Why You Might Not Need to Worry About Branding (Yet)
- Tommy Atkins
- Aug 8
- 2 min read
No, this isn’t some weird reverse psychology trick. If you have started a business, you have enough to do without worrying about creating the ‘perfect’ brand. But surely branding is essential? Well, here are some reasons why it might not be too important just yet.
You don’t have a marketing or growth strategy in place
This is something you should have before you can think about branding. Your marketing strategy will inform your brand direction (and vice-versa) as it helps to identify your market niche, competitors, target audience, and customer personas. Great branding serves as the foundation for great marketing, but it’s not something that ‘stays done’ - the best brands regularly rebrand to pivot to a new audience or better reflect their offering.
You aren’t ready for branding
The first few months and years of entrepreneurship teach you a lot about your business, and yourself. You will both change so much over the first year that investing in branding too soon might result in something that won’t fit your evolving business later on. Think of it as the embarrassing clothes you wore as a
teenager - for me, it was skinny ripped jeans and a pair of Vans, I wouldn’t be seen dead in these now (or fit one ankle into them, thanks). The point stands - your business will change, your customers will change, and regardless of your initial branding investment, your branding will need to change too.
You don’t value branding
Some people think they should have branding because they hear about it a lot and assume it’s important, but don’t understand what branding is, and as such, they don’t value it. Take the time to learn about what branding is all about, particularly around how it can impact price perception and trust, and when you start to understand the role it can have in helping you grow, invest heavily.
How to know if you are ready
If you have a clear growth strategy and know your business, customers, and market well, it could be time for branding. Yes, our business Identity Agency, offers creative services, but there are SO many great agencies in Lincoln, like Lincolnshire Marketing, Epix Media, Shooting Star, Pop Branding and more. However, if you’re wanting some genuinely impartial, non-salesy advice about whether or not an investment in branding or marketing is right for you…
Photography: Headshot Toby
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