2023 has felt really FULL to me - you too?!! Hard to believe that we are in Q4 and making our plans for the year to come. Many of us are in the process of setting budgets, planning events and establishing initiatives for the coming year. Does your planning include a brand reassessment or a reevaluation of what you might need in the way of marketing assets? It’s a great time to make sure that your marketing assets still align with your business goals, and communicate effectively to your target market.
A brand reassessment can include a comprehensive review of where you are currently and where you would like to go. For some of us, the brand we have is still relevant, current and recognizable. For others, an evolution may have taken place which has rendered our original branding outdated or a mismatch for where we would like to go.
You may be in need of social media graphics that match your website colors and fonts. You may be in need of images that represent your changing team or client base. Maybe you need to update your service offerings to make sure that clients know all the ways you can solve their problems.
Having a current and consistent brand package can make your clients feel connected to you and your business. They become familiar with your visual representation and it’s comforting, clear in its messaging and easy to find. Inconsistencies with your brand visuals and messaging can feel confusing.
One of the things that small businesses rely on is making things easy - for your client, for your teams and for yourself as a small business owner! A deep dive brand reassessment can help your confidence, checking that box off your to-do list and making sure that you are removing friction for your clients.
Some thoughts to consider when it comes to your marketing assets are:
Do I have a strong brand in place?
You’ve been marketing to your audience for 8 solid months now, does your brand identity still speak to them? Your target market may have evolved over the year or maybe you’ve found a new one that you are looking to target. Take a look at how your current brand speaks to your ideal client and decide whether or not it’s time for a change.
Have you updated your website or social media graphics?
Keeping your website updated signals that the “lights are on” and also encourages people to stay on your site longer. This increased engagement can positively influence your SEO rankings as well.
Is your imaging consistent?
As you widen the scope where you share your messaging, has it stayed consistent? Do the images, colors and fonts on all social media graphics align with your branding? When creating quick graphics to share, is there an easier way for you to do that and remain consistent with your branding? If you aren’t sure if the channels are all consistent, it’s time to regroup and standardize your messaging.
Do you have a sales sheet or brochure that properly communicates the service you provide?
This could be improving on something you already have OR realizing that during the year you added a service or offering that isn’t included in your current marketing piece. Time to update!
Taking the time to evaluate where you are -with your brand and marketing assets- and making it happen in Q4, will ensure that you finish 2023 strong!! Make it as easy as possible for your ideal clients and prospects to find and connect with you!