written by Jessica Swanson
As a small business owner, you’ve undoubtedly come across the concept of branding. Most likely, you’ve heard that if you want to truly succeed and skyrocket your biz to the top, then you need to create a powerful and memorable brand that your prospects believe in.
The main problem is that most small business owners are confused, overwhelmed and frustrated about the entire branding process. Is it the creation of a logo? Is it the website? Or, maybe it’s the particular combination of colors used in the sales literature?
While all this is a piece of the branding process, it’s really not embracing the entire concept.
So, what is branding? According to Bill Chiaravalle, Principal and Creative Director of Brand Navigation, “brands are promises that consumers believe in.” He simplifies the entire branding process down to the fact that if a company has done a good job branding themselves, the consumer will trust them and ultimately develop a strong emotional attachment to them.
I want to introduce you to a company that embraces the branding concept brilliantly. Introducing…The Geek Squad.
The Geek Squad is not, in and of itself, a small business by any means, but they certainly have a lot to teach the small business owner about branding. Even if your office consists of your kitchen table and you’re the President, Vice-President and your own personal assistant, you can borrow the concepts of The Geek Squad and incorporate them into your own small business.
When you visit the Geek Squad website, it makes an instant impression on you. Furthermore, you immediately understand what they are promising you. They’re the funny, dedicated “geeks” who understand absolutely everything about computers. They’re the same “geeks” from your math class who knew every answer on the tests and helped you out with your homework. They’re safe, reliable and as smart as it gets.
The Geek Squad understands that branding covers every single aspect of business. It’s never just about your website or business logo (although that’s part of it). Branding is about creating a feeling and a response in the minds of your clients and customers.
Here Are 10 Ways That The Geek Squad Can Help You Explode Your Own Brand:
1. Company Name. The name of your company is an integral part of the branding process. You need to ensure that your customers understand who you are and what your represent through your company name. Obviously, the name “Geek Squad” speaks volumes.
2. Website. Your website needs to offer your prospects a big picture look at your entire brand. Everything on your site should promote the promise that you are making to your clients and customers.
3. Mission Statement. Your company mission statement should be a natural extension of your brand. The Geek Squad states, “We’re an army more than 18,000 strong, on a singular mission to rid the world of rogue technology. We’re still oddly dressed, but we’re now oddly dressed and saving the day across the globe.” Brilliant.
4. Phone Tactics. Yes, branding even entails how you answer the phone. Think about ways that you can integrate your brand and your business phone. The Geek Squad doesn’t just “answer the phone.” Instead you are prompted to enter your “top secret pass code” or speak to a Geek Squad Special Agent. The on-hold music consists of a compilation of spy movie theme songs.
5. Dress Code. If you can incorporate your brand into the way that you or your employees dress, this will even add more believability to your brand. Of course, Geek Squad employees dress in white shirts, dress pants, “geeky” ties and yes, some even flaunt the pocket protector.
6. Tweets. If you’re going to use Twitter as a marketing tool, make sure that you use it as a platform to develop powerful brand awareness regarding your small business. @GeekSquad tweets daily tips on fixing your computer, removing spyware and other “geeky’ topics that their dedicated customer-base loves.
7. Blog. One of the most important marketing tools for today’s small business is maintaining a blog. There is no better way to communicate directly with your prospects, customers and clients. At the Geek Blog, the writers go into depth about geeky technology, geeky facts and geeky jokes.
8. Videos. Have you heard about GeekSquad TV? That’s the ingenious Geek Squad videos that showcase the intelligence and utter geekiness of these likable employees. Again, their videos continue to drive home the fact that these guys know what they’re doing.
9. The Car You Drive. If you are creative enough, branding can even be a part of the car you drive. Take a look at the “Geek Mobile,” a compact, little VW emblazoned with the Geek Squad logo. If that doesn’t create brand awareness, I don’t know what would!
10. Consistency. One of the most crucial aspects of branding a small business is that you must be absolutely consistent. Every single interaction that your customers have must send the same message. You are ultimately creating experiences for your prospects, clients and customers that create trust and build emotional attachments to your company.
So, as you begin the task of building a brand that creates fierce and intense loyalty in your market area, don’t forget about the Geek Squad. They are branding masters.
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