5 Factors To Consider When Hiring A Branding Expert For Your Business

30 October 2021

In the last few years, more and more businesses are realizing the importance of branding. As against sales and marketing, businesses know that branding is essential for the long-term vision, sustainability, and growth of an organization.

While many businesses have made the mistake of equating branding with marketing, there is growing awareness that the two are separate in form and function. This is leading many businesses to invest in strategic branding experts that can help them.

In this resource article, we are going to look at five factors that businesses should consider before hiring branding experts, consultants, or strategists. If you are a business owner looking to invest in a long-term branding exercise, this article will guide you in the right direction.

How can a Branding Expert help a Business: What you need to know

Before we get to the list of factors that should be considered, it would be better if we discuss how a branding expert can help a business in the first place.

Business owners are in agreement that branding is important. What they do not know is how they should proceed. Many have the mistaken assumption that branding is only logo designing, social media presence, and marketing!

While this is not entirely false, the above constitutes just about 5% of what branding is all about.

In reality, a branding expert can help a business optimize three main focus areas about the brand-

Tangible Visual Properties- photoshoots, imagery, social media presence, logo designs, color schemas, fonts, website, blog section, and videos.
Tangible Textual Content- brand motto, values, culture, mission statement, blog articles, slogans or taglines, social media copy, and content.
Intangible Brand Promise- credibility, culture, personality, trust, levels and positioning, perception, experiences, customer service, and support.

As you can see from what we have mentioned above, this is a fairly exhaustive list of topics. An experienced and credible branding expert will help you address all the above goals and objectives.

List of 5 Factors to Consider when Hiring a Branding Expert for your Business

1. Creativity-

While technical specializations are an important aspect of the digital age, you want the branding expert/consultant/agency to be creative. Some of the leading brand strategists like Bennet Schwartz have several years of experience as Creative Director. Creativity is an essential factor you should look at as branding is all about good storytelling that captures audiences.

2. Experience-

Being great at branding requires years of experience. This is not something you can get up and get good at. It requires sophistication, expertise, and years of executing marketing and social media strategies. Great branding experts that lead organizations are often Creative Directors with a graphic design or copywriting background. You need to look for at least five years.

3. Past Client Credentials-

If you are lucky enough to get a branding expert that has worked with a business in your niche, you are on the right path. Even if you do not get one, the key is to look at past client portfolios. Ask the agency or expert to take you through the kind of work they did. Focus on both the creative as well as the technical ROIs. Do not hire someone before establishing credentials.

4. Timelines and ROIs on the Project-

Small trick- if the branding expert says that they will get you the moon and stars within six months, they are lying. You should bail immediately. Experts will tell you that branding is a long-term gain where you need to invest for at least two or three years to start seeing results. It is best to get a definite answer in this regard as it will help guide your business expectations.

5. Prices, Payment Structures, and Affordability-

This ultimately depends on what you are asking the branding agency to do. If you want the whole suite of what we mentioned in the earlier sections, you are looking at sizable costs. However, you can always break it up into stages and ensure incremental payments. Make sure to discuss the same with the agency so that there are no problems later on the payment front.

The Final Word

Branding differs from business to business. It is a completely individualized experience that comes with a customized strategy. In other words, what worked for one brand might not necessarily work for someone else. This is something that separates great branding experts from the ones who are just in the market to make some money. If you have any questions, you would like us to address, please let us know in the comments below.

