One of the first, and maybe most important aspects, of designing your business is branding. Branding helps distinguish your identity in the market and helps tell the story of your business.
Good branding is essential for building recognition, trust, and loyalty.
That’s why it is such a valuable, and oftentimes overwhelming part of building your business. Branding is more than creating a logo on Canva, it’s creating the overall mood, vibe, and message of your business. So, it’s important to avoid these common branding mistakes.
Mistake #1: Not Doing Research
It’s important to properly research before launching a brand campaign. Naming your business may seem easy, but there are steps you need to take before creating your marketing material. Consider these important steps:
- Does anyone else use the same business name?
- Check for copywrite and trademarks that already exist with the name or tag
lines - Verify no one else is using similar social media handles that could confuse
customers - Be certain you can secure a web address with your business name
Failing to do your research can lead to inconsistencies with your branding. If there are too many businesses out there with the same, or similar name, you run the risk of being unable to get a URL, social media handles or email addresses.
Additionally, you can run the risk of receiving a cease-and-desist letter from a competitor who has already established the name or concept. Don’t get frustrated or confused choosing a name, time and some good research will help you create a strong and valuable identity.
Mistake #2: Not Creating a Branding Kit
Branding is more than a name and logo. It’s a combination of things that come together to create a vibe, and story. Like planning a great party, your brand should be cohesive, express who you are, and show
everyone what to expect from you. A great branding kit should include:
- A unique, professional logo
- Cohesive color scheme with Hex codes
- Specific fonts and icons
- A variety of logo files for digital and printing needs
Be mindful when outsourcing help with branding. If someone else creates your logo or branding materials, including digital files, be sure you have legal ownership of the files so you have the freedom to print or use them as you see fit.
Branding should be a long-term commitment, avoid trendy fonts, colors, or logo styles that could become outdated. Consider timeless aesthetics or a vibe that clearly matches your marketing goals.
Customers resist change, building know, like, and trust comes from seeing consistent branding over the course of time. Your brand is a vital part of your business. If your business takes off, it can cause major headaches if someone challenges your business name, tag line, or other collateral. Protect yourself and your future by researching your brand, establishing your URL, email address, social media handles and securing ownership of your branding kit.
