If you have recently started up a new company, there are likely a number of objectives on your to-do list. Sadly, as many as 60% of new businesses fail within the first three years, meaning there is little room for error when it comes to nailing down the basics.
One of these basics that you need to focus on, however, is the voice of your company itself. By this we mean the values, the goals, the ambition and – most importantly – the personality of the business in relation to its customers. This is what’s going to make the difference when it comes to getting beyond those first three years.
A company without a voice is a company that is not heard. You need to ensure that you have a clear and correct image and that the people you are marketing to are able to hear it.
There are ways to do this, however. Whether it’s through mass participation events or focused social media strategies, there are plenty of avenues to find and sell your voice. With this in mind, here are five of the best ways to do it:
A Brand That Says Everything
Many businesses make a big distinction between the brand and the voice of their company, but they are inherently entwined. A strong voice begins with a strong brand. This is the foundation of your house, and you need to make sure it is as stable as it can be.
Not only this, but you need a logo that represents who you are in the simplest of ways. Think about some of the biggest and most identifiable brands in the world; each of them has a logo that says everything there is to know about the company without saying anything at all.
In-Person Events To Strip Down The Wall
Sadly – and although it may not seem that way — that last point was the easy point. Next up, things get a little more difficult and will require an extensive amount of planning and organisation. One of the most – if not the most – important method of finding your voice and getting it out there is through in-person events with your potential and existing clients – including mass participation events that get more people involved and aware of you.
Getting face-to-face with these people immediately puts a face on your company. If your voice is the personality and humanism behind the company walls, then in-person events work to strip down those walls and advertise your company as a living, breathing thing rather than an unknowable service.
Social Media Presence For Consistency
Another important way to find and share your voice is through consistent social media marketing. With a strong marketing campaign, you can not only nail down your brand and voice but get feedback from your customers and make it more of a collaborative venture.
Consistency is key when it comes to the acknowledgement of your company, too. Daily posts on your social media channels will allow clients to get to know you – as if they are getting a constant “day in the life” insight into your company behind the scenes.
Regular Communication With Employees
Your company is made up of its employees. In this way, the voice of your company is inherent in the people that work for it. If you want to get a clearer indication of your company – and how it is perceived by customers – then you need to communicate with these employees and ensure they understand the values and goals that you are striving towards.
Remember, the workforce is the customers of the company. That’s who they will be talking to, and so your employees will take on the literal voice of the company in the process. Regular meetings, catch-ups and socials are some of the best ways to develop a united work environment with a cohesive message.
Putting Your Values Into Practice
With this in mind, the last point to mention is you and the company itself. If you have decided exactly what your goals, values and messages are, then you need to ensure it is constantly put into practice in the workplace.
You cannot expect your employees – and much less your clients – to understand the voice of your company if you are not putting it into practice yourself. Make sure your company embodies its own values on a constant basis, and you will see the benefits in how it is acknowledged outside of your walls.