How ajar designs ink. Helps Small Businesses Compete with Tailored Branding

If you think branding is just about whipping up a logo and calling it a day, think again. Branding is like the first impression your business makes, and trust me, it matters—a lot. Imagine walking into a store and seeing mismatched shelves, unclear signage, and a disorganized layout. Chances are, you’d turn around and leave. The same goes for your business’s branding. When done right, tailored branding can make all the difference in standing out in a crowded market, connecting with your target audience, and building trust. Stick around as we dive into why putting in the effort to tailor your branding is not just smart, but essential.

Branding As A Small Business

When you think of branding, you likely think of the work of major corporations like McDonalds and their famous golden arches. These golden arches form the ‘M’ in McDonalds, and are a prime example of distinct and recognizable branding. But that’s not all when it comes down to branding. The golden arches also visually translate a lot about what McDonalds is: the famous (and at times infamous) McDonalds french fries forming the golden arches quickly conveys what McDonalds is all about…fast, easy, and tasty food.  

A corporation like McDonalds has a robust team of marketers and designers all across the globe who, from social media to advertising, contribute to their versatile brand design. It’s no question that a large team has been behind the curtain experimenting with their brand to create the memorable golden arches and other branding. Knowing that as a small business, it’s easy to shrug your branding off and assume it’s out of your scope to make something nearly as distinct and memorable. 

Well, I’m here to tell you that that’s far from true! There are millions of small businesses out there who don’t have one bit of design knowledge to rely on for their branding, but that doesn’t mean you need to default to basic and unthoughtful branding to get by. Investing in distinct, personalized branding may seem like a large cost when starting out, but your branding will stay with you throughout your business’s lifetime. Still not convinced? Why don’t we dive into the benefits of tailoring your branding. 

Why Tailor Your Branding?

Some small businesses will assume that branding is a minor part of kick starting their business. If anything, creating a logo, business card, and other brand assets may feel more like a bother than something that actually benefits your business. If that’s the case for you, then you largely underestimate how much customers are affected by your branding when it comes to choosing your products or services. Believe it or not, people can be superficial when it comes to appearance, and that includes your business’s appearance! If choosing between competitors, consumers are more likely to choose cleaner, visually appealing branding over rough, indistinct branding. Unconsciously, customers will translate your branding, or lack thereof, to your value.  

This is where the importance of tailoring your branding comes in. Here’s just a few of the reasons why tailored branding is crucial: 

• Differentiation: In a crowded market, tailored branding helps distinguish your business from competitors. It highlights what makes your business unique and appealing to your target audience. 
• Target Audience Resonance: Effective branding speaks directly to your ideal customer. By tailoring your branding, it resonates with the specific needs, preferences, and values of your target market, increasing the likelihood of attracting and retaining customers.
• Professionalism and Trust: Consistent and well-crafted branding conveys professionalism and quality. It helps build trust with potential customers, making them more likely to choose your business over others.
• Brand Loyalty: Personalized branding fosters a sense of connection and loyalty. Customers are more likely to return to and recommend a brand that they feel represents their own values and identity.
• Clarity of Message: Tailored branding ensures that your business communicates a clear and cohesive message. This clarity helps avoid confusion and makes it easier for customers to understand who you are and what you offer.
• Competitive Edge: Small businesses often compete with larger companies with more resources. Tailored branding can level the playing field by creating a strong, memorable identity that resonates more effectively with a niche audience.
• Adaptability: A tailored brand can be more easily adapted to changing market conditions or new business opportunities. This flexibility is crucial for small businesses that need to be agile and responsive to survive and thrive.

Overall, your brand is one of your most valuable assets as a small business, especially if you’re just starting out. Without experience, testimonials, and reputation, your brand’s visual identity and messaging is all your customers have to understand what your business is about. 

Understanding ajar designs ink’s Approach to Branding

This begs the question: how will you create distinct, memorable branding on your own? Especially if you’re someone with very little experience in design or branding. How can you make something as memorable as the golden arches? 

That’s where ajar designs ink. comes in! We specialize in creating eye-catching designs for promotional products with businesses big or small. We can take your initial design idea and apply it to our wide selection of brand items. Whether you have a mug design idea, but not the technical prowess to execute it, or if you simply are starting from scratch, we can help you bring your branding to life. 

We approach branding strategically, analyzing how we can create a unique experience with each brand, and look great doing it. We focus on creating branding that can work on various promotional items, so you can get branded water bottles, t-shirts, tote bags, and much more. 

Here’s what the process looks like:

• Step 1: You fill out our contact form with your contact information and design needs. 
• Step 2: Shortly after you submit your contact form, we’ll reach back out to schedule a 1-on-1 consultation. 
• Step 3: We have our consultation! We talk through what you have in mind for your branding and we help make recommendations. We’ll recommend potential brand products we can create, such as business cards, t-shirts, or mugs. 
• Step 4: You provide us with any design ideas and pre-existing brand elements, such as a logo, slogan, or brand colours.
• Step 5: We get to the design workshop, and start creating your branding to be used for print or promotional items. We’ll send our designs back to you for your review before sending anything to the printers. 
• Step 6: We send the designs to our suppliers to print business cards and other promotional items, depending on what was decided during the consultation. 
• Step 7: We deliver your branding and promotional items straight to you!

Tailoring your branding isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for setting your business apart, connecting with your ideal customers, and building trust in your brand. As you start or continue growing your small business, remember that your brand’s visual identity and messaging could be the game-changer. And if the idea of doing all this on your own feels daunting, don’t sweat it. That’s where ajar designs ink. comes in. We’re here to help you craft a unique and memorable brand that speaks volumes—without you having to stress over the details. Ready to make your brand unforgettable? Reach out to us today and let’s get started!