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Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

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Creative Pop-Up Event Ideas for Your Business

As a marketer, you probably spend a lot of time trying to nail down abstract concepts to promote your brand. However, have you ever sat down to think about pop-up events? In a word, they can create a buzz in your marketing efforts if executed properly. This article introduces you to creative pop-up event ideas. When implemented with pomp and color, the ideas enable your customers to get up-close and personal with your brand. What is a Pop-Up Event? Pop-up events are temporary events, conferences, parties, or experiences that span a host of creative outputs. Examples of such events are pop-up dining events, a subcategory of their own. Additionally, spontaneous cooking contests, supper clubs, and speakeasies are other examples that attract attendees in large numbers. Pop-up event planning is a big industry worth more than $10 billion in sales. In reality, a 2018 Harvard Business Review Analytic Services survey showed that 93% of business executives prioritize hosting events. Fortunately, the events aren't only for large organizations but also small businesses. With this in mind, it's also crucial that you carefully choose the location of your pop-up event for a lasting impression. Depending on what suits your business best, you could rent a commercial kitchen, private cafes, storefront, cabana, theatre, or mansion. However, ensure to obtain the necessary municipal requirements like permits and licenses. Executing Your Pop-Up Event Ideas Next, put these creative pop-up shop ideas into use to pull the event off successfully: 1. Hire On-Brand Decor Your customers know your brand’s design through your website. As such, it’d help if you keep the decor of your pop-up event similar to your site's. Check with your local event-decor rental companies for on-brand decor. It'll be a bonus point if the decorations are photogenic to make it easy for your guests to post them on social media. 2. Ensure Your Pop-Up Event is Goal-Specific One of the significant factors for any pop-up event is having a crystal clear goal. Consequently, you'll be in a better position to choose the venue, creative design, and have metrics for measuring the event's success. For instance, your goal could be to: Conduct market research Provide your customers with an experience they'll gladly pay for through a product launch. Attract new customers Increase brand or product awareness Promote collaboration with the local community However, you could delve even further into the intricate details of the overall goal. As an illustration, consider the Japanese company Dohtonbori, known for its Okonomiyaki dish. This is a pancake the company makes from organic vegetables. Unfortunately, most of its customers didn’t know this. In order to promote itself as a healthy fast food company, it opened a pop-up shop in a Tokyo neighborhood. It then positioned itself as a "Fast Food Aid" stop, with the staff dressed in pharmacist white. They would then accept fast food receipts and exchange them for pill vials comprising crucial nutrients missing from most fast foods. On the temporary retail space walls were huge clear tubes holding a year's supply of supplements. Overall, the aim was to show customers the number of nutrients they don't get from other fast foods, but they're present in Dohtonbori’s offerings. Later, the company posted the short film on YouTube, attracting over a million views within the first few days. While the company sold nothing in the pop-up shop, the message was loud, clear, memorable, and effective. Traffic at this company increased by 125%. 3. Use Digital Signage to Attract More Customers Whatever venue you choose for your pop-up event, consider incorporating digital signage as one of your pop-up event ideas. Markedly, digital signage marketing is a trend that effortlessly enhances your marketing efforts. A Mood Media survey showed that 68% of shoppers are highly likely to purchase a product marketed through digital signage. Another 44% of the respondents said digital signage ads would draw them towards the promoted product instead of the one they initially intended to buy. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that you should use digital signage in your pop-up party. Its benefits include: Setting the tone by using attractive signage content to enhance the ambiance of your pop-up stores Promoting and enhancing brand awareness by immersing your customers in your brand's values. You can uniquely use one screen to display hundreds of images or branding elements. Boosting location-specific sales and offers, allowing for more control and flexibility over the content you display. Creating an interactive and memorable experience through digital signage apps like social walls. For example, your pop-up store visitors can post on social media platforms like Instagram. Then, display their posts on your digital display screens to boost customer engagement. Final Thoughts Holding a successful pop-up party is a matter of putting creative pop-up event ideas into use. With some planning, proper logistics, and much preparation, you can hold an event that your customers will never forget. Besides, it could be the one that spreads word and interest about your brand, bringing in more customers. Additional Reading: Creative Marketing Strategies to Put Your Small Translation Business Lucrative Business Ideas to start Near Water Bodies Six Low-Investment Business Ideas You Can Start Today

