Brand Strategy

Before diving into the components of a brand identity, it’s important to have a brand strategy in place. Your brand strategy should identify your target audience, brand values, and messaging. It should also help you determine how you want your brand to be perceived in the marketplace. With a clear brand strategy, you can create a strong brand identity that resonates with your audience.

Logo Types

Your logo is the centrepiece of your brand identity. It’s the first thing people see when they come into contact with your brand, so it’s important to get it right. There are different types of logos that you may want to consider for your brand:

Primary Logo: This is the main logo that represents your brand. It’s typically the most detailed and includes your brand name and any relevant graphics.

Secondary Logo: This is a simplified version of your primary logo. It may exclude certain design elements or have a different orientation or layout. It’s used when the primary logo is too large or detailed for certain applications.

Submark: This is a smaller version of your logo that includes only a part of the primary logo, such as a graphic element or the brand name. It’s often used in situations where space is limited or a more subtle approach is needed.

Favicon: This is a tiny version of your logo that appears in the browser tab when someone visits your website. It should be simple and easily recognizable, even at a small size.

Brand Elements

In addition to your logo, there are other brand elements that you should consider when creating a cohesive brand identity:

Colour Palette: Your brand’s colours should be consistent across all applications, including your logo, website, social media profiles, and print materials. It’s important to choose colours that are appropriate for your brand and that resonate with your target audience.

Typography: Your brand’s typography should be consistent and easily legible across all applications. It should also reflect your brand’s personality and tone.

Imagery: The imagery you choose for your brand should be consistent with your brand’s overall aesthetic and messaging. It can include photography, illustrations, or other graphics.

Brand Patterns: Brand patterns are a way to add visual interest and texture to your brand identity. They can be used in backgrounds, social media graphics, or print materials. Brand patterns should be consistent with your brand’s overall aesthetic and colour palette.

File Types

When it comes to creating and using your brand identity, it’s important to understand different file types and their applications. Here are a few of the most common file types:

PNG: A PNG file is a type of image file that supports transparency. It’s often used for logos and graphics on the web.

JPEG: A JPEG file is a compressed image file that is widely used for photos and graphics on the web.

PDF: A PDF file is a document file that can contain text, images, and graphics. It’s often used for print materials like brochures and flyers.

SVG: An SVG file is a scalable vector graphics file that can be resized without losing quality. It’s often used

In summary, a cohesive brand identity is essential for any business or organization looking to stand out in today’s competitive market. It can differentiate your brand, establish brand recognition, and build trust and loyalty with your audience. By understanding the different components of a brand identity, such as logo variations, brand elements, and brand patterns, you can create a consistent and memorable brand experience across all touchpoints. It’s also important to use the right file types and colour applications to ensure your brand looks its best across all mediums.

At Twelve-O-One, we understand the importance of a strong brand identity, and we can help you create one that resonates with your target audience. Our team will work with you to develop a brand strategy that aligns with your business goals and values. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you elevate your brand and stand out in your industry.

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What is a Brand Strategy?

A brand strategy is a long-term plan for the development of a successful brand. It outlines your brand’s vision, values, target audience, messaging, and competitive advantage. A well-defined brand strategy helps differentiate your brand from competitors and establishes a unique position in the market.

Why is a Brand Strategy Important?

A brand strategy is vital for any business looking to succeed in a competitive marketplace. Here are some reasons why a brand strategy should come before brand identity:

Defines Your Target Audience: A brand strategy helps you understand your target audience, identifying their needs, pain points, and motivations. This information guides the development of your messaging, products, and services.

Builds Consistency Across all Channels: A brand strategy ensures that your messaging is consistent across all channels. It defines your brand’s tone of voice, visual style, and messaging, which builds trust and familiarity with your audience.

Establishes a Unique Position in the Market: A brand strategy helps differentiate your brand from competitors. By defining your unique selling proposition (USP), you can create a compelling brand story that resonates with your audience, setting you apart from competitors.

