Building a brand is a very unique and creative process, and it can be difficult to gain traction in the industry or service area you are entering into – or are already established in. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been building your business for years now, maintaining customer loyalty and garnering support is so crucial, and is done in large part through establishing a credible brand that consumers can place their confidence in. I’ve rounded up 5 ways to build both credibility and confidence so that your brand is sought after, trusted and respected.
1. Be Consistent
Make sure that what you’re offering is very clear to the consumer and you are consistent in your results as well as communication. Consistency is an admirable quality in any aspect, but is essential for building credibility. If you bring inconsistent results or are inconsistent in your communication efforts with clients or customers, they are likely to find other brands that can offer them the security and consistency they are looking for.
2. Be Transparent
People like to feel included and in the loop, so it can be very beneficial to be open and honest about what’s going on, what’s working and what is not with your clients and customers. This is especially true when facing any issues or bumps along the road. From a PR perspective, it is always best to be honest about the issue, to address it, and make plans for the future of your brand moving forward.
3. Keep Values in Mind
It is important to keep your values in mind. It’s OK to have high standards for your brand! It is your creative journey and product, and you can attach values to it how you see fit. Many customers appreciate transparent values on your website or your social media pages, and if their values align with yours -such as a passion for the environment and reducing emissions, for example- they will be more likely to become a loyal customer.
4. Invest in your Brand
Put your best foot forward with a quality website and consistent and genuine social media platforms. These channels are often the first and sometimes only thing a customer sees about your brand, so investing in quality websites and socials is extremely important. This can be made easier by hiring a marketing agency and a PR team to redesign your website and to help you rebrand your social media pages.
5. Pay it Forward
According to Forbes, 88% of consumers want you to help them make a difference. It is increasingly crucial to pay it forward to the community and the world as a whole through corporate social responsibility efforts once your brand is able to embark on that journey. An example of CSR for your company is partnering with nonprofit organizations, sending portions of profits to environmental groups or other charities, or creating new programs to better your company and the industry itself.
Establishing credibility for your brand will inherently increase consumers’ and clients’ confidence in you and what you have to offer. So be consistent, be transparent, keep your values close, invest in yourself and your brand, and always pay it forward. These steps will have you closer to consumer loyalty and will help to increase brand awareness because of your loyal consumer base spreading your brand’s message through word of mouth, an authentic method of advertisement. So get out there and invest in yourself, your brand, and your future.