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9 Reasons to Hire Brand Development Services for Your Small Business

Stephanie Kaewell • August 21, 2023

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Small Businesses (Like Yours) Deserve Better Brand Development

There are over 32 million small businesses in the United States. With so much competition in virtually every industry, it's crucial to do what you can to help your business stand out. Brand development can go a long way in this regard.

Unfortunately, creating your brand can be difficult for many entrepreneurs. The good news is that working with brand development services can streamline this process and help you reach your goals.

Let's explore some of the most notable reasons you should consider working with a professional.


1. A Fresh Perspective

A fresh perspective can help you overcome the obstacles you face. A reputable branding service will have worked with dozens or even hundreds of clients like you in the past. They'll pinpoint areas of concern and help you reconfigure strategies that don't work.

They can also help you emphasize methods that are pulling their weight. Many businesses find that they resolve a handful of problems as soon as they bring in an expert. This can help you reach metrics you previously thought were unattainable.


2. Access to Quality Resources

While proper branding isn't impossible to achieve on your own, it's much more difficult. Hiring a professional gives you access to all of their resources, allowing you to take advantage of opportunities you otherwise wouldn't have.

For example, they likely make use of high-quality software and applications while working with you. Tools like these are often expensive and have steep learning curves.

They've handled this obligation for you, allowing you to reap the benefits without the investment.


3. Budget Optimization

It's no secret that companies often overspend. This stems from improper budgeting, something that can substantially detract from the business's bottom line.

This also occurs when companies allocate money to the wrong resources or strategies. To clarify, let's assume that a company's main branding issue is having an unmemorable, poor-quality logo.

If they neglect this obligation and spend most of their budget in other areas, they could create financial distress and fall short of their goals. The expert you work with can optimize your budget and help you save extra cash.


4. You'll Save Time

Branding is hard work, and proper branding often requires significant time to achieve. Many companies don't have the time or resources to do so, and this is especially true for small businesses. By hiring a professional, you can drastically reduce the time it takes to achieve your goals.

You can also use the time you save to focus on other areas of your company's growth. For example, you might find that you can 
scale your business much sooner than anticipated after hiring branding services.


5. Cost Efficiency

The simple truth is that you're going to have to invest money into your company's branding. With this fact in mind, hiring an expert is the most logical path to take.

Handling company branding on your own will likely take longer than expected and won't generate the results you need. Consequently, you might have to spend more money than you initially planned. Professional brand development services allow you to get the most out of every dollar you spend.


6. Expand Your Audience

No matter how good your company's branding already is, it sometimes won't be enough on its own. Expanding your audience is a great way to increase brand recognition and generate better results.

However, modifying your target audience is something that requires research and expertise. For instance, let's assume that your primary demographic consists of women between the ages of 18 and 35.

Targeting men might not be the best choice without researching the value you can provide them. Your branding service can help identify untapped target markets that can expand your audience. In some cases, your company's notoriety might skyrocket in a short period of time.


7. Stand Out from Competitors

Branding isn't only about resonating with customers. It's also about standing out from your competitors. In many industries, it's not uncommon for a group of businesses to provide the same level of quality to their customers.

The one aspect that differentiates them is their branding. Companies serious about excelling are likely to employ branding services. Doing so for your own company can help you differentiate yourself from the noise in your industry.


8. Improved Sales Numbers

You shouldn't neglect the impact that professional branding can have on sales numbers. Take a look at a company like Apple.

It isn't the only company in its industry that offers phones, computers, etc. Their branding is so good, though, that they are instantly recognizable.

Even people who have never used an Apple product before know about the company. With this much brand awareness, it should come as no surprise that Apple is one of the most valuable businesses in the world.


9. Quality Design

Many businesses have plenty of branding ideas. Properly executing them is another story. Professional services can create quality designs that resonate with your brand message.

Without the right aesthetic appeal, people will likely overlook your brand and choose a competitor instead. The right art direction can make or break an entire branding campaign.


Leverage Brand Development Services

Working with the right professional could dictate whether you reach your goals. As long as you do your due diligence when looking for brand development services, you'll be sure to take your company's performance to new heights.


Speak with a representative at Bolt Marketing today. Our professional team has the tools and resources to bring your vision to life.


