10 WAYS TO BUILD A

FOR YOUR SMALLLOCAL BUSINESS

By Justin PresleyMicromedia

ABOUT JUSTIN PRESLEY Justin Presley is a co-owner and Director of Charleston,West Virginia-based content marketing firm Micromedia. There he oversees social media campaigns, brand

development, and graphic design. He also aids in web design and development. Justin comes from diverse industry experiences, including retail, health care, and in the food services. Justin’s expierences, coupled with his creative talents and marketing expertise, prove to be a benifit for Micromedia clients.

Justin lives in Charleston, West Virginia. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, camping, hiking, and other outdoor actitivies. You can catch him watching CNBC’s “The Profit” and reading John Ghrisham novels. Ocasionally he enjoys deep fried Feta. He hopes to one day own a restaurant (in addition to Micromedia, of course).

Justin can be reached at justin@micromediawv.com or by calling

(304) 506-7097.

(c) 2014 Micromedia. All Rights Reserved.

Branding your small company is just as important as if it were a corpration. Most Big corprations try branding themselves as a small business because that’s what most customers perfer over the larger businesses. The key to branding is not just a fancy logo, it’s how you persent your company as a whole and how the public perseves it. Most cosumers see right through the gloss and charm you pitch at them, so give them something unique but true to your roots. Something they can connect with you on a deeper level. This will lead to higher sales and repeat customers. Here is ten tips on how you can set your company apart from others and be that thriving business owner you know you can be.

INTRO

Tip 1. START BY DEFINING YOUR BRAND.

Listen to your customers demands and needs, so you can find what your market demand is, and set yourself apart. Review your product services and do research. Your brand should promote your business, so you can connect with your customers on a personal basis.

Tip 2. THINK OF YOUR BRAND AS A PERSON.

Define who you are and what you connect with. Each person – and brand - is unique and has personality. When building your brand it’s very important to have that understanding. Understand who your target market is , and pay attention age groups, so you can decide what direction to steer your company. Keeping your mind open can lead you to endless possibilities

TIP 3. KNOW WHAT IS DRIVING YOUR BUSINESS

What is the business purpose and who is your brand modeled after? These help you establish your brand positioning and keep the brand idenity and character. Always keep in mind, at some point, there is room for your brand to grow, but only when you feel the market is right.

TIP 4. BUILD A LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS.

Be clear of what your brand is. Create trust with with your brand. Stay true to the values of your company and what drives it. You want to be able to stand behind your brand 100%.

TIP 5. SPEAK TO YOUR CUSTOMERS WITH A STEADY VOICE.

This will help reinforce the business character and offerings, so customers know what to expect from the product or services. It also clarifys you stand by your product.

TIP 6. DON’T REPEAT THE SAME MESSAGE IN THE SAME WAY OVER AND OVER.Make your message work together so the customer understands the brand. No one wants to feel as if you feel they don’t understand what your say-ing, so you have to repeat it again and again. Come up with a basic guide line and branch from there, because you can understand what the customer is asking and be able to answer them accordingly.

TIP 7. DON’T TRY TO COPY THE LOOK OF CHAINS OR BIG BRANDS.

Try and create your own brandafter all big chains are trying to mimic you! Customers are looking for something original and authentic as they are. Big chains want the small business feel, so give them something to aspire after, and this can make your brand noticeable and your business a success.

TIP 8. GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

Partner up with a local food bank, homeless shelter, animal shelter,etc. Customers love to see someone they buy products from give back. Not only does it help these places out, but your brand will be well respected as well as your business. This will help be well known. The community gets to know your brand, and they will check out your business. This is advertisement for your company. The best part - it’s free!

TIP 9. CONSIDER YOUR BRAND WHEN TALKING TO CUSTOMERS.

Instead of slashing prices all the time, try a promotion with your custom-ers. Lets say you have a promotion on facebook, if they like your page and buy 2 candles, they get a 2oz candle free! Anyone who gets something free will be more willing to come back to your store and shop, expecially if they love your product. This will also lead them to come shop in your store to pick out the two candles they want to buy. Most people who go in a store will walk out with more then what they intended to buy.

TIP 10. MAKE YOUR LOGO MYSTERIOUS.

Generate some mystery with your logo. Make customers want to see what products you offer. Having a mysterious logo will keep customers talking and telling others about your products and store. Making people curious isn’t always a bad thing.

I hope this little bit of advise will help your company sail beyond what you ever imagined. Have fun and be creative. Always remember, don’t just reach for the stars, when there is a whole universe out there to explore.

Justin PresleyYours truely,