Brand Strategy For Beginners

I recently wrote an article about how to brand yourself and in this article, I briefly touched on content as a long-term brand strategy.

On a lighter note, am no better writer today than I care to admit, but I also know that I have come a long way to writing better than a few months ago. And it’s all thanks to this $27 writing program I paid less than a year ago…

This article is to tie down loose ends that were left as many of my readers on this blog and in our Facebook. Mastermind group have been asking for the best brand strategy one can use when building a personal brand.

I personally believe that your personal brand communicates your value to the world — not only to potential employers but to everyone.

It is essential today for personal development, career advancement and even establishing yourself as a leader. Expressing who you are, what you do and why you do it will help you position yourself for success and open doors of opportunity.

That said… You do need a sound brand strategy to help you execute your desired brand without jeopardizing everything you have worked for.

I have heard rumours of employers asking for social media access to new employees before a job offer is made, this is simply because what you do online today as a college student will continue to mirror your behaviour in the workplace in the future.

 

So if you think that brand strategy is for entrepreneurs only then think again!

It’s hard work to make brand strategies work, and it also takes grit plus persistence to be successful. Some folks may have told you that you’ve got to love what you do first to continue doing it even when you don’t see any results.

I think we should also add that learning takes place only if you practice the trade. The only way to remain in business is to remain in it while continually learning from others and building a great team around you.

One of the most important things you can do is build your personal brand and reputation at the back of a brand strategy that works.

A case has been made for many failed bright and thriving ideas despite having the bearings of an excellent business plan, the strategic nous, and innovative vision behind them.

Yet all of this is rendered moot if you don’t have a portable standing with your customers, employees and potential future investors.

Do You Know Who You Are?

It’s not just about what they say when you are around, it’s also more of what you plant as a seed for the discussion they will be having behind your back. Yes, it’s great to get published and get noticed, but how much in control are you in the way clients see your image portrayal?

 

How Are You Building Relationships As A Brand Strategy?

They say any fish stinks from its head, now my question for you is how are you crafting business relationships as part of your branding strategy?

We all know that connecting with people on a business level as well as a personal level is the best way of building your personal brand and getting your name out there.

Its people who know you, and know what you can offer are more than likely to do business with you or recommend you to their friends and family.

Are You A Sucker For Self-Promotion?

Brand strategy without self-promotion is incomplete, and I know that not everyone is confident enough to blow their own trumpet, but if you think your awesomeness will glow enough to show then you are wrong. It doesn’t actually hurt to do self-promotion and if you do it consistently you are more than likely to get good at it.

Creating a plan on how you are going to build your personal brand is vital for your success. Take the time to understand how you can successfully pitch your professional knowledge to business contacts or a journalist.

How Is Your Online presence Looking Like?

There has never been a better time than now where there has been such a fantastic opportunity to create, market and manage your own personal branding. But like I said it’s all tied down to your brand strategy…

Say hello and thanks to ever-growing online and social media where you have unprecedented control of what people see when they search your name, what they know about you and what your opinion is.

If you have a big mouth for dishing out fashion sense, why not let it loose? And if political opinions are your thing then let everyone know what you think!

Strengthen Your Brand With A Custom Logo Design, Professional Business Cards Event Promotion Print Wear, Print Marketing 

Types of Branding Strategies

Name Brand Recognition

These are recognisable names especially for big companies and they are recognised through their company logo, slogan or colours.

Individual Branding

This is identifying your own identity as a brand. This can either be your name.

Attitude Branding

This is associated with a certain style and personality either of a product or services.

No-brand Branding

Using no branding to create a unique brand, a low key, but translate into value.

Brand Extension

This is similar to the product mix, using one business success to achieve another. For example, GradecMedia is a branding and successfully created Toodlehub, Dataracehero, Kennelcamipato, Agathaonline and many more.

Private Label Branding

Using a name brand to create more product and services out of the usual that carry your private label.

Crowdsourcing

This is requesting a public opinion on what it may or may not be, this involves seeking customer opinion.