What Makes Portland Branding Agencies Unique?

What can a Portland branding agency do that a similar company elsewhere in the US can’t?

While they offer the same or related services as their counterparts across the country, there are several facts that differentiate Portland-based companies from all others.

Unlike many other branding hubs, Portland drives highly skilled talent from around the nation.

It ranks as the fifth best place for business and careers and as the ninth best place to live in the US because of factors like the job market growth, quality of life and people’s desire to live in the city.

This is also why many businesses make investments in the city.

According to Zippia, some of the notable brands having offices there are:

  • Google
  • KPMG
  • Siemens
  • Dell

Developing strategies for big companies like these, Portland branding agencies are bound to offer the highest level of services.

Additionally, unlike other competitors across the US, professional companies operating in Portland have acquired experience in the major sectors in the area like:

  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing
  • High tech
  • Athletics and outdoor apparel
view of Portland, Oregon
Portland is the 5th best city for business and careers in the U.S. 

What Services Can You Outsource To A Portland Branding Firm?

Some of the core services that you can outsource to a Portland branding agency include:

  • Brand discovery: Brand discovery is a vital step that helps the agency partner understand who the brand actually is, what it does, what makes it different from the competition, what others think about it and what it is able to become. In fact, the aim of this step is to gather key information about your business model and process so that the professional agency you hire is able to align your goals to a brand strategy and the needs of your customers.
  • Market research: This is an important process that helps discover current and future market trends, define your audience and understand customer behavior, uncover weaknesses in your current branding efforts as well as discover new opportunities. Market research will also help you get valuable info on your competition and facilitate strategic planning.
  • Brand identity: One of the core services of Portland branding agencies is the development of brand identity which encompasses a collection of elements that represent brands including name, logo, colors, brand typography and other visual components that make the brand recognizable and differentiate it from other companies in the market.
  • Brand messaging: Brand messaging plays a major role in the success of every business since it is the key to providing value to the consumers and persuading them to convert. It is what grabs shoppers’ attention making them relate to your brand. A brand message should be inspirational, persuasive and consistent so that it elicits an emotional response. Professional branding companies understand this and they have know-how and the creative skills to craft your message that communicates your values telling the audience what your brand stands for.
  • Brand positioning: A Portland branding agency will also work on your brand positioning to ensure it occupies a distinctive place in the consumers’ minds. They will execute various strategies and reinforce your differentiating qualities to provide your business with value and increase brand loyalty.

Additionally, Portland branding agencies can also develop a marketing plan to promote your brand consistently through various channels. They can create tailored campaigns for every stage of the conversion funnel and push your prospects to conversion.

How Much Do Portland Branding Agencies Charge For Their Projects?

The average hourly rates of the best Portland branding agencies vary between $50 and $150 per hour.

Considering the fact that these agencies come in different shapes, this cost will differ based on their:

  • Stature
  • Team size
  • Industry reputation

Additionally, a Portland branding firm might also charge you by the project or the specific services you need.

For instance, this is how much you can pay for the following:

  • Brand name creation: $10,000 to $75,000
  • Logo/Visual Identity: $20,000–$75,000
  • Website + marketing collateral distribution: $10,000 to $250,000 or more
  • Branded advertisements: $10,000 to upwards of $1 million

Why Should You Hire A Portland Branding Firm?

These are the top three reasons why you should partner with a Portland branding firm:

  • Work with world-leading talent: Thanks to its high quality of life and great conditions for career development, Portland is quite a welcoming place for skilled talent from across the US. Data supports this fact and based on thorough research the city is ranked high by notable organizations like Forbes and US News. For you as a business, partnering with a Portland branding agency would mean access to some of the finest experts in the country that can deliver a successful project.
  • Enjoy high-quality services: Apart from skilled talent, Portland also attracts many business investments. So, the city is home to many large companies including Google and Siemens. To serve brands like these successfully, local branding agencies are bound to use cutting-edge tools, have access to top resources and always stay on top of emerging trends. And this is something that every business looks for when selecting a project partner since these factors can play a major role in delivering effective strategies.
  • Take advantage of their industry expertise: Portland branding agencies naturally acquire experience in the major industries in the area. They have worked with local clients and businesses which means they have gained a deep understanding of the local market, audience and competitive landscape. With unique insights at hand, they can be the best choice for local organizations since they will be the best positioned to help local clients grow.
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How To Choose The Best Portland Branding Agency

Selecting the best Portland branding agency may seem like a tricky process since most organizations don’t know where to start.

However, you can feel confident since we did most of the research since all the companies listed in our table have been ranked based on thorough agency selection criteria.

And, those listed are the ones that passed our qualifications like industry reputation and satisfied clients.

To extend your research, take the following five steps:

  • Define your budget: While the cost of these companies should not be at the forefront of your decision-making process, still determining how much you can spend on your project will help you find an agency that fits your budget. And, it will allow your partner to tell how they can allocate their resources as well as send proposal solutions.
  • Understand their strategic approach: Branding is a complex process that requires in-depth research. It relies on proven, evidence-based methodologies which are the key to building successful identity and campaigns. So, make sure you look for a company that has well-defined processes. This will ensure they are capable of delivering winning strategies and crafting compelling messaging as well as authenticating your brand.
  • Check their portfolios: The previous work of the best Portland branding agencies will serve as an indicator of their level of expertise. Portfolios will give you a clear idea of what clients they partner with and what industries they have experience in. Make certain you hire a partner that shows diversity, innovation and creativity in their work.
  • Consider their communication capabilities: Proper communication is important in delivering a successful project. This is why you should pay attention to how responsive and collaborative every potential Portland branding agency is before you make your choice. The right partner should point out the communication channels and contact person from the very beginning. The agency you hire should also be responsive and reply to your calls and messages in a timely manner. It should send updates and keep you in the loop at all times.
  • See if their company culture aligns with yours: During your branding or rebranding project, you will spend a few months with the Portland branding firm you hire. This means that you would want to have a company by your side with which you feel a connection to. Great collaboration often depends on the alignment of values and culture. So, learn about how similar or different each agency is when compared to your brand and pick one that is collaborative, imaginative and passionate.

10 Questions To Ask Portland Branding Firms Before Hiring One

  1. What industries do you specialize in? Have you ever helped brands in the same or similar sector develop?
  2. How can your approach help us achieve our business goals?
  3. What role will market research play in the branding process and what data will you collect?
  4. How will you ensure our identity reflects our company values?
  5. How will you make sure our brand is presented consistently across all channels?
  6. Will you need any materials from us?
  7. How will our team be involved in the project?
  8. How often will we communicate? Will there be a dedicated point of contact?
  9. How will you measure our brand performance? Which KPIs will you set?
  10. How much should we expect the project to cost?
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Takeaways On Portland Branding Agencies

The primary reasons why you should consider Portland branding agencies for your project are:

  • Having access to their top talent
  • Enjoying high-quality services
  • Taking advantage of their local market know-how

The cost of these companies varies and they may charge between $50 and $150 per hour.

To choose the best Portland branding agency for your business:

  • Define your budget
  • Understand their strategic approach
  • Check their portfolios
  • Consider their communication capabilities
  • See if their company culture aligns with yours

Best of luck!

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