Who knew when we launched our new website in January of 2016 that the life preserver and hashtag #brandresuscitation would be so apropos?
Distinguishing Your Brand: The Power of Purpose
If it is your job to differentiate and grow your business, you own a tall task—especially in this environment of information overload, when all of us are overwhelmed with new platforms, media channels and ways to get noticed.
Branding and the Importance of Mouthfeel
“Windowsill. . . . Piccadilly Circus. . . ” every time I see those words, I also hear them in my mind being said by the eccentric and endearing fairy godmother-like character (played by Estelle Winwood) from the 1955 movie, The Glass Slipper. She loses herself in the sound of saying and repeating some of her favorite words.
The Power of the Positioning Statement
Why the fuss about the positioning statement?
In brand audits and workshops that we facilitate, much of our effort focuses on the positioning and reassurance statement. Why? Because this is what identifies your company (or program or service), conveys what you do, for whom, and how you help solve a need in a unique way. Oh yes, and this must be clear, concise and authentic.
True Colors: Overcoming Marketing Deafness and Overload
We are inundated with marketing messages day in and day out; morning, noon and night someone is talking to or at us about something s/he want us to pay attention to.
Branding: The Big Idea
I’m a people person. It’s through relationships and one-on-one communication that I feel I am most effective. So of course, one of my favorite parts of the creative branding process is the meeting with an organization’s CEO and key players during the discovery phase. Asking some important questions to key individuals reveals so much about the organization and helps determine the creative choices we will make during the rebranding process. Listening, learning, watching interactions, and observing the culture—all of these actions inform and inspire how we will develop strategic recommendations and ultimately, brand design and messaging.
7 Tips for Responding to Negative Comments on Social Media
As a small business owner, consultant or upper-level manager in a professional services firm, you’re busy, and each day, more and more demands are made on your time. Your company made the dive into social media, and now your agency tells you that you got a negative review on Facebook or some suspect comments on your blog. So you’re thinking, “why did we ever say we would do this social media in the first place?” Well, it’s because you also want to reach more people, be known as a thought leader, and more than that, have an engaged audience. But what happens if you’ve got that “one bad apple” among lots of healthy, positive engagement?
The Power of the Personal Touch
One of the beauties of summer is the chance to disconnect from technology every now and then and reconnect with old friends. I had such a chance a few weeks ago when I went to visit my best friend of 40 plus years. We always seem to be able to pick up wherever we last we left off and immediately get to laughing, reminiscing and catching up on one another’s lives. At one point, we were sharing fond memories of our days at girl scout camp as my friend was preparing to send her two pre-adolescents to scout camp in the coming week. My friend is such a devoted and thoughtful mom, she was already planning notes and care packages to drop in the mail so that each of her children would have something to open during their days at camp.
Is Fear of Change Holding You Back?
You are not alone.
American entrepreneurs may have a well-earned reputation for risk taking, but once we have a modicum of success, we tend to turn into a timid bunch—or maybe the better term is reluctant. We’ve figured out what works on our own for initial growth, so we start relying on that status quo experience, often refusing to recognize changes appearing on the horizon, reluctant to see what’s right in front of us.
Seven tips for coming up with great content when you're stuck
Where do you come up with content?
It’s that time. You know you need to write another blog post, but you’re just not feeling it. Where do you start? If you are an expert advisory firm, you are aware of the importance of providing valuable thought leadership, also known as lead-generating content. Your website needs to substantiate the work you do for your clients. When a prospect who is “on the fence” about your services comes across your site, your content can make the difference.
Overwhelmed? Seven Apps That Might Help
As another September approaches and the beautiful summer slips away, my head is exploding with ideas and possibilities. As much as I’m trying to hang on to the peace and calm of a wonderful unplugged vacation hiking in the beautiful High Sierras in July, I’m also energized by the thought of fall. We have actually had a very busy summer, a little less laid back than some, but we’re counting our blessings for being busy with some great clients.
Branding Your Startup
I recently had the privilege of being part of a panel at the Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship’s Speaker Series to discuss marketing for emerging companies. We had some great questions and input from participants, which always makes it more interesting for everyone. Most concurred that as technology changes and it becomes more important to be connected and keyed in to what’s going on, basic branding building blocks still apply. As a startup, it’s very important to invest in your initial branding.
