Every business wants to get its brand on a level where it becomes a proprietary eponym. Granted, not many brands make it to that point. However, any efforts a company undertakes to improve brand awareness is invaluable and remains one of the best things you can do for your company to thrive. Here are five ways to improve brand awareness.
1. Work on Your SEO
One hundred billion searches are conducted on Google alone each month. However, most consumers will not go beyond the first page of search results. A majority will not look past the first five results.
This tells you the importance of Search Engine Optimization for your business. By staying on top of SEO rules, you increase the likelihood of your brand being among the top results-and, in turn, you increase your visibility and awareness. SEO benefits are not only limited to search engines. Adherence to SEO rules improves readability of your online content as well.
Be that as it may, SEO rules and algorithms are constantly being revised and can be challenging to keep up with. If this is a struggle for your business, you can consider using content marketing software tools. These tools do a myriad of functions for you from email marketing to finding top performing content on social media to giving you data on keyword search, SEO audits and competitor analysis. This information is pivotal in improving your SEO content and pushing your brand to better visibility.
2. Develop a Company Website
You cannot underestimate the value of a website in brand building and awareness. A website gives you unlimited opportunities for you to brand and interact with your audience devoid of traditional media limitations.
Speaking on the role of websites, Phil Singleton, the CEO of Kansas City Web Design advises businesses to use their websites to “educate, demonstrate authority and most of all, establish trust”
One of the ways to do this is via blogging. Develop great content for your blogs to speak to your niche market. Discuss your products in detail and demonstrate how they solve a problem for your customers. Also, allow users to interact with you and give feedback.
Use your website not just for a one-stop shop for your brand, but also to link out to your social media platforms. The goal here is to have conversations, have your brand name, logo, products and values out there as much as possible. This will increase visibility so that your customers have you in mind and view you as the go-to in your niche market.
3. Go out on Road Shows and Industry Events
Roadshows have just the right amount of pomp and color to attract attention to your activities and subsequently to your brand. It’s hard to miss the branded buses, and the stalls draped in corporate colors.
Hold such shows as often as your budget allows, and use them as an opportunity to talk to your customers and potential customers about your brand and what you offer. The same goes for industry events like trade fairs, exhibitions and seminars. Again, use these as opportunities to make statements about your brand and to interact and showcase the superiority of what you have to offer.
4. Invest in Corporate Giveaways
The best time for corporate giveaways is towards the end of the year. However, you do not need a special occasion to give a gift. Giving out well-branded items throughout the year can do wonders for your brand.
Choose easy-to-brand items within your marketing budget and have these on hand for your existing and potential clients. You can take this along on roadshows and company events or use them as in-store take-aways.
Because the goal is to get your brand seen, pick items that people are likely to carry around-stress balls, notebooks, headphones, power banks and so on. Go for usable and portable items and if possible avoid the cliché items that every other company gives.
5. Bring Influencers on Board
Influencers can help you skip the line when it comes to brand awareness. For one, they have large active social media followers. A single mention of your product by an influencer has the potential to be viewed by millions simultaneously. Secondly, they are already a trusted, authority. As a business, you are a stranger, while the influencer is more of a trusted friend to the masses.
Get an influencer that’s already well-aligned to your niche, and you are on your way there. For example, a known name in health and fitness would be great for an organic juice bar. A party animal would be great for a new and happening nightclub. Strive to build a symbiotic relationship. Supply your influencers with your product, share their news on your website and social media as well. Make this a win-win for both parties.
Brand awareness is a continuous, consistent effort. Keep engaging with the public in as many, out-of-the-box ways as possible. This list is a great place to start if you want to make headway.