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Startup Guide
How to Develop a Meaningful Brand

When launching a new business, budgets can be tight, prompting some entrepreneurs to create their business's brand without professional support. It’s no surprise that taking the DIY route to branding can lead to some common misconceptions and mistakes if you’re not a brand strategist. 

 

While professional support is ideal for brand development, it’s understandable that in the early stages of business, you may choose to create your brand independently to launch the business. If this resonates with you, read on for clarity and guidance for creating a meaningful brand.

DIY Guide to Brand Development

Before we get started, it’s important to know what a brand is and why it matters. A brand encapsulates your vision, values, approach, and actions in the world. It embodies the entirety of interactions between your business and the consumer. A brand encompasses both tangible and intangible elements, it’s a holistic experience compilated from each touchpoint between your business and the consumer.

A brand is a collection of impressions, emotions, values, aspirations, and ideas associated with a company. 

Bright Brands Consulting, Brand Development, Brand Consultant,
Image by Bart LaRue

The Heart of Business

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Brand importance, sales, brand strategy, brand consultant

Why Your Brand Matters

Your brand has the power to either make or break your business. It serves as the initial impression of your company and is often the deciding factor for consumers when making a purchase. Powerful brands give businesses the ability to command higher prices (people are willing to pay more for brands they admire!), attract top-tier talent, differentiate from competitors in a saturated market, and persuade consumers. Strong brands build awareness, trust, credibility, and business value; they also make the sales process a lot easier by attracting consumers and communicating unique value in a meaningful way. 

 

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Your brand can drive sales and success!

A Simplified Process to Creating a Brand for Startups or Entrepreneurs who are Launching a Business

Brand Messaging

I take my clients through a collaborative process to get to the heart of the business and what truly matters. 

 

I’m a fan of Simon Sinek. If you’re not familiar with his work, check out this Ted talk where he explains “The Golden Circle” - a simple framework for crafting your brand message. Key takeaway: Begin with why, providing customers with a compelling reason to be interested, then delve into how your business fulfills its mission, and end by stating what you're selling. We are emotional creatures, and emotion is part of our decision-making process. 

A brand message is much more compelling when it evokes emotions and gives consumers a reason to care, rather than rattle off a list of specs.

Golden circle.png

When it comes to brand development, it’s crucial to think of the consumer first. The consumer should be the star of your story.

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Scroll below for questions to spark thought and help you form a strategic brand.

The NEED

  • What is the problem that your company exists to solve?

  • Who is affected by the problem?

Brand strategy, brand framework, consumer understanding

The folks at Strategyzer created this wonderful template to help consider consumer perspectives.

Crafting your Message

Do: always think about the consumer and why they should care about what you’re saying

Don't: list off facts and specs without explaining the benefit (pain reliever, gain creator)

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Developing your Brand Manifesto

I’ve thrown a lot of questions out at you! If you’ve made it this far: well done! Now you can take a step back and look at your responses for a view of the big picture as we develop a key to your brand foundation: your brand manifesto.

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Your brand manifesto is a way to communicate your vision, mission, and values with purpose. It steers the direction for your company and brand identity. 

 

You can follow this simple framework that I developed to create your brand manifesto. The following provides key building blocks and sample statements to shape your brand manifesto. 

Brand Manifesto Framework, Bright Brands, Ashley, Brand Strategy Consultant.png

Brand Manifesto - Base Framework

The output of this framework can be used as a base for your brand manifesto and story.

Summary

How to Develop a Meaningful Brand - Basic Rules

  1. Start your brand message with ‘Why’. Talk in terms of consumer needs and interests. Why are you here? Why should consumers care? Why should I choose you over competitors?

  2. Create a Unique Value Proposition that’s clear & compelling

  3. Write a manifesto to guide your brand and business

  4. Focus on consumer value and benefit

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The brand development journey can feel daunting: whether you’re solo or with a team and need to align stakeholders, a lack of brand expertise and time can be a real challenge. If you’re ready to invest in your brand strategy development, I’m here to help! Contact ashley@brightbrandsconsulting.com to build a bright brand and strong future together.

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