Your brand is your bond. It is everything your customer sees and touches. It is the total experience. Making the right impression is important to creating a lasting partnership and it’s the little things that can be the most impactful part of that. Your brand tells people who you are, what you do and how you do it. Here are five things you can do to elevate your brand and awareness.

1. Create an Experience
Whether an in-person meeting or an online connection, create an experience. Does your outfit match your brand (are you dressing the part)? Is your website friendly and easy to navigate? Do you have an automated welcome email? Do you have a branded shipping box or excellent packaging? Remember your brand is everything your customer touches and sees. From a social media post, to a brochure or an ad. It is your color palette, fonts, logo and imagery that help to create that total experience. Be memorable!

2. Invest in Professional Photography and Videography
People want to see you, your business as well as your products. If you don’t take pride in the way they look, why should your customers and clients be interested in them? Keep your headshot, website and social media fresh with relevant imagery and video. Video continues to be the most captivating form of advertising.

3. Be Authentically Friendly and Genuine.
Anyone could be your next client so be kind, positive and polite. Get to know your clients’ spouses, children or pets’ names. Build a lasting and trustworthy relationship. Your brand messaging and tone matters.

4. Welcome to the 21st Century
Verify and update your Google My Business listing and ask for reviews! It is free! You are missing out on sales and loosing Google ranking if it is not. Build a mobile friendly website. 96% of people read emails and access the web via mobile devices. Don’t be afraid of social media. Jump in, make a splash and be present.

5. Add a Personal Touch
A handwritten card or a personal gift makes you stand out from the crowd. Create a branded “thank you” box. Including that handwritten card and a thoughtful gift can go a long way. I guarantee they will remember you for years to come.

The goal is to create trust, convey a story people want to be a part of and brand recognition through repetition. Ask yourself what you can do to align your company values to your brand identity.