Behind every successful business, product or service, there is an established brand reputation that helps build customer loyalty and confidence, driving overall sales and growth.

Keeping up with current market trends and understanding the key factors to help tap into your target audiences is integral to growing your brand. Here are a few tips to help initiate your brand strategy.

Social Media. It’s a force to be reckoned with. All social media platforms are conversation starters, network movers, reputation builders and breakers (so be careful how to use), and is a valuable resource for gaining insight on your target audiences. Utilizing content marketing such as sharing of social media posts, articles and videos, stimulate interest and begin to grow your reputation. Supporting a community event- blog about it, take pictures and post it on Facebook twitter and Instagram. Have a special sale or promotion you want people to know about- hit the social share button.

Public Relations. Promoting is what it’s all about. Through traditional print media, social media, community events or speaking engagements; tell your story. Who are you, what makes you different, what can you bring that’s unique and engaging? Use every opportunity to find avenues for press releases whether it’s a new product you are launching or a new partner you are teaming up with. Host special events and invite the public and media.

Consistent Messaging. Having a multichannel marketing approach is encouraged, as long as you keep your communications clear and consistent. Your brand should be recognizable to your current and potential audiences. Consistence tells your consumers you understand your approach and believe in it. This is a way to retain and build your customer base while reinforcing your identity.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO). In today’s digital age, improving your rankings in search engines to navigate users to your business is a must. Think about all those people trolling through the internet looking for your product or service. Wouldn’t you want to be at the top of that search list? SEO is about using key phrases and terms related to your services and products to drive traffic to your website.

Customer Experience. Consumer interactions and touchpoints are the most valuable assets you have. By creating positive integrated experiences for your customers, you reap the rewards of word of mouth referrals, positive image reinforcement, return customers and of course, increased brand reputation and revenue. Whether it’s a call, in person meeting or email, think about how you can craft your selling points to be useful, engaging and unique to your customer. Tell your story be presenting the opportunities and how or she can benefit. Use your time to take your customer through a journey, in which they will keep returning to experience.

According to a recent article in Forbes, “We need to think about our reputations as a constant, competitive advantage; a driver of growth and prosperity; and a strategic asset.” Building brand reputation is a top of mind marketing initiative.