As shown in our latest infographic, brand identity is a very important component of your brand. And brand image is just as crucial! However, “brand image” and “brand identity” are often confused, so let’s define each of these concepts.
What is brand identity?
Brand identity is what you, as a company, want your brand to represent: the image of it that you want to project, and how you want it to be perceived by the public.
Brand identity includes the following elements:
- your brand style guide (logo, typefaces, colors, etc)
- the tone of your words
- your values
- your history
- your positioning
Brand identity is therefore entirely dependent on your company and its overall strategy. The clearer and more precise your identity, the better. This will allow you to follow a logical guideline for your company and for the public.
💡 TIP: reinforce your brand identity in your digital publications with our White Label feature (available to PLATINUM users) and personalize the viewer so that it matches your brand style guide.
What is brand image?
Brand image is how the public perceives your brand, what they really think of it. It’s a feeling, and, in a way, the reputation of your brand.
Brand image depends on:
- your public speaking and communications
- your marketing activities
- client experience
A positive brand image is essential for your brand. Not only will the public think highly of your products, but this will also help increase your sales because your customers will be your best ambassadors when they tell their friends and family about you. On the other hand, a negative brand image could be catastrophic. If your products are only associated with bad things, there is little chance that they will sell.
💡 TIP: to improve your brand image, it is important to offer high value-added content such as digital publications. Tutorials or magazines are good ideas of content to propose, but there are many other types of content you can publish with Calaméo.
How do they influence each other?
The influence of brand identity on brand image
Brand identity contributes to maintaining a good brand image. For example, a new product with a high price will be perceived positively by the public if the brand has a luxury positioning that is part of its identity. The high price will be perceived as a guarantee of quality by the consumer, who will therefore have a good image of your product and your brand, because it is in line with your identity.
On the flip side, if your brand contradicts its identity, it can create bad press. Imagine creating a new product whose manufacturing method goes against the values displayed by the brand. In this case, your customers may have the impression that you have lied to them about your motivations and convictions.
Therefore, you must master your brand identity and stick to it.
The influence of brand image on brand identity
Brand image is a good indicator of the effectiveness of your brand identity. As a matter of fact, a good image will reinforce the idea that your identity is clear, controlled, and understood by the public. It then be a matter of continuing to make your decisions in the same way.
In contrast, a bad brand image will require changes. This could mean an entire or partial rebranding of your identity: choosing a new logo or new values, for example.
Conclusion
Brand image and brand identity are therefore two very important elements for your brand. One represents the image that your company wants to give to your brand, the other is the real image that the public has in mind, its feeling towards your brand.
Ultimately, these two crucial elements depend on each other, so make sure not to neglect either one.
