Why it's important to brand your company beyond just a logo

Today I met with a gathering of local professionals as I do each week. As I continually preach about the importance of branding your business correctly, one thing that we've even overlooked at times was how you present yourself when talking with people you come in contact with every day. Especially in Sunny Florida, it's easy to get comfortable with beach attire. But just think, is this how your business needs to be represented? Think about what makes you stand out from your competitors.. What do they dress like?

Some of these things seem superficial but here's a story about how simply adding a tie/dress pants to my wardrobe changed the way that these professionals I have known for years and see every week responded.
After being made to reflect on how I presented myself (not negative, but not positive either) at this meeting (for those that are curious, i wore a button up and jeans frequently) I realized that a "web developer in a graphic tee and jeans is probably a pretty common occurrence. But trying to pitch to companies that we were more than that was counter productive while wearing the normal casual attire.

So... 4 weeks ago, i started wearing a tie and dress pants to meetings, including my weekly meetings.

• (week 1) I had a presentation, so it was somewhat expected, but I got the "why are you doing this"---I'm sticking in their minds already.
• (week 2) I got the question. "Didn't you have a presentation Last week?, Simply answered with yes...
• (week 3) I get a testimonial from another individual in our weekly meeting (who wore a tie too) about how he likes the direction I'm going with the perceived image. 
• (week 4) This week, i walk into my meeting, and everyone is wearing a tie... EVERYONE. Granted this was somewhat of a joke by my BNI chapter, but overall, what I've reflected on (and adjusted) has made it so that I'm being thought of, and sticking in their minds. 

So Overall, Branding is a Huge part of your marketing for your business. And it's not hard to do. But ultimately it starts with YOU.  You Start the trend for your image, you (or your employees) are the face of your company. Here's a few tips for effectively marketing your business.

• Dressing professionally (fitting for your trade) is a huge part of your branding. 
• The way your companies interact on the phone (great article on phone conversations)
• Keeping all of your marketing collateral with the same overall message and look.  (we can help you with this!!
• Having an appropriate Call-To-Action on all marketing materials.
• Maintain your social media, enable filters so that not everyone can see you partying on a Saturday Night. Realize that social media is a huge asset for company branding, but if used incorrectly can hurt you to. (just like anything else) 
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In review, Branding is much more than just a logo design or a business card. Branding is Everything you do in your company, the way you talk on the phone, the way you present yourself, and the way your overall marketing objectives are brought across to the customer.

For Branding on Collateral Materials, and marketing that you do with your company is what we help clients with every day. For creating that referral marketing machine that you want to be a the person and place to go to is Dorothy Seviste with Referral Institute in SWFL. If you don't have a local Referral institute, stay tuned I'll be posting some great reading materials to help you on your marketing way.

Impulse Creative Studios is a Creative Marketing agency that focuses on Branding and Online Marketing. Take a look at our website, if you have ANY questions don't hesitate to give us a call! 888-831-0483