{"id":18612,"date":"2020-05-19T08:41:22","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T07:41:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stephaniesmolders.com\/?p=18612"},"modified":"2023-01-08T18:52:26","modified_gmt":"2023-01-08T17:52:26","slug":"building-a-brand-vs-building-a-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stephaniesmolders.com\/oldwebsite\/building-a-brand-vs-building-a-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Building a Brand vs. a Business: What\u2019s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Your brand = your business, right?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Well, not exactly. A business is a company\u2014it comprises your marketing, your product and services, your staff and fellow visionaries. On the other hand, a brand is your business\u2019 image and identity<\/em>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to simply say, \u201cOh, so it all relies on my logo, right?\u201d Logos and your visual identity is a big part of your branding but that is not the major player. Branding isn\u2019t just aesthetics. Building a brand means that you need to take into consideration the emotion it evokes from your audience. It always boils down to how you want your target prospects to perceive you.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at Apple. As of 2019, they\u2019re valued at $206 billion<\/a>! Sure, they\u2019re just another tech and mobile brand but the reason it draws people in and makes them come back for more is that they evoke a feeling of luxury\u2014from their prices to the metallic finish of the products.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

At the same time, they give off a non-intimidating vibe by cutting out the tech talk at first glance. Their marketing is always driven by value and benefits. Apple built its company in a way where once you go Apple, you never go back. You become a part of the family, identify with their core beliefs, and even subconsciously fawn over the minimalistic product range and clean edges.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s take a look at Starbucks.<\/h4>\n

One major factor that makes it the successful brand that it is today is convenience. Almost every city has a Starbucks on every corner. This makes them the go-to for friends who want to catch up or an hour or two of quiet time for college students studying for their finals.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

And while Starbucks doesn’t have the best coffee in the world, it still stood out to people because of the quick service (you get your coffee in just a few minutes) and how they named their cup sizes.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The founder, Howard Schultz, was inspired by the way the Italians do coffee\u2014a quick shot in the morning before work and a nice way to chat with friends and neighbors. He wanted to create a culture that revolves around coffee. This led to him naming the sizes Tall, Venti, and Grande, making the brand even more memorable.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Why should I focus on building a brand?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

To stand out.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

That\u2019s basically the biggest thing you should be aiming for. Having a functional and effective product is good but almost everyone in your industry can have the same offer with the same features. Some of them have the advantage of a cheaper price tag or more years in the industry.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Beyond making your product stand out, your brand gives you the edge because it helps you build relationships with your target market\u2014which leads to more sales and return clients in the future<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

To identify with your mission and become your loyal brand ambassadors. The tipping point from being a good business to being a multi-million company is the moment your brand ambassadors start doing your marketing, sharing and caring and being a part of your business’s future.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Remember that people buy with their emotions, which is only supported by logic later on. Your branding appeals to those emotions. You want people to become a part of your brand.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

People aren\u2019t buying a product. They\u2019re buying an ideal<\/em>. They\u2019re buying an experience. They\u2019re buying a lifestyle. They\u2019re buying convenience.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

How to start building a brand that\u2019s memorable<\/strong><\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a few things you need to check off your list<\/a> if you want to build a strong image and identity for your customers. Here are three questions to ask yourself if you want to create a memorable brand: \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do I address my customers?\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Be conscious of the way you speak because this is your brand\u2019s voice. This tells a lot about your relationship with them.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Is your brand voice more like a caring and soothing type, giving an impression of a mother figure that comforts and supports? Or is it more youthful, fun, and carefree\u2014it\u2019s like the friend you\u2019ll make at summer camp who you know you\u2019ll have a long-lasting friendship with?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cHow am I different from other (YOUR INDUSTRY) companies out there?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Answering this question will give you some insight into your USP or Unique Selling Proposition. Maybe your business coaching programs aren\u2019t the corporate, serious type and you\u2019re more into a quirky, empowering style. This makes you stand out because prospects will have the feeling that you\u2019re more relatable.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Or maybe you don\u2019t have the usual coffee place. Maybe each cup is infused with the tiniest bit of alcohol content, which makes it the best coffee shop for when friends go for an end-of-the-week get-together.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cIf my business turned into a person, her\/his personality would be….\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Contrary to popular belief, branding is<\/em> a two-way street. It doesn\u2019t just end with how your target market feels about your business. How you want your business to be perceived also plays a major role. (It does start with you, you know!)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Take into consideration what kind of relationship you\u2019d like to have with your target clients then build from there. Want to be the design studio that new business owners flock to for their marketing materials?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Most new entrepreneurs might hesitate to invest in graphics since they think it\u2019s okay to DIY. If that\u2019s the case, educate them about the importance of good graphics and how it catches people\u2019s attention when actually done right (since most people are<\/em> visual learners). This positions you as their guiding light in the world of graphic design.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

To conclude, your brand and your business go hand in hand. To be more specific, it\u2019s the pushing force of your business. It\u2019s the foundation for your marketing and your branding is what sells your products and services.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re ready to build your own strong & relatable brand, I have created something for you:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Introducing\u2026 <\/strong>Build-A-Brand<\/strong><\/a>!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This course includes everything you need to build a strong foundation for your brand and business. After following this course your brand WILL stand out! You’ll walk away with so much clarity and confidence that clients easily come your way.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll walk you through creating the three fundamental pieces mentioned above and more!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a0Comes with<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n