October 21, 2024
According to peer-review website and software marketplace G2, about 53% of marketers spend at least half their budgets on lead generation. Without the right small business marketing tips, however, you could waste that budget on ineffective strategies. Instead, consider partnering with our experienced advertising agency. Working with an experienced team can ensure your next campaign's success. You can reach new customers, boost your ROI, and accomplish lasting growth. Not convinced? Read on to discover the benefits of advertising agencies before deciding. Accomplish Specific Goals The best advertising agencies will develop personalized solutions based on your business goals. For example, perhaps you're prioritizing: Brand awareness and recognition Brand trust and loyalty Website traffic Credibility Lead generation Our team will help you develop campaigns customized with your goals in mind. We'll track key performance indicators to ensure you're accomplishing distinct goals. We'll develop a comprehensive strategy, allowing you to reach consumers on different channels. These strategies may include: Content marketing Website design and development Search engine optimization (SEO) Paid advertising Social media marketing Email marketing Together, these strategies will allow you to direct consumers through the buyer's journey. You can show consumers the benefits of choosing your brand before winning their business. Using a comprehensive digital marketing strategy will enable brand awareness to grow. According to market insight company Exploding Topics, around four in five consumers need to trust a brand before buying from it. Generating brand trust can lead to more sales and long-term customers. Your cost-per-acquisition will decline as repeat customers keep shopping. At the same time, your ROI will soar. In fact, consumers are more than twice as likely to buy first, stay loyal, and advocate for brands they trust. Generating brand trust can increase word-of-mouth marketing, allowing you to reach new customers. If you're struggling to accomplish business and marketing goals, you'll waste time and money on ineffective campaigns. Before that happens, consult our experienced advertising team. You can use our proven methods to ensure your success. Reach Your Target Audience To experience business growth, you need to find and appeal to your target audience. Relying on local business advertising solutions can help you reach these customers. Your advertising team will personalize your marketing campaigns to appeal to a specific audience. About 90% of marketers say personalization triggers a measurable lift in business results ( software review platform Business2Community ). Another 98% say personalization advances customer relationships. Building strong connections with customers can lead to brand loyalty and increased sales. Your advertising team will gather audience research to specify your target audience. We'll consider demographic and psychographic information like: Age Gender Location Salary Marital status Buying behaviors Interests Hobbies Online behaviors Pain points Recognizing the consumer's pain points will allow you to empathize with their needs. You can forge lasting connections with customers to build your audience base. Specifying your target audience will lead to more successful campaigns. You can reach consumers who want and need your offerings to generate more leads. Your ROI will improve with targeted, personalized advertising. Remain Competitive Working with our experienced advertising team allows small businesses to compete with big corporations. Our expertise will ensure you don't make costly mistakes while executing advertising campaigns. Instead, you'll gain access to our professional tools and resources. Purchasing these tools yourself (tools you may only use once) isn't cost-effective. It can also take time to use them effectively. For example, perhaps you want to advertise using Google Ads or Facebook Ads. It can take time to learn how to navigate these platforms. As you learn the ropes, you may rely on trial and error while developing your campaigns. This tactic can waste valuable advertising dollars while costing you potential customers. Instead, work with an experienced advertising team that understands your industry. We'll recognize opportunities your competitors have neglected. Relying on our expertise will help you gain a competitive advantage. Ongoing AttentionHiring an advertising agency ensures your campaigns receive ongoing attention. Otherwise, you may not recognize you're wasting money on faulty: Targeting parameters Advertising messages Display ad imagery Keeping an eye on your campaigns will ensure you're not overspending or neglecting audience groups. If there's an issue, our advertising team will make immediate changes to your campaign. This ensures you don't blow through your advertising budget prematurely. It can take time to learn how to analyze data from your campaigns to make informed changes. Our advertising team will review the data to recognize trends. Once we recognize which tactics generate results, we can adjust your campaigns to improve your ROI. Meanwhile, you won't have to spread yourself thin by checking on your campaigns. Instead, you can keep your focus where it belongs: on your budding business. Cost-Effective Advertising Methods If you're new to digital advertising, it may take time before you recognize which methods work and which are wasting your time. Rely on our advertising team's expertise instead. We'll apply proven, cost-effective advertising methods to boost your ROI. Your advertising team can use A/B testing to determine what language or imagery best appeals to your target audience. We'll target different groups and keywords to reach your ideal customers. Our proven strategies can ensure your business experiences lasting growth. Meanwhile, you can save valuable time by reaching customers immediately. The sooner you reach your target audience, the sooner your campaigns will generate results. You can stop wasting time and money on ineffective strategies with help from an experienced advertising team. As we help you expand your reach online, you can grow your business and start reaching new customers. Hire Our Advertising Agency Today To recap, what are the benefits of advertising agencies? Our experienced team can set your business up for success. Partnering with an advertising agency will ensure you generate brand awareness, reach customers, and experience long-term growth. Want to leverage local business advertising solutions to grow your business? At Bolt Marketing, we provide agency-quality services to small business owners at rates they can afford. Our all-in-one digital marketing agency can push your business forward. Trust our local expertise, proven results, and personalized approach.  Contact us now to schedule a call to discuss your goals!
By Stephanie Kaewell September 26, 2024
