Where “Brand” Comes From
Summary
- Branding started with livestock, using a hot metal to mark cows. This created a recognizable symbol.
- Seeing a cow without a brand means it's just another cow. But a branded cow shows ownership.
- If you recognize the brand and like the owner, you might return the cow. If you dislike the owner, the cow might stay lost.
- These symbols had a "magical effect" of conveying ownership and even impacting decisions people made based on their feelings towards the owner.
Video
How To Take Action
I would suggest implementing a few key strategies to build a strong brand presence without spending too much time or money:
Define Your Brand Identity
- Create a Simple Logo: Just like the hot metal brand on livestock, your logo should be easy to recognize and remember. Use free tools like Canva to design a basic logo.
- Be Consistent: Use the same colors, fonts, and styles in all your communications. Consistency helps people recognize your brand easily.
Leverage Personal Connections
- Build Goodwill: If people like you, they're more likely to support your brand. Make an effort to be friendly and provide excellent customer service.
- Ask for Referrals: Happy customers can be your best advocates. Ask them to tell their friends about you.
Use Social Proof
- Showcase Testimonials: If someone has had a good experience with your product or service, share their testimonials on social media and your website. This acts like a brand, showing others that you're trustworthy and valuable.
- Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and messages on social media. This interaction shows that you care about your customers and builds a positive image.
Low-cost Marketing Strategies
- Utilize Social Media: Post regularly on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share behind-the-scenes content to make your audience feel connected to you and your brand.
- Collaborate with Others: Partner with other small businesses or influencers to reach a broader audience without spending too much on advertising.
Create Value
- Give Free Samples or Trials: Offering a small taste of what you provide can entice people to buy more. This helps them recognize the quality and value of your product or service.
- Educational Content: Share tips, how-tos, and other useful information related to your business. This builds trust and positions you as an expert in your field.
By focusing on these strategies, you can create a strong brand that resonates with your audience and encourages loyalty, all without breaking the bank.
Full Transcript
the earliest version of buring that we can think of or at least that I can think of happened on livestock it was literally a brand they would heat up metal they'd sear it into the side of a cattle and they would get a lovely little logo maybe we'll have a Nike Swoosh cow someday and so they literally burn these symbols into animals and those symbols had a magical effect so let's say you're walking around and you see a cow with no brand you say hello cow the cow says move back and it has nothing on it this is just a cow you might leave it alone and that might be it on the other hand let's say the cow has a breand you recognize say it's your neighbors you might be like hey that's Bill's cow now if you like Bill you might grab the cow and pull him by the whatever you pull cows by and probably return it to Bill if you hate bill then the cow may stay lost in the wilderness forever and become lunch for your family for the next month or two in the form of delicious burgers