In the previous post we talked about Why You Needed a Branding Strategy and what some of the long-term benefits of adopting one were.

Let’s move on to a few of the basic first steps you can take now to enhance your brand, your unique identifier.

It begins with the right mindset. I know that we bloggers consider ourselves to be small businesses and this is true, we are small business operators. But that does not preclude us from thinking large, like corporate large. We need to think like the large corporations and adopt some of the tactics and techniques used by them.

They are not doing what they do just to try it out and see what happens. These corporations have invested huge sums of money into these marketing campaigns and for good reason, they work.

We can do some of the same things, but on a  smaller scale. Plus we can do this without having to shell out the bank like they did. So think large because some day, you very well could be.

The goal is to create a unique identity and position for our products and services. It really is that simple in concept.

In application however, it extends far beyond the boundaries of our blog or website and it is not limited to physical appearances as many may think. No matter how lovely our site looks with our choices of themes, colors and logo, there is a brand building strategy that must be undertaken.

The strategy will vary from business to business and will be created to best fit your needs but there is one constant.

There is a need for repeated exposure and a consistent image. Unless the brand is marketed, few people will be aware of it, so our job is to get it out where some eyes can be focused upon it.

Here are a few of the basics to begin the process:

• Site name and or logo in the header
• Favicon that appears in the browser
• A short bio above the fold
• RSS subscriber link
• About page
• Links to social profiles like Twitter and Facebook

Looking at these closer you can see how these work in conjunction with one another. These are the basic first steps of the branding process and you want to obtain maximum exposure.

By the way, the favicon while small, should not be overlooked. If the header were your necktie, the favicon is the tie pin. Read how to easily install one here.

Here is what typically happens when a new visitor arrives.

They land on the site and thoroughly look it over. Immediately they know they are on your domain because the header clearly announces this. Next will likely come a look at the short bio, the about page or even both to find out what the site represents.

If they came in from a search engine they arrived to solve a problem so they may read your post in hopes of finding a solution.

Now we have arrived at the option stage of the visit. They may:

• Leave the site
• Read more articles
• Subscribe via RSS
• Subscribe via email
• Check your social sites by selecting a link

Except for leaving the site, all the other options provide an opportunity to continue the branding process. You want them to see your brand at every other click associated with you or your company.

Selecting the RSS feed for instance is yet another opportunity to show your brand.

The same opportunity presents itself when the visitor selects one of your social or community links. Be sure that your logo or some other strong element of your brand is present when they arrive. When possible, install a custom background or customize the site to show the same colors and pattern as your main site. Each and every one of these sites is an extension of our main office so we want to have that consistent appearance mentioned earlier.

There are numerous ways that you can continually make your mark and we will cover lots of them as we move forward. In the meantime, think about how you can accomplish this, be creative and think beyond the site itself.

There is an offline world out there too, so consider your business card design, flyers and other ways to advertise. Many supermarkets have community bulletin boards where you can place a business card, free of charge. Take out an ad in your church publication or community paper or newsletter. All of these things can be working collectively to make your brand recognizable.

In future posts we are going to get into some be everywhere strategies that can greatly enhance your brand. Let’s begin the process now by taking these first steps in branding basics.

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