By Rachel L. Matagaster

In any business it is wise to consider product branding before releasing your creation on the market. It doesn't matter if your product is electronic, such as e-books or audio programs, goods like clothing, or even services. Once your product is on the market you need that product to be seen, recognized, and remembered.

Marketing campaigns, including product branding, is big business these days. The competition is tough in just about every market. Because of this we have to keep our focus, do our homework, find our niche, and protect our creations. You need to start with product branding to make those memorable impressions.

So the hard part is done, you've got your new product, or at least a prototype. Now we find ourselves at the step of product branding, finding that interesting but easy name that people will remember. You want your product seen, understood, and purchased. You want the repeat business. With product branding you can assure that your good name will be remembered.

The last thing you want is to slip into obscurity. You also don't want that catchy name you thought of to fall into someone else's hands. Branding your product and taking the steps to protect that concept and name is worth your weight in gold. Then when you are ready to do your marketing you can be assured that your money will to toward selling your product, not someone else's.

It's not hard to decide what type of branding to use. If your product fits in with existing products, and those products are established in the market, you will likely choose family branding so you can ride on the success and recognition of your existing brand. Individual product branding doesn't offer the coat-tail of another product's success to ride on.

Another approach to product branding is called co-branding. This is the teaming of two companies to form a new venture. One example of co-branding is Visa and MasterCard. This concept works well to present a better product to both existing markets as well as attract new markets through the established names of each participant.

Check with your local Small Business Administration office for assistance and information on product branding. It's well worth your time to do your homework and understand the steps to creating and registering your product branding. The cost for product branding is low in comparison to the average ad campaign.

So now we see how important product branding is in your product development cycle. Being seen adds up to making sales, and a recognizable, memorable name can be your ticket to product marketing success. - 18098

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