Most startups run on shoestring budgets, and spending big on branding is out of the question. However, it is a critical investment that gives your business an identity in the competitive landscape. You cannot expect to sell unless the audiences recognize your brand and recall your offerings. The only way to survive and thrive is by chasing the best of both worlds. Fortunately, branding within a tight budget is absolutely doable, provided you get creative and strategic. Here are the best branding tips startup owners can rely on.
Discover your customer persona
Clarity enables you to take a more strategic approach to any business decision, and branding is no exception. Knowing your customers well helps you to create a targeted image and message that resonates with them. Start by researching the market and creating a customer persona that defines your ideal buyer. You may even build multiple personas if you target a broader audience. It enables you to create a plan that caters to everyone.
Create a style guide
Once you have a clear view of your target audience, consider creating a style guide for your branding initiative. It includes elements like the look, feel, tone, and voice and helps you keep them consistent across all touchpoints. Having a style guide eliminates the risk of inconsistency in your marketing campaigns. It is crucial in the current times when businesses showcase themselves across multiple channels, from offline displays to websites, social media platforms, and influencer networks. Even though you are on a budget, sometimes it will help to hire a brand consulting agency.
Design a logo without professional help
Hiring a professional designer to design a logo for your website can burn a hole in your startup budget. You can easily do it yourself by trying an online tool that lets you build your logo and more items without spending a penny. The best thing about such logo makers is that they offer readymade templates yet let you get unique designs without compromising aesthetics and quality. You can save loads of time and money, and use your creativity to create perfect assets for your new business.
Leverage storytelling
Leveraging storytelling presents your brand as an authentic one and fosters strong connections with your audience. People are more likely to remember and recall brands that go the extra mile with narratives. You can pen down your vision and mission, highlight your journey, and express where you aim to reach. A strong narrative requires more than picking fancy words, rather it is more about being genuine and expressive.
Take Small Risks With Your Marketing Budget
Like it or not, you can’t always stick to free; sometimes, you just have to make an investment in your marketing budget, no matter how uncomfortable it might be. You need to understand all the ins and outs of marketing, such as the marketing efficiency ratio, ROI, and so much more. Very rarely does free marketing get any business anywhere. In fact, you’re lucky that anything gets viral because it almost never happens. So, posting on social media and Pinterest all the time isn’t going to get your business where it needs to be. Just take some small risks, assess, and just keep continuing until something sticks.
Position to win the market
Another valuable piece of advice to win the startup branding game is to position yourself to conquer the market. Doing your homework takes you a long way as it lets you understand the latest branding trends and follow the competitor strategies. You are in a better place to create a compelling personality and message for your new venture with a well-rounded plan.
Branding on a budget need not be challenging if you take the right approach and plan well. Follow these actionable branding tips to keep your startup afloat and emerge as a winner in the long run.
