The world of business can get pretty chaotic – both offline and online. Businessmen and entrepreneurs have it hard; it even feels like they’re always up each other’s necks. Well, what can I say? It isn’t called “a cutthroat world” for nothing.
But despite every stressful, challenging, and demanding aspect of business, many people still aspire to be a part of this world. And why is that? Well, it’s a no brainer really. The simple reason why many people strive to flourish in the business industry is that it is as promising as it is chaotic. This world holds many opportunities for success and growth. It also gives people hope that despite their transient existence, they might be able to leave something in this world – something that will earn them a place in history books. True enough, such prestige can never be achieved by working for others. It can only be made possible if you build something of your own. Check this: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/231855.
Should you desire to claim a future in this world as well, you first need to have a vision for your product.
What is it that you’re trying to achieve?
Who is it that you’re trying to help?
What do you hope to accomplish by creating such a product or service?
The answers to these questions may be hard to find (elusive, even) but these are answers worth finding. These are questions that matter, after all. Answering them is the same as giving identity to your product or service. It’s the same as giving them a “brand.”
What Is A Brand?
A product and a brand are two entirely different things. Why do I say this? Well, the magic lies in their definition.
A product is the physical or tangible good that you are trying to sell (If it’s a type of service, it’s an action or a task that you can witness with any of your five senses). This means that it’s the form of your business. If you’re a soap company, then the soap bars are your product. If you’re a hair salon, then the hairstyles and haircuts you offer are your products. Now, a brand is a little bit different.
The brand comes after the product (read more). In fact, it’s the identity created through your product. When you think about Nike, you think about shoes even when they have all sorts of other apparel (e.g. bags, shirts, socks, etc.). When you think of Starbucks, you think of coffee even when they have pastries, breads and shakes. A brand creates an imagery of your product. It’s the idea people have about your product.
Now, you may be thinking which of the two are important. While some of you may beg to differ, the brand definitely outdo the product here for one simple reason: Other people can recreate your product but they can never recreate your brand.
Don’t you agree? Let’s move on to something more important.
How Do You Advertise A Winning Brand?
If you’ve got a product idea that you know will definitely sell, that’s a good start. The only thing that’s left to do now is to make sure that you create the right atmosphere for your product; to help people visualize the right image for your product. While a promotional products company can help you build this imagery, it’s important that you also understand how everything goes. So how do you achieve this exactly?
Well, I’ve got a single word for you: Consistency.
You know how people use flashcards to memorize things better? Marketing for a new product kind of works the same way. You see, when people are constantly exposed to the same thing or idea, they slowly register the information in their brain without even knowing it. But in order for this to work, the stimulus needs to be exactly the same.
Going back to our example earlier, Nike, you would notice that this brand heavily associates all its marketing efforts and advertisements to its iconic logo “Swoosh” and catchphrase “Just do it.” They’ve remained so consistent with these two, in fact, that the moment you lay eyes on something that says or looks similar, you instantly think of their brand.
This is the kind of consistency you would want to reflect on your brand as well. From the packaging to the ads and social media posts, you have to be consistent with the message you’re trying to get across. That’s the secret spice to creating a winning brand.
To read more on topics like this, check out the business category.