brand communication

Table of Contents

Effective Brand Communication: Navigating the Marketing Funnel

Effective brand communication is an attempt to implement ideal marketing strategies. It plays a crucial role in the consumer perceptions & fostering brand loyalty. Marketing experts have defined effective marketing communication as: “Reaching the right market, with the right message, through the right channels, at the right times. Brands have maximized their communication with their customer base since social media has taken off.

A marketing funnel is a roadmap for you to your customers buying journey of your product. It gives you a better understanding of what your prospects are thinking, how much aware they are about their brand, & the intensity of interest they have in your brand. You can carefully measure how your funnel is moving modify it as per your need. By improvising you can reduce the risk of losing prospects.

Brief History of Brand Communication:

In the recent past, print marketing was the only method in existence to pass on a message to consumers. Also, emails, SMS, radio, blogs, television, company websites, social media, & digital marketing have taken the forefront in marketing communication efforts. This communication also acts as knowledge sharing that adds value for the consumer. The process of communication has digitalized & evolved to an extent where today we can spread any message within a fraction of a second due to easy access to different types of media, especially social media. This is where the communication process is important & they should be good in strategic communication management.

Advertising in Ancient Times (3000 BC – 1700s):

  • First newspaper advertisement published in the US in 1704.
  • Emergence of billboards in the early 1800s.
  • Direct & indirect advertising strategies.
  • Sears’ direct mail campaign in 1892.

History of Advertising in Golden Age (1900 – 2000):

  • Introduction of radio advertising in 1922..
  • First television commercial in 1941.
  • Customization of advertising with brand characters.
  • Enhanced use of TV, radio, newspapers, billboards.

History of Advertising during Digital Revolution (2000 – Present):

  • Introduction of online display ads in 1994.
  • Launching pay-per-click advertising.
  • Surge of mobile advertising due to 3G technology.
  • Social media platforms emerged as advertising hubs
  • Enhanced video ads for available digital mediums.
  • Continuous adaptation to digital era.

The Essence of Brand Communication

Brand communication refers to attempts like advertising & implementing social media strategies to reach out to existing & potential customers. The whole aim of brand communication is to influence customers’ thoughts on the brand & its importance. Whenever a customer interacts with a brand, whether new or existing, the brand has an opportunity to build its identity in the customer’s psyche. Brands interact to communicate, inform, persuade & share knowledge about the product, if needed. These forms of communication focus on a larger, more inclusive approach that the company is trying to establish.

The Marketing Funnel Recap:

As we all know the marketing funnel is based on the Awareness-Interest-Desire-Action (AIDA) model. It was first developed in 1898 by E. St. Elmo Lewis, an American advertising advocate. He has written & spoken prolifically about the potential of advertising to educate the general public. Here’s a quick recap:

  • Awareness: When someone becomes known about your brand, product or brand.
  • Interest: When someone expresses interest in your product or service.
  • Desire: When someone is constantly evaluating your product. It is also known as consideration stage.
  • Action: When someone becomes a customer. This stage is known as conversion.

What is the role of marketing funnel for effective brand communication?

When you dive into the brand funnel, it’s not just about marketing strategy, it’s about entering into the customer’s psyche or subconscious thought. Brands often have the aim to convert customers into brand evangelists. The role of marketing funnel for effective brand communication can be said as:

Increasing brand awareness:
Consider this as your grand entry into the market. It’s all about getting your brand name out there. To achieve this, you can leverage social media platforms. According to studies, internet users spend an average of 2 hours, 24 minutes per day on social media. So using eye-catchy visuals, engaging storytelling, can make the needed noise for your brand.

Leveraging data for strategic decisions:
Data-driven decision making helps for effective brand communication. It enhances the process of brand funnel management. Based on the data-driven decision making, brands adjust their content strategy & refine the target. It enhances the customer experience as the brand receives feedback to improve the product or service. These are insights that will optimize your strategy.

Strategic planning blueprint:
In the effective brand communication process, a brand funnel strategy template outlines each stage of the funnel. This should include objectives, target audiences, key messages, & tactics for each stage. A content calendar is often used for consistency as engaging content is key.

Implementing tools for ideal impact:
Brands often ensure tools are integrated for seamless data flow across different stages of funnel. Implementing a CRM software can will be easy to track leads from social media campaigns. A customized approach in this regard should be adopted for different audience segments.

Conclusion:

The marketing funnel simplifies the customer journey & serves as a mental roadmap for a business. A marketing manager gets assured that he/she is executing the marketing tactics at each marketing funnel stage. With an intentional focus, brands strive to attract consumers which in turn enhances awareness. The biggest benefit of these funnels is its measurability. It applies to almost any customer interaction which is a powerful way to bring noticeability to our potential customers.