Separating your small business from its competitors is crucial, especially in the current economy. Learning how to successfully brand your business will help you achieve this goal. However, with so many new forms of social media, creating a strategy can be difficult. Consider the following questions and answers to learn branding tips that will help you navigate the sea of online communication and effectively develop a branding strategy.

How do I separate my business from the competition? Have a clear business plan. Have a direct answer to the question, “what is your business about?” Figure out who you are and what your business represents. From that point, create a logo that represents the image you wish to portray. Investing $750-$1000 in a company that will help you develop a logo is a great idea. These companies know what is already on the market. They can help you create a logo and an image that is new to the small business world and unique to your company.

What is the best way to spread the word about my business? Social media is the easy answer. Facebook, Twitter and Linked In, to name a few, provide the perfect platform to get the news out about your business. If you are unfamiliar with using these sites, ask a younger employee. These websites are second nature to the younger generations and they can help you out. Also, creating your own profile is free, thus sweetening the deal. Using these sites can also help you research your competition and learn your market.

To blog or not to blog? BLOG! If you are reading this, you are proof that blogging works! Your business website provides customers with general information; however a blog will help give your business a voice. Aside from the services and prices, what is going on within your market? Have you developed certain strategies you would like to share with others? Relevant issues within your business community also provide great topics to use for a blog. Creating a voice for your company will make your business relatable to customers while also increasing your online presence.

What else can I do? Keep in mind that you need to stay relevant to your customers. Implement new strategies such as updating your Facebook profile or tweeting about current events pertinent to your market to ensure you are up to date. Understand how technology is changing in order to keep your business up to speed. For example, add comments on the blogs of your competitors linking back to your site. Generating web content surrounding your market and your business will not only increate traffic on your site, but will also ensure you are keeping up with your competitors.

Get out there and make your online presence known! Create a strong logo and develop a clear and simple business plan. Use social media websites to generate content relevant to your business, and don’t forget to check up on the progress of your competitors! Learn about other ways to maintain your business using MyCorporation HERE!

Deborah Sweeney

Deborah Sweeney is an advocate for protecting personal and business assets for business owners and entrepreneurs. With extensive experience in the field of corporate and intellectual property law, Deborah provides insightful commentary on the benefits of incorporation and trademark registration.

Education: Deborah received her Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degrees from Pepperdine University, and has served as an adjunct professor at the University of West Los Angeles and San Fernando School of Law in corporate and intellectual property law.

Experience: After becoming a partner at LA-based law firm, Michel & Robinson, she became an in-house attorney for MyCorporation, formerly a division in Intuit. She took the company private in 2009 and after 10 years of entrepreneurship sold the company to Deluxe Corporation. Deborah is also well-recognized for her written work online as a contributing writer with some of the top business and entrepreneurial blogging sites including Forbes, Business Insider, SCORE, and Fox Business, among others.

Fun facts/Other pursuits: Originally from Southern California, Deborah enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, Benjamin and Christopher, and practicing Pilates. Deborah believes in the importance of family and credits the entrepreneurial business model for giving her the flexibility to enjoy both a career and motherhood. Deborah, and MyCorporation, have previously been honored by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s List of the Valley’s Largest Women-Owned Businesses in 2012. MyCorporation received the Stevie Award for Best Women-Owned Business in 2011.

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