Your brand is so much more than just your logo; it is the key personality attributes of your business and is reflected in everything you and your team do. The perception that potential customers have of your business from the first point of contact will directly influence their decision whether or not to use your services.
Here are some simple, low cost ways to improve public perception of your brand to present your business in a more professional and consistent way.
Have an email address that is: @yourbusinessname.com.au.
If you still have an @yahoo or @bigpond or @gmail email address, then for less than $100 p.a, you can improve the perception of your business from being small, backyard home business to one that is established and professional.
Have a 1300 or landline phone number as your main contact for your business instead of your mobile. You can divert these numbers through to your mobile, however the perception again on the front end is that you are established and professional rather than just a one-man show. You can get a 1300# from $15 per month.
Have your team decked out in a consistent uniform that displays your business proudly. A team of people all working together at one job site who are all dressed the same looks professional. Regardless of what business you are in, this sends a message to a target audience on how professional you are.
Creating and having a professional business card, letterhead, envelopes and presentation folder is a great way to promote your brand when communicating with potential customers. With an investment of under $1000 you can have your stationery designed and printed to give the perception of the professionalism of your business.
You don’t need to have a website to be successful, however if you are wanting to build your business, a professional online presence is key. Starting out you may just need a one-page web presence that is a reference point for leads or referrals to check out your brand before deciding to buy from or hire you. Think big and start small. When looking at the cost of setting up a website compare it to the ‘cost of not having a website’ to your business.
It is unreasonable to expect you or someone at your office to be able to answer your phone 100% of the time, therefore preparing for this situation is essential. Nothing reeks of unprofessionalism more than a lazy, poorly structured voice mail message. Here is an example of one that could work well and is kept simple:
“Hello, and thank you for calling XYZ Business. We would love to chat with you however our team is currently unavailable, so please leave your details and someone will get in contact with you within the next 24 hours. Thanks again and have a great day.”
If you have sign writing on your motor vehicle for your business then display it proudly and keep it clean. 1800-GOT-JUNK? is a junk collection business and all they have are junk removal trucks, yet each of their trucks is kept spotlessly clean all the time as their brand is on the road 24/7. Ensure your vehicles are cleaned at least once a week, in particular those that are onsite and covered in mud by the end of the week.
For more information on improving brand awareness and developing a strong positioning strategy, contact PROTRADE United today.
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