Creating Your Brand- DIY Sundays

Today's D.I.Y Sundays post will kick start our New Look, New ATTITUDE week of events, February 19-25, 2012. Remember to stop by tomorrow for the  New Look, New ATTITUDE  give-away #1.



Branding 

When most of us think about a brand the following readily comes to mind:


Meaning: (of goods and merchandise) marked or labelled by a distinctive word or symbol indicating exclusive rights


Context example: branded merchandise is that bearing a standard brand name


However, Angela Bain takes it a step further. According to Bain "a brand is more than the name or visual element used to represent your company. It is the emotional and psychological associations that a person makes with your business, product or service."  Today, we will look at how to create such a brand.



5 Steps to Creating Your Brand


Get a Logo


Get a  logo and place it everywhere. In blogging I have come to realize that a blog's logo often take the form of a blog button. There are certain blog buttons that are synonymous with the blogs they represent. once you see that button you make a connect to the blog. that for me is great branding. In essence I am saying that your logo should be unique should stand out, should represent what your blog has to offer.


Develop a Tagline


Develop a tagline. Write a memorable, meaningful and concise statement that captures the essence of your brand. This was hard for me to do because my blog did not have an obvious niche. For me, my tagline: providing information that matters helped me to carve my niche. It sounds weird but it did. Now i have a better idea of what i want to offer to my readers and my readers will also know what to expect form Lioness Rebirth: the Blog.

    Have a Mission Statement



    I have learnt that on your blog you should have a section that clearly states what your brand is about, what is your brand message and your tagline. This is usually found on the ABOUT page of most blogs. This will help your readers to understand the concept behind your brand. It can also let your readers' to identify with your blog if they agree with or like your massage.


      Have a Voice



      Create a "voice" for your company that reflects your brand. This voice should be applied to all written communication and incorporated in the visual imagery of all materials, online and off. Is your brand friendly? Be conversational. Is it ritzy? Be more formal. You get the gist.

        Be True and Consistent 

        Be true to your brand. Customers won't return to you--or refer you to someone else--if you don't deliver on your brand promise. This has been something that I am often mindful of. There are a number of things I would like to show case on my blog, however I have to be mindful of the fact that my person likes and preferences might no be those of my readers. Also these likes and preferences might not be linked to your brand.  Also, remember to  be consistent.  This can take the form of posting regularly. This was a major challenge for me in year one. I would build a momentum after weeks of regular posting and then stop posting due to the pressures of work or home. This i realized, caused me to lose consistent readers. I had to learn to write on the weekends and schedule my posting for the coming week. Remember if you cannot be consistent, your attempts at establishing a brand will fail. 


          BLOG DESIGNER

          On a note of branding, I would like to say thank you to Jacqui from Wacky Jacqui's Designs. She is responsible for the new look (redesign) of Lioness Rebirth. It has been a long and scary journey to get to this point. Long in the sense that I have wanted to do this for a while now and finally, it is done. Scary because I was afraid that the end result would not be what i liked or wanted.
          I must say that I love the design. I must also commend Jacqui for her time and patience. I know I was a very picky customer but she listened to my ideas and suggestions as well as she gave great advise (you were right about the date). More than anything I love the fact that I was able to get great service for a really affordable cost. If your on a tight budget and want great service and quality check  Jacqui at Wacky Jacqui's Designs.



          Resource site
          http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/77408

          Comments

          1. I found your blog from the Weekend Blog Hop. You have some very interesting ideas.

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          2. Great advice! New follower =)

            Sandie lee
            http://knowonderblog.blogspot.com

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          3. I found you via Exposure 99% Blog Hop. I am in the middle of expanding my brand a bit and found the post helpfull!!

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          4. I found your blog via the 99% blog hop. Following via GFC and hope you'll visit and follow back. I loved this post and signed up for your newsletter. Hope to read more. Donna

            http://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com

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          5. Stick to what works for you and stay true to yourself and what you want. You have something to say, say it. I like what you have done to your page here. Nice to have a makeover:)

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          6. I'm your newest follower from the Friendly Follower Blog Hop!  
            http://www.multitestingmommy.com/2012/02/friendly-followers-blog-hop-linky-219.html

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          7. Great advice and your blog design looks great!
            Following from the hop on GFC, G+, and Pinterest.

            Stop by and say hi when you get a chance:)
            www.theresasmixednuts.blogspot.com

            Theresa

            ReplyDelete

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