What's in a name? Quite a lot, actually--but it's also in how your business *looks* that makes them remember you. Nowadays, people are more visual creatures than ever. With all the competition out there, you're going to want to stand out.

Branding a business means, simply put, creating a unique image or name for what you sell. When you think of the soft-drink Coke, what comes to mind? Perhaps it's the red and white logo you see on the cans, the swirly way the product name is written, the vintage shape of glass bottles the drink can be found in, or you immediately think of a witty slogan you've recently heard about Coke. All of these things are ways that Coca-Cola brands itself in your mind. And makes you want to run out to the store and buy some.

Developing a brand for your business is easy, and there are a few ways to get started:

-Know what sort of message you want to convey to your customers. If you have no idea why you stand behind your product, your audience will have no idea either.

-Consider a tagline, or slogan for your business. I use Soap That Makes Scents™ It's catchy, a play on words, and relays a message of simpleness, and good fragrances. If you do go this route, remember to use your slogan often--put it on your business cards, on your website or blog, include it as a signature on your emails along with your website link. The idea is to make people remember it, and visualize what your slogan means to them.

-Have a uniformed look for your website that travels over into your promotional material. Your business cards, pamphlets, banners, advertisements, blog and website should be similar in the same way you would coordinate an outfit. This can be done in little ways, such as using similar photo-taking techniques for your website, or having your advertising buttons be a smaller version of your store banner so when clicked on the customer sees a continuation of your theme right away. I also connect my business cards to my brand by using the same colors and font found on my online store and blog.

I'm sure you can think of dozens of other ways you can brand your business. The key is not to make everything the same, but rather to make everything flow together.