What is Branding + Why is it Important?

If you own a small business, you might be one of the many who overlooks how important it is to professionally brand yourself. Maybe you don't really understand what branding is, maybe you are just starting out and don't think you have the budget to create a professional-looking brand, or maybe you think all you need is a logo and a color scheme.

Whatever the case may be, I'm here to tell you that branding is ABSOLUTELY one of the most important things you should be investing in, whether you are just starting out or have been running your business for a while.

In fact, you really can't afford to NOT work on your branding right from the beginning, as it can save you a LOT of time, money and stress in the long run.

But don't just take it from me, according to Steve Forbes, "Your brand is the single most important investment you can make in your business."

And Angela Ahrendts, senior vice president of Apple says "You have to create a consistent brand experience however and wherever a customer touches your brand, online or offline. The lines are forever blurred."

With the endless options and distractions people have today, they need to be sold on their emotions, not on their wallets. Branding should make it clear as to why consumers should care, and why they should choose you over your competition.

Good branding will give your customers a reason to care about your brand, your business, and your products. It should make your customers feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves and the product or service they are buying.

Now, if you think branding is only for large companies and corporations, think again.

If you have a business, you are a brand. If you are an influencer, you are a personal brand.

If you want to create a healthy, thriving business for yourself, you have to develop a strong and consistent brand. This is done through brainstorming, strategic planning, design, and development.

Before I get into some more specific reasons why branding is important and how developing a strong brand can help your business grow, let's start with the basics by going over the differences between a brand, brand identity, and branding. Continue.