Creating A Strong Brand Identity

Developing a brand identity for your business is one of the most essential things you must do as a business owner. Without a cohesive brand story, your audience won’t be able to clearly understand who you are, what you offer, or why they should buy from you. And it takes more than your company name, logo design and a few social media posts to make up a recognizable brand.

The brand building process can be overwhelming but it is important to have it dialed in so that you know that your message and marketing materials are connecting with your target audience.

Whether you’re one of many new entrepreneurs who’s struggling with brand positioning or you’re on your way to upgrading to a full rebrand, here are the top eight podcast episodes on everything you need to know about brand development.

OUR TOP 8 PODCAST EPISODES FOR SUCCESSFUL BRAND BUILDING

Being Boss Branded Mug, Flyer and Microphone

 

1. BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO PERSONAL BRANDING

 

If you’re a creative, chances are your personality, inner values, and everyday style will play a big role in your business offerings. Having a personal brand means implementing details that make you uniquely you throughout your business. Many influencers, artists, thought leaders, and service providers are known for successfully creating a brand. Emily Thompson of Being Boss and Kathleen Shannon of Braid Creative discuss personal branding with their years of personal experience.

In this episode, you’ll learn tips for building a successful brand:

  • Everything from creating a brand name and logo to setting up a plan

  • Tips for identifying your own brand elements

  • Using brand marketing to attract the right community

  • Incorporating your style and personal power into your branding process

If you’re just starting your business journey and could use some help identifying which aspects of yourself you’d like to promote in your small business and brand personality, listen to Episode #10: Personal Branding.

2. DEFINING YOUR UNIQUE BRAND VOICE

 

A key aspect of good branding is how you communicate with your audience. When writing and speaking, it can feel challenging to properly communicate what you really mean to say. That’s why finding your brand “voice” and using it consistently is a great starting point.

In this episode, you’ll learn why knowing your brand voice matters and:

  • Tips for finding (and sharing) your unique voice

  • How to set up a creative process when working with others

  • Best ways to stay present in your brand voice and work while still being mindful of your business goals

  • Ways to exercise your writing abilities

If you’re someone who finds it hard to get your point across in writing or online, you definitely want to use the tools and practices mentioned throughout Episode #115: Finding Your Voice.

3. WHAT DOES THE BRAND BUILDING PROCESS LOOK LIKE?

 

It’s one thing to develop the foundation of your brand, but what do you need to do once you’re ready to show up in the world? Knowing how to position yourself, package what you sell, and develop a branded business strategy is huge for growing your business.

DIVE INTO THE BRAND BUILDING PROCESS AND:

  • How to package what you have to offer for impactful marketing efforts

  • Working with your dream clients by having a strong brand positioning process

  • Growing your confidence as a business owner

  • Build brand awareness through getting specific about what you offer, who you help, and what makes you stand out

If you know what you’re doing in your business so far but you want some extra help delivering the best offerings possible, without neglecting your personal flair or missing out on your niche take a listen to Episode #109: Packaging, Positioning, and Process with Tara Street.

4. NICHE DOWN TO CONNECT WITH YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE

 

One thing every business owner hears over and over at the beginning of their branding journey is: what’s your niche? People are interested in your niche because they want to know what exactly you’re about. Instead of trying to serve everybody, having a niche lets people know you’re an expert in a specific area with which they can come to you for help.

Learn how to use your brand to target customers and:

  • How to find your niche as a business owner

  • Tips for focusing on the work you do the best

  • Why niching down helps you serve your target market better

  • Managing your time, energy, and social network for greater productivity

If you want to understand what your niche is and why niching down is so important, listen to Episode #138: Niching Down with Jessica Mehring. Be sure to take notes!

5. BRAND BUILDING FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

 

Once your brand identity includes nitty-gritty details such as website fonts, marketing strategy, hiring out, and content scheduling, your small business is taking off. What should you know when venturing into profiting off of your brand? This episode is a brand building guide that will help you show up and truly deliver.

Learn how to develop your brand guidelines and:

  • Business branding terms and concepts you’ll need to know

  • Key ingredients that make up a strong brand identity

  • Ways to approach branding when you’re new to running a business

  • Times to invest in a graphic designer or additional help and times to DIY (do-it-yourself) in the brand development process

Packed full of resources, insights, and expert advice, this is a fun and juicy episode that’ll get you focused on the next steps you need to take to execute your brand identity. Listen to Episode #195: Branding For Business.

6. HOW TO ADAPT AND EDIT YOUR BRAND STORY

 

Using your voice and editing your words are daily must-do’s in your business. But what should you do when you (or your brand) evolves and needs an upgrade? Sometimes, you need to take a better look at your brand to filter out what doesn’t belong anymore.

DIVE INTO THE WORK OF COMMUNICATING YOUR BRAND STORY:

  • The benefits and drawbacks of writing your own work

  • Adapting your brand, offering, and elevator pitch as you grow in business

  • Tips for communicating your brand when writing or editing

  • How to work with an editor in your brand if you decide to hire out

If you’re someone who struggles with words in your brand, you won’t want to skip over this discussion in Episode #242: Edit Your Words and Your Brand with Tasha Harrison & Tara Street.

7. HOW TO REBRAND YOUR BRAND’S VISUAL IDENTITY

 

Every thriving business eventually grows out of its beginning brand strategy. Brands constantly pivot and update as the business evolves. When it’s time for a full rebrand, you might need to not only shift the visual identity and brand personality but the operational boundaries as well.

Discover how to create a memorable brand that aligns with your business values

  • How to create a strong brand identity that aligns with your business and life values

  • Methods for undergoing the full rebranding process

  • Signs that it might be time for you to rebrand your business

  • The benefits of rebranding and how it helps not only you, but future clients, too

Walk through the idea of polishing or revisioning your brand so you can love it even more with Episode #261: Planning A Successful Rebrand with Gabrielle Blades.

8. USING BRAND STRATEGY FOR BUSINESS GROWTH

 

What do you do when your business starts to outgrow itself? Go beyond the basics and dive deeper into what brand identity means for next-level success. For the more complex aspects of business ownership, this episode discusses strategies to support your growth.

Learn when you may need to develop an additional brand identity and:

  • The differences between a business and a brand

  • What you can do when your business ideas no longer fit into the brand identity you’ve already established

  • How to define your brand positioning in its various growth stages

  • Choosing (or changing) the name of your brand

In Episode #224: Brand Strategies for Growing Your Business, learn how to develop a brand strategy that will continue to grow with you and help you continue building brand awareness.

Emily Thompson with Podcast Mic and branded mug

MORE SMALL BUSINESS BRAND DEVELOPMENT TIPS

We hope you find these tools inspiring for building your own brand your business. One of the most important steps you can take when brand building is first understanding your personal and your business values. We have developed a few great tools to help you with this practice that you can access for free. For even more resources on how to build a brand, reaching your target market, and marketing positioning check out our Branding + Website or Marketing + Sales resource pages.

Lindsey is a content writer based in Southern California who specializes in SEO blogs and copywriting. She’s passionate about helping online businesses get found by the people who seek their services. When she’s not working, she loves hiking, poetry, and exploring new places & perspectives. Connect with Lindsey at www.lindseybeing.com for thoughtful, expert writing support.