front of your clients or connecting with prospects. I promise. And there is no reason to invest $2K-$10K+ unless you are doing ecommerce and have proven steady traffic coming to your site to buy, not just browse.
A website doesn’t mean success.
#3 Eliminate Swanky Business Cards:
Let’s get real, they end up in the bottom of a box or drawer anyway. Sure it seems necessary in networking circles, but what I’ve found works better is to get other people’s cards. I suggest you “run out” of your own, and take charge of the follow up.
Remember, it isn’t how many you connect with that matters, but instead how quickly you build relationships with those that matter. By taking charge of follow up, you show you care and lead by providing value, not pitching them on your services or product.
Your business card doesn’t mean success.
C’mon now, your turn to fess up to the ways you’ve blown money on your business branding. We’ve all done it! COMMENT HERE.