Aligns Your Team: A brand strategy ensures that everyone in your organization understands your brand’s mission and values, aligning your team and providing a clear direction for everyone to follow.

Why is Brand Identity Important?

Brand identity is the visual representation of your brand, including your logo, colors, typography, and visual elements. While brand identity is crucial, it should not be the starting point. Here are some reasons why brand identity should come after a brand strategy:

Your Brand Strategy Guides Your Brand Identity: Your brand strategy provides the framework for your brand identity, defining your brand’s values, tone of voice, and messaging.

Your Brand Identity Should Reflect Your Brand Strategy: Your brand identity should convey the same message as your brand strategy, reflecting your brand’s core values.

Your Brand Identity is not Your Brand: Your brand identity is just one component of your brand. While it is essential, it is not your brand. Your brand is the sum of all the experiences that your audience has with your business.

In summary, starting with a solid brand strategy allows you to understand your audience, differentiate yourself from competitors, align your team, and create consistency across all channels. By building a strong foundation, you can then develop a unique and effective brand identity that accurately reflects your values and resonates with your audience. Remember that a successful brand is more than just a logo or a tagline, it’s a comprehensive strategy that takes time and effort to develop, but the rewards are well worth it. So, take the time to build your brand strategy before jumping into your brand identity, and you’ll be on your way to building a successful and impactful brand. 

If you are struggling to define your brand strategy or develop a cohesive brand identity that resonates with your audience, twelve-o-one can help. Our team of experts specializes in creating strong brand foundations and developing unique brand identities that align with your brand’s mission and values. Schedule a clarity call today to learn more about our services and how we can help you build a successful brand

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Your brand is outdated

One of the most obvious signs that it’s time for a rebrand is when your brand looks outdated or stale. If your logo, website, or other visual elements look like they were designed in the ’90s, it’s time for a change. An outdated brand can make your business look unprofessional and out-of-touch, turning away potential customers. A rebrand can give your business a fresh, modern look and help you connect with a new generation of consumers.

Your business has evolved

As businesses grow and evolve, their brand should reflect those changes. If your business has shifted its focus, expanded its services, or reached a new target audience, your brand may no longer accurately represent who you are or what you offer. A rebrand can help you showcase your current offerings, values, and mission to your audience.

Your brand is confusing

If your brand messaging is unclear or confusing, it’s time for a rebrand. Your brand should clearly communicate what your business does, what sets you apart from competitors, and how you can help your customers. If your brand messaging is muddled or doesn’t align with your business’s values, a rebrand can help you realign your messaging and clarify your brand’s purpose.

Your brand no longer resonates with your audience

As consumer preferences and trends change, so should your brand. If your brand no longer resonates with your target audience, it’s time for a rebrand. Your brand should connect with your audience and reflect their values and interests. A rebrand can help you understand your audience’s needs and preferences, and design a brand that resonates with them.

Your brand is associated with negative perceptions

If your brand is associated with negative perceptions or experiences, it’s time for a rebrand. Negative associations can stem from a variety of factors, including poor customer service, bad PR, or a poor-quality product or service. A rebrand can help you distance yourself from negative perceptions and reposition your business as a positive force in the market.

If you’re not sure whether your business is ready for a rebrand, schedule a clarity call with twelve-o-one. Our team can help you navigate the rebranding process, creating a brand that not only aligns with your business goals but also resonates with you, and one that you’ll be proud to showcase.

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In today’s digital age, social media has become a fundamental component of business strategy, with a significant impact on brand recognition, customer engagement, and sales growth. Social media planning is essential for optimizing your social media strategy, and having the right tools can make all the difference. In this blog, we’ll discuss the must-have social media planning tools for 2023 that will help you streamline your strategy and take your social media marketing to the next level.

Canva

Visual content is crucial for engaging your audience on social media, and Canva is an excellent tool for creating high-quality graphics and visual content. Canva offers a wide range of templates and design elements that can be customized to suit your brand, making it easy to create stunning graphics and visual content that can be shared on social media.

