What's Your Brand?
This episode of My Biz Dream Team: Opportunity Wednesday Training Series focuses on how to develop your brand.  We discuss the importance of having a brand to making your customer perceive you as: 1) trustworthy; 2) worth more money; and 3) special.

What is your customer's perception of you and your company? Your brand allows you to live in the hearts and minds of your customers.  A brand builds up customer loyalty. Listen as we explain why branding is important. We also explain how you can brand yourself and your business.
What is Branding?
In Branding Small Businesses for Dummies, branding has been called the science and art of making something unique in the eye of the customer. Branding makes you different from everyone else. A brand stands for something!  A great brand is easy to remember.  It is usually represented by a symbol. Perhaps you are familiar with the Nike "swoosh" symbol. Is your business represented by a symbol?  Do you have a logo? We are also familiar with the "red" can and the distinctive font on the front of a can of Coca Cola.   All of this is branding.  Branding is all about the promises that you make and the promises that you keep.  You tell your customer all about you and your business with everything you do.  Your brand becomes your identity!
Why is Branding Important?
Branding is important because it allows you to stand out in a crowd.  It differentiates you from potential competitors. Even if your product is the same as someone else's, branding makes your product special. Remember that is your customer's perception that is the key. How does your customer perceive you, your product or service?  That perception becomes your brand. Are you always late in delivering a service? Then your brand is "being late."
What if You Developed a Brand?
Just think what would happen if you had a powerful brand? You would become memorable! Your past customers would be your greatest sales people. They will absolutely insist on you and only you and your product and services. Your customers will have loyalty to you.
Conclusion
Branding is an important part of your business strategy. It allows you to stand out in a crowd and develops loyalty from your customers. Your branding gives you an identity in the hearts and minds of your customers.

We will continue this discussion on our podcast series and on this blog.

Let us hear from you about how you have branded yourself and your company.