We’ve got to know about different branding types and how should we start, but we still couldn’t make it happen, why? Because your branding might go wrong. To help you navigate the challenging process of building a sustainable brand for your company, we’ve prepared a list of common branding mistakes for you. Check them out below, and make sure you aren’t making any of these mistakes.
1. Inconsistency across different platforms
The first rule of building a strong brand is consistency. Presenting a consistent identity to your audience delivers a sense of trust and comfort to your customers. It can go a long way in building an easily recognizable image for your company. A company that presents itself inconsistently ends up appearing unprofessional and untrustworthy. Consistency starts with coordination of your visual assets across every place your company is represented, which include website, social media accounts, ads, print materials, etc. To align your visual identity, you need a brand style guide.
Read more: HOW TO CREATE A BRAND STYLE GUIDE FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
2. Relying too heavily on design trends
Keeping up with the latest branding and design trends is a great way to make sure your brand is presented in a fresh, contemporary way, but there’s a big difference between modernizing your brand and losing your core identity in pursuit of the latest trend. It can be easy to get swept up in what looks cool at the moment, but then your brand will likely need to weather multiple waves of design trends without looking dated. Therefore, you could use design trends as a source of inspiration, but don’t rely on them too heavily.
3. Straying too far from your previous presentation
Don’t stray away too far from what made your brand successful if you’re considering a brand redesign. You want your current audience to recognize your new design. Big, hasty changes can set apart even your loyal fans. What you can do is recognize your company’s core image and values, and keep them at the forefront of your mind during any redesign process.
4. Attaching your brand to the wrong things
Remember, use your company name and logo selectively and sparingly – especially when it comes to branded products, sponsorships, and events. When you attach your brand name to something, it should reflect and be compatible with your brand’s values and voice. When a brand partners with something that doesn’t directly relate to their own message, it can seem inconsistent and untrustworthy to consumers.
5. Not considering how your brand be perceived Globally
Even if your company isn’t operating internationally, you should still take into consideration how your brand image might be received globally. It’s worth knowing if you’ve inadvertently created an offensive brand message that could bring you trouble when scaling your brand globally. If you think you might one day want to take your brand global, it is better to avoid potential issues in advance and be prepared to localize your brand message.
6. Using copy that doesn’t accurately reflect your brand
We understand that brands want to make them stand out among their competitors, but sometimes the copywriting that is too excessive just doesn’t paint an accurate picture of their brand. To position your brand in a way that distinguishes you clearly from your competitors, you can’t rely on some buzzwords that everyone else is using. You could find one thing that makes you truly unique, and run with it.
Conclusion
Even well known brands like Colgate and Disney make branding mistakes, so be careful when you are developing a brand. Avoiding these mistakes could help you to improve your branding performance. Run into any branding mishaps? Let us help you!