Abiah.com, Christian Organization and Ministry Brand Development

New year, new line of business

Forgive the silence for so long.  We had quite a hectic 4th quarter in 2007. 

We were swamped (and sill are) getting ready to launch a new line of business, creating a new product around that line, and then the holidays were upon us.

First the news...

Abiah has expanded into ministry branding.  Some of you who've been to our site during the 4th quarter probably noticed the change in our tagline as we fine tuned where we were going. 

We're still going to be working with moral, principled companies who believe in honesty in their marketing, who demonstrate ethical business practices with their customers, employees, and vendors and who are looking to rebrand their organizations,  We'll also work with well-capitalized startups who understand the importance and value of a clearly differentiated brand and who are also moral, principled companies.

But we're excited about this new division (for want of a better phrase) because it's in alignment with our personal beliefs and values.  These are big issues for all of us at Abiah.  As individuals, we believe that God is first, family is second, and work is third.  We believe that each of us must live lives that are true to our beliefs and that includes our lives at work.  As Abiah's owner and Chief Branding Strategist, Guy works hard to build a business that's consistent with his beliefs.

Those of you out there who struggle with making a profit in ways that are consistent with your faith, beliefs, and values know how hard it can be.

We'll be launching a website specifically targeted to our ministry market along with a product and consulting services that will support that product.  More on that the closer it gets (launch date is 2 / 14).

So we have big plans for our brand in 2008...How about you?

When brands go bad, part 2

Hello Brand Builders-

I read an article online today that talked about bad brand extensions.  A brand extension is when a company with a solid reputation and good market share into a different product or service.  Sometimes the products are very similar (think about Tide's new eraser pen for spots) and sometimes not (Harley Davidson's cake decorating kit...which begs the question, what were they thinkin' when they came up with THAT?).

At Abiah Designs, we love the concept of multiple streams of income, but not at the price of losing focus on your core product or service.  Sure, businesses have to take risks and history is full of stories of pioneers who were told it can't be done or it shouldn't be done (the Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell...shoot, even Steve Jobs and Bill Gates).  I think part of the definition of "entrepeneur" should be "person who refuses to give up or listen to people who know better."

So how do you extend your brand and generate an additional stream of income?

Start by thinking about the consumers of your product.  How do they use it? Where do they use it? When do they use it?  Timberland makes hiking boots.  Maybe they decide to make backpacks.  Maybe they decide to make jackets.  (of course, maybe they already do...you see what little I know about hiking).

Perhaps you can extend your brand by selling your knowledge.  I was talking to a client today who teaches people how to get out of debt.  Now, when you do something like that, you're limited by the fact that it's just you and there are only 24 hours in the day and you can only be in one place at one time.  If he created an e-course and taught it online, or created course materials he could sell and license, he'd be extending his brand and generating additional streams of income.  If he genuinely enjoys teaching, he can do that too.

So, grab your favorite brand of beverage, put your feet up on your favorite piece of brand name furniture, and think about how you can extend your brand and generate an additional income stream or two.

Want more great tips to build a strong brand (who doesn't, right?)? Well, stop by our website and sign up for our newsletter.  It comes right to your mailbox twice a month with an indepth article on a business and brand building idea.  When you register, you'll receive access to our archives and get all the articles we've written.  You'll also be the first to know about great things we've got planned.  Here's a hint:  We're going to be extending our brand (and our services).

Hope these ideas help you build a great brand and bring you a great return.

Until next time-

The team at Abiah Designs