Why do I need Branding?
Have you ever wondered how branding can genuinely impact your business? The world of branding can be a maze of questions, and we’re here to navigate it with you.
In this article, we’ll answer the questions that often arise at the beginning of a brand project, from the fundamentals of branding to its cost and timeline.
How will branding help my business?
A solid brand strategy and design is an essential creative step that communicates brand authority and expertise to the customer. You need to brand to differentiate your product or service among competitors and become their preferred choice. Branding will result in more profit, competitive strength, and brand awareness. Branding also allows you to know who and what the brand stands for. Without doing the brand strategy work, you may not know much about your brand voice, brand tone, or even what makes you different.
How do you create a brand?
There are many steps to creating a brand. First, you must learn to differentiate your brand and then communicate this difference in a compelling way to your audience. To do this, we first create the Unique Selling Proposition (USP), the brand story, the mission, and the brand's values. The brand strategy leads the brand design, copywriting, imagery, logo design, website, and more to create concise and consistent messaging that will resonate with your audience.
How long does it take to build a brand?
Branding is an evolving process — you will always be building your brand through everything you put out to the public. This may include new ad campaigns, new blog posts, Instagram posts, and more. So, your branding is never set in stone. Depending on the scale, the initial brand strategy and design to launch a brand are typically 2-6 months. After the initial branding, you constantly evolve and build on what you've created.
How much does branding cost?
It depends on the strategy you take. For example, many agencies charge $25,000+ for a brand strategy and design package. Of course, you can always pay less if you tackle some of the strategy work yourself. You may even hire a freelancer to help you fill in the gaps. But, of course, it all depends on your budget and your goals.
How do you create a brand identity?
After you have all of the pieces of your brand strategy, you can create the brand identity design, also referred to as the brand visualization. Remember, it is imperative to do the Brand Foundational work first. That way, you have a strong understanding of your Unique Selling Proposition, Target Audience, Brand Story, Values, Mission, and Tone of Voice of your brand before going into the visual design.
What is the first step to the branding process?
Research is the first step to creating a solid brand. Research your competitors and the target audience you are after. Be sure that you have a market for people that want and need what you are offering. After you have done the preliminary research, you can then move on to your Brand Foundations, which will be very valuable in guiding everything you create from that point forward.
In conclusion, branding isn’t just your logo or website; it’s a strategic tool that can propel your business to new heights. Branding is about crafting a narrative that resonates with your target audience and sets your business apart in a crowded marketplace.
As you embark on your branding journey, remember that it’s a continuous process of evolution and adaptation. Your brand will grow and change, just as your business does.
So, whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, understanding the importance of branding and its various facets is key to your business’s success.
