The new year is the perfect time to reflect on your branding, whether personal or for your business, and evaluate on what could be improved. Have you been using the same, outdated branding for almost a decade? It may be time to hire personal or corporate branding services to give you a refresh! Having a current, updated image and modern logo builds trust, sending a message that you are evolving to meet customer needs. It also helps your brand stay relevant and top of mind, which will naturally keep your customers coming back. 

Let's dive into all the areas and reasons to update your branding and how branding services can make it happen.

The Top Things to Update with a Brand Refresh

Visual Identity

Your branding tells the story of who your business is and shows its personality. Is your brand upscale and refined? If so, your logo will be clean and polished, the font you use will be clear and legible, and your messaging and taglines will be formal. On the other hand, if your brand is fun and energetic, your logo will have bright colors, your font will be unique and creative, and your messaging and taglines will be catchy. These brand identity elements will be some of the first things that your customers see. You want to give them an immediate idea of what they can expect when working with your brand. 

For most customers, their very first impression of your brand will be your logo. Make a strong first impression by creating a modern logo that stands out from your competitors. Choose a font and color palette that will consistently represent the personality of your brand. Remember that certain colors elicit different responses: if your brand is loud and exciting, you may want to consider reds, yellows, and oranges; if your brand is masculine and calm, consider using blues, browns, or grays.

Brand Positioning

On the surface, a rebranding may sound like an update of just the visual aspects of your business. While creating a modern logo, updating your brand colors, and redesigning your website are important parts of a rebranding, you need to start with your brand positioning first. A brand position is a strategy expert marketers use to ensure a business has a deep understanding of the industry it's in and how to stand out. With this, you give your business a personality and purpose that affects everything else, including how you communicate with your customers and the branding you use.

Effective brand positioning can be apparent in things like taglines and value propositions. While they're not part of the visual branding of a business, they communicate why you're the right choice over your competition. Think about the benefits and advantages your customers experience when working with you. Write something catchy and memorable to demonstrate your value.

How to Show Off Your New Branding

Updated Print Materials

Now that you and your corporate or personal branding services provider have created the basics of what your brand looks and feels like, it’s time to show it off with your print materials! Use marketing and sales collateral — like flyers, brochures, postcards, and catalogs — to spread the word about the services you offer and show off your new, modern logo. As part of the refresh of your printed materials, make sure you include a clear call to action and information about how to contact you. 

Don’t forget to update your stationery, too! Having custom letterhead, notecards, envelopes, and business cards adds a nice touch to your correspondence and fosters a personal relationship with your audience. 

New Signage

Signs are another great way to display your refreshed branding and draw attention to your business. There are many types of signs that help drive business. To choose the right signage for your brand refresh, think about your company’s end goal. To bring in more customers from the street, try leveraging external signage like sidewalk signs or vehicle graphics.

If you want to attract interest in new products or services, take advantage of internal signage: wall and window graphics or banners and posters. These types of signs showcase your branding well and enhance the customer experience when they visit your business.

An Enhanced Digital Presence

In addition to your physical materials, your brand should be up to date on your online channels to give you a modern and professional appearance. Both prospective and current customers will look to your website and social media channels for information about your business. Make sure your branding is consistent across the digital landscape to provide your customers with a seamless experience. During the process of your brand refresh, also make sure your website has these key elements: 

• The new, modern logo and branding you’ve just created

• A clear description of who you are and the services you offer

• Testimonials or case studies to add credibility to the services you offer

• Examples of work you’ve provided for your clients

• How your customers should get in touch with you (email, phone number, address, and/or links to your social media accounts)

However customers search for your brand, having a consistent presence across all of your digital channels will improve the overall customer experience. Being consistent with your branding ensures your business is easily recognizable and helps maintain customer expectations.

The Positive Impacts of a Brand Refresh

Using branding services to refresh your look goes beyond new aesthetics. A refreshed brand can help attract new audiences and open doors to partnerships or collaborations. When your branding aligns with current market trends and consumer expectations, you demonstrate that your business is forward-thinking and committed to staying ahead of the curve.

This proactive approach not only helps you maintain your current customer base but also positions you as a desirable choice for new opportunities. Updating branding offers several tangible benefits for your business, including:

Easier Brand Recognition

A modern logo and consistent visual identity helps customers recognize and recall your brand. It's like how Nike's swoosh and McDonald's golden arches evoke familiarity and trust. This consistency helps to strengthen your brand's reputation and creates a sense of cohesion across all marketing channels, making your brand more relatable and memorable to your target audience.

Increased Customer Trust

An updated brand sends a powerful message to your audience, conveying a sense of professionalism. It's like a fresh coat of paint on a classic car – it doesn't change the engine, but it gives it a modern look that turns heads. This, in turn, builds confidence among your customers, investors, or partners, making them more likely to trust your business to deliver. With the help of personal or corporate branding services, an updated look can show that you're proactive, willing to evolve, and committed to staying relevant in a rapidly changing market.

Improved Engagement

Fresh, dynamic branding attracts attention and encourages interaction with your business. It's the first thing people notice, and it sets the tone for their entire experience with your company. When your branding is fresh and attention-grabbing, it sparks curiosity and encourages people to engage with your business on a deeper level. Imagine walking down a busy street lined with dull, lackluster storefronts, and then suddenly, you see a shop that pops with unique branding - you can't help but stop and take a closer look. That's the power of fresh, vibrant branding.

Enhanced Competitiveness

In today's competitive market, a modern image is key to helping your brand stand out. Think of it like a billboard – if your sign doesn't grab attention, your message will get lost in the noise and the same can be said for your branding. Just as a sleek, high-tech smartphone appeals more to consumers than a clunky, outdated model, a modern image gives your brand a fresh face that resonates with today's customers. By investing in a modern logo and image, you'll not only attract new customers but also maintain a strong competitive edge in your industry.

Higher Customer Retention

By staying relevant and meeting customers' changing expectations, you can build a loyal customer base. To do this, you need to connect with your customers where they are and deliver a brand experience that resonates with them. Meeting customer expectations means understanding their needs, desires, and pain points. You can do this by getting regular customer feedback, doing market research, and engaging with customers on social media. By being responsive to these changing expectations, businesses can foster a loyal customer base that will continue to support them over time.

Start Your Refresh with AlphaGraphics’ Branding Services

As the new year begins, take this opportunity to bring your brand to life with a new look and feel. By leveraging corporate or personal branding services to revamp your visual identity and brand positioning, you set the stage for long-term growth and success. At AlphaGraphics, our local teams of expert designers and business professionals are ready to help you plan for success in the year ahead!

Take the first step today and watch how a modern logo and refreshed brand can transform your business into a powerhouse of recognition, trust, and engagement. Find your local center to get started.