Top 10 Best Serial Entrepreneur Of All Time – 2024 Update

Most of us are accustomed to the term entrepreneur. But in case you do not know what is a serial entrepreneur is, let me define a serial entrepreneur for you. A serial entrepreneur is someone who has more than one business in their bucket. They start one business, and then if they fail, they start another one. Or, in some cases, they sell the existing business in a great deal and start another one. What Are The Characteristics Of A Serial Entrepreneur Inc. Magazine says a strong sense of optimism and a high impact threshold characterizes successful entrepreneurs. These qualities are necessary due to the high risks that they take and the long hours of launching a small company when success seems to be a mirage in the desert. They also show strong self-reliance and a desire to stay innovative. They understand that money is not everything. Entrepreneurs do not always have a guarantee of success when they open a chain of different businesses. Sometimes, just one business takes all of the focus of an entrepreneur. Top 10 Best Serial Entrepreneur Of All Time Here are the top 10 entrepreneurs of all time. Who never fails to amaze us with their new innovative business ideas. Here are the serial entrepreneur examples. 1. Anthony Mongeluzo At the age of 21, Anthony Mongeluzo started his first professional company from his parent’s house and took a step towards being a serial entrepreneur. And that is Pro Computer Services. He also had other companies when he was a teenager. He is also the CEO and President of an information technology firm in Marlton, N.J. After some time, PCS has gained regional as well as national recognition as one of the fastest-growing companies. With an annual revenue of $25 and 25 employees, PCS has offices in four states. Companies: PilotLight studios Pro Computer Services Dynamic Telecom Solutions 2. James Currier At the age of 6, James Currier started his entrepreneurial career as a worm seller, and now she is one of the best serial entrepreneurs. When he was in the 8th grade, he opened a store in his school cafeteria. By the time he graduated from Princeton University, he already had 18 little ventures in his bucket. Jiff Inc., which is well known for making HIPAA-compliant mobile software for the medical industry, is led by James Currier. He is not only the lead investor here but also the Executive Chairperson. He has also founded Palo Alto-based Ooga Labs. It helps to develop e-commerce and mobile startups along with medical software. Companies: Tickle Ooga Labs Jiff Inc 3. Ellen Thompson Ellen Thompson has experience in starting and selling companies for more than 20 years. In 1993, Thompson founded a skill-testing firm named Know It All. In 2000, Kenexa Corp. had bought more than 300,000 shares. After she founded another company named 4 Walls, she is now the CEO of the company. This company is based near Philadelphia and helps apartment owners get customers via search engine marketing and social media. The list of serial entrepreneurs will be incomplete without this name. Companies: 4 Walls. Know It All. 4. Rod Drury This New Zealand serial entrepreneur has had a fascination with computer technology since his teenage years, and he has transformed this fascination into his career. He helped found the software company Glazier Systems. In 1999, it was sold for around $7 million. He was also the founder of AfterMail, which is an email intelligence concern. In 2006, the QSFT, or Quest Software, acquired AfterMail for $15 million. At present, Drury is the director of the New Zealand Stock Exchange, the director and founder of Pacific Fibre, and lastly, the Chief Executive Officer of an online accounting portal, Xero. Companies: Pacific Fibre. AfterMail. Glazier Systems. 5. Janet Kraus Janet Kraus is the senior lecturer at the Harvard Business School and has already started and sold 2 businesses. She is the co-founder of the concierge service company Circles. With her hard work, she developed the company with a revenue of $50 million. In 2007, she sold Circles to Sodexo. Just after that, she started leading Spire. This is a high-end social media business that is related to travel. In 2010, it was sold to Perfect Escapes. He is another serial entrepreneur who finds it fascinating to start new ventures. Companies: Spire. Circles. 