What is brand awareness? Brand awareness is, per the good ol’ Oxford Dictionary, “the extent to which consumers are familiar with the distinctive qualities or image of a particular brand of goods or services.”

It’s critical for businesses, especially small businesses, to generate, nurture, and maintain its brand awareness. If you’re not a household name like Kleenex, or have the brand equity of Starbucks, or the marketing budget of Proctor and Gamble, then maximizing these (relatively simple)  brand awareness building tips is key to your small businesses’ survival.

Let’s jump in.

There are many benefits of course, but in the interest of brevity, I’ll share with you a big one. Established brand awareness makes you memorable and credible. The more often people see your brand, the more memorable you become to them. The repetition in your efforts creates a sense of familiarity that in the long run can turn into credibility. Maybe your audience doesn’t need your product or service now, but creating a memorable impression means they’ll think of you when they need you. Here are five quick tips for increasing your brand awareness for your small business.

Be Consistent: One ad in one magazine one time, or one social media post per month just isn’t going to cut it. You need to show up regularly and consistently to build your memorability and credibility.

Collaborate with other Small Businesses: Are you a new business in town? Are there opportunities for you to partner with a more established business to help build your brand awareness? Maybe you’re a new gym in town and you partner with the nearby smoothie shop with some sort of incentive or discount. Partnering with a strong business with like-minded clients can easily drive those clients right over to you! No need to look at it like you’re partnering with your competition, there is plenty of business to go around no matter the field you are in.

Build a Strong Social Media Presence: You’ll find this come up time and time again here at MKPR, but social media is one of the best tools in a small businesses’ marketing toolkit. It’s free, it’s easy, and when used properly, it’s very effective. Like it or not, social media is where users go to learn more about you. If your last Facebook post was from 2011, you’re in trouble.

Participate in Local Events: Another great way to build your brand awareness is to get out in front of your prospective clientele, literally. Participate in the summer Farmer’s Market, sponsor a school activity or charitable event, join a networking group, volunteer, host an event, do anything that gets you out in front and shows your community who you are and why they should do business with you. Oftentimes seeing and meeting the face(s) behind a business is one of the easiest ways to build brand awareness and credibility.

Launch a Referral Program: Probably the easiest tip in the list is to start a referral program. How many of us have tried a new hair salon, restaurant, or bakery because a friend told us about it? Your existing clients, especially your existing repeat clients, would love the chance to get 10% off their next service by referring a friend. And it’s a great way to reward your most loyal customers. Plus, your existing clients are the perfect brand ambassadors for you, so encourage them to share the love. And just like that, you have a new client who quite potentially will become a repeat client.

MK Public Relations can help you build a brand awareness campaign that’s right for you. Whether you’re a new small business who is just getting started or you’re seasoned but looking for some revitalization, get in touch with us today and #LetsGetToWork.

Visit our website at mkpublicrelations.co.