Does your company need to be a household name to be successful?

Use these 8 steps from PR to build long-term brand awareness for recognition and profits

There are numerous companies with names that are well-known worldwide, such as Band-Aid, McDonald’s, Toyota and Apple, just to name a few. You might dream of one day making your company a household name, but is that the only way to achieve success?

We can all name at least one company that rose to superstardom seemingly overnight, like Uber and Pinterest. Whether you want to strive for worldwide name recognition or would be happy attaining top market position, public relations can help you get there.

The path to market and/or world domination

Establish yourself as an authority in your industry with thought leadership.

By demonstrating superior knowledge about your product and field, you can become a go-to source for information and help. Sharing that knowledge allows you to prove you are a valuable resource that customers can trust.

Be a visionary.

Boldly going where no one has gone before will make people remember you. Everyone, especially news media, likes to hear when companies are doing something new and different.

Pay attention to your brand.

Does your company name and logo correctly convey what you want customers to know about you? What are people saying about your company and CEO online and through word-of-mouth? You must constantly monitor and address your brand presence to be sure you are perceived the way you want to be.

Win awards.

You can attract serious attention when you are honored for being the best. This could be within your industry, such as the top prize for engineering, regional awards like those given by a chamber of commerce, or any national recognition for which your company is eligible. Just be sure you meet all the criteria and complete the entire application.

Earn the respect of your peers.

Attending and speaking at industry events can often pay off in immediate, vital connections and future sales. It is also helpful to reach out to key influencers in your industry so they can spread the word about your company.

Get your name out there.

The best way to increase name recognition is for people to see and hear your name. You can organize corporate social responsibility events such as a 5K run to support a cause related to your product; start a scholarship program for students in your field; or create a PR campaign around the benefits of your product. The possibilities are nearly endless.

Tell your story.

You would probably not give your money to a total stranger, but you may offer funds to someone you trust. The same is true in business; customers must get to know you before they decide to purchase what you are selling – and telling your story is an ideal way to explain who you are, where you’ve come from, where you’re going and how customers will benefit from continuing this journey with you.

Hire a PR agency to help.

The work you put into building your brand and boosting your popularity is never wasted. However, it is a lot of work. Ensuring that your messages are well-crafted and resonate with your target audience is what PR does best.

At Axia Public Relations, we have the tools in place to promote your good work, help you win awards and position your company for maximum outreach and visibility. Contact us for more information or download our e-book, Maximizing Your Public Relations Investment.

Lisa Goldsberry is a blogger for Axia Public Relations with more than 15 years of public relations experience. She specializes in business and technology PR. Lisa has worked for Axia since December 2013. Learn more about Lisa Goldsberry. Connect with Axia on Twitter @axiapr or tell us what you think in the comments below.