Plan a journey

As a branding agent with nearly 20 years of experience, I've seen many startups come and go. Some have succeeded beyond their wildest dreams, while others have floundered and faded into obscurity. Over the years, I've noticed a common thread among those that succeed: a strong brand.

The problem is that many startups fail to prioritise branding in their early stages. They focus on product development, marketing, and sales but overlook the importance of creating a unique brand identity. Of course, inviting a customers and money coming in is the most important for every business but without a strong brand, it's hard for a startup to stand out in a crowded marketplace and build a loyal customer base.

It is especially true for startups with a yearly revenue of £4 million or more. These companies have already achieved some success, but from my experience, this is where they need to take their branding to the next level if they want to continue growing and expanding their customer base.

Branding can help organise the entire advertising and messaging structure and, in most cases, is the secret key to business growth.

The challenge is that branding can be a complex and time-consuming process. It requires a deep understanding of the target audience, a clear understanding of the company's values and mission, and the ability to create a compelling brand story that resonates with customers. And that is the problem. Many startups need to figure out what values to present. They must realise that effective marketing and representation of their business is crucial to the success of their plan. They must develop a comprehensive and actionable branding plan with specific steps to achieve the desired image or reputation. Failure to do so will leave them scrambling to keep up with their competitors. Their business plan may be strong, but without a compelling branding strategy, it is doomed to fail.

Many startups don't have the in-house expertise or resources to tackle this challenge independently. They may have a basic logo and website, but they haven't invested the time and effort into creating a comprehensive brand strategy that can truly differentiate them from the competition. And many don't even know if that target audience can be expanded. Some of them find one or two clients who pay well, and they fall into the illusion of quick success. Soon they find out they are almost employees to these clients, and there are no more expansion options at that point. 

That's why hiring a branding agency is essential at an early stage. Yes, at an early stage!

I don't care if many internet and business gurus say otherwise. The fact is that branding brings clarity to your marketing and the whole advertising process. Ideally, branding should be done before starting any marketing. As we mentioned earlier, imagine branding as a business plan or a guideline for promoting and advertising. 

We've helped countless startups create strong and compelling brands in many industries. What we have seen in common is that finding what resonates with the target audience is the key to creating a strong base. It is much easy to expand from that point. Of course, we have the expertise and resources to guide our clients through every step of the branding process because we already have the experience. Still, I can not stop stressing about priority number one for every brand - start with the target audience. From brand strategy to visual Identity to messaging and storytelling, knowing your customer base is the stepping stone you need to turn to make any other step.

Having in mind all said, You must understand that branding is not just about creating a logo or a website. It's about creating a unique and compelling brand identity that resonates with your target audience, communicates your values and mission, and sets you apart from the competition.

All starts with conducting in-depth research into the desired industry, target audience, and competitors. We use this information to develop a comprehensive brand strategy encompassing every aspect of the brand, from visual Identity to messaging and storytelling.

We work closely with our clients to ensure that their brand reflects their values and mission and resonates with their target audience. We create a compelling brand story that communicates who they are, what they stand for, and why customers should choose them over the competition. 

Walking route: What do you need to know

about the branding?  

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The branding process is not complicated, at least not for the client. Usually, the agency takes on the hard work and depending on the project scope; it takes from a few weeks to a few months. Indeed it is a very creative process, and as with any other innovative operation, every idea must be tested or considered. Still, we encourage our clients to take part in some aspects. Because branding, in many ways, is a guide to visual or copywriting and general - promoting and advertising. We always use visualisation to navigate the process for the best performance. Here is a basic idea of what stages goes in the branding process:

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• The brand strategy outlines the brand's values, mission, and unique selling points. It involves thoroughly understanding the target audience and competition and having a clear plan for the brand's growth and development. An essential part of that stage is the positioning in the marketplace. Discovering methods to differentiate the brand from its competition and guarantee its prominence in the market is crucial to developing a successful brand strategy.

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• Brand Communication: Create a captivating narrative for the brand that effectively conveys its values and mission to the intended audience. It encompasses all aspects of online presence, from website content to social media updates, and provides direction on messaging and tone of voice.

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• Visual Identity Develop a captivating brand identity that effectively conveys your brand's character and principles. It entails designing your logo, choosing a colour palette, selecting typography, and integrating other visual components throughout your marketing materials. It is recommended to create a detailed brand guideline. This guideline should cover the usage of the logo, colours, typography, and other visual elements to maintain consistency in all marketing materials.

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• Brand Implementation: The agency assists clients in implementing their new brand across all marketing channels, such as their website, social media profiles, advertising campaigns, and other materials. Ensuring their brand is cohesive and impactful across all channels. Additionally, some agencies offer ongoing support and guidance whenever it is needed.
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Investing in strong branding can significantly

impact the success of startups.

• Increased Brand Awareness: A powerful and captivating brand can increase recognition among its intended audience, leading to heightened website traffic, greater social media involvement, and increased brand visibility overall.

• Improved Customer Loyalty: A strong brand can foster an emotional bond with customers, resulting in higher loyalty and frequent patronage. The businesses can gain enhancements in customer retention and loyalty alongside a surge in customer referrals and favourable feedback.

• Competitive Advantage: A well-developed brand identity can help businesses stand out and gain a competitive edge in the crowded marketplace. It can increase sales, revenue, and a more robust industry standing.

• Expanded Market Reach: A strong brand can help startups expand their market reach and attract new customers. By creating a brand that resonates with a broader audience, they can tap into new markets and grow their customer base.

By investing in strong branding, startups can establish themselves as credible players in their industry, differentiate themselves from competitors, and tap into new markets and opportunities.

Branding has never been more critical in today's fast-paced and competitive business landscape. Investing in a strong brand identity and strategy can help startups stand out in a crowded marketplace, build customer loyalty, and achieve long-term success.

We are helping startups and businesses create compelling brand identities that inspire and influence. Our comprehensive branding services, including brand strategy, visual Identity, messaging and storytelling, and brand guidelines, are designed to help businesses establish a unique and compelling brand that resonates with their target audience.

If you're a startup with a yearly revenue of £4 million or more, we encourage you to check out our website blog for more information on the importance of branding and how our branding agency can help take your business to the next level. And if you're ready to take the next step and invest in a strong and compelling brand, please don't hesitate to contact us today. We look forward to working with you and helping you achieve your branding goals. Call us today and get six mounts of free monthly consultation.

Quit selling products or services and start selling your brand

Metaka Mfm

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