Branding for Notaries

Brenda Stone - June 24, 2006 - Texas-Signing-Agent.com

(This short blogged article on branding originally appeared here at http://www.notarydepot.com/blog/post/162 )

Here is a quick, down and dirty explanation of what "brand" means. I could not say it better myself, so I won't.

What makes up a brand identity?

Brand identity includes brand names, logos, positioning, brand associations, and brand personality. A good brand name gives a good first impression and evokes positive associations with the brand. A positioning statement tells, in one sentence, what business the company is in, what benefits it provides and why it is better than the competition. Imagine you're in an elevator and you have 30 seconds to answer the question, "What business are you in?" Read this entire article at http://www.Brand.com 

Branding yourself and keeping your "brand" in the client's view is the key to being remembered and called.

One of my most intrinsically happy moments was when a vendor management person called from a very large title company. She simply had a notary rule question. Out of all the notaries in Texas, she called me, aka BrendaTx of www.TexNotary.com   .

It was very flattering that she believed I would definitely know the correct answer. Aside from my constant marketing efforts, the existence of my "brand" of TexNotary.com was a great deal of the reason she knew to whip around to her computer, surf to my website which is located at my easy-to-remember domain name, and quickly find and dial my phone number.

Create a "brand" that says it very succinctly.

My "brands" are:

-TexNotary for my business clients

-BrendaTx for the notary community

As unpolished as it may sound, "TexNotary.com" has been very good to me. It's short and sweet, and it says exactly what my business is about.

My brand, TexNotary.com says:

TexNotary.com = Website and notary business in Texas.

My notary "handle" on the forums is also my brand, and my handle BrendaTx tells notaries I am: BrendaTx = Brenda, a Notary Poster from Texas

If you are going to brand yourself in the NSA arena, your state is important, and so is your location as a notary. When setting up a website, this is paramount in my opinion.

If you have not already branded yourself, consider utilizing the state you are commissioned in as well as the word notary in your brand. Also consider this when you develop your brand and your handle for posting on the forums.

When I decided I wanted to be known as 'the' Texas Notary online, I set myself up to achieve that goal. I achieve a part of that through forum posting. First, I will discuss posting benefits to your business.

One reason you see me post so frequently on the notary boards is because I feel it gives me a great deal of "soft" marketing exposure.

I cannot quantify the actual effect of it, however, I know that I receive calls from hiring entities as a result. When they contact me for an assignment, sometimes they say they read me on the forums, they enjoy my posts, and also they convey that I sound knowledgeable about my business.

Other ways to promote branding is through your website, or websites, your business cards, faxes, email communication, print materials and promotional items.

If you have not branded yourself, the main objective you have before you is to create an image and a brand that identifies your business in a succinct manner.

Thereafter, you must again be creative and develop strategies to keep your brand in view of those who will have need of use your services.

Do not be hasty in developing your brand. First, consider what your desired image should be. Then, with the message you want to send, develop a strong brand that is unique.

Once you have spent time doing this, strategize how you can make your business noticeable by quick proxy of your brand's appearance. Capitalize on both the expected and unexpected promotion and conveyance of your brand's message at every marketing opportunity.

Brand on!

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