Branding - How Important is it?

20 replies
Hi Guys,

I want to get into offline marketing.

I know it's important to brand yourself as an expert but this goes part and parcel with that...

How important is it to have your own website, business cards, stationary etc before going into business?

Can anyone recommend some low cost solutions? I checked out the products & services forum hoping to find a pre-made website and also checked Flippa but couldn't find anything.

Did you all build your websites from scratch?

Thanks for your help.
#branding #business cards #important #stationary #website
  • Profile picture of the author mjbmedia
    some will say you dont need it if you go out meeting people and talk with them they do/may buy you just from what you say.

    Personally i like websites to do a lot of work for me , build lists, relationships and be my mouthpiece when Im not face to face so I would say to get one just to explain what benefits you can bring to them ,keep it simple to start then build it up as you progress.
    branding depends on where you want to position yourself really, if youre looking to do bits and pieces for a few $$$/£££ then its less important than if youre sniffing out $1m+ clients who will likely take longer and go through more decisions to get a yes from, at least until you get to the stage where $1m+ are recommending you to other $1+ businesses
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    Mike

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  • Profile picture of the author iamchrisgreen
    Originally Posted by NicheHound View Post

    Hi Guys,

    I want to get into offline marketing.

    I know it's important to brand yourself as an expert but this goes part and parcel with that...

    How important is it to have your own website, business cards, stationary etc before going into business?

    Can anyone recommend some low cost solutions? I checked out the products & services forum hoping to find a pre-made website and also checked Flippa but couldn't find anything.

    Did you all build your websites from scratch?

    Thanks for your help.
    This stuff is essential. You are going to meeting clients because you'll be helping them with their online marketing.

    Why wouldn't you have the same?
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    • Profile picture of the author NicheHound
      Originally Posted by mjbmedia View Post

      some will say you dont need it if you go out meeting people and talk with them they do/may buy you just from what you say.

      Personally i like websites to do a lot of work for me , build lists, relationships and be my mouthpiece when Im not face to face so I would say to get one just to explain what benefits you can bring to them ,keep it simple to start then build it up as you progress.
      branding depends on where you want to position yourself really, if youre looking to do bits and pieces for a few $$$/£££ then its less important than if youre sniffing out $1m+ clients who will likely take longer and go through more decisions to get a yes from, at least until you get to the stage where $1m+ are recommending you to other $1+ businesses
      Thanks for your answer,

      I'm looking to build residual income, servicing small business clients with various services in the $150 to $500 per month range.

      I want to offer them services which will provide them high quality targeted leads that will immediately convert in to increased profits and make them happy to stay with me long term.

      What would you recommend in the way of a website to start with? Should I just build a generic one that gives me some branding and not worry about ranking it or should I target an exact match domain for a highly searched local search term that can provide me leads.

      What would you do if you were in my position and had to start from scratch with a small budget?

      Thanks again and I highly appreciate your answers.


      Originally Posted by iamchrisgreen View Post

      This stuff is essential. You are going to meeting clients because you'll be helping them with their online marketing.

      Why wouldn't you have the same?
      Thanks, I tend to agree with you.

      I would feel kind of lame if I was asking local business to try my services and I didn't even have a business card or website.

      Can you recommend anyone to build my website or know where I can get a good PLR website for this niche?

      I figure most of you guys would have been in the same situation so just looking for some options to find the best solution.

      Thanks again,
      John.
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  • Profile picture of the author allegrity
    Branding is essential if you want to grow your business.
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    Business Growth and Development via Mobile

    Need a mobile website done? Want to offer mobile websites to your existing clients? Mobile work for your clients mounting up and you need assistance? Let's talk.
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  • Profile picture of the author Shirlyn
    Branding is really important because with brand name you can earn and expected outcomes and more business opportunities.
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  • Profile picture of the author danielkanuck
    I would leave branding to the big corporations who have millions to spend on advertising. Let your brand evolve over time in the mind of your existing customers. As far as advertising goes, you should run a direct response ad instead of an ad geared to "get your name" out there.

    The problem with branding is that you can't track your results. At least with a direct response ad, the number of leads that you generate will immediately let you know if your display or full page ad is working.

    I wouldn't do brand advertising even if i had the money to do it. And i don't think you should do it also. Focus on generating a lead, and converting that lead into a customer/client.
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    • Profile picture of the author NicheHound
      Hi Daniel,

      Thanks for your answer.

      I was think more from the perspective of cold calling small business.

      I need to build some level of trust before I have built up a reputation for myself. If I have a business card, stationary and a decent website at least they can see that I am serious.

      Maybe branding was not the right word to use.
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  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
    Originally Posted by NicheHound View Post

    Hi Guys,

    I want to get into offline marketing.

    I know it's important to brand yourself as an expert but this goes part and parcel with that...

    How important is it to have your own website, business cards, stationary etc before going into business?

    Can anyone recommend some low cost solutions? I checked out the products & services forum hoping to find a pre-made website and also checked Flippa but couldn't find anything.

    Did you all build your websites from scratch?

    Thanks for your help.

    My website is built from scratch because it has to be being a graphic design / web design company. With that aside though, I don't recommend using pre-made templates. Every business should be unique. This includes the website.

    Branding is my business. If you are interested in having a quote written for website / logo and stationery design please click into my sig and contact me via my website.

