Dana McQueen, owner of McQueen’s Interiors in Morehead City, NC | Brand Shoot

When we think of bold brands…that stand the test of time, I think there are 7 key components that help us all craft standout brands. In today’s marketing world, it’s noisy. It’s even overwhelming at times. So how do we cut through the noise and clutter to seek out our ideal customers and meet their needs in only ways that we can?

I truly think it’s the brand that you build. Your brand has many components…from images to brand voice to client experience and the way you make people feel to the problems that you solve for your people to the reputation that you build and what people say about you when you aren’t in the room.

Let’s look at the 7 key things we should all remember as we are building out our brands in ways to help them stand out…

Consistency Builds Trust

Consistency in branding across all platforms is not just about aesthetics; it’s about building trust with your audience. Whether your business operates in-person or online, maintaining a cohesive visual identity sends a message of reliability and professionalism. Studies show that businesses with consistent branding can increase revenue by up to 23%, as customers are more likely to engage with and purchase from brands they recognize and trust. This means you need to keep showing up. Don’t post and ghost or don’t do something one time and not get the results you were hoping for and then disappear into the recesses of the market. Those that win are the ones who are still showing up the game week after week after week. Stay consistent to build that brand trust.

First Impressions Matter:

In today’s fast-paced digital world, where attention spans are dwindling, making a strong first impression is crucial. Ooooh…this stat will preach….Research indicates that a staggering 94% of first impressions are design-related. This underscores the importance of investing in high-quality branding assets and images that capture the essence of your business and resonate with your target audience from the moment they encounter your brand. When a brand has imagery that is professionally done and curated…it gives you an elevated look right off the bat. I always say that a front porch selfie is no longer going to be sufficient. We are savvy shoppers and our eyes instantly know when something was thoughtfully prepared by an expert or when something was pieced together on the fly. Invest in great visuals and I promise there will be a ROI!!!!

Stand Out in a Crowded Market:

In a saturated market, differentiation is key to success. With the amount of new businesses, especially online, having a strong brand is more critical than ever. By developing a unique brand identity that reflects your values, personality, and offering, you can carve out a distinct niche and attract loyal customers who resonate with your brand. Show people what it looks like to work with you. You should be the face of your brand….or at least known as the owner or founder. Highlight your team or members of them that are customer facing…talk about their strengths and the way that only your team can get it done. Be different by showing up differently.

Emotional Connection Drives Loyalty:

Building an emotional connection with your audience is so important for fostering long-term loyalty. Women, in particular, value brands that evoke emotions and align with their values. Research shows that when women feel an emotional connection to a brand, it can lead to deeper engagement and stronger brand loyalty among your target demographic. As women, we often care about the people behind the brand and the stories that are the origin and the wins and the roadblocks and how they overcame the trials and had a transformation in some way. We are invested in the stories…find ways to connect your story to the story of your community. How can you help them, serve them, educate them, entertain them, solve problems for them? Show up as a human and make connections.

Visual Content is Key:

In today’s visually-driven digital landscape, the importance of visual content cannot be overstated. Content accompanied by relevant images garners a staggering 94% more views than content without visuals. That’ll preach!!!! Whether it’s on social media, your website, or marketing materials, incorporating compelling branding images not only attracts attention but also enhances engagement and reinforces brand messaging. Did you know that on a website page, EVERY IMAGE will be viewed, but the written content will be scanned for the important details…that’s why we break up large paragraphs with bullet points or images or line breaks or use a graphic or even emojis. It helps us scan for the important details. But every image will be viewed…people are looking at your brand visuals. And consciously or subconsciously, they are making decisions based on what they see…or don’t see from you and your brand. I have so many stories from friends who make buying decisions based on what they can see online…from gyms to restaurants to clothing boutiques to hair salons to spas…we want to see images that help us know what to expect when we walk in the door. Ask a millennial or Gen Z buyer if they look up most places online or on social media before they go there…will they like what they see from your visual presence?

Consistent Branding Improves Recognition:

Consistency breeds familiarity, and familiarity breeds trust. This highlights the power of cohesive branding in fostering brand recognition and recall. Whether it’s your logo, color scheme, or tone of voice, ensuring consistency in your branding efforts reinforces your brand identity and makes it easier for customers to recognize and remember your business. We want to know what to expect and when your brand assets and your brand feel is consistent, your customers and clients will be more loyal. It’s the know, like and trust factor.

Brand Storytelling Resonates:

In a sea of marketing messages, storytelling is a powerful tool for capturing attention and fostering emotional connections with your audience. Research reveals that 55% of consumers are more likely to buy from a company that tells a compelling brand story. By crafting a narrative that communicates your brand’s values, mission, and unique selling proposition, you can create meaningful connections with your audience and differentiate your brand in the marketplace. When we talk about competition…you are simply in competition with yourself because there isn’t another YOU!! Your brand story is unique, the way you serve is unique and the way that you show up is likely unique as well. Think of ways that you can create, share and evolve in your own brand story and I promise, your people will come along with you on the journey.

I hope that these ideas for ways that we can all think about Crafting a Standout Brand ourselves as Women in Business were helpful in looking at what you are doing super well in your branding and marketing but also gave you a few new ideas or simple reminders for ways that you can enhance it and take it to the next level.

Have a great week!

Blessings,

Corry