A Beginner’s Guide to Building Brand Visibility

Why is Brand Visibility Important?

Are you starting out to build your brand visibility? Building your brand visibility can feel overwhelming. But by breaking it down into simple, actionable steps and learning from examples in different industries, you can begin creating a brand that stands out. Brand visibility is essential for getting your business noticed by the right audience and ensuring people remember you when it matters most.

As a beginner, your brand visibility is crucial for:

1. Building Awareness: Getting people to know who you are and what you offer.
2. Attracting Customers: You can’t get sales if no one knows you exist.
3. Creating Trust: A visible brand shows you’re a legitimate business, making people more comfortable buying from you.
4. Gaining Competitive Edge: You’re more likely to stand out among competitors if your brand is known.
5. Expanding Reach: With greater visibility, you’ll reach a wider audience, leading to growth over time.

Examples from Different Industries

1. Fashion Industry: Building a Personal Brand through Social Media

Example: Glossier
Glossier started as a beauty blog called “Into the Gloss” and later became a successful makeup brand. Before launching its products, Glossier leveraged Instagram and user-generated content to build a strong, loyal community. By engaging with its followers and asking for feedback on product ideas, Glossier made its audience feel like part of the brand-building process.

Beginner Tip: If you’re in the fashion or beauty industry, build a personal brand on platforms like Instagram or TikTok. Share behind-the-scenes content, design process, or outfit inspiration to attract followers. Respond to comments and ask for opinions to build engagement.

2. Food and Beverage Industry: Using Local Community Engagement

Example: In-N-Out Burger
In-N-Out Burger, a popular fast-food chain, focused on local visibility and community involvement rather than broad national advertising. They started small, sticking to limited locations, and built a loyal customer base through excellent customer service, consistency, and word-of-mouth marketing.

Beginner Tip: Start small with your local community if you’re in the food industry. Participate in local food festivals, partner with other local businesses for events, and engage with customers through social media. Being visible in your community can have a powerful impact.

3. Tech Industry: Content Marketing and Educational Outreach

Example: Moz
Moz, a leader in SEO tools, built its visibility by offering valuable educational content for free. Their blog posts, tutorials, and “Whiteboard Fridays” video series became popular marketing resources. They weren’t just selling a product; they were teaching people how to solve problems, which made their brand highly trusted and visible.

Beginner Tip: If you’re in tech or a service-based industry, focus on content marketing. Write blogs, make how-to videos, or offer free guides that help your audience solve problems related to your expertise. Providing value upfront helps build trust and visibility.

4. Creative Industry: Leveraging Partnerships and Collaboration

Example: Adobe
Adobe, known for its creative software like Photoshop, built visibility by partnering with educational institutions, offering discounted software to students and professionals. They also sponsor creative events and support community projects, making them a go-to brand in the creative industry.

Beginner Tip: If you’re a freelance artist, designer, or in the creative industry, start by collaborating with other creatives or local businesses. Offer to design something for a community event or work with a non-profit organization on a project. These partnerships can get your name out there and help you build your portfolio.

5. Wellness and Fitness Industry: Building Trust through Authenticity

Example: Kayla Itsines (Sweat App)
Kayla Itsines, a fitness trainer, built her brand entirely through social media, specifically Instagram. She posted workout tips and transformations and engaged directly with her audience, sharing personal stories and fitness tips. By being authentic and transparent, she gained millions of followers and built a trusted brand in the fitness space.

Beginner Tip: Focus on being authentic in the fitness or wellness space. Share your personal journey, tips, and progress on social platforms. Engage with your followers, answer their questions, and create relatable content. Authenticity builds trust, which is key to growing your brand visibility.

