Building Your Business Brand on a Shoestring Budget
By Anne Casanova, PsPrint.com

Many small businesses are very good at reaching out to new customers but are generally not as good at nurturing the relationship. Nurturing a relationship allows you to reinforce your brand and increase brand loyalty. This also helps you weather the storms of increasing competition. A customer who has developed a good relationship with you will remain loyal, even if the competition decides to lower its price. That's building brand loyalty. Many small businesses assume branding is expensive. But reinforcing your brand does not need to cost a lot. Here are some easy, inexpensive ways to build and develop brand loyalty:
  • Start or contribute to a blog. Discover what is the most highly trafficked and searched blog in your industry and start to write and post relevant articles that include information about your business.
  • Attach your tagline to your email signature. If you don't already have a tagline, consider developing one that clearly and succinctly informs people about your business
  • Start an e-mail newsletter for your customers and prospects. Include your own article and link to other pieces related to your industry. This is a great way to consistently keep your brand in front of customers. Make sure to include a section on the front of the newsletter that encourages the recipient to "pass on to friends and colleagues"
  • Offer your expertise to local or industry media publications that are read by your target customer. Consider submitting op-ed pieces to your local newspaper. Or write an article and pitch it to target publications.
  • Follow up with your customers to thank them for their business and obtain referrals.
  • Consider conducting a survey, either via mail or online, to get feedback on your products or service. You can use positive testimonials on your website, in your newsletter and even print on the back of your business cards.
  • Make sure that all of your promotional materials match one another. At the very least, your business cards, stationery, signage, packaging, brochures and website should all feature your name, logo and tagline consistently.
  • If you use a car or truck in your business have your business name and contact information professionally painted on the side of the vehicle. That way your means of transportation becomes a vehicle for advertising your business. If you don't want the business name painted on the vehicle, consider using magnetic signs.
PsPrint delivers exceptional printing, direct mail and design services for small and medium businesses. With cutting edge technology, best print quality possible, online tools for 24/7 order processing, and the most competitive prices available anywhere, we are committed to providing the best online printing service and quality at the best prices available. Whether its business cards and letterhead, brochures or postcards, annual reports or banners, tradeshow materials or stickers, PsPrint is like having your own dedicated marketing team. Visit www.psprint.com.
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