- James Haldane
'Branding' explained
Updated: Nov 1, 2020
Branding is a Structure that does not change.
However its contents can change. 'Same but different'.
Here’s is an explanation of Branding using an advertisement that appears monthly in a magazine.
Imagine it's a 1 page Ad, divided into 4 squares
Quadrant 1 is always a headline, it changes monthly
Quadrant 2 is always a photograph, it changes monthly
Quadrant 3 is always details, it changes monthly
Quadrant 4 is always Business and Contact details; never changes
In this example the format (branding) stays the same and the content changes
If a Brand (meaning a Business) changes its core focus (its Brand) too much, the whole Business can collapse. E.g. A chain of Bookstores that adds gift-ware, coffee and food … so people get confused about 'what it is'. Is it a Bookstore or a Cafe and they don't return.
If it launched as a Bookstore/Cafe maybe that would have worked
If a Brand makes additions (flavours), too distant from it’s core focus, they may fail. E.g. Coke adding different flavours that didn't catch on
It’s all a delicate balance.
Branding has 3 elements
1.Character
‘Who’ is your Business? What’s your Point of Difference? What Movie Star would your Business be? What type of Music would your Business be? A good place to start is the overlap of your Strengths, Interests and Target Market.
2.Clarity
‘What’ do you do? Is it Crystal Clear to your customers, what you do? Simplify, don’t Mystify.
3.Consistency
Having the same look and feel across all platforms.
Storytelling
The Oldest form of Marketing is Storytelling
From Complex Stories e.g. Shakespeare, to Simple Stories e.g. TV Commercials, the best Stories are Entertaining, Informative, Inspiring and Poetic.
Don’t be afraid to reveal your stories.
Your customers need to know you, to trust you.