When you think of developing an effective B2B branding strategy, you may think that you simply need to create a distinctive logo to become as instantly recognisable as companies like McDonald’s, Coca Cola or Nike.
But this is far from being the whole story.
If you want to build a memorable, trustworthy, and profitable B2B business, you must look beyond creating your logo to the bigger picture.
Ask yourself questions like:
- “Why does our business exist and what does it stand for?”
- “What key problems does our product or service solve?
- “Who is our ideal B2B customer?”
- “What is our brand personality?”
Then use this comprehensive data to help you develop a rock-solid B2B branding strategy that gets you the recognition you deserve, connects you with your target audience, builds trust and credibility and helps you meet your marketing goals.
There’s quite a famous quote by American ad agency founder, Jim Mullen. It goes:
“Of all the things that your company owns, brands are far and away the most important and the toughest. Founders die. Factories burn down. Machinery wears out. Inventories get depleted. Technology becomes obsolete. Brand loyalty is the only sound foundation on which business leaders can build enduring, profitable growth.”
This neatly encapsulates what branding is all about. Keep reading to find out how you can put these steps into action to develop your solid B2B brand.
1. Understand your target audience
Before you do anything else, take time to understand your target audience by conducting market research, asking for feedback, looking at reviews and analysing previous marketing data.
Remember that B2B branding is slightly different from B2C because you’re not targeting individuals but the chief decision-makers within other businesses.
Focus on them specifically, finding out about their unique motivators, values and goals – you’ll find it much easier to develop marketing materials that tick all the right boxes and foster growth.
Consider their demographics, problems, preferences and behaviours, then use this information to start creating the foundations of your strong B2B brand. This step will help you better tailor your brand identity to meet their specific needs and develop trust and credibility.
2. Measure your current brand trust
Do you know how much your B2B customers trust your brand? Do you know how you could improve?
Get started by conducting more research, monitoring your online reviews and ratings to gauge customer satisfaction, asking for feedback and looking at whether you have industry recognition, awards or certifications.
By doing so, you’ll identify areas where you can improve your B2B branding strategy and better reach those B2B buyers.
3. Get clear on your ‘why’
Defining your brand’s purpose and values is key to creating your distinctive B2B brand. It helps differentiate you from your competition, better target your niche audience and boost sales.
Think beyond offering a product or service and consider why your brand exists in the first place. What does it stand for? What does it plan to achieve? What difference does it want to make in the world?
Use your insight to develop or update your brand’s values and identity so you can create an even stronger B2B brand identity.
4. Develop your brand voice
If your B2B brand was a person, it would have a unique voice and personality that makes it effortlessly stand out from your competition, so next identify what this is.
How would you describe your brand personality? Would it be serious and professional or relaxed and conversational? Traditional and dependable or quirky and unique?
Once you’ve done this, use it throughout your marketing including on your website, LinkedIn posts, social media posts, visuals, printed materials and anything you use for B2B marketing purposes.
5. Always communicate your USP
What sets your brand apart from your competition? What is your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)? What is it that you deliver that others cannot?
Focus on how you solve problems. If you can make this crystal clear in just a sentence or two and include it throughout your marketing, you’ll further strengthen your B2B brand.
6. Use your visuals
Your visual identity- the colours, fonts, logo, images and other visuals- helps to create a cohesive and memorable experience that helps boost brand loyalty and helps differentiate you from your competitors.
Start by considering what visuals reflect your brand personality then include it across all touchpoints including your website, social media and advertising campaigns. Consider collaborating with a professional graphic designer if you need help.
7. Create compelling B2B marketing content
Creating a strong B2B brand is much more than developing the right logo, identifying your target audience and sharing your USP. You also need to create compelling B2B marketing content that solves problems, adds value and positions you as a trusted expert in your industry.
Think about the key problems that your ideal B2B buyers face, then create blog posts, social media posts, newsletter articles, reels, videos, and podcasts to help them solve them (remembering to stick to your branding strategy!)
Although this probably won’t directly result in sales, it will help position you as a thought leader, build a loyal following and help create trust, converting to sales and revenue over the long term.
8. Focus on customer experience
Your B2B customers should experience personalised and seamless customer service at all times, whether they have filled in a contact form, picked up the phone, left a review, commented on your social media posts or are receiving after-sales advice and support.
What do your customers currently experience when interacting with your B2B brand? Do they always feel valued and respected? How could you improve your customer service to help your brand shine even brighter?
9. Stay consistent!
Strengthen your B2B brand identity by always using the exact same messaging throughout your online and offline touchpoints. Whether you are updating your website, investing in PPC advertising or writing social media posts, stick to the same voice, visuals and tone.
When you do so, those B2B buyers will perceive your brand as more trustworthy, know what to expect, recognise your brand more easily and be more likely to invest in your products or services.
10. Use social proof
You’ve developed your distinctive B2B brand, now it’s time to put it to work. Look for social proof, leverage your case studies, use customer feedback, and include it throughout your website, social media and other marketing.
With other B2B customers vouching for your brand, others are more likely to do the same because they can see you are trusted. You’ll also foster a sense of community and belonging, further boosting your number of loyal customers, boosting sales and nurturing your brand
Summary: Get ready to develop your successful B2B brand today
If you want to build a successful and distinctive brand identity, you first need to start at the basics.
Understand your ideal customer, review current levels of brand trust and identify your values and USP. Then use your research to create a recognisable brand, ensuring that you stay consistent, create compelling content, use social proof and ensure the customer experience is seamless.
Over time, you’ll have a successful brand that resonates with its target audience, helps you stand out from your competition and enables you to meet your B2B marketing goals.
But remember- building a successful B2B brand is a marathon, not a sprint. It can take many years to foster brand trust and recognition so you can stand out from your competition. Be patient, consistent and focused, and the results will come.
Want expert help with your B2B branding or marketing strategy?
Contact us today to find out how we can work together.