1. Canva Free: Canva Free is a web-based graphic design platform that offers basic features and tools for creating simple designs. It provides access to over 8,000 templates, 100+ design types, and 1GB of cloud storage. Canva Free users can also upload their own images and access a library of free images, icons, and graphics. However, it has limited access to premium features and resources.
2. Canva Pro: ($149,99 CAD / Year) Canva Pro is the paid version of Canva that provides users with access to more advanced features and resources. With Canva Pro, users can access over 75 million premium stock images, videos, and graphics, collaborate with team members, create brand kits, and access unlimited storage. Canva Pro also offers a range of productivity tools such as Magic Resize, which enables users to resize their designs to multiple formats with just one click.
3. Canva Team: ($199.90 CAD / Year) Canva Team is designed for businesses and organizations that require collaborative design tools. It offers all the features of Canva Pro, plus additional features that enable teams to work together effectively. With Canva Team, team members can collaborate on designs, share brand assets and templates, set up workflows and permissions, and monitor usage and analytics. Canva Team also offers an enterprise-level solution, Canva Enterprise, for larger organizations with more complex needs.

Overall, Canva Free is a great option for individuals and small businesses looking to create simple designs, while Canva Pro and Canva Team offer more advanced features and resources for professional design work and collaboration.

Buzzsumo

Buzzsumo is a powerful content marketing tool that allows you to discover trending content in your industry and identify the top-performing content on social media. With Buzzsumo, you can track your competitors’ social media performance and gain insights into what type of content resonates with your audience, helping you plan your social media strategy more effectively.

SEMrush

SEMrush is a powerful SEO and marketing tool that offers a range of features to help you optimize your social media strategy. With SEMrush, you can track your competitors’ social media performance and gain insights into what type of content resonates with your audience. It also provides detailed analytics and reporting features to help you measure your social media performance and track your ROI.

Metricool

Metricool is an all-in-one social media management platform that allows you to manage all your social media accounts from a single dashboard. It is an excellent tool for social media planning and scheduling posts ahead of time. Metricool also provides detailed analytics and reporting features to help you measure your social media performance and track your ROI.

With plans starting at $0 per month, Metricool offers a range of options to fit any budget and social media management needs.

PRO 5 plan is just $12 USD per month (annual payment), or $18 USD per month (monthly payment) and includes management of 5 brands with all social media profiles, scheduling up to 2,000 posts per month, competitor analysis for up to 100 competitors, reports in PDF or PPT, and more.

For larger businesses, their TEAM 15 plan is $35 per month (annual payment) or $49 per month (monthly payment) and includes management of 15 brands, scheduling up to 5,000 posts per month, team and client access, role management, customized report templates, and more.

Besides being one of the most comprehensive social media scheduler tools on the market, Metricool recently rolled out features like AI copy assistance which makes creating content even easier for businesses. Metricool is a top choice for businesses of all sizes. Sign up for your free trial today and take advantage of this powerful tool to grow your social media presence!

Flick.tech

Flick.tech is a powerful Instagram hashtag generator that helps you find the most relevant and effective hashtags for your Instagram posts. With Flick.tech, you can analyze hashtag performance and gain insights into what type of hashtags resonate with your audience, helping you optimize your Instagram strategy and improve your reach and engagement.

Flick.tech offers a range of pricing plans to fit any budget. Their Starter plan is just $10 per month (annual payment), or $12 per month (monthly payment) and includes up to 2 Instagram accounts, hashtag suggestions, engagement metrics, and 150 monthly searches. For larger businesses, their Advanced plan is $20 per month (annual payment) or $24 per month (monthly payment) and includes up to 5 Instagram accounts, advanced hashtag analytics, competitor analysis, and 500 monthly searches. With features like these, Flick.tech is a must-have tool for any serious Instagram user. Get a head start on growing your Instagram following today with their free 7-day trial and experience the power of Flick.tech firsthand!

