Creating a Startup Identity

For any startup, a great idea is the message. A great brand is the bullhorn. For people to hear about a startup–and even more than that, to remember it when they need to–a startup’s message has to be loud and clear. That’s what we mean when we talk about identity: a loud, clear message that says who you are. Creating a startup identity will get people’s attention and hold onto it. That means investing in your company’s brand as well as its product.

Creating a Startup Identity Through Branding

At A Hundred Monkeys, we think of branding in terms that are often used to talk about human interactions. After all, customers and clients are people. It makes sense to appeal to them in the same way that a person would: what makes a person interesting can also make a startup interesting. Think about aspects of personal identity, and it’s easy to find analogous features in a company: kindness, empathy, and responsiveness apply equally to both. We believe that building a better brand starts with creating an interesting, human identity.

Don’t Put Branding Off Until Tomorrow

Many startup owners who are new to the game think that creating a startup identity is something they can wait to do until after they create a startup. Product first, promote later. While it’s true that you don’t need to start making major advertising pushes when you don’t yet have a product to advertise, you already advertise in every conversation you have about your startup, whether you’re ready or not. A strong brand drives that conversation in the right direction. A weak brand–the brand you’ve ignored–pushes the conversation away.

Branding Consultants Can Help

The good news: You don’t need to spend time building your brand. You’re not the right one to do it. Much as we evaluate other personalities more accurately than we see our own, we’re better at seeing other brands. Product creators are often too close to see the brand. That’s where branding consultants come in. At A Hundred Monkeys, we bring you humanity-centered outside perspective to the table. We help you find the best way to articulate your vision to potential clients in a significant way. We can help you differentiate yourself from the competition and define your company’s voice, creating a startup identity that’s all your own. We can be your bullhorn.

If you need help creating a startup identity, give us a call. We can’t wait to put our expertise to work for you.