You have your logo, now what?
How to start implementing your brand.
So you’ve gone to all the effort of starting your business (congrats! That's a huge accomplishment!) you’ve got your brand spankin’ new logo... Now what?
Now is where the magic happens. You start to build your brand.
If you’re wondering what the next steps are, then sit right back and cozy on down, because I’m about to give you the answer…
Start introducing your brand.
You have to start introducing and building your brand.
Now, I know, you hear that everywhere and it is correct, but what does that actually mean? Better yet, what does it actually entail??
Ok, so first things first, you need to understand what a brand is and why it’s so important, but in quick, simple terms:
Your brand is ... everything
For reals, your brand is everything from what you do, how you speak and communicate and of course, your visuals.
This filters all way the down to how you do your socials, the colours you use, the uniforms you choose (or choose not to use!) to your business cards and website design. The list goes on!
Every touchpoint of your business – whether it's your main source of income, a side hustle or just a fun hobby, is part of your brand. Everything involved in your business is part of your brand.
So while you let that sink in, there are a few things you can do now to start building your brand.
Get Digital
Get your logo on all your social media platforms. Hype it up! Change/start all your socials and start generating some hype. Comment on other people's posts, encourage your followers to post comments on your posts. Use call to actions and get some awareness happening.
Get your website up and running! If you already have a website, make sure it reflects your new logo and branding.
Need to get your website happening still? Don’t just let your domain sit there. Create a landing page/coming soon page while your new site is being built – and have it branded with your new look.
Start creating social media posts with your new colour palette and font selections. These can be anything from inspirational quotes, product photography or images that reflect your content. Collect images that are aimed toward your target market – what's going to attract them to your profile? Is it sexy firemen? Cute kittens? Plants? Your products?
Share your startup story in your posts, on Facebook, on your website, everywhere – start spreading the word!
Print it out
Get some business cards. The humble business card can work as more than just a networking tool these days. They can be so versatile; you just need a bit of creativity or lateral thinking: Chuck them in your product packaging! If you don’t have branded packaging yet, pop one on the outside – gift tag style – so when people see your package, they can see straight away who it's from. It’s also handy to chuck an extra one inside for client insta photo opps 😉
Get some print collateral happening. Do you have a product list or service menu? How about Gift Vouchers? These are all extra items that can help carry and further the look of your brand. These too can go in delivery bags, gift vouchers, as displays in salon/in-store. Something tangible that your clients can take home or read over or while they’re in the waiting room.
Get some signage happening. Get your logo on your shopfront. Need something a bit faster? Get yourself an a-frame. These are great for brick and mortar stores, as well as for use at markets! Use them to get your brand and message in front of the crowds before they’ve even stepped up to your store.
If you’re like me and you’re an online business, the shopfront idea is out. But you can still get creative. Do you do Instagram and Facebook lives? Get a backdrop branded specifically to you and sit it behind you. Pull up banners are great for this kind of thing, as well as being useful at pop up stores or market stalls.
Get creative
There's no right or wrong way to start introducing and building your brand, but you do have to do it. You can follow along with our little guide above, or check out our free downloadable checklist to give you some more ideas. Get creative! The sky is the limit, and the sooner you start, the better!