AnswerThePublic

AnswerThePublic is a content marketing tool that allows you to discover the most popular questions and topics related to your industry. With AnswerThePublic, you can identify the most popular search terms and queries related to your brand, helping you create content that resonates with your audience and improves your SEO performance.

In conclusion, social media planning is crucial for optimizing your social media strategy and achieving your business goals. With the right social media planning tools, you can streamline your strategy, create high-quality content, and measure your social media performance more effectively. By incorporating these must-have social media planning tools for 2023 into your social media strategy, you can take your social media marketing to the next level and achieve success in the digital world.

We know social media planning can be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to balance it with other aspects of your business. But with twelve-o-one’s Plan-In-A-Day workshop, you don’t have to worry about spending countless hours planning your social media content. Our workshop is designed to show you exactly how to plan all your content for the month in just one day, leaving you feeling confident and stress-free about your social media planning. With our expert guidance, you’ll learn how to create a comprehensive social media plan that aligns with your business goals and helps you engage with your audience. Sign up for our waitlist today and take the first step toward mastering your social media planning workflow!

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From rewards programs to personalized customer service, you can use these seven strategies to keep your customers coming back time and time again. Not only will these strategies help you to increase customer loyalty, but they will also help you to build positive relationships with your customers and ensure that they have the best possible experience when interacting with your business.

What is customer loyalty and retention?

Customer loyalty refers to the extent to which customers will remain loyal to your business. It is the idea that customers will keep coming back to your business and purchase from you regularly regardless of competition in the marketplace. To achieve customer loyalty, you need to create an experience that keeps customers coming back. It also helps to keep your customers happy by providing them with the best service possible and making sure that they continue to come back. 

Benefits of customer loyalty and retention

There are many benefits to keeping customers loyal and retaining them. Not only will you earn more money and increase your revenue, but you will also save money in the long run. Some of the benefits of customer loyalty and retention include:

• Increased revenue: Customers who keep coming back to your store or website will spend more money with you. As a result, your business will earn more money.
• Increased customer spending: Some studies show that customers who feel appreciated and receive rewards spend more money. As a result, customers who feel appreciated and rewarded will buy more from you.
• Positive impact on your bottom line: Since the majority of your sales are coming from a small percentage of customers, the more you can retain them, the better off your business will be.
• Positive customer relationships: When customers feel appreciated, they will be more satisfied with your business and have a positive impression of you. Positive relationships with customers will lead to increased loyalty and retention.
• Customer referrals: The more satisfied your customers are with you, the more likely they are to refer you to others.
• Less expensive advertising: When customers are satisfied with you, they are less likely to be influenced by competitors’ ads. This means that advertising costs are lower since you won’t need to spend money on advertising to keep up with your competitors.

Strategies to Increase Customer Loyalty and Retention

All businesses should work to increase customer loyalty and retention. There are many strategies that you can use to keep customers coming back to your business. Some of the most effective strategies to increase customer loyalty and retention include:

Rewards and loyalty programs: One of the best ways to increase customer loyalty and retention is by offering a rewards program.

Personalized customer service: Customers want a personalized experience when dealing with businesses. This means that they want to be treated as an individual and not just a customer. Providing personalized customer service can help to increase customer loyalty, especially when it comes to their needs and concerns.

Customer feedback system: Customers who feel valued will be more likely to remain loyal to your business. Offering a customer feedback system that is easy to use and quick will allow customers to let you know how you’re doing. This will allow you to improve your business and make customers feel valued.

Build relationships through social media: Social media is a great way to build relationships with your customers. The best way to do this is to start a blog on your company website. Customers will be able to read your posts and learn more about your business and products. It is also a great way to start a conversation with them.

Make it easy to buy from you: Customers want to be able to shop with ease. They want to be able to find what they’re looking for quickly and easily. If you can make it easy for customers to buy from you, they are more likely to be satisfied with their purchase.

Follow-up with customers: If you have a record of good customer relationships, you can also follow-up with customers by sending them emails or letters thanking them for their business. You can also send a follow-up email to customers who have recently made a purchase from you.

