“It’s just easier to buy from someone you’ve heard of.”

What is brand equity?

It’s best explained through a simple exercise. What are the brands that come to mind when you see this list of needs?

I need to…

• blow my nose.
• make a paper copy.
• overnight this package.
• catch a ride.

When you have a job to do or a problem to fix, our minds only have a few seconds to think of solutions. If your company has brand equity, it’ll be top of mind when the job or problem presents itself to potential customers.

Did you think of these brands when you read the above list?

• I need to blow my nose . . . Kleenex
• I need to make a paper copy . . . Xerox
• I need to overnight this package . . . FedEx
• I need to catch a ride . . . Uber

Brand equity is one of the goals of a marketing strategy. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it is one of the primary long-term, high-value returns you get from investing in marketing consistently over many years.

Brand equity concerning a single problem or job is extremely valuable. It applies to smaller, more local companies as well. You probably have your go-to brands locally for different service needs, like the best taco or grocery store.

Achieving Brand Equity

Achieving brand equity for your unique offering requires a deep understanding of your customer’s journey. From the moment they start researching solutions to when they make their purchasing decision, you have an opportunity to market and put your brand in front of them. Then, when decision time comes, your brand is the only one that comes to mind.

Reach Your Customer with Consumer-Centric Messaging

Remember that growing your brand equity is more about your customer and what they want to hear more than what you want to say about yourself. In many cases, the approach to content, brand messaging, and campaigns are focused incorrectly on what the company thinks they need to say about themselves. Instead, think about what your customer needs to hear at different stages of their journey and adjust your message to address those thoughts.

Highly Targeted Campaigns Instead of Mass Marketing

Having a clear idea of the persona you’re speaking to with your marketing efforts can help you avoid high-budget ad buys. Larger brands can always outspend you, but you can be smarter about where and how you place your branding and brand message.

When developing your persona, think about their lifestyle and demographic. Additionally, consider their social and emotional needs along with the specific dimension affecting their buyer’s journey. This will help you come up with creative targeting and messaging to help get your brand in front of them at the right moment.

Consider Investing in Marketing Strategy in Addition to Traditional Online Marketing

Spending money upfront on marketing strategy is highly valuable for your long-term business goals. It’s the best fit for building brand equity online because it requires your team to examine your customer’s journey, consumer-centric brand positioning, and building a website that grows as you discover new information about your persona.

Having a strategic marketing plan allows you to maximize your marketing dollars while keeping the big picture at the fore. This helps prevent you from spending money on marketing and advertising without knowing if you’re seeing any returns. As you test your marketing on online audiences, you adapt your plan to match your customer where they are.

Fast-growing companies know they need to have more than just stellar numbers; they need a brand that people stand behind. Building your brand equity starting today can make your company more valuable, sellable, and ease recruiting challenges down the road.

What need does your company fulfill? And do your customers think of you when that need arises? Want to learn more about brand equity? Check out this post and video series.