5 Branding Mistakes That Will Make You Look Like an Idiot

Branding is a core part of any marketing strategy and directly affects the amount of revenue you produce. To build a strong brand that your demographic wants to associate with, you need to avoid making mistakes that make your brand look bad. Fortunately, branding mistakes are easy to avoid if you understand them. Here are five branding mistakes that can damage your brand and how to avoid them.

1. Bandwagon-Jumping

 There are some cases where jumping onto the latest trend in your industry can be a profitable endeavor. However, it can also dilute your brand if it deviates too drastically from its core identity. Watering down your brand with careless bandwagon-jumping can leave your target demographic feeling disenfranchised and less willing to spend money on you.

 Instead of hopping onto the latest trends, focus on producing products and services that your core demographic is interested in and slowly growing your base. If you do jump on a trend, make sure that your core demo doesn't feel neglected, and don't try and force them into being a part of it.

 2. Not Acknowledging Mistakes

 When a person makes a mistake, the best thing they can do is acknowledge it, apologize, and let everyone know that they have learned from it. The same applies to your brand. However, many businesses try to sweep their mistakes under the rug, rarely acknowledging them, and offering an insincere corporate apology when they do.

 When your business makes a mistake, own up to it as soon as possible, and when you apologize, don't just throw out a bunch of corporate double-speak drivel. Instead, focus on how you're going to fix your mistake, and let your customers know that it won't happen again in the future.

 3. Not Dealing with Trolls Appropriately

 If your brand becomes popular enough, trolls will begin attacking you, usually via social media. Trolls can have many motivations, from politics, bigotry, or just for laughs. However, all trolls are shameless attention seekers.

 The best way to deal with trolls is to block them and report them when necessary. Never acknowledge or reply to a troll since that's what they want.

 4. Not Having a Brand Personality

 You should think of your brand as a "who," not a "what." Your brand's core identity isn't your products, services, employees, or stores. Your brand is how your business engages with your demographic.

 Think of your brand as if it were a person. Are they the stylish, trendy brand, or are they the penny-pinching bargain-seeking brand? Are they a fancy luxury item brand, or are they an edgy, outcast brand? Figure out who your brand is, and use that brand identity when engaging with your demographic.

 5. Not Speaking the Language of Your Demographic

 When you engage with your demographic, you want your brand identity to feel authentic. Not using the terminology and language that your demo uses will make your brand feel like a faceless corporate entity at best and a phony at worst.

 Developing your brand voice is closely tied to your brand personality. Research your demo, and learn their terminology, tone, language, and attitude. Take that information and develop a voice your core audience will understand and identify with on a deeper level.

 Managing Your Brand

 You want to make sure that the people you have managing your brand can convey its personality appropriately. This strategy applies to all aspects of your business, from marketing your products and services to how you post on social media.

 Building a successful brand starts with a foundation of in-depth demographics research. Since demographics change over time, you should also keep up with how opinions, trends, and buying habits change. It's easy for your brand to become out of touch if you're not careful.

 Remember, branding is not something that will boost your revenue and profits overnight. It's something that takes time to work its magic. However, when it does, you'll have an incredibly loyal customer base that will be eager to buy your products based on brand recognition alone.