VIP program: With this kind of program, customers who spend a certain amount of money with you will become VIP members. 

Twelve-o-one aims to provide tailored support that nurtures your goals and helps you achieve higher LTV (Lifetime Value) and reduce churn rate for your business. We offer customized support to meet the specific needs of your business. Our expert guidance can help you gain clarity on the areas of your business that need improvement and bring your vision to life. Whether you need assistance with execution or want to bounce off ideas, Twelve-o-one is here to help you stay on the right track.

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If you are trying to decide if you should hire a social media manager, as yourself these three questions:

1. Are you the type of business owner who prefers to focus on your passion? 
2. Do you have the time or expertise to grow your business on social media?
3. Do you want to free up your time and allocate yourself in business areas where your time can be better spent?

How Hiring a Social Media Manager Is Beneficial for Your Business 

Social media is a great way to engage with current and potential customers. However, it’s also a lot of work. Social Media Marketing is creating brand awareness and making connections to your ideal clients and driving an entry point to your business. It takes on average 6-10 touch-points before a consumer reaches a buying decision, and with the pandemic and inflation, it is not unusual for it to take longer. This is why it is imperative you are maintaining an online presence for your business to gain your customer’s attention and trust.

Why You Need a Social Media Manager

A social media manager will create a strategy for your company’s social media accounts that revolves around your business goals. They’ll also help you create branded content that aligns with these goals. When you hire a social media manager, you can expect to:

• Saving your company time
• Creating brand recognition
• Increasing traffic to the website
• Content creation
• Community building, engagement, and growing an audience
• Reporting and analytics tracking for your social media  and website growth
• Maintain an online presence
• Hashtag research to ensure you are getting the most out of your organic reach
• Keeping you up-to-date with what’s trending

When you dive into the world of social media, it’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed. The good news is that there are a ton of resources out there to help you get started. The bad news is that there are also a ton of resources out there to help you get started. With so much information out there, it’s easy to forget what you were even trying to do in the first place. A social media manager can help you find your footing in the world of social media. Imagine having monthly social media content created for you so you can focus on areas of your business that you are most passionate about.

Twelve-o-one is all about offering the right support to ensure that your social media presence is being managed by experts who have the knowledge and experience to create effective strategies and campaigns. We can help you to stay on top of the latest social media trends and technologies, and help you see a measurable return on investment from your social media efforts. Not sure if your business is making the social impact it should be, one phone call can help you think more clearly about what areas of your business you want to improve.

Twelve-o-one will discuss strategizing your social media management and how you can free up time to focus on other aspects of your business and see an overall increase in productivity and to nurture your goals into something greater.

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What is Branding?

Branding is the process of creating an image for your company, product, or service by using words, images, and logos to connect with customers. Essentially, branding is a marketing strategy that helps you differentiate yourself from your competitors by creating a memorable identity. In today’s business landscape, customers are flooded with marketing messages. 

Your brand is what makes your business stand out and connect with customers. A strong brand gives your business instant credibility and allows customers to trust you. It’s essential to the success of your business and the customer experience.

Why is Branding Important for Your Business?

• Create a memorable and recognizable brand that customers can connect with
• You want your brand to be a part of your customers’ lives, so they see your brand in the marketplace and online and associate it with your products and services. 
• Branding is the first step in creating a memorable and recognizable image for your business. 
• It’s your opportunity to connect with customers and set yourself apart from competitors. 
• Branding is also the most cost-effective way to create recognition for your business. 
• Logo and marketing materials design cost far less than advertising and marketing campaigns and can be used to drive traffic to your website and social media channels.

Establishing Your Company’s Identity

Define your company’s mission and values:
Before you can create a strong brand identity, you need to know what your company stands for. Take the time to define your company’s mission and values, and make sure that they align with your target audience’s needs and values.