10 Tips for Beginners to Improve Brand Visibility

Here are simple, actionable steps tailored for beginners to improve brand visibility in any industry:

1. Define Your Brand Clearly
   • Know what your brand stands for. What’s your mission? What problem are you solving? Ensure your brand has a clear identity, making it easier for people to connect with it.
   • Example: If you’re a fitness coach, define whether you focus on beginners, athletes, or busy professionals. Knowing your target helps you tailor your content.
2. Start with One Social Media Platform
   • Choose the social media platform where your audience is most active. For fashion, Instagram may be best; for professionals, LinkedIn might work.
   • Beginner Strategy: Focus on mastering one platform rather than spreading yourself too thin. Share consistent, high-quality content, and engage with your audience by responding to comments and questions.
3. Use Free SEO Tools
   • Use beginner-friendly tools like Google Keyword Planner to find out what your audience is searching for online.
   • Tip: Optimize your website or blog content with keywords that match those searches. This helps people find you through Google and other search engines.
4. Post Regularly
   • Consistency is key, especially on social media and blogs. Posting regularly helps keep your audience engaged and builds familiarity with your brand.
   • Tip: Set a schedule—2-3 times a week or once daily. Start slow, and as you grow more comfortable, increase your frequency.
5. Use Simple Content Marketing
   • Create beginner-friendly blogs, tutorials, or videos that help your audience solve small problems. Share helpful tips and show your expertise without overwhelming them.
   • Example: If you’re in the food business, create easy recipe videos. If you’re a tech startup, write “How To” articles to answer common questions in your niche.
6. Engage with Local Communities
   • Get involved in local events, markets, or online groups to build visibility in your immediate area.
   • Tip: Attend or sponsor community events or run promotions targeted at local customers. If you’re an online business, join relevant Facebook or Reddit communities.
7. Offer Free Value First
   • Free content, samples, or consultations can draw attention to your brand. People will remember you when they experience the value of what you provide.
   • Example: A photographer might offer a free mini-session to build a portfolio, or a wellness coach could give a free class or downloadable guide.
8. Collaborate with Other Beginners
   • Partner with other small businesses or influencers who share your target audience. You’ll benefit from their visibility while helping each other grow.
   • Example: Collaborate with a makeup artist if you’re a skincare startup. Cross-promotion through blog features, social media shoutouts, or joint events can boost both brands.
9. Encourage Customer Reviews and Testimonials
   • Reviews are crucial for building trust. Encourage happy customers to leave reviews on Google, Yelp, or your website.
   • Tip: Reach out personally to satisfied customers or offer incentives like discounts or freebies in exchange for honest reviews.
10. Track Your Progress

• Use free tools like Google Analytics or social media insights to see what’s working and what isn’t. Adjust your strategies based on what your audience responds to.
• Tip: Look at metrics like post engagement (likes, comments, shares) and website traffic. Over time, this will help you understand what type of content resonates best with your audience.

Case Studies

1. The Rise of “The Sill” (Indoor Plants)

The Sill started as a small plant shop and gained visibility through Instagram. By sharing aesthetically pleasing plant images and practical care tips, they attracted a loyal following of plant enthusiasts. They also offered free online plant care workshops to add value to their audience.

Beginner Takeaway: You don’t need a huge marketing budget. Start by focusing on something simple, like sharing tips or posting visually engaging content that resonates with your niche.

2. Pat Flynn (Passive Income Blog)

Pat Flynn launched his online brand by blogging about his experiences with passive income. He shared free resources, guides, and personal stories about his successes and failures, which helped him build credibility and visibility over time.

Beginner Takeaway: Be transparent and share your personal journey. Your experiences can attract a following and establish your brand’s credibility by providing real value.

Final Thoughts 

Building brand visibility as a beginner doesn’t require a massive budget or complicated strategies. It’s about starting small, being consistent, and staying authentic. Focus on building relationships with your audience, offering valuable content, and using free or low-cost tools to help you grow.

Remember, brand visibility grows over time. It’s not about quick wins but consistent efforts that build trust and recognition with your audience. By focusing on the basics and learning from brands that started small, you can set the foundation for long-term success.

Feel free to ask if you’d like more tips on specific platforms or detailed guidance on any step!