Health Warning! If you haven't been craving pizza lately, you will after you read this.
So, you know exactly where to get your favourite pizza, right? Yes, we know you have them on speed dial!
Ever thought about why you love that particular pizza so much?
Let's start with the crust. It should be firm. A little crispy. The perfect crust holds all the toppings together.
Just like a pizza needs a great crust, your business needs a solid branding strategy to stand out. And just like pizza toppings, marketing adds the deliciousness that makes your business unforgettable. It's what keeps your customers coming back for more.
Without a crust, there's no pizza. And without marketing, your business would be lost in the crowd. But when you combine a delicious crust with mouth-watering toppings, you have the recipe for success.
A branding strategy lays the foundation for your marketing efforts. Marketing campaigns then spread the word about your brand and attract new customers. When branding and marketing work together, your business becomes as irresistible as your favourite pizza.
What is Branding?
So, to get a little serious for a quick minute, the straightforward explanation for branding is that it's creating a unique identity for your business. Your brand is like the whole package deal - not just your logo or website but everything that makes up how people see and feel about your business. It's all about creating trust and making your customers want to stick with you for the long haul.
What is Marketing?
Eugh, okay, we need just another minute for the serious stuff. Marketing is like a game plan for getting the word out about your business, products, or services to the people you want to reach. It's all about figuring out what those folks need and want and then coming up with a plan to grab their attention and convince them to act on it.
What's the Difference?
No eye rolls, please; we're almost done. So, branding and marketing might seem similar, but they're actually two different things. Branding is all about creating a vibe that your audience can connect with - like through incredible visuals and a fun experience. On the other hand, marketing is about putting the right message out there in the right way, so you can get people to take action and do what you want them to do.
Some Juicy Info
So apparently, like a bajillion messages (41,666,667 to be a little more accurate) get sent every minute on WhatsApp, plus a ton of posts (like around 150,000) on Facebook and emails fly around like crazy (3026, 626 emails a second). So, when you think about how distracted we are with all the information coming at us and how much of it gets lost in a sea of indifference and mediocrity, you'll understand why we need to have this conversation.
Seriously, it's a no-brainer. If you want anyone to even notice your brand, you have to have a strong identity that stands out from the crowd. And having a solid brand is the only way you're going to grow your business.
It's key to know your people! By understanding your market, you create a brand that really clicks (or, if you prefer, the sophisticated term used in marketing circles these days is 'resonates') with your audience.
A strong brand builds trust, keeps customers coming back, and boosts sales.
Yes, Marketing is super important too!
Marketing helps you attract and convert potential customers by targeting them with the right message at the right time and place. A solid marketing plan can get you in front of the right people, boost brand awareness, and literally make you more money.
Your brand influences your marketing message, while marketing helps spread the word about your brand.
Why you need a little help from a friend
So here's where we come in. We're a circus (I mean a team) of creatives and brand strategists, and we have the expertise and experience to help you make sense of it all.
We help you get to the bottom of who you are as a company, why you exist, and who you should be talking to.
We take you on an exciting journey (and we even play some games with you) to get to the bottom of exactly what messages you need to be getting out and who you need to be getting them to.
In good old-fashioned marketing speak, we help you figure out who your audience is, create a unique brand identity, and develop a plan to promote your brand. With a strong brand strategy, you can confidently market your business and build relationships that last.
As brand strategists, we love to teach our clients about the power of branding and marketing. Yes! We've even seen faces light up, and our clients' eyes sparkle when the penny drops, and they "get it". (Okay, we've also seen a bunch of very confused faces too, but when we get to the final explanation and big reaveal, there are always cheers of joy, air punches and back slaps...we promise.)
Let us help you cut through the clutter and clarify the confusion with the right strategy for your business. We will put you on the path to creating a successful business that really connects with your audience and gets the money rolling in.