branding

An old classic is back. Fountain pens as we know them are writing instruments that date back to the 1800s (and possibly even earlier in history). They are known for both utility and class. Now fountain pens are once again becoming popular in the business world.
 

In 2016, small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) and the customers that they serve tend to connect digitally. For example, social media is used by SMBs as an essential means to keep in touch and promote interaction (as well as sales transactions).

Branding today is different than it was in the last century. One simple reason is that there are more ways to reach people, thanks to changes in technology, media and the way we consume content.

At Idea Custom Solutions, we love talking about branding, as well as the different ways that small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can stand out in very competitive markets.

No matter what sector companies are in, the logos and identities of their businesses matter. This goes for everyone, not just the megabrands. Logos are often the first images that pop up into customers’ minds — and what keeps companies top-of-mind.

Sometimes just knowing what your customers want can seem like the biggest challenge of all. In the promotional products industry, we know that t-shirts are extremely popular with both consumers and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Yet when businesses place orders, what they buy is focused on what will best promote their businesses. Meanwhile, consumers consider personal preferences, such as fashion, fit and their own personalities, when making t-shirt purchases.

Let’s say one of your customers wants to promote his or her business.

Last summer, LinkedIn’s Pulse ran an article stating something that almost everyone in business probably knows: salespeople are very competitive compared to other humans. Business data scientist Ji-A Min wrote that “Popular opinion argues — and research shows — that competitiveness is correlated with selling success.”

Change is a part of corporate life and marketing. You need not be “on fleek” or "perf” to keep up with it, but staying current with trends and tastes should be a priority. When companies merge or change their products, a simple logo tweak may do the trick. Other times, a more comprehensive re-brand can help keep customers engaged, while letting a firm show off its new image.

Over the last century or so, the concept of a brand has evolved into something that is very important to businesses of every size, as well as universities and even non-profits.

It could just be buzz in the media, but it seems like 2015 was a big year in corporate rebranding. Tech firms tweaked the logos that helped make them famous, while startups shook up the business landscape, adding new style to the conversation around corporate identities. Fortune 500 companies changed their names while others altered their corporate images to simplify their look and also appeal to millennials as future life-long customers.