If you are the owner of a small businesses YOU are the brand.
Large corporations and multi-nationals may have a recognisable brand but for small businesses the brand is is almost always created by and associated with the business owner.
This means that whatever someone thinks of you as a person will influence whether or not they will do business with you.
Do you know what style of brand you are creating?
This will be closely linked to your values. Are you seen as someone who would be honest, keen to do a good job, valuing customers? Would a potential client be assured, without the need for written guarantees. that you will be true to your word and deliver value for money or give a no quibble refund?
How can you create the right brand quickly and easily?
It has never been easier to create an impression in the minds of potential clients. Unfortunately, this can be both a blessing and a curse. Unless they already know you personally and have a good relationship with you, the first thing most people will do before they decide to talk to you about business is Google your name. Your name – not the name of your business.
What will show up in a Google search of your name?
Creating the right impression by using on-line forums, Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn and blogs can be achieved quite easily. Your personality and values will show up and people are more inclined to believe this transparent information than any slick PR material.
However, its important to keep in mind that you are using these different media to help create your brand so the interaction you engage in needs to be done with this in mind so that when a prospective client gets to the point of considering you as a supplier, they already feel that they know you and share your values.
How powerful would it be to know that when people approach you, without you doing any overt selling, its because they have no fear only the belief that you will do a good job and give them what they need?
That’s a brand to be proud of!