New Year, New Image!

Happy New Year! It seems with the new year, comes a sense of focus and excitement for opportunities that lay ahead. For some, it's about making this "the year you succeed..." whether that's in your personal life, or your career. Did you make a new year's resolution? While I didn't make a new year's resolution personally, I'm already three months into my "business resolution" and still going strong! Let me explain...

It started about three month's ago, with the beginning of our fiscal year. After more then 10 years in business, we decided it was time to revisit our business plan, and refocus our strategies. As a business, we're making conscious efforts to plan for the coming year, not only budget wise, but also our marketing and advertising efforts. We've put goals in place, and it is exciting to see us achieving those goals! You know the old saying, "if you fail to plan; you plan to fail." This can seem overwhelming for a small business owner. Business Development Canada (BDC) has a great business plan/template on their website, that clearly explains all the different aspects to a plan. Don't try to do it all in one sitting... read it, and mull it over. As difficult as it is, try removing yourself from the day to day operation of your business so you can have uninterrupted time to focus on your vision. It also helps if you have a business partner, mentor, or even a spouse, that can encourage you to keep your focus.

Whether starting a new business, or revamping an established one, you may be thinking more about how to market yourself this coming year. There's so many ways to do it, but no matter the avenue you choose, it's important to keep consistency in your branding. Here's my top 10 list of questions you should ask yourself when thinking about your brand:

1. What is your product or service?
2. What do you want your business to be famous for?
3. What are the short/medium/long term goals of your company?
4. Who is your audience/demographic?
5. Who us your primary competition?
6. Why should they buy from you?
7. What colours do you like/dislike?
8. How would you rate your brand? (Expensive/economical, serious/casual, high tech/home-made, simple/complex, modern/classic...)
9. Name a logo/brand that you like/dislike?
10. Where will your logo be used?

I hope these ideas will give you a good starting point for 2012. As Steve Jobs said, "Simple can be harder than complex; You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains."

This year, Big Footprints is offering three branding packages that we hope will get your new year off to a great start. Check out our facebook page for more information on the packages, and to see samples of our work! We'd welcome the opportunity to chat further about your goals! Feel free to send me an email at izabella@bigfootprints.ca

Izabella