    (I'm unable to send PM's at the moment).
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    • Profile picture of the author NicheHound
      Originally Posted by webcore View Post

      My website is built from scratch because it has to be being a graphic design / web design company. With that aside though, I don't recommend using pre-made templates. Every business should be unique. This includes the website.

      Branding is my business. If you are interested in having a quote written for website / logo and stationery design please click into my sig and contact me via my website.

      (I'm unable to send PM's at the moment).
      Thanks,

      I agree about being unique but I'm looking for a low cost option to get started. I was thinking of buying a decent logo and stationary design. Saving myself the $500 it would cost for a website and going the PLR route for time being.

      I can change the header, use my logo and make a couple of tweeks to make it look different. 99.99% of business owners are never going to know it's PLR. The main thing is that I have an online presence.

      Anyway, a quote would be good. I'll be in touch.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jason Dittberner
        Don't worry about any of that until after you get a few clients. You will waste time "trying to get everything perfect" which just delays getting the first check. Your immediate goal is to secure the first check, and build off of that momentum.

        I got my first five clients without a business card or website. Clients care about what you can do for them, not what YOUR image is...and if they like YOU. Sell them on YOU; show them what you can do to help them, and then worry about the ancillary stuff.
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        • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
          Originally Posted by Jason Dittberner View Post

          Don't worry about any of that until after you get a few clients. You will waste time "trying to get everything perfect" which just delays getting the first check. Your immediate goal is to secure the first check, and build off of that momentum.

          I got my first five clients without a business card or website. Clients care about what you can do for them, not what YOUR image is...and if they like YOU. Sell them on YOU; show them what you can do to help them, and then worry about the ancillary stuff.
          Finally a voice of sanity!

          More money, time and dreams have been lost by fooling around
          with getting things to "look right" for prospects and clients
          than any other business enterprise.

          I know 2 guys that sell websites to businesses, yet they don't
          have websites selling that service.

          Are they losing money by not...?

          Nope!

          Let's just say they don't sell WSO's and they play
          in a much bigger league than those here.

          Best,
          Ewen
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  • Profile picture of the author chengwong
    Well Branding is always necessary for one to represent himself in the market, if you are known by big entrepreneurs then you can also get good contracts and I hope that is what you want, so branding yourself will help.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sondor
    I guess my 2-cents falls somewhere in the middle of the advice given here. While you don't NEED a website or business card, it can help.

    The key is not to get hung-up on the details and just spin your wheels.

    Have you considered having a banner made for you, and using WordPress to slap up a site real quick?

    For banner work, I've been really happy with all the jobs CrazyHeaders ($11) or LogoNerds($17) has done for me in the past.
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  • Profile picture of the author vivaarturo
    I cannot recommend any printing suppliers but the best advice I can give do not hunt around trying ti save a few dollars. Phone 5 printers take the lowest price and print the cards. then get out and start speaking with business's. One client will pay for all your printing

    Cheers
    Arturo
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  • Profile picture of the author addyj672
    Brand development is not a new idea, consumers have more access to information and more choices than ever before. So very high expectations, brand message must captivate the consumer immediately. Through brand development companies seeks to experience long term success to create the most compelling, relevant, and consistent brand experiences for their customers. Brand point management begins with creating and developing brand. Brands don’t declare themselves in market and in the hearts or minds of consumers. A solid brand strategy tell consumer about a particular brand.
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  • Profile picture of the author phil 1957
    Hi guys, I would appreciate some advice with regard to re-branding some quality IM PLR Products. Was wondering what was the best and most cost-effective way to go. I'm not techy, so would need to buy the help.

    Thanks

    Phil
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  • Profile picture of the author AshleyPS
    I have a website and businesscards. I've kept it simple and clean, hard to go wrong that way.

    I didn't think BC's were necessary in this day and age where everyone has a mobile phone... but people kept asking me for one, so I relented.
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  • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
    John,

    Imagine I sell cars. Fast cars. But I show up to meet you in a deadbeat old car. And my competitors get to meet you with a brand new Audi.

    Who do you think it's the expert? Most probably the other guy. I can be the guru, but his presentation was best...

    :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

    It gets more complicated then this, but if you're going offline for good, you better step up your game. Grab a name, build a brand, get testimonials, get connections with influent people (can't stress this enough) and have at least 1 website and a phone number so people can reach you and check you're a real person.

    Ewen, Jason, I don't know where you live, but in my small world without a huge credibility, reputation and a good presence (not saying fancy...) I would lose at least half of my clients.

    Trying to get offline without a site, testimonials, a business card, a FACE a NAME and a PHONE NUMBER, is going to put the guy in a corner faster then he can imagine. Offline business owners are dead tired of being pitched by companies and individuals with no face, no name, no company, nada. If a new offliner doesn't step up a bit, he's going to lose time and money until he breaks the natural defenses from business owners.

    Just my 2 cents after 7 years 100% offline - take it or leave it.

    Fernando
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    People make good money selling to the rich. But the rich got rich selling to the masses.
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  • Profile picture of the author opencreativs
    branding is the most important thing for offline marketing.. I`m a newbie in offline marketing.. hoping the best
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  • Profile picture of the author NWJewelry
    I agree with evolving your brand overtime, I don't think you need to do it right up front. However as far as having a website, business cards etc even for offline marketing it can help. No matter how good your personality is, people can still forget your name. Have a business card to hand them and have a site that they can bookmark.
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    Homemade Jewelry designs inspired by distant shores
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