What exactly are we? What distinguishes us from our competitors? What can we do to ensure our market differentiation and recognition? These are the kinds of questions you may ask when you develop a marketing plan or craft a mission statement, but at their foundation, they are inquiries that seek to uncover the essence of your company's identity. Whether you're starting a new business or operating an old one, you've probably asked yourself these kinds of questions. You've probably heard the words "corporate identity" and "brand identity," and you're aware of their significance. But how well do you grasp what these phrases signify, how they vary, and, more importantly, how they are similar?
You've probably noticed them mentioned interchangeably, but are they? To establish a clear, compelling, and trustworthy brand for your business, it is critical to grasp what each is (and isn't) and the way the two operate together.
What is Corporate Identity?
Consider a brand that is easily recognized. You know what it is if you notice the corporate logo without knowing the name. Like a half-eaten apple with no context. Perhaps you see a specific hue and something "clicks" in your mind, causing you to recall a brand. Like a certain shade of blue that reminds you of a renowned tiny present box, the hue is called for the business from which it originates.
These are all instances of how a single element of a strong corporate identity may evoke a significant response. They also demonstrate why corporate identity is critical to your business.
What is Brand Identity?
Your brand identity consists of your business's voice, values, and also what you offer to your consumers; what you wish the world to believe and think about your company, and your reputation. Consider your brand identity to be who you are as a company and what distinguishes you from your competition. What distinguishes you from the other firms working in the same industry? Why prospective consumers and workers might prefer you to your competitors.
Why is Brand Identity important?
Brand identity fosters trust. Customers are drawn to firms that they perceive to be "good corporate citizens," and they remain loyal to brands that they trust. Good brand identity may also help organizations recruit and retain top personnel since job seekers increasingly want to work for companies that share their values. As a result, an engaged staff provides another channel for communicating your brand identity.
Since brand identity is about the company's principles, having a defined brand identity simplifies decision-making. As all decisions must adhere to the company's principles, the brand identity serves as a guideline. Whether the questions are about the commitments your firm makes or how to handle failures, your brand identity provides the answers straightforwardly, even when the challenges and solutions are complicated.
Corporate identity vs. brand identity
So, what is the difference between corporate identity and brand identity? They are, without a doubt, distinct. Consider this: if the brand identity is who you are, your corporate identity is the picture you give to the world. Consider your company's advertising, website, and social media presence. All of these factors contribute to your company's corporate brand. In reality, corporate identity encompasses all media representations of your firm. Consider the logo, colour palette, typefaces, letterhead, workwear, business cards, corporate swag, and other elements.
A distinct business brand makes you identifiable and distinguishes you from your competition. Customers will know your firm if it has a distinctive corporate identity, whether they see it on social networking sites, your website, or on a branded t-shirt across the room. If your company brand is powerful and unique, something as basic as a color, like the small blue box in the example above, might be enough to ignite identification.
Consistency, like brand identity, is vital to a solid corporate identity and giving your team the necessary tools is a wonderful place to start. Create a visual identity guide that covers all of the corporate identity aspects to maintain your corporate brand consistently. Also, be precise: Include accurate color palettes, typefaces, sizes, logos, and digital and print media specs. Consider all of the several ways these components could be used (mobile and desktop editions, both print and digital, etc.) and supply the required variants. If your company has the necessary tools, they will make use of them.
Whether you're thinking if your corporate identity and/or brand identity may use an update, if anything in your brand strategy is really not performing as effectively as it could, or if you're establishing a new brand and require some guidance, we'd love to talk with you.
Because to build a strong corporate identity, you need to partner up with a reliable digital marketing company. BrandSeeder can help you achieve your business objectives and help you get an edge over others in the market.
Contact our team to discuss your project!
