A 12 Steps To Building A Brand Arsenal

If you’re going to do battle for new business and strengthen your brand then you’re going to have to put your best foot forward to take advantage of any opportunities that you uncover. Below, I’ve provided a basic kit of activities that you should consider before engaging the marketplace:

1- A good business card that uses both sides and projects a professional image. Also include all information to contact you on and offline. The image should inspire viewers.

2- A brochure that addresses your target audience’s needs and desires. Refrain making it all about you. Give them a message that resonates with their pain points.

3- Join business groups on and offline to develop a network. It’s not who you know, but who knows you. If possible, join committees – it puts you on a higher footing with the most influential members.

4- Blog. This effort expands your expert profile, gets you publicity, builds a niche audience and motivates you. Blogging makes you a thought leader.

5- Resource website. Use your website as a resource for your audience. Give them lots of valuable information. Make it the got-to place for assistance.

6- Join Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter to expand on the conversations you have on your blogs.

7- Have a complete profile and list of keywords in the can, for use in profiles and blog posts.

8- Make your brand image “consistent” across all channels. This is extremely important. To do otherwise creates clarity issues.

9- Understand your brand and work tirelessly to build on it.

10- Put together a (powerpoint) presentation to use to get leads locally. You could make it available online as well.

11- Develop an opt-in list and email market to them.

12- Volunteer and give-back to your community.

Doing these 12 steps will definitely strengthen your brand and give you momentum. Once they are in motion, dropping the ball on any one of them will affect your effectiveness. There is enough positive movement to motivate you and satisfy search engines. Anything over and above these things will naturally just make your brand stronger. Watch this space for an expanded explanation of each of the 12 steps. I welcome your comments regarding your experience with any of them.