If you own your own business then you know that being the best there is at what you do is only half the battle. In a world where the digital age has empowered more and more people to start up businesses of their own, competition had become more and more fierce and combative. Now, more than ever, it’s essential to build a brand that distinguishes you from your competitors. Yet, while many digitally savvy entrepreneurs know all about using Search Engine Optimization and social media management to build their brand, these are only a high profile piece of a very elaborate puzzle.
True branding needs to occur in the physical realm as well as the digital. Sometimes the old school methods are the best. At the very least you should consider using the tried and true branding techniques of yesteryear instead of investing all of your efforts and resources into digital brand building. If your business is ready for growth, an holistic approach to brand building can help to get you there. One such technique is the use of branded materials…
What are branded materials?
Wouldn’t it be great for your prospective customers to think of your brand every time they pick up a pen? Or reach into their closet? Or pour their cup of morning coffee? Branded materials can enable you to do exactly that. By putting your business name on everything from ball point pens and coffee cups to t-shirts, baseball caps and woven lanyards you can help to create a sense of ubiquity for your brand. But while branded materials can be extremely helpful in brand building they need to be used cleverly and judiciously. They take time and money to create and thus can’t afford to be thrown away indiscriminately. Here are some ways to use them to unleash their power…
Use them as freebies for leads
Everyone loves something for nothing and giving freebies to prospective leads can enable you to cement your brand’s presence in their minds. Every time someone contacts you asking for more information, be sure to send them some branded materials gratis like a free calendar or pen. This is a cost effective way of showing them that they are valued while also helping to promote your brand.
Give them out at trade shows and career fairs
Everyone loves trade shows and careers fairs not only because they’re great places to meet people, network and build contacts but also because of the free swag that tends to circulate at events such as these. Offer other businesses something truly worth taking home with them and you’ll be the belle of the proverbial ball.
Give them to co-branding companies
When it comes to expanding your reach, co-branding is a great way to work with another non-competing business on a shared project that can bring exposure and recognition to both of you. Give your branded materials to the employees of the other company is not only a nice goodwill gesture, it will help them to get to know your brand better.
A work room full of your brand’s mugs in another business? That’s the dream right there!