Building a brand is hard work.
You have to really understand your business, your market, and your customers. Then you have to learn all the new social media tricks while keeping your traditional customers happy.
Thankfully, getting started doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are 5 branding tips to help you establish your auto part shop’s brand.
Basic Branding Tips:
Start here before checking out the actionable steps. Before making any branding decisions make sure you have a clear vision of who you are and what you do.
We know, we know, it should be obvious that an auto body shop fixes cars right?
The trick is conveying that in your branding strategy. Make sure you know exactly what image you want your brand to present.
1. Know Your Existing Brand:
When most small businesses set out to build a brand they forget that they already have one. Your reputation with customers, suppliers, and the local community is the foundation of your branding efforts.
Ask regulars what they like about the way you do things. Get people to join your mailing or emailing list with each purchase.
This lets you find out what the community already thinks about you and shapes your branding efforts going forward.
2. Clarity Is Key:
You can have the best, most viral campaign ever and it won’t do you any good if people don’t know what it’s actually for. Make sure any move you make is clear on what your business is.
That doesn’t mean you need a broken car in every picture. Just be clear in any logos, names, and promotional materials what your business is and what it does.
3. Produce and Display Value:
No matter what your business does you have to produce value. That’s the only reason people will use your services.
Be certain that a value approach drives your small business branding strategy. Don’t just go for attention-grabbing techniques.
Try to embody the core principles and benefit you bring to customers. Let them know why and how you’ll work hard to help them with their problems. A great start would be explaining the long term benefits of high-quality parts.
4. Get Online:
No one would accuse an auto parts shop of being a startup. That doesn’t mean you can’t use the newest customer engagement tools to your advantage.
Create profiles for your shop on social media. Find a few hashtags that work for your business and use them strategically.
Building a brand takes time and requires you to learn new techniques. Check out sites like https://www.ultrex.com.au/brand/subaru/ for good examples.
5. Always be Scaling:
A lot of people slow down once their brand is established. This is a mistake.
Creating a brand is just the first step in your business’ journey to prosperity. You need to make that brand work for you and your goals.
Once you’ve built your brand image you’re perfectly placed to scale. Add in new programs that leverage your existing customer base and brand recognition, such as:
- Referral programs
- Giveaways
- Local sponsorships
- Email list marketing
You want to seamlessly combine old school local business practices with the wonders of modern media.
Don’t Be Afraid to Try:
Establishing a brand from nothing is nerve-wracking. As long as you follow the best branding tips available it can be easier than you think.
For more useful branding and small business tips, check out our other articles here.
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