Understand your target audience:
Knowing your target audience is essential for creating a brand identity that resonates with them. Conduct market research to understand the needs and preferences of your target audience, and use this information to inform your branding decisions.

Create a consistent visual identity:
A strong visual identity is a key component of branding. Develop a consistent look and feel for your company’s logo, colour scheme, and visual elements, and use them consistently across all of your marketing materials.

Develop a unique voice and tone:
Your brand’s voice and tone should reflect your company’s values and personality. Develop a unique voice and tone that sets you apart from your competitors and resonates with your target audience.

Be authentic:
Your brand’s identity should be authentic and true to who you are as a company. Avoid trying to be something you’re not, and instead, focus on building an identity that is true to your company’s mission and values.

Use social media and digital marketing:
Social media and digital marketing are powerful tools for building brand awareness and connecting with customers. Use them to create a strong online presence, and engage with your target audience in a meaningful way.

Driving Brand Awareness

A brand strategy is about more than just creating a logo for your company. It’s about creating a memorable image for your business and standing out from competitors. Brand awareness is the level of recognition your brand has in the marketplace. A strong branding strategy will help you reach customers. You want them to see your logo, hear your brand name and associate your products and services with your business. 

Increase customer loyalty and retention

When customers are loyal to your brand, they’re less likely to shop around for lower prices or visit the competitor down the street. A strong branding strategy will help you retain customers who would otherwise shop elsewhere. When you’re creating your brand strategy, it’s important to think about your customer’s needs and how your products and services fit into their lives. For example, if you’re starting a cleaning and home services business, you want your customers to feel as though your services are a necessity. When you put together your branding strategy, you want to think about how you can position your business as something that customers can’t live without. You want to become an essential part of people’s everyday lives, so they think of you whenever they need your services.

Strengthen your Marketing Efforts

Branding is an essential part of all marketing efforts. It’s the foundation of your marketing strategy, and it extends beyond just your logo and website. The logo, website, social media channels and marketing materials are the first ways customers will interact with your brand. Your logo and colour scheme are important parts of your branding strategy. They help customers identify your company and build brand recognition and loyalty. When choosing or redesigning your logo, it’s important to consider your target audience and what message your logo conveys. You want your logo to reflect the qualities associated with your company and be memorable. You also want to make sure your logo is scalable, meaning it can be applied to different types of media, like business cards, brochures, t-shirts and yard signs.

Strong Brands Drives Revenue

Strong branding allows you to charge higher prices for your products and services. Customers who recognize your brand will likely pay more for your products and services since they’re buying from a trusted name. 

When you’re creating your branding strategy, it’s important to consider your target market and what your company does. Focus on creating a brand that will resonate with your target market. For example, if you’re creating a branding strategy for an accounting firm, you may want to focus on reliability and trustworthiness. You want your clients to feel as though you’re an indispensable part of their lives. When your clients see your logo, hear your brand name and experience the work you do for them, they’ll associate the positive feelings with your brand. When customers see your brand and experience your products or services, they’ll connect your brand with the positive feelings they have. This will increase brand recognition and help you drive revenue.

A 14-year study by McKinsey & Company revealed that top-ranked brands outperformed the world market as measured by return to shareholders by 74%.

Specifically, having a high-performing brand helped companies:

• Overcome commoditization
• Demand a premium price
• Shorten the sales cycle
• Increase sales volume
• Attract and retain top talent
• Build authentic culture
• Improve customer experience

How a Brand Strategist can help you with your business

Are you ready to take your business to the next level and make a lasting impression on your target audience? Twelve-o-one can be the key to making that happen. With our market research, brand positioning, and marketing strategy, we can help you develop a brand identity that is not only unique but also resonates with your target audience and differentiates you from your competition.

Whether you’re launching a new business, rebranding, or facing increased competition, we can guide you through the process of creating a brand that truly represents your business and its values. Don’t settle for a generic brand, one phone call can help you think more clearly about what areas of your business you want to improve and create a truly exceptional one that will set you apart and help your business thrive.

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