Creating an Effective Brand Strategy: 8 Top Tips for Small Businesses
A brand strategy, when created and executed correctly, is guaranteed to grab your customers’ attention. However, social media has made it easy for a business to lose control of its brand. This can be avoided with some careful consideration. Here are 8 top tips that will take your small business to the next level.
1.Understand that brand strategy is not the same as a business strategy.
The former should focus on building customer relationships and how your business will be perceived.
2. Ask yourself, what is your brand’s purpose?
3. Define your business goals.
When creating a strategy, it’s essential that you have the answer to these 3 questions: where you are currently?, where do you want to be? and how do you plan to get there? Remember, your goals should be S.M.A.R.T.
4. Define your KPIs.
Whatever they may be, these measures of success will serve as guidance on your way to the place you want to be.
5. Define your audience through customer personas.
Businesses can’t be successful without customers (whether the customer is another business or not). Break your customer personas down into different demographics, including age, location, social media channels of choice, and needs (why they would be interested in your business).
6. Based on these personas, you should decide which social platforms are most appropriate. Whether it’s Instagram, TikTok, Clubhouse or Pinterest, ask yourself what you want to achieve by being on social media.
7. What value will you bring to your customers?
Before you can begin to connect with an audience, you will need to determine the value you will offer them.
8. Create 5 content pillars.
When a potential customer clicks on your website or social media profile, they should be able to understand what your business is about within 3 seconds. Content pillars will enable you to post efficiently and reach your intended audience. Make sure when creating these pillars, they truly showcase what your brand represents. Storytelling is key!
