How to Launch Your Brand and Get Your First Customers

Launching a new brand can be exciting, but also be a somewhat scary and challenging task. It takes careful planning, execution, and a lot of effort to make your brand stand out in the crowded digital marketplace. Once you’ve created your brand and are ready to launch, the next step is to get your first customers. Thankfully, we have compiled some tips to help you do just that:

Identify Your Target Audience

Before you begin promoting your brand, it’s important to identify and then understand your target audience.  A target audience is defined as a group of people who will most likely be the customers of your business. This individual group will share various demographics as well, perhaps including education, location, gender, age, income levels, etc. To determine your target audience, you want to answer questions like “Who is my target audience?” “What are their pain points?” and more.

This information will help you best identify your target audience, and best understand how to market towards this group in particular. You will get more out of your marketing dollars because they will be focused mostly on reaching this group of people. In other words, instead of casting a super wide net and only getting a few fish that you really desire— but mostly catching fish that are not your target customer who won’t buy from you or be interested in your service or product— you will use the right bait to entice the fish you want to catch.

Develop a Unique Value Proposition

The next step in getting your first customer is to set your brand apart from your competitors. You do this by creating a unique value proposition. A value proposition is a statement that you create that communicates to your potential audience what sets your brand apart from others in your industry. Usually, this statement is concise and sums up the mission or motivation behind your brand. Value propositions can follow varying formats, but most will have the following factors in play:

• It will be persuasive so that a prospect is transformed into a customer.
  
  
• It will be on-brand in terms of the format you use. This means if your target audience has a large social media presence, you will make sure that proposition is displayed on your social media pages.
  
  
• It should be communicated directly to potential customers through advertising materials or other marketing methods. 
  
  
• It is a statement that makes the number one reason your brand is superior to others abundantly clear. 

Build a Strong Online Presence

In today’s digital age, it’s crucial to have a strong online presence. Without a website, a social media page, and more, your business will be seen as a modern-day dinosaur. To ensure this isn't the case, create a website that is user-friendly, visually appealing, and mobile-responsive. Optimize your website for search engines so that potential customers can find you easily. Keep in mind, according to a Cision PR Newswire study, 76% of consumers will check out a business’s online presence before they will visit it in person. In many cases, this means that your brand’s online presence and its digital persona are now the first impressions that a great brick-and-mortar store or commercial used to offer. 

Leverage Influencers and Partnerships

As another way to embrace the digital age, it’s important to join influencers through partnerships and partner with other brands to gain exposure and credibility. Identify influencers who align with your brand values and have a strong following to find the right partnership for you. Joining up with a popular influencer, even local social influencers, can make a lot of sense, especially when you are just starting and not many people have heard about your brand. This can give you an instant boost by getting the endorsement of an influencer who is well-liked in your industry. Although your results will vary and it depends on many factors like the aggressiveness of your campaign, stats show that most businesses will note about a 1,800% return on their investment in such endeavors.  

Offer Discounts And/or Promotions

Let’s face it, we all love a good deal. Therefore, by offering discounts and/or promotions you can appeal to potential customers This is especially true when you are just starting out. Consider offering a discount to first-time customers or running a limited-time promotion during this unique stage of your business development. 

Attend Events and Trade Shows

Attending events and trade shows within your industry can help you reach potential customers and build brand awareness. Consider exhibiting at a trade show or attending industry events where your target audience is likely to be. Although you might assume that attending trade shows is only applicable to larger businesses or established enterprises, it can actually be an extremely affordable way to build up your brand’s base quickly. Here are just a few of the many benefits of attending events and trade shows as a way of promoting your business:

1. Build Brand Awareness

Trade shows can include small groups, like dozens of vendors, or include thousands and take up a huge conference space. Either way, attending such events can get your brand’s name in front of all the attendees.

2. Allows You to Build Business Relationships

As mentioned above partnerships with other businesses or influencers can be a great way to increase your brand’s reach early on. Attending events or trade shows can be a good way for you to find these people who would make good partners in your industry.

3. Generate Leads

You can expect to generate some potential leads when attending such events.

4. Study Your Competitors

Even if you don’t set up a booth, attending such events gives you a chance to see what your competition is up to and how they are appealing to customers.

Invest in Advertising

Investing in various advertising methods can be highly advantageous for new businesses looking to launch and attract their first customers. This strategy can help create brand awareness and generate interest among a wider audience. It's recommended to diversify your advertising efforts by investing in a range of mediums, such as radio marketing, magazine marketing, social media marketing, digital marketing, and other channels. The most effective advertising tactics typically integrate both traditional and digital advertising methods.

Different advertising types offer unique benefits that can assist in reaching your target audience and pique their interest in your brand. Social media advertising, for instance, enables you to target specific demographics based on their interests and behaviors. On the other hand, search engine advertising allows you to display ads to individuals actively searching for similar products or services.

You Can Do It!

Launching a brand and getting your first customers can be a challenging task, but it’s not impossible. By following the tips listed above, you can create a strong brand and attract your first customers. Remember, be patient and persistent, and don’t be afraid to try new strategies if something isn’t working. Contact us at fuze32 for more tips on launching your brand.