Company Branding Ideas That Make Businesses Stand Out

Consider your favourite shoes, the phone model you love the most, or even the spot where you get your coffee in the morning. How do you recognise them when they are amongst numerous others? You identify their logos, their colours, or the vibe they give off when you see them.

That is essentially company branding. Essentially, it's not merely a posh term for a business logo. Rather, it is the character of your business. It is the way in which people recall you.

1. Choose a Limited Number of Colours and Always Use Them

Colours are a very strong thing. They stir emotions in us. For instance, red might make us feel energetic or hungry. Blue may have the effect of making us feel safe and serene. Green often conjures up images of nature or health. When embarking on your company branding, decide on two or three colours only.

2. Tell a Simple Story

People are drawn to stories; they don't just buy products, but also the story connected to the product. Sometimes a story about your business can be just what they need. What made you start your business? Did you want to make life easier for your family? Did you want to solve a problem that you see commonly in your area? Put your story on your website. Use simple words.

3. Keep Your Logo Clean and Simple

The best logos of some of the world's biggest companies are surprisingly simple. Just picture a plain apple, a checkmark, or a yellow letter "M." For your logo, you do not have to go for a very detailed design.

An awesome logo is one that people can read and remember easily. Also, it should be able to look good on a huge billboard as well as a tiny phone screen. If there are too many details in your logo, it will not be neat. So, keep it clean.

4. Treat Customers Like Friends

Branding goes beyond just how you talk the talk on your website and social media; it also encompasses how you walk the walk with people. If your business is kind, helpful, and warm, that defines your brand. Respond to mail in a timely. Good customer service is the best marketing.

5. Be the Same Everywhere

Think about if your best friend was so different every time you saw them, you'd hardly recognize them. You would probably be quite confused. This is what happens with a business; it is confusing if a business keeps changing.

Your business needs to look and communicate the same way everywhere. For example, how you write on Facebook should be similar to how you write in an email. The design of your website should be the same as the design of your printed menus or flyers. Whenever your business feels the same everywhere, it creates a feeling of safety and solidity.

6. Give Away Small, Useful Gifts

Who doesn't love freebies? One of the next-best things to using your brand name and colours in conjunction with your giveaways is that people will remember your name.

Examples of items that people use on a day to day basis that you can get and give away with your brand name and colours include:

• Pens

• Tote bags

• Notebooks

• Stickers

Think about what happens if a customer is using your pen at work every day. They are looking at your business name day after day. So when they need your services, your business name will be the first thing they think of.

The Golden Rule of Branding: Clearly say what you want to say rather than cleverly disguising it. You should not strive to be so unclear that people don't understand big words or are put off by wild designs. Honest, consistent and helpful is the way to go.

Great company branding does not happen overnight. You also do not need a fortune to do it on the level. So long as you use the same colours, show your real story, and respect people, you will be able to build a business that shines among others.