… and 5 it doesn’t
So what are your “must haves” when it comes to setting up your new business venture? And what are the services that will cost time and money, distracting you from your core job of building your customer base. Contrary to the advice of branding consultants, most startups thrive despite (or even because of) their lack of a poster stating their corporate values, mission and vision.
Here are the top 5 branding tools you will need in a startup…. and 5 you won’t!
1. Business name
Naming a business should be taken as seriously as naming your children. You must spend the next decade convincing clients you are a solid, professional business, so don’t make life difficult – make sure your name reflects your service and your client profile.
- Don’t be cute or funny – unless you sell to teenage girls
- Don’t get too clever with spelling – people have to find you on search engines
- Don’t be obscure – three letters + Consulting might sound cool but you will struggle to distinguish your services.
- Check that some version of your business name is available as a domain.
To extend your business name, add a tagline or slogan that outlines your service. Nike has Just Do It! Coke Adds Life. In a way, a tagline is your vision, mission and marketing strategy rolled into one practical sentence. If you struggle to come up with a short tagline, you might need to think more about your business.
2. A domain name with email
Nothing says “I work from my garage” like a gmail, yahoo or outlook.com email address! A matched business name, domain name and email will mean that your emails are less likely to be relegated to spam. The repetition of your name each time a prospect emails you will improve recognition. Once a client has your email address, he can check your website and find other contact information.
3. A logo
It is tempting to borrow a logo off the internet. If your business takes off, it will need to be redrawn so you can use it in higher quality and larger sizes. Don’t use Microsoft WordArt. Ever.
When you are just starting out, it is best that your logo incorporates your company name for improved memorability. Colours and fonts affect people on a subconscious level and help to create that all important first impression. Make sure they project the right personality for your business.
4. A “1 minute marketing pitch”
There are a dozen situations every week where you get less than a minute with a potential prospect – except you don’t know he’s a prospect yet. He’s the guy you meet in the lift, a person stuck in a queue with you or someone you sit next to at a business breakfast. Be ready to describe your business benefit in 3 sentences or less.
5. A mailing list
Email is still the most effective marketing tool around. At some point you will want to email people your latest blog, some company news or industry gossip. Start building up a mailing list on Excel, with columns for the contact name, company, and category of contact. You will thank me later when you set up your MailChimp newsletter account.
Or best of all attend industry events and join an association that brings you face-to-face with leaders in your client field – in these days of non-stop digital and online self-promotion, be real.
5 things you probably don’t need [yet]
X. Social Media
Forget Facebook, Twitter, and all the others. Social media is usually free, which tells you about the type of companies who rely on it for marketing. Social media is for social relationships, and you will be un-friended the second you try to sell to buddies. Although you will feel like you are marketing as you create all these cool accounts and post for an hour a day, in reality social media posts are a form of marketing procrastination. Get away from the computer and connect face-to-face.
Caveat 1: Google My Business
Set up an account and get on the map. Literally. Get your friends to give you reviews. Post your portfolio. If you have a good location, post photos of your office and products.
Caveat 2: LinkedIn when you’re a consultant or coach…
That said, if you are a consultant or sell your services to job seekers, LinkedIn is your friend. The right time to create a LinkedIn account and connect was last year when you had that fancy corporate job and people wanted your business. The second best time is today.
- First update your LinkedIn profile and include recent [work] photos and projects. Take it seriously.
- Then reconnect with all your past colleagues and clients. Recommend them, endorse them and perhaps they will return the favour. Don’t sound desperate, and don’t immediately talk about your new product or service.
- Write 3 blogs on topics that are of interest and use to your target market and industry and published them on LinkedIn. Use graphics. Show off your capabilities and knowledge.
- Regularly share and like other people’s blogs on LinkedIn – people connect with nice people.
X. A company website
I appreciate that as a person who designs and develops websites, this sounds odd. But that’s why you should believe me. Rather invest time and energy in LinkedIn, Google My Business and your mailing list.
One day your website will be a critical marketing tool. However when you start up, you are still evolving your brand and your offering. You don’t have clients to boast about, and you might need to change direction if new opportunities arise. After 6-12 months, you will have built up content, perhaps a team of people and a few case studies. Leave your website until then.
So when might a website make sense…
- If your business involves online selling, YES, you will need a website.
- If you are pitching a project to international investors, a one-page WordPress website only costs $3 000 and it will market your company 24/7. It provides credibility and background information about your company, and follows up on the good impression you created when you gave your prospective client that amazing business card.
- Having a website allows you to add your details to respected industry websites
- Having a website means you can post solutions on forums for people struggling with services you offer.
X. Premises
If you don’t manufacture goods or have staff, I recommend you work from home. Visit people at their office or a local coffee shop.
Don’t invite people home unless you have a home that reflects your image. There is nothing like your child running in telling you the dog has pooped on the carpet, to ruin a client meeting. Most savvy business people know about Regus offices, and won’t be impressed with your fancy address. They might wonder what you are trying to hide, and if they will be able to find you when things go wrong.
X. Email signature and letterheads
URLs, multiple fonts, coloured text and images all signal “trouble” to spam filters. I find a text address more professional – especially when the image with all your information has been stripped out the email.
- Always include a telephone number and email address in text on the base of your email, so that people on forwarded emails can contact you.
- Don’t get your corporate stationery printed, most of your documents will be digital.
- If you deliver by post, a nice leaflet or postcard can tell them about other products in your range.
- Write standard templates for quotations and proposals so that when enquiries come in you make a great impression.
X. Paid Advertising
Do you click on Google Ads? Neither does anyone else. The “sponsored” or paid content of searches is almost never a company you want to deal with. They are fly-by-nights who Google has recognised and thrown off the legitimate (or organic) search pages. Once you have a full website, focus on writing good content and building your page rank the right way. It’s slow, but you won’t get banned (Google hires the smartest people in the world and SEO cheaters will get caught after a few months!). Please note: one-page websites have low SEO rank and almost never appear on Google.
Before taking adverts in print publications, check that your target market still reads print publications. Before taking a paid advert on a website or directory, check it’s popularity on Google Search. Once you purchase the advert, track how many visitors it brings to your website. Frankly, most “digitial publications” aren’t worth the paper they are written on.
