Working on the start-up of Wills Point Community Market has been an incredible experience, but it’s also been eye-opening. While setting up and managing the market’s social media, I’ve noticed a few things that make it easier (or harder!) to connect with vendors, sponsors and customers. One of the biggest lessons? Branding matters.
So, I wanted to share some personal tips for fellow entrepreneurs and small business owners. These little tweaks can make a big difference in how your business is perceived and how easily customers can find you.
1. Get a Logo and Put It Everywhere
If you don’t already have a logo, it’s time to create one! It doesn’t need to be extravagant, but it should represent your business and be easy to recognize. Think of your logo as the face of your brand—it’s how people identify you and know they’ve found the right place.
Once you have your logo, use it everywhere:
- On your products
- Business cards
- Social media profile pictures
- Marketing materials
For example, with Harlequin Tea, I put our logo (Mr. T. Pot!) on everything. He’s on our tins, pictures, and social media. The compliments I get on him tell me it was worth the effort!
Now, imagine I started “Cecilia’s Bakery” (not a real thing… yet 😉). If I search for that name online, I’ll find dozens of results. How would anyone know which one is mine? A clear logo makes all the difference. And put your logo as the profile picture on your social media channels!
2. Consistent Social Media Usernames
Another thing I’ve learned: consistency is key. If your social media usernames are the same across platforms, it’s so much easier for people to find you. For example, Harlequin Tea is @HarlequinTea on Facebook, Instagram, and beyond.
When your usernames match, you don’t have to worry about complicated links or people getting confused. You can share something simple like www.facebook.com/HarlequinTea, and your customers know exactly where to go. It’s a little thing, but it makes a huge difference.
3. Easy-to-Read Contact Information
Okay, this one might sound minor, but it’s been a pet peeve of mine lately: when sharing your phone number, don’t cram all the digits together. Writing it as 1234567890 is hard to read, especially if someone has vision challenges—or if they’re just tired like I often am!
Instead, write it like this:
- (123) 456-7890
- 123 456 7890
Trust me, your customers will thank you for making their lives just a little easier.
4. Make Your Email Professional and Memorable
Let’s talk email! If you’re still using a personal email like coolbaker123@gmail.com or janesbusiness@yahoo.com, it’s time to level up. Your email should reflect your business name—something like order@harlequintea.com.
Having a professional email address shows you’re serious about your business, and it’s so much easier for customers to remember. You can absolutely use a yahoo or gmail address but it’s not recommended. Getting a business email usually requires having your own web domain, which leads me to my next point…
5. Get a Website
If you don’t have a website yet, make it a goal for 2025! Having your own website doesn’t just make you look more professional—it gives your customers a central place to find everything they need about your business. And there are so many easy, budget-friendly tools out there to help you create one.
Bonus Tip: Stay Engaged with Your Audience
Follow your market vendors, sponsors, and collaborators on social media. Sometimes it’s harder than it seems to track down the right accounts, but consistent branding (logos and usernames!) helps tremendously.
Why All of This Matters
At the end of the day, branding is about making it easy for people to find you, trust you, and connect with you. Whether it’s a logo, a consistent username, or clear contact information, these little details go a long way in building a strong business presence.
I’ve loved learning from all the amazing vendors and sponsors at the market, and I hope these tips help you as much as they’ve helped me. If you ever have questions or need help, feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned.
Here’s to making 2025 our best business year yet! 💛
