If there’s one lesson that’s instilled in us at a young age it’s that identity is everything. From the way we look and dress, to our personality and how we behave, these are the traits that define us as individuals, and let others know if they would like to associate with us or not. Believe it or not, the same thing applies for your business. Your brand should have a unique look, feel, voice, and even personality if you want to relate to a specific audience or group of consumers. For example McDonald’s has been personified as a happy business, therefore appealing to the joy in people. However, in the last couple of years something has happened. Thanks to the internet and social media, ordinary people have been given a platform to voice their opinion, and with that, the ability to influence others in how they perceive certain businesses and identify with them. In today’s blog we’re going to show you just how sites like Google and Facebook can be used to determine your brand identity.
Welcome To Facebook
There are a billion Facebook users, therefore a billion of potential consumers to advertise to. The question is which ones are right for you? In order to know who you would like to promote your business to, you must first understand who you are as a business. Analyze Facebook conversations for users that you feel would benefit the most by the use of your products and tune your brand identity to match theirs.
If you know business professionals are who you’re looking for, then observe how they speak and reflect that in your brand’s identity. By doing so, you are showing your audience that you use the same language and you have something to offer. Advertising to the wrong audience or refusing to adjust your branding strategy to your ideal consumer can lead to your business being ignored, or worse having them turn to someone else. Remember that the best thing you can do to your audience is listen to them. Consumers appreciate a brand that attempts to appeal to them in a natural and organic way.
Google My Business
Google, being the world’s most popular search engine, has a large influence on who views your business and how they feel about it. When it comes to finding your business online, it’s all about specificity and making your brand stand out among the others. Your identity should be associated with something unique that Google can relate and link to. For example, if you only a have one storefront then your location should play an integral part in your brand identity. This way when someone looks up businesses close to their area, yours is one that pops up.
If your business is on Long Island and by the water, exemplify that somehow, whether it be through name, logo, or advertising. Google enjoys to see one-of-a-kind businesses with their own look and feel, putting them at the top of the search results above all else. With consumers now being able to voice their opinions through Google Reviews, it is also important that your brand delivers on its products and services, as this is something that can greatly affect your reputation and perception.
Conclusion
These are just only two sites that can influence your business’ brand identity. Analyzing your Facebook audience can show you what type of brand you need to be, while Google can teach you how to specify your attributes to your location in order to make it easily searchable. Keep in mind that identity is everything and that social media can be the first step to finding out what kind of brand you really are.
