Brand Considerations
Brand Considerations for Startups
Things to keep in mind as you begin to develop the brand for your new venture
Naming your business: Check your potential business name before you finalize it:
● https://businesssearch.ohiosos.gov/ (State of Ohio only)
● https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/search (US registered trademarks)
● Also be sure to do a thorough incognito Google search for similar names, names from other states, and misspellings to see if your preferred domain is already being used.
Customer research: Make sure you’ve done some research first, to be sure that your name, logo, colors, etc. will appeal to the people you’re trying to reach. Just because you like it doesn’t mean that your potential customers will!
Social media: Making a Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram page for your business is a simple way to start getting the word out about your brand. Choose one or two social media outlets to start with, preferably ones you are familiar with and are appropriate to reach your target audience.
● This is also the perfect time to ensure that your LinkedIn profile is up to date. Many professional contacts will want to connect with you there.
Business cards: These are nice to have for legitimizing your business and handing out at networking events. We recommend using your own logo from the beginning, so you aren’t stuck with cards that have a “generic” design. Be sure to put your contact information and any social media account/website on it.
● Design a logo, card, and other graphics on Canva.
● Check out Moo, Hotcards, Staples, OfficeDepot, GotPrint, Amazon Business, and Vistaprint for design ideas and printing services.
Domain name: Even if you’re not ready to put up your website right away, grabbing your name as soon as you’re settled on it is a good idea.
● Some website maker sites will include domain registration (though sometimes it can be complicated if you move your website).
● It looks really professional to have an email address with your domain name (“me@mycompany.com”). Many domain registrars will let you add on an
email address for a nominal fee.
Customer database/mailing list: Start building your customer database ASAP. Even when you’re just in the idea stage, having a group of potential customers or users can be very useful as a way to test your assumptions while working out the details of your business.
● Then, when you launch your venture, you have a pool of customers familiar with your value proposition and who are ready to give you money!