6. Josh Kopelman The managing director of First Round Capital, Josh Kopelman, is very fond of forming and investing in Internet companies. It has already been around two decades since he is doing this. In 1992, the Infonautics Corporation came to the public in 1996. At that time, he was attending the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Three years later, in 1999, he started Half.com, which is an online store for used music and books. But just after one year, it was acquired by eBay. He has also invested in several startups, like mint.com and StumbleUpon. Companies: TurnTide. Half.com. Infonautics. 7. Harpal Sandhu Harpal Sandhu is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Integral Development Corporation. It is a Sunnyvale, California-based company owned by this serial entrepreneur. It was 1993 when he was the co-founder of this company. This organization claims to be the only multi-sided trading network that works for foreign exchanges. Earlier, Sandhu was the president and founder of Infinity Financial Technology. In 1998, the software company SunGard Data Systems acquired Infinity Financial Technology. Companies: Integral Development Corporation Infinity Financial technology 8. Gerard Ferro It has already been more than two decades since Gerard Ferro has been setting up and running technology and health businesses. He is also the co-founder and CEO of a prescription discount business, Free For All, which is based in Marlton. Gerer Ferro also cofounded a pharmacy benefits management concern, SUNRx. He was also the chairperson and CEO of the organization. Under his leadership, this company was able to gather a revenue of $49 million in its first five years. During the late 1980s, he was also the co-founder and CEO of Simacre. Companies: SUNRx. Simcare. Free For All. 9. Oprah Winfrey Oprah Winfrey is another shining star in the sky of serial entrepreneurs. When she was in high school, he started his career in the broadcasting industry. The media empire and her group of businesses across magazine publishing, radio, and television have made her a billionaire. As per Forbes, her estimated net worth was $2.8 billion in 2018, and she is the wealthiest woman in show business. In 2011, she launched OWN or Oprah Winfrey Network. The official website of OWN claims that 70% of homes in the United States have OWN. Companies: Oprah Winfrey Network. Harpo Productions. 10. Richard Branson In 1970, when Sir Richard Branson was around 20 years old, he started a mail-order record business. After that, it was time for a record shop in London. Within a couple of years, he built a studio, where “Tubular Bells,” an instrumental by Mike Oldfield. His Virgin Group now has around 200 companies in more than 30 different countries. Branson is also famous for promoting various social causes using celebrity power and his wealth. Being a prolific blogger, he also has written a book, which is published with the name “Screw Business as Usual.” Companies: Virgin group. 11. Elon Musk Any list of entrepreneurs is incomplete without Elon Musk. He is the billionaire mind behind Tesla CEO and the richest person alive as of 2023. Musk’s first try at business was a small start-up called Zip2. It was a searchable business directory, which is an online equivalent of Yellow Pages. Four years after the establishment of Zip2 in 1995, it was sold to Compaq Computers for $307 million. Later, it was integrated into the AltaVista search engine. After the sale of Zip2, Musk moved on to build another company, x.com, which is an online payments app that was later known as PayPal. The company was sold to eBay for $1.5 billion. Highly by the success he invested in and founded SpaceX, Tesla Motors, and The Boring Company. In 2022, he bought the social media company Twitter and renamed it X. Companies: Virgin Group Conclusion They are those entrepreneurs who have never failed to come up with new ideas in case one fails or is acquired by others. They have a bucket full of new and innovative ideas to lead and build a successful career path. They are inspirations for this generation’s entrepreneurs who are willing to make their own identity. Learn More About: Mistakes Entrepreneurs Should Avoid When Using SMS Marketing Starting An Ecommerce Business: 9 Easy Tips For The New Entrepreneur 5 Ways College Prepares Young Adults To Become Successful Entrepreneurs

