If you’re like most promotional products sales professionals, you help your clients brand their businesses with effective, targeted promotional products.
But what about you? What’s your personal brand and how does it show up in your ad specialty business?
You don’t have to be Oprah or Donald Trump to be a brand. In fact, like it or not, you’re already a brand. Your brand is simply the total experience that someone has when they do business with you. It is so much more than your logo and website. Those are just elements of your brand.
What words do you want to come to mind when someone thinks about you and your company? Here are some ways to make your brand memorable and to attract more of the clients you want.
*Be clear. Your brand is communicated in everything you do. How do you regularly communicate with your clients and most-wanted prospects? Is your website targeted to entice your ideal customer? When people meet you at a networking event or visit your website, do they understand why they should do business with you?
*Be consistent. People buy from others they know, like and trust. When you always show up the same way, you build the know, like and trust factor and will get more business. Returning phone calls within a short amount of time, answering emails promptly, apologizing for any mistakes in a timely manner, sending your email newsletter the same day every month, and using a consistent logo, letterhead and slogan are all ways you can provide brand consistency. And consistency over time gets results.
*Be current: When was the last time you updated your marketing materials? Do your clients know all the ways you can help them? Does your business card reflect the image you want to project? Do you regularly update your social media status and posts?
*Be highly visible. What publications do your most-wanted clients regularly read? What trade shows do they attend? What email support forums do they post in? Because I specialize in coaching promotional products sales professionals, I regularly write for publications that people in the promotional industry read. I also speak at industry trade shows and post on email forums for the promotional industry. How can you apply these strategies to your business and brand?
*Be YOU! The interesting thing about creating a brand is that you don’t have to change anything; you just have to show more of who you already are. Do you have a favorite color? Reflect it in your logo and the way you dress. Are you high energy or are you more laid back? Your website and how you communicate should be an extension of this. What are your core values and how are they reflected in your business? Are you fun-loving, creative and diligent? Let your values show in all you do!
© 2011 – 2013 Rosalie Marcus
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Not sure which program or product is right for you? Contact Rosalie for a brief, no obligation, personal consultation. Reach her at Rosalie@promobizcoach.com
Rosalie Marcus, The Promo Biz Coach ™ is a promotional products business expert, coach and speaker. Combining her skills and years of experience in promotional sales, she helps her clients sell more at higher profit margins and dramatically increase their incomes! Get a FREE special report: 10 Big Mistakes Promotional Professionals Make and How to Avoid Them and a FREE Skyrocket Your Sales audio download at http://www.promobizcoach.
Reach her at Rosalie@promobizcoach.com or 215-572-6766.
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