Google, Apple, Amazon, Uber – what do these titans have in common? Name recognition. In fact, people usually just say “I’ll Google it” or “I’ll take an Uber” instead of saying “I’ll search for it using a search engine” or “I’ll use a ride-hailing app ride.” These brands have the power of name recognition, and it shows. Just watch their stock grow and grow at the end of every quarter.
So, the question for your startup becomes, how can you gain more name recognition, and be the first brand users remember when they need a service like the one you offer? We’ll walk you through the basics that you should know in this article.
Ramp up SEO
SEO stands for search engine optimization, and let us tell you, it’s a hugely important feature of growing your business in 2020. Why is that? It comes down to a few factors.
First, users turn to search engines (usually Google) when they need to ask a question, or seek out a business service. So, you want to make sure that your startup appears on the first page of results – pretty much no one actually clicks over to the second or third page of results, so if you’re buried there, you’re out of luck.
Second, the more search terms you rank highly for, the better your name recognition will be. Think about it: not only will users be more likely to actually click on your service; they’ll also grow used to seeing your brand’s name in the results page. That’s very good down the line when they’re trying to remember who they want to purchase from or work with.
Goodies, gifts, and gear
The next time you find yourself at a networking event with other professionals from your industry and related industries, you don’t want to be caught empty-handed. Promotional products – like branded giveaway pens, flash drives, coffee mugs, and more – can be a great way to increase your brand’s name recognition. Next time you’re at a job fair, industry conference, meet and greet, or formal gathering, here are some possible items you may want to include:
Of course, passing out cool goodies to people at industry events can only get your name out so far. If you want to seriously increase your reach, you may want to expand your presence online.
Content development
These days, internet content is pretty much the king of the game. Users love engaging with interesting, viral pieces of content that they find either entertaining or informative. This high demand for constant new content is a huge boon to your business if you’re able to cash in – and, importantly, it can massively increase your name recognition.
How do you develop killer content? There are a few different avenues that you can pursue.
Keeping a high volume of desirable content flowing on all feeds can be a difficult, even full-time endeavor. Once you get started, it may be a good idea to hire specifically for such a role in your business.
Growing name recognition takes time, but once your name is out there, it won’t soon be forgotten – and the return on investment will speak for itself.