Top 8 Reasons Why You Should Use Amazon FBA For Your Business

Sometimes, in order to reach more customers in a faster manner, businesses need to employ fulfillment services. That kind of service is the utilization of a third-party warehouse, which would then prepare and ship the orders for your business or company. Amazon FBA can provide you the opportunity to double up your revenue. Today, one of the most popular fulfillment services is Amazon’s FBA. Fulfillment By Amazon or FBA is a third-party service that helps thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide, offering fulfillment solutions to private and business sellers so they can start their e-commerce or online store at home and expand globally. Now, you can trade and process orders efficiently and you can even save money from hiring people to perform product packaging and shipping because Amazon prep center and freight forwarders, like fbabee.com, can help you. You sell and market the products and the fulfillment center will pick, pack, and ship the products for you. Here are some of the top reasons why you should use Amazon FBA for your business: Different Ways Amazon FBA services Can Lift Your Brand Image There are multiple ways you can uplift the brand image of your company by listing your name in Amazon FBA. Work out the plans that can help you to achieve your goals. 1. Raises Your Credibility as a Seller As a seller, you need to raise your credibility to attract more visitors and customers to your online store, so they will always return and make future purchases. Since Amazon Prime was introduced in 2005, it has become successful, and many sellers are signing up for Seller Fulfilled Prime. If you have a prime account, it increases your reliability as a seller, and you'll get the following benefits: By offering Prime Services, it reassures customers that you're a reliable seller. Buyers have a peace of mind doing business with you because your store appears to be highly recommended by Amazon. The more products you sell under Amazon Prime, you gain more interested customers as compared to sellers who have not signed up for the Prime Services. 2. Save Time and Effort Doing an e-commerce business is made more straightforward and seamless. Now, you can focus on the most important aspects of your business without worrying about logistics and actual product inventory. Here are the things you can focus on your business moving forward: Strengthening your digital marketing strategies Conduct market research to know what products are selling or in-demand Finding ways to expand your business Restructuring workforce to adopt advanced technologies Upgrading your accounting and management systems Growing your other businesses 3. Secured Buy Box A “buy box” pertains to the white box found on the right side of a product’s detailed page of Amazon. It allows customers can add products to their shopping cart from the sidebar of the page. Increase Your Chance of a Successful Sale. If your store appears on a buy box, more buyers will likely purchase from you because the majority of purchases happen through buy boxes. More Exposure For Your Business. Because your online store is readily visible on a buy box, more customers can see your products. Gain a Good Seller Reputation. With good seller performance, you have a good chance to become one of the top sellers. 4. More Products to Offer You can provide a wide selection of unique and helpful products to your customers. You're no longer limited to offer just a single product. All you have to do is get the pulse of the general market as to what products are in-demand and worth selling for higher profits and implement effective social media marketing and other digital marketing strategies to promote your products. 5. benefit from Multi-channel Service You can use Amazon FBA to serve buyers across different marketplaces, like eBay, Flubit, and even your site. It only means that you’re not just confined selling products on Amazon just to use Amazon FBA, you can also use the service on your other stores on different online marketplaces. 6. Fast-Paced Business Growth Your online business will progress and grow because you'll be able to provide excellent customer service with the help of Amazon. If you have a fast-paced business growth, you’ll earn more profits and have a sooner opportunity to expand. Here are the advantages of FBA to help you grow your business fast: More buyers will purchase products from your online store because you are offering Amazon Prime products and service. There will be more future purchases because of trusted and guaranteed services. 7. Happy and Satisfied Customers As a seller, you can offer guaranteed excellent customer service. Buyers enjoy a wide range of benefits such as guaranteed delivery times and free one-day delivery. You don't have to hire call center representatives to handle customer questions and concerns, because Amazon got you covered. Without even lifting a finger, your customers will highly appreciate you resolving their problems. Amazon FBA products ensures happy and satisfied customers for your business. 8. Less Stress and Hassle The business world is challenging, and many business owners face everyday struggles. It's a good thing that fulfillment services are now available to process orders fast and easy, thus reducing the stress and hassle associated with packaging and shipping. E-commerce is made better than ever with fulfillment services. Conclusion Many lives have been transformed because of fulfillment services, from simple childhood business dreams that became a reality. Everyone is given a chance to do online business without worrying about managing the actual products. Fulfillment services have proven to be a good business venture for small businesses. It's your time to find your spot by starting your business online. Read Also: Your Review Of Amazon’s FBA Wholesale Marketing Course Looking For A New Watch? Shop Branded Ladies Watch With Up To 70% Off On Amazon.

5 Factors To Consider When Hiring A Branding Expert For Your Business

How can a Branding Expert help a Business: What you need to know