BRAND PERSONALITY | POSTED ON 26.02.2020
Brand Profiling: Building a Consistent Brand With a Compelling Personality
No business wants to be a soulless enterprise. Your brand plays an integral part in building the personality of your business that customers will love. Just like your own personality, you shouldn’t simply state the characteristics of your brand, you have to demonstrate it through everything your business does, what your branding shows and the experience that customers will have. As a result, brand profiling is an essential aspect of building and channelling your brand so that your business has an appealing personality. So, how can you build a brand profile that consumers will love?
Why brand personality is important
It is your brand personality that forges relationships with your customers. Ultimately, this relationship underpins the success of your brand. In most cases, customers select a brand based on the emotional connection and relationship that they have with the brand. People want to know what your brand stands for, why they can trust you and what your brand means to them. All of these aspects make up your brand personality.
Even in the case of customers looking for the lowest price, they will still take into consideration your brand personality. It could be that the brand is ‘no-nonsense’ or perhaps ‘cheap and cheerful’. Regardless of your price point, your customers are still engaging their emotional response and taking into account of the brand personality before making a decision to purchase.
How to create a brand personality
Building your brand profile takes more than simply stating what you want your brand to be. You have to implement a consistent approach across all platforms and through every action so that your brand exudes a compelling personality. If you’re looking to create a brand personality, follow these five key steps:
1. Do your homework
Understanding your target market requires dedicated research. It is more than simply picking out an age range; you need to know your target audience inside out. From where they holiday to their life aspirations, what they love, where they work, and so much more. Conducting thorough research will help you to form a brand that meets the needs of your target audience.
It is also important to do your homework on your competition too. What makes certain brands successful and why are others falling short? Another critical question to ask is, ‘what is the customer perception of other brands?’ With all of this information, you can then begin to carve out your unique brand profile.
2. Get defining
With all of your research and knowledge in place, you can start to define your brand personality. With brand profiling, every brand tends to fall into one of the following five personality traits. These are; sophistication, ruggedness, excitements, sincerity and competence. Selecting one of these five traits can be a good area to start with and then drill down to the fine detail.
Remember, a customer will quickly be able to see through brands that are not authentic. With this in mind, don’t strive to be something that you cannot achieve, and you can’t consistently keep up.
3. Focus on your uniqueness
Once you have your personality, complete with all necessary character traits, it’s time to emphasise the key aspects of your brand personality. These will set your brand apart and make your business unique. Many businesses share similar operations or strategies. However, it is the personality and experience that provides the edge. With your business amongst its competitors, how is your brand going to set itself apart?
4. Tell your brand story
A story is another way that you can build a memorable personality for your customers. It shows how your brand got to where it is and the attributes that have turned your business dream into the brand it is today. With your brand story, you can reflect all of the aspects of your personality such as tone of voice and humour to really cement your brand’s personality.
5. Follow a consistent direction
Now you have a solid brand personality, maintaining the brand profile is vital. Your brand needs to remain consistent with the values it holds. Otherwise, customers will lose faith and trust with your brand and look for another brand to build a relationship with.
Keep your personality at the forefront, try to follow a strategic and logical direction to grow your brand. From the ‘About Us’ page on your website to your social media strategy and advertising, think about the best places to develop your brand. At every juncture ask yourself, ‘does this enhance the brand personality?’ If it doesn’t, it is probably best to steer clear.
By following these five steps, you can begin to craft the brand profile and personality that your business deserves. If you need more support, the team at Liquid Creativity are always here to help. Give us a call today to get your brand’s profile and personality moving.
FAQs
1. What is Brand Profiling, and Why is it Important?
Brand profiling is the process of defining and articulating the unique characteristics, values, and personality of your brand. It helps create a consistent and compelling image that resonates with your target audience. A well-developed brand profile guides all aspects of your branding strategy, from messaging and design to customer interactions, ensuring that your brand is easily recognizable and memorable.
2. How Does Brand Profiling Affect Customer Perception?
A strong brand profile shapes how customers perceive your brand by communicating a clear and consistent message about who you are and what you stand for. When customers identify with your brand’s personality, they are more likely to trust and remain loyal to your brand. Consistency in your brand’s profile also helps differentiate your brand from competitors, reinforcing your unique position in the market.
3. What Are the Key Elements of a Successful Brand Profile?
A successful brand profile includes several key elements:Core Values: The principles that guide your brand’s actions and decisions.
Brand Voice: The tone and style of communication that reflects your brand’s personality.
Visual Identity: The visual elements, such as logo, color palette, and typography, that represent your brand.
Brand Promise: The commitment you make to your customers about the experience they can expect from your brand.
Target Audience: A clear understanding of who your ideal customers are and what they value.
4. How Can I Ensure Consistency in My Brand Profile Across Different Platforms?
Consistency can be maintained by developing brand guidelines that outline how your brand should be represented across all platforms, including social media, websites, and offline materials. These guidelines should cover visual elements, tone of voice, messaging, and even customer service interactions. Regular training and communication with your team and partners are also essential to ensure everyone involved in your brand’s representation understands and adheres to these guidelines.
5. How Can I Measure the Effectiveness of My Brand Profiling Efforts?
The effectiveness of your brand profiling can be measured through several metrics, including brand awareness, customer loyalty, and engagement rates. Surveys and feedback from customers can provide insights into how well your brand’s personality and values are resonating with your audience. Additionally, tracking brand mentions, sentiment analysis, and comparing your brand’s performance against competitors can help assess the impact of your brand profiling efforts.