Here’s Why You Need Them
In the noisy world of marketing and social media, defining your brand is more important than ever. Who are you? What do you stand for? There may be dozens of businesses offering the same products or services in your area, but there’s only one YOU. And that’s your secret weapon.
As a small business owner, you are what makes your brand unique. Your values, your vision, and your personality set you apart. One of the best ways to ensure your marketing and social media stay true to who you are is to identify a set of brand words—words that reflect your values and the essence of your business.
Where Do You Start?
The first step in defining your brand words is a little soul-searching. Grab a notepad, a cuppa, and start jotting down words and phrases that mean something to you and your business.
Ask yourself:
- What do I want to be known for?
- What do I bring to my business that no one else does?
- How do I want my customers to feel when they interact with me?
Is it incredible customer service? The best muffins in Berkshire? Attention to detail? A deep commitment to sustainability? Write down everything that comes to mind. Don’t rush the process—keep adding to the list over a few days as ideas pop into your head. Then, start refining your list to 3-5 key words that truly represent your brand.
My Brand Words (For a Little Inspiration)
To give you an idea, here are some of mine:
- Authentic – I want people to know that what you see is what you get. Honesty and trustworthiness are at the core of my business.
- Creative – I love thinking outside the box, and I want to help businesses bring creativity into their marketing. One-size-fits-all just isn’t my style.
- Nurturing – My goal is to help my clients thrive with kindness, support, and encouragement. Marketing can feel overwhelming, and I want to make it feel a little less scary.
How Do Brand Words Help Your Marketing?
Once you have your brand words, make sure they’re front and centre. Write them on a sticky note, pop them on your office wall, or set them as a reminder on your phone. These words should guide every piece of content you create, every social media post, every product launch, and every customer interaction.
Before hitting ‘post’ on that next Instagram reel or launching a new service, ask yourself: Does this align with my brand words? If not, tweak it until it does. Authenticity is so important in business and staying consistent with your brand values builds trust and makes your business instantly recognisable.
Your Challenge: Define Your Brand Words
So, here’s my challenge for you this week: Define your brand words. Take some time to really think about what makes your business unique. Once you’ve got them, come and share them with me over on Instagram—I’d love to hear them!
Branding doesn’t have to be complicated, and having these words in place will help guide your marketing and make your business feel more ‘you’. And at the end of the day, that’s exactly what will make people choose you over anyone else.
