Every business has a brand, even if you are a solopreneur. It is crucial to cultivate your small business brand intentionally, and not by accident. Here’s the biggest branding advice from Dr. Seuss.

When it comes to building a brand, the little guys have many awesome advantages over the big corporations. For instance, small businesses are nimble, closer to customers and have more control over brand strategies and implementations.

So, just what branding advice could Dr. Seuss possibly have for small businesses?

Being the underdog, small businesses sometimes fall victim to over-achieving and over proving. They feel like they have to ‘puff’ themselves up to be impressive and credible, just like the big corporations.

In branding, there is an internal brand and an external brand. When people’s experience of your business doesn’t match what you’ve been saying about yourself, you’re sitting on a ticking time-bomb.

To add to Dr. Seuss’s smart advice above, here are my tips on how to stay “on-brand”:

• Don’t try to be something you are not.
• You can be inspired by other brands, but you cannot possibly emulate them, simply because no two businesses are alike.
• Focus on attracting your target/ideal customers – you can’t please everyone.
• Don’t bend over backwards or lose track of your goals just to please a few who won’t forward your business.
• Listen to your closest customers; seek their opinion.
• You, the business owner, as well as your team, should feel proud and comfortable.
• And last, but not least: “Be who you and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” ~Dr Seuss

 PS: Sharing is caring! If you found this useful (or liked the infographic above!), tweet it and share it on Facebook!