One of the topics we touch on in our workshops is the need to identify your brand. Your brand should be what comes to mind (hopefully immediately) when people think about your business. What makes you unique and different from your competition? Determine what it is you want people to remember about their experience with you and your business, then work toward living up to that image. You have to consciously brand yourself; be sure you are marketing your brand through your website, Facebook, blog and print materials.

Here is an exercise to help you get started. Think about your ideal customer then write down as much information as you can about what makes that individual your "ideal customer." Now reevaluate your marketing material from that customer's perspective. What messages are you sending to make this type of customer want to do business with you? What products and services are you offering that appeal to your ideal customer? This is not an easy assignment, but it is an important one.

To learn more about how to brand your business we recommend the book, Build Your Own Brand by Doug Dvorak.