Okay, you know why branding is important, and you have a pretty good grasp on how to go about it, but that doesn’t negate the fact that, well, it can be kind of boring…tedious, even. But it doesn’t have to be. In fact, it shouldn’t be. Branding is much less effective when you view it as a daily chore (something you have to do on daily basis but aren’t passionate about doing) rather than an opportunity to get creative.
That being said, your clients will be able to tell when your branding feels forced or fake, and they’ll be less likely to interact with you or your brand because of it. On the other hand, people are naturally drawn to brands that feel genuine and fun. So, how can you get more from this “chore?”
#1 Make sure that your brand is a reflection of you.
Above all else, your brand should represent your personality and your interests. That way, whether you’re posting on Facebook or holding a face-to-face conversation, your brand will always shine through. Think of it this way; when your brand is a seamless extension of you, you can always be yourself without the fear of contradicting your brand. If you’re having trouble deciphering just what it is that makes you you, get an outsider’s opinion. Ask your friends, family members, and coworkers to describe you in three words or less. Did “funny” appear most often? Maybe “detail oriented” cropped up more than one occasion. In any case, it’s a good way to get some clarification when it comes to your branding.
#2 Don’t be afraid to share your hobbies.
There’s a saying we have around here, “You never know what people are going to connect with.” It could be your backstory, it could be your values, or it could be your obsession with the original Star Wars trilogy. That being said, never hold back because you assume your clients don’t care about Star Wars. Talking about your Star Wars action figure collection, or using Star Wars elements in your marketing campaign could be just what one of your prospective clients was waiting for. In any case, it’s just as fun for you to talk about your hobbies as it is for your clients to hear about them.
#3 Keep your audience in the loop, both personally and professionally.
We have another saying around here, “People like to work with people they know and like.” And what’s the easiest way to get people to know and like you? To make yourself seem human. How do you do that? You share your personal experiences!
Don’t worry, this isn’t a “Truman Show” situation—there are some things we just don’t want to know, but sharing photos from your recent family vacation to Disney World is a fun way to connect on a personal level. While you’re at it, don’t forget to keep them up to date with what’s going on in the business realm as well. If you’ve got a big speaking event or an exciting new project coming up, let the people know! If you’re excited about the news you share (both personal and professional), your audience will be too. And it definitely won’t seem like a chore to let them in on the excitement.
If you’re looking for some examples of fun, genuine branding, check out @OldSpice @TacoBell or @Charmin (yep, the TP) on Twitter. They’re notorious for posting humorous quips you can’t help but follow in love with.
Of course, the simplest way to achieve all three of these steps at once is through a custom newsletter. Are you ready to create a seamless branding extension of yourself that not only allows you to BE yourself, but helps define who you are to your clients? Look no further than a monthly newsletter.
Does the thought of sharing your hobbies and interests with your clients make you feel like a little kid on Christmas morning? A monthly newsletter is the perfect platform in which to share all those things you love! Have you been searching for a better way to keep your customers in the loop (that allows you to use more than 140 characters)? You got it, a custom newsletter is the answer!
Ready to Elevate Your Brand with Fun and Genuine Creativity? Explore the Possibilities with a Custom Newsletter! give us a call at 208-297-5700. We’re putting the “fun” back in…“fundamental branding!”
