The brand is the soul of your business. You just know when a company executes well on their brand. Behind the scenes there are many components that make up the execution of the brand but to the customer it seems effortless, a customer is drawn to the brand and the brand becomes part of who they are. So what’s the secret? There are eight areas that determine whether you are successfully executing your brand. Some companies do a few of these areas really well, the ones that execute in all areas have raving fans that keep coming back time and time again and these companies are wildly successful. 

The 8 Essentials are: 

SIMPLE: 

Let’s start with my favorite component, simplicity. Are you communicating clearly what your shop offers? This is where having a niche market comes in handy. This is easier to do when your product line is cohesive. Take the action of narrowing your product line, don’t be afraid trim listings that don’t fit your brand. It’s so much better to focus on a streamlined product line to convey a simple clear message to your customers! 

VALUABLE: 

Everyone is shopping to solve a problem. Is it clear what problem you are going to solve for your customers? Are you bringing them joy? Are you making them remember a certain time in their life? What value are you bringing to your customer? Know what problem you are solving and let your customer know what that value is! You can do this in your listing pictures, in your descriptions, in your marketing… everywhere! Convey the feeling of that problem being solved! 

UNIQUE: 

You can’t appeal to everyone so find your tribe. Narrow your audience and shine. You don’t have to create an earth shattering new invention, you just have to be unique in the marketplace. Ensure your target customer is drawn to you because you are different and fit their style and needs. 

PASSIONATE: 

Do you love your products or service? Can people sense your passion? If you are excited, your customers will be excited. Did you create your business out of a need of your own? Do you have a story that you tell others that describes why you started your business? Capitalize on that story and make it part of your brand, show your passion to others! 

TRUSTWORTHY:

You do what you say and your products are just as described! You have to communicate when things go wrong and you do everything you can to keep your customers happy! When your customers trust you and your products they will come back time and time again. 

CONNECTED: 

You are in community with your customers, you show up where they are. You have a robust “shop story” in your Etsy Shop, you have your shop members filled out with a picture of yourself! You even have a shop video and an email list my favorite email service provider: https://flodesk.com/c/D1HWAV You know what social platforms your ideal customers are on and you connect with them there! Your Etsy shop is linked with your social media platforms and your branding is the same throughout. 

CONSISTENT: 

You are consistently showing up within your Etsy shop by communicating with your customers. 

You are on social media platforms on a regular basis and are connecting with your existing and potential customers. 

IDENTIFIABLE: 

Your brand has a voice that is identifiable and your products have a recognizable consistent style. You have consistent fonts and colors throughout your Etsy shop and your marketing. Visual elements really help make a brand identifiable. Your thumbnail picture that shows in search and in your storefront can be a great place to start to have a consistent, recognizable feel to your customers. 

You are going to have ravings fans of your own. You’ve got this checklist. It’s one thing to have a business, it’s another thing to have a brand and knowing where to focus to ensure your brand has a voice of it’s own in the marketplace. You are that voice and your brand is the soul of your business. This is an exciting time to be an entrepreneur! Want to dig in even further to components that make a successful Etsy Shop? Download the Etsy success road map here!