Branding, be it an image, logo, or even a catchphrase, is what helps clarify what services or products a company has to offer. Crafting a look of your very own is the point. When you see a swish on the side of a pair of tennis shoes, you know it to be Nike; and the saying, "What's in your wallet?"...well, you know that's Capital One, right?

Branding does take a great deal of money. As a start up business, you may find this to be a dilemma. Yet, it isn't impossible to create an affordable brand. All it takes is a little ingenuity and an honest critic.

If you are selling a product such as hair gel, by simply adding a picture of yourself onto the product, you have successfully branded your merchandise. Now, when people see you smiling back at them from the side of gel bottles in stores, they will immediately remember your product and where to get it. Add a catchy phrase next to the picture and you are off to the races!

Liquor companies are big fans of branding. Do you all remember the, "Tastes Great, Less Filling" catchphrase that became so popular in the late 80's? I really don't even remember what beer used it but I will never forget it and neither will millions of other people around the world. Successful branding seems to become engrained in your head.

You must come up with something unique but related to your product in order to "brand" it. Think of what the product is or what it does, the shape of the container, the colors involved. Find a place to add a photo, and think of a truly memorable catchphrase.

Brainstorming with several people can help generate ideas for branding. Sit around and discuss options, toss out ideas, list the ones that make you laugh or are easy to remember and "especially" suited to the product. Look at places on the sales material, boxing, labeling, where a photograph would be appropriate.

An effective an relatively inexpensive way to test your branding is to create flyers and other marketing materials with the brand on them. Give them to complete strangers and try to gauge people's reactions.

Build mailing lists by attending trade shows, or volunteer- ing to speak at public events. Include how you started and discuss your product. Tell how you developed from a small business into a large business. This will generate a great deal of interest in your business. Provide a signup sheet to join your mailing list, and exchange business cards with other booth owners. Collect business cards from visitors also. Follow it up with more branding material in the mail, including a note saying how nice it was to meet them.

Branding is both effective and profitable. Simply having people recognize your face or product is a sure way to build interest in your company or ideas. Arnold Schwarzenegger is a perfect example of this as it is no secret that his bid for governor was greatly aided by his fame and visibility. His superior branding made him a cinch for governor of California.

About the Author:

Ken Bidgood is the proprietor of Advertising XP, a fantastic website to visit when you're looking for good up to date advice and discussion about Business. For further information on Business please visit: http://www.advertisingxp.com/articles You can swap links with us by going to: http://www.advertisingxp.com/links

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