If you're wondering whether you should hire a local marketing agency, the answer is yes! Don't think it's that simple? Let's consider the alternatives! Option #1 : you go without marketing. This isn't a viable course of action, and it will simply put your business on the fast track to failure . After all, if it worked, everyone would do it. Option #2 : you hire someone to take care of your marketing needs in-house. To an inexperienced entrepreneur, this may seem like the most cost-effective approach. In reality, it's anything but, and this article will explain why. Option #3: you hire a big, out-of-town marketing conglomerate. Though they have an impressive list of clients, they won't have their hand on the pulse of your local area. And if that's the case, are they worth the money? Still not sure hiring a local agency is your best bet? Read on for a list of key advantages of teaming up with a local marketer! Local Marketing Is Cost-Effective When you're starting out, the costs of outsourcing your marketing can seem high. As a result, many businesses try to manage their marketing in-house. As we mentioned above, this may not be as profitable as you think. For starters, you'll need to invest in: Talent recruitment Software expenses Employee training Long-term scalability All these costs are non-negotiable and can add up quickly. On top of that, you'll still need to pay your employees their actual wages and benefits. Unless you already have marketing experts on your team, the math is unlikely to work out. If you hire a local marketing agency, none of the above costs will apply. What's more, you can only pay for the services you need. For instance, you may hire a marketer for a particular function ( such as SEO ) or a specific campaign. Another way to save money is to negotiate payment terms that fit your needs. Your local firm may allow you to pay by the hour or even in kind. Many of them also allow you to put your marketing on hold if you hit a slow period. You'll Get More Attention One of the biggest local marketing benefits is that you'll get personal attention. With national marketing firms, this is often not the case. Why is this important? Simple: running a business is all about building relationships , and that includes marketing. When you have a close connection with a local marketer, it's much easier to let them know what you're looking for. Smaller agencies are also better at pivoting when necessary. For example, if your clients don't like a recent ad campaign, you'll need to find a quick way to regroup. A local agency should be readily available and able to change things on the fly. A smaller marketing agency also has less overhead. This gives them an opportunity to go with some bold and creative ideas. Oftentimes, that's exactly what you need to separate yourself from your local competitors. 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You'll also need to use the right keywords and references for your area. For instance, let's say you're running a sandwich shop in North Jersey. If so, your marketer should know to buy Google Ads for "grinders" and "subs." If they invest in keywords like "hoagies," they'd be marketing to South Jersey residents! You'll Gain Access to a Local Network When it comes to marketing agency pros and cons, networking is clearly in the first group. Marketers have other clients, and they all want a deal. Let's say there's a local company that has a similar vision to yours. If so, your marketing team may suggest a sponsorship opportunity. If you're using social media for promotion ( as you should ), this is as simple as linking to their establishment. Local marketing companies also likely have long-standing relationships with local vendors. This allows them to negotiate more reasonable packages for you. In the long run, this is another reason why local marketing helps you save money. Another advantage of hiring a local marketer is their relationship with the media. These days, traditional PR isn't too effective since there are fewer reporters to write those stories. If you're going for nationwide coverage, the competition is fierce. Instead of going down that route, you should focus on reaching local news outlets. Fortunately, local marketers tend to work with local reporters all the time. They'll be able to put your products or services in the news quickly and efficiently. Partner With a Local Marketing Agency Today! There's no denying it: small business marketing can be a tough nut to crack. Without a solid plan in place, you'll simply be treading water. The best way to come up with that plan is to have a local marketing agency develop it. They can deliver results within your budget and on par with your vision. Of course, you'll also need to hire the right agency for your purposes. At Bolt Marketing, we're committed to helping Kentucky entrepreneurs market their businesses at a rate they can afford. Schedule a call with our experts and we'll provide you with a custom marketing plan that will bring results!
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It takes more than an exceptional service or product to stand out among your competition no matter what your industry is. Around 81% of consumers state that they need to trust a brand before they'll consider purchasing from them. Branding, especially brand messaging, allows companies to define their values and clearly state them to their audience. If you're new to learning about marketing for your company, you might be wondering, "What is brand messaging?" Developing your brand messaging has more to do with building a customer base. It's not only about your services and deals. This blog will discuss the basics of brand messaging. We'll also talk about the brand messaging framework and how you can easily craft your own. What Is Brand Messaging? Brand messaging refers to how your business speaks. It's streamlined communication that's led by a strategy to convey your brand promise to your target audience. 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Mission Your company's mission statement can be one or two sentences that are the "why" behind your business. One of the ways you can craft your mission statement is by finishing one of the below sentences: We exist because We do what we do because Come up with a few different options so you can determine which one perfectly encapsulates your brand. Make sure you stay on track and stick to the "why" in your statement. Vision Your vision statement refers to an imaginative and forward-thinking statement. This statement sets a goal of what you want to see happening in the future because of the work your company is doing. You can easily focus all of your brand messaging around the clear goal you have for your company in the future. Values Your values determine how you do your business. Your values are the map that guides your company toward your journey to your final vision. 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Differentiators What sets you apart from your competition are your company's differentiators. Your business model and brand strategy will define these. However, your brand messaging needs to convey your differentiators to your audience. One way to get started on them is by listing what makes you better and different than other companies in your field. Some of the things you can consider include: Materials Values Audience Quality Price point Service Ingredients Anything you do differently than other companies is a differentiator. Pick three or four of them that are the most important to your audience. Highlight them in all of your graphics and messaging. Slogan Your business's tagline or slogan is a crucial element of your business's external brand messaging. You can create a message that will resonate with your audience in just a few words. Businesses can use their slogan in any way they choose. You may want to elicit emotions or describe your business. 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