FEBRUARY 2018 422business.com and 422bizmag.com ROUTE 422 BUSINESS ADVISOR57

HOW IMPORTANT IS BRAND IDENTITY?

Brand identity is one of the most impor-tant aspects of any business. It creates a con-sistency in order to make your business rec-ognizable by just the logo, colors, and/or tagline. Keep your brand consistent across allplatforms including: business cards, ads,web, social media, packaging etc. If youhave the budget, consider hiring a market-ing company or graphic designer to helpdevelop your brand image as it will beworth the investment.

HOW CAN I MAKE MORE CONNECTIONS?

Networking is a great approach to con-necting to other business owners and resi-dents of your community. Join your localChamber of Commerce. Stop by and talkwith owners of other local businesses inyour area about what they are involved in– sometimes they can become a great ally.Make your presence known in the com-munity. Support a local school, fundraiser,or township event. Get your name outthere, but most of all, ensure that whatyou’re supporting makes sense for yourbusiness. For instance, if your business isselling organic hand soap, you might con-sider sponsoring a community color-runevent – and of course, provide plenty ofyour samples.

WHICH METHODS OFPROMOTION WORK BEST?

This depends on your product. If yourbusiness is selling a tangible product, youshould always have an ample supply of

samples available. If your business is pro-viding a service, then offer free consulta-tions. Although it may take up some of yourtime, it could pay off in a big way. The mostpowerful form of promotion continues tobe word of mouth. Ask your consumers totell their friends, possibly even consider arefer-a-friend promotion. If a referral pro-gram isn’t for you, consider collecting testi-monials to use in your advertising.

SHOULD MY BUSINESS HAVE A SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE?Every business should have a website,

period. It is a must have. If you can’t do it onyour own, consult with a company to helpyou develop a site. Next, you should have apresence on social media. If you’reapproaching social media for the first time,start with Facebook. You should attempt topost something, at minimum, once a week.Engage with your followers and respond toquestions and reviews in a timely manner.To encourage “likes” consider a contest orgiveaway. Ask your customers to “like” yourFacebook page and write a review if they aresatisfied with your product or service. Onceyou find you’ve conquered Facebook thenconsider expanding to sites such as YouTube(only if it makes sense for your business).Video tutorials and education show you’retrusted and an expert in your field.

The Business Services Division atDiamond Credit Union offers manyoptions for the financial needs of small- andmedium-sized businesses in the tri-countyregion. Give Phil Fry a call at 610.326.5490 todiscuss how Diamond can help you financeyour business.

PROMOTINGYOUR BUSINESS

If you’re the owner of a small- to medium-sized business, you may find yourself searching for the best methods of promoting your business.Diamond’s Business Services Manager, Phil Fry, offered his advice on four ofthe most commonly asked questions regarding business promotion.