Branding is not just about the brand’s name or its logo. It is a process of creating a unique persona for a product in the mind of consumers. This mostly done through marketing efforts. The aim of branding is to differentiate a product from others in the industry, so it is easily recognizable and memorable for the consumers.
When we think of a great example of an effective branding, some top brand instantly comes to our minds. Brands like Coca-Cola, Nike, Apple, etc. are some examples of effective branding. Some of these brands have been around for a century, while others for a few decades. These brands were able to establish their image because of their unique persona. This persona was a result of years of research, efforts and trial and errors. Of course, some of these brands may have made a few mistakes along the way.
Some branding mistakes are harmless, they can be covered easily. However, there are some branding mistakes could ruin your business. You must know what these mistakes are and why you must avoid them at all cost.
Not Having a Brand Guideline
Getting a logo and running advertising is not enough for an effective branding. The most important element of an effective branding is consistency. The consistency must be present in all visual elements of brand identity, including logo, color theme, website, stationery items, and typography. Inconsistency is when you have a different color theme for your logo and other visual assets. The consistency must be present throughout all mediums.
Attaching Brand Name With Irrelevant Things
Your brand is a precious asset for your company, so use it wisely. You cannot go around attaching or associating your brand name with things that are irrelevant to your brand or product or goes against the message of your brand. For example, the Subway brand is built around healthy food. It would not be a good idea to associate their brand with some cigarette brand.
Radical Design Shift
Every brand needs a redesign every once in a while. This is to keep the brand up to date with the changing behavior of consumers. However, some brands make the mistake of radically redesigning their brand, while alienates their consumers. For example, changing the color theme completely. Such dramatic changes could make it difficult for consumers to recognize the brand and could resent the branding built so far.