Maintaining a Positive Brand Image for your Business in 2021

In the modern business world, having a positive brand reputation is arguably just as important as your product or service.

09:36 23 April 2021

In the age of social media and 24/7 news coverage, there are not many hiding places for companies when it comes to criticism, so it’s fair to say that brand image matters more than you might realise.

 

And while understanding that dynamic is the first step for all organisations, the real work is in creating and maintaining a positive reputation. Here, we’ll look at the factors that affect your image as well as offer a few tips on ways to enhance your standing among both the industry and your customers.

 

What makes a positive brand image?

 

There are a wide range of factors that influence how your brand is perceived by the wider world. For example:

 

• Value: Are you offering consumers more for their money?
  
  
• Quality: Is your product/service meeting the needs of your target audience?
  
  
• Service: Do you look after your customers and do everything you can to help, even in the face of negative sentiment?
  
  
• Honesty: Are you transparent in your communications, both internally and externally?
  
  
• Responsibility: Do you hold everyone within your organisation accountable for their actions and make it clear how those actions may affect the business as a whole?
  
  
• Sustainability: Does your company take steps to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute towards a greener future?

 

How can you build and maintain a positive brand image?

 

Each business is different, of course, which means the ways they promote their brand will vary widely. For example, a multi-national banking corporation will seek to create a very different image to an independent boutique retailer. But here are a few basic tips that could help your enterprise.

 

Invest in ethical resources

 

You could also adopt a strategy of investing in sustainable assets. These companies and ventures are dedicated to being the driving force behind our push for a greener future, and receiving your backing will only help them in their quest. With an ever-increasing focus on addressing the issue of climate change, contributing towards that cause can only be positive for your brand’s reputation.

 

Engage on social media

 

Social media is a great place to promote your brand and if used in the right way it can do wonders for your reputation. For example, Aldi’s battle with Marks & Spencer over their respective caterpillar cakes really captured the imagination of the public and saw the former cast in a positive light. M&S, meanwhile, were seen as the bad guys and even stories so seemingly frivolous in nature may prompt some consumers to switch allegiances.

 

Partner with smaller businesses

 

Identifying opportunities is what business is all about, and sometimes collaboration is the best way forward. Partnering with other enterprises not only gives them a boost in terms of exposure, but it sheds a positive light on your brand as one that’s willing to give smaller companies a chance to thrive.