Creating a successful image and brand can be a costly endeavor. However, there are several simple ways you can create a strong image and brand for relatively inexpensive, including:

Identify your target market

If you haven't already done so, identify your target market. Who are your prospective customers? To identify your target market, consider their age range, education level, financial status, and geographical location.

Choose your business name wisely

Your business name will play a huge role in the branding of your business, so make sure you choose your business name wisely. Your business name should be easy to remember, easy to pronounce, and should reflect the purpose of your business.

Create a catchy slogan

While a business name is generally permanent, slogans don't have to be permanent. A strong slogan will help customers and prospective customers remember your business.

To create a catchy slogan, start by making a list that describes your business. Your list might include such words as superior customer service and the lowest prices guaranteed. Once you've created a list of words that describe your business, sit down and write phrases that encompass your business's purpose, using those words.

Keep in mind that slogans should be short, easy to spell, and memorable.

Design a logo

Design a logo or hire a professional graphic designer to create a logo for you. A logo is also an essential component of building a successful image and brand. To be successful, your logo must be simple and memorable (think the Nike swoosh). A successful logo will also be easy to reproduce; after all, you'll want to include your logo on all of your marketing materials, including letterhead, brochures, your Web site, and even t-shirts.

Know and communicate your message

Your brand is essentially the message you want to convey to the world. Ensure that your message is constantly reinforced in all of your marketing materials, from brochures to letterhead. Consistently reinforcing your message is essential to building your brand.

Be cohesive

For it to be successful, your brand must be cohesive. That means that every aspect of your business from the message on the voicemail to your marketing campaign must relay the same message.

Create a public relations campaign

Share your story with your prospective customers by implementing an aggressive public relations campaign. Send out relevant press releases, announcing new products or services, to local media, and prepare a media kit that will be available for interested members of the media. A public relations campaign is an ideal way to gain media attention for your business and to solidify your brand in the marketplace.

Keep track of the results

You must know if your branding and image is working and whether it's resonating with your customers. Ask your customers for their feedback to determine whether your image and brand need tweaking or whether you've hit the mark.