How To Make Your Brand Stand Out Like A Great Song

Hi, WA Friends!

Have you ever thought of your online brand as a song? This might seem strange, but as someone who has a guitar website, I've come to realize that it makes a lot of sense!

Let Me Tell You A Little Story

Way back around 1964, in my teen years, my neighbor played me one particular song from an album entitled "The Kingsmen In Person" called "Louie Louie." It's actually a cover of the song originally written by Richard Berry in the mid-1950s, but The Kingsmen version quickly became all the rage!

In 1963, the song had already charted number 2 on the "Billboard Hot 100," number 1 on the "Cashboard Top 100, and number 23 in the U.K.!

Rolling Stone Magazine ranked the song number 54 in their list of "500 Greatest Songs Of All Time!"

People have actually written books about how this song influenced the history of Rock and Roll!

Its "pornographic" lyrics set off an international sensation around the world! "In January 1964, Indiana governor Matthew E. Welsh, acting on multiple complaint letters, determined the lyrics to be pornographic because his "ears tingled" when he listened to the record." (Wikipedia, you can't make this stuff up!).

So, what's my point here?

That tune stuck in my head like an earworm for months! Even after I learned to play the song, I couldn't stop thinking about that catchy opening riff.

You know:" Dah-Dah-Dah, Dah-Dah, Dah-Dah-Dah, Dah-Dah."
You're probably humming it right now, but if you really don't know what I'm talking about, you can check it out here:
https://youtu.be/1RZJ4ESU52U

I finally learned that the guitar player Mike Mitchell used a Guild Starfire II guitar and an early Sunn amplifier (although some still say it was a Fender Telecaster or Stratocaster played through a Twin Reverb). There was no Internet back then.

Well, I got myself a Sunn Solarus amp and played Louie Louie on my Strat guitar, but quickly discovered the amp was even better for Black Sabbath songs with my Gibson SG and a treble booster. Lol

That damn song made me do all that research and buy an expensive guitar amplifier (I'm not saying I didn't have fun)! Haha

Think about it for a minute; just like a good song gets stuck in your head, you want people to remember your brand, right? It won't be very enjoyable if the song is out of tune or played badly. So, your brand message needs to resonate the same way with your visitors to make a long-lasting impression.

Hahaha, the story turned out to be "not so little," but if you know me, you're probably not surprised!

Visualizing The Process

Imagine you're the leader or manager of a rock band, and each part of your marketing plan is an instrument. Each instrument on its own can sound ok, but when they are all played together in just the right way, they can make unforgettable music!

So, as an online marketer, it's your job to make sure everything that represents your brand plays together nicely to match your audience's expectations and keep them coming back for more.

Like different types of music can help show off a band's personality and attitude, the right market branding can create a unique visual and informational experience!

Essential Branding Elements

Ok, I thought my "little story would be enough, but if you "other people (non-guitar players) out there" really must have something more substantial, here are the essential elements that make up a good online marketing brand:

1. Unique Selling Proposition (USP): This is what sets your brand apart from the competition. Your USP should be easy to understand and communicate the main benefits of your product or service.

2. Brand Name and Logo: These are the visual symbols of your brand and they should reflect your brand personality. They should be easy to remember and visually appealing.

3. Target Audience: Understanding your target audience is key to tailoring your branding and marketing efforts. You should have a deep understanding of their needs, preferences, and behaviors.

4. Brand Voice: This is how your brand communicates with its audience, it should be consistent across all channels. Whether your brand voice is professional, friendly, or funny, it should match your brand personality.

5. Website Design: Your website is often the first point of contact for potential customers. It should reflect your brand, be easy to navigate, and optimized for SEO.

6. SEO Strategy: Effective use of SEO can increase your brand's visibility online. It involves using relevant keywords, creating valuable content, and having a mobile-friendly website.

7. Content Marketing: Creating and sharing valuable, relevant, and consistent content can attract and engage your audience. It also helps to establish your brand as a thought leader in your industry.

8. Social Media Presence: Social media platforms are a great way to connect with your audience. Regular posting, engaging with followers, and using relevant hashtags can increase your brand's online presence.

9. Email Marketing: Despite the proliferation of other digital channels, email remains a powerful marketing tool. It's important to have engaging newsletters and automated email sequences that nurture your relationships with customers.

10. Customer Reviews & Testimonials: Positive reviews and testimonials can boost your brand's credibility. Encourage happy customers to share their experiences and make sure to respond to negative reviews in a constructive manner.

11. Customer Service: Great customer service can differentiate your brand from the competition. Ensure you have multiple channels for customers to reach you and that their queries are responded to promptly and professionally.

12. Analytics: You should regularly analyze your marketing efforts to see what's working and what's not. Tools like Google Analytics and Search Console can provide valuable insights into your website traffic, user behavior, and marketing campaign performance.

13. Mobile Optimization: In today's digital age, a significant portion of online activity is done through mobile devices. Ensure that all your online materials, especially your website, are mobile-friendly.

14. Consistency: Across all the elements mentioned, consistency is key. Whether it's the color scheme, logo, brand voice, or messaging, all should be consistent to ensure that your brand is easily recognizable.

15. Adaptability: In the rapidly changing digital world, your brand must be able to adapt. Whether it's adopting new technologies or adjusting your marketing strategy based on analytics, adaptability can help your brand stay relevant.

Remember, Keeping Current Is Key!

Just like a band manager needs to keep the musician inspired and sounding good, a brand manager needs to keep its website in tune with its audience.

It's essential to keep your brand current with your visitor's expectations while maintaining your unique take on what will keep them coming back for more.

Revisit your brand at least once a year with a watchful eye on your competition and look for opportunities for improvement. Don't be afraid to let your brand evolve to reflect your culture and values.

Now that I've bored you with all that non-musical stuff let me know what you think in the comments (it's ok, I can take it)!

Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