Branding On a Budget

By Suhaib Mohammed

How do you stamp your business name in your customer’s heart? You need effective branding. As a small business owner, it is important to have a branding budget that won’t break the bank. Here are some cost-effective ways to brand your company on a tight budget:

Create a logo

One of the most cost-effective ways to brand your business is to create a professional looking logo that will resonate with your target audience. A good logo will make you stand out from the crowd and serve as a burning tattoo in the minds of your prospects and customers.

When creating a logo, don’t obsess over beautiful designs; rather focus on creating a logo that is functional, (i.e. will work well on your business materials including letterheads, business cards, eBooks), appropriate (ensure that the image and colour combinations fit your business) and simple (keep it clean and trouble-free). Cregital Agency offers affordable branding and design services.

Design a memorable business card

Like your logo, your business card should also stand out and position you differently in your industry. Get quality business cards that are cost effective. You can hire a designer in your locality to design it or employ a professional freelancer on oDesk or Upwork at an affordable price.

Engage your customers with content

Beyond logo or any corporate image, one of the most effective ways to brand your business on a shoestring budget is through content marketing. Create content with  video, text or info graphics – and share them with your audience for free to the get attention that is earned.

By repeatedly sharing valuable content that educates your audience about the benefits of your products and services, you’re engaging them. It’s easier for prospects whom your content resonates with, to share it online with their own followers, and also patronize you.

Give out freebies

Giving out freebies is a good branding technique and also a great marketing strategy. Whether you’re an e-commerce vendor or a brick-and-mortar business owner, giving out free items to your target audience, pays off  in the short term and long term, plus it’s cost-effective. You can give out an e-Book, course content, or  your products to your audience for free. This will make your customers review your products first-hand and will encourage them to keep buying if they are impressed.

Create a good slogan

One of the best ways to brand your business on a tight budget is to craft a good slogan. Great slogans are short and succinct – they define what you do, state your value proposition and profile the very customers you’re targeting, in a concise manner.

Great slogans stick like glue in your customers’ hearts, ‘reminding them consciously and unconsciously of your product, over and over again,’ says Charlie Cook, a marketing consultant at Marketing for Success.

Slogans are a great branding and marketing technique that, aside from stamping your business in the hearts and minds of your customers, can make your product go viral through word of mouth advertisement.

If you found this post useful please share: