Can we all agree that January just feels like the perfect time to get your ducks in a row? Whether you’re a resolution setter or simply enjoy the feeling of having a fresh start, what better way to kick start the new year than re-strategizing your business?

If you are reading this blog now or even in the middle of the year, it’s always a good time to look at the direction your business is going. Without goals and planning, how can you expect to get the results you want?!

Working closely with small businesses during the brand and website design process, we’ve come across various facets of business that we’d like to talk about. In a society that is increasingly run online, a website can be a lot of things to different people across various industries. 

In order to fully grasp your website needs, we’ve come to realize that a business should have three strategies: one for business, one for branding, and one for marketing. 

Business Strategy

An effective business strategy begins with some of the most simple steps.

Whether you’re starting a brand new business or if you’ve been established for some time, you probably have business goals of some kind; sell X number of products, expand into new markets, grow your client base, or simply scale your business.

Whatever your goals are, it’s important to have a plan of how you expect to achieve them. Your business strategy might include:

• Your business model
• Market Analysis
• Company organizational structure
• Products or services offered
• Financial projections and cost structure

Your business strategy could be considered the foundation, as brand and marketing strategies build off of this. 

Brand Strategy

In order to make progress in your business, there’s a lot of work to be done. Brand strategy comes into play in order to position your business properly. You want your ideal customer to be able to find, interact, and feel a certain way about your business.

Understanding your target market is a huge component to brand strategy. Many of the facets within the brand strategy will build upon your business strategy. A successful brand strategy will draw customers into your business. 

Elements of your brand strategy might include:

• Market Research
• Brand Identity
• Ideal Customer Profiles
• Unique Selling Propositions
• Branding Style Guide

Marketing Strategy

As opposed to contemplating how to bring customers to you, a marketing strategy is a game plan for getting in front of your target audience! 

There are tons of options when it comes to marketing, from social media to traditional advertising. Yet again, your marketing strategy will build upon your business and even your branding strategy.

Your marketing strategy might include:

• Developing business assets (website, social media channels, etc)
• Considering traditional advertising (radio, tv, print)
• Creating business partnerships (collaborations, networking, etc)
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Other outreach (email marketing, text loyalty)

A key concept to understand about all three of the strategies we have covered is that all things in business are connected and interdependent.

When branding has been curated based on business goals and is used consistently throughout thoughtful marketing tactics, you are setting yourself up for success!

Need help with your Brand Strategy? Fill out our discovery form!