In the world of branding and marketing, staying top of mind is crucial, especially with lengthy sales cycles. Join Ethan Decker and Steven Bell on this episode of Cover Brand to explore an unexpected yet effective strategy: using high-quality merch to maintain a delightful presence with your prospects. Delve into real-life examples from branding giants like Coca-Cola and insightful tips on how to create merch that people love, not just accept. This episode is your guide to building innovative and lasting connections without irritating your clients. Discover how memorability and charm can transform your business relationships and lead you towards successful engagement.

Main Topics:

• Challenges of long sales cycles for small businesses
• Lessons from Coca-Cola’s branding strategy
• The pitfalls of spammy reminders and how to avoid them
• Why quality merch makes a difference
• Ethan's creative branding approach with unconventional logos
• Leveraging creativity for memorable impressions
• Balancing cost and value in promotional items

Links to Additional Resources:

• Applied Brand Science Website: appliedbrandscience.com

Elevate your brand's memorability and avoid the digital noise by investing in quality, creative merchandise. Follow the expert insights from Ethan Decker and Steven Bell to transform your marketing strategy and foster client connections that last.

Subscribe to Cover Brand for more insights into the world of branding and marketing. Share this episode with a friend who could benefit from these strategies, and head over to appliedbrandscience.com to dive deeper into the principles of brand science. Your success starts here!

Castmagic and Descript used to create drafts and then editing with human eyes, ears and hands. Produced by BiCurean.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Ethan Decker and guest Chelle Johnson as they unravel the importance of defining your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) and its impact on successful branding and marketing. With five years of business experience, Chelle shares the increasing trend of honing in on a focused customer base. Ethan and Chelle delve into how focusing on a niche can streamline your efforts, enhance your marketing strategies, and make your brand resonate better with prospective clients. Whether you're a small or mid-sized business, learn to define the core needs of your customers and avoid common pitfalls in hyper-detailing your personas. Listen in to gain valuable insights that could transform your approach to defining your customer base and refining your brand.

Main Topics:

• The importance of focusing efforts on an Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)
• Benefits of having a niche market for better brand recognition
• How to identify and target the core needs and occasions of your potential clients
• The delicate balance between having a broad approach and focused strategies
• Separating valuable marketing advice from misleading malarkey

Subscribe to Cover Brand for more insights into the world of branding and marketing. Share this episode with a friend who could benefit from these strategies, and head over to appliedbrandscience.com to dive deeper into the principles of brand science. Your success starts here!

Castmagic and Descript used to create drafts and then edited with human eyes, ears and hands. Produced by BiCurean.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Cover Brand, Ethan Decker and Rajev Sivarasa explore the challenge of maintaining brand uniqueness as businesses expand, particularly emphasizing the role of brand behaviors and authenticity. Rajev shares insights from his journey in the IT services industry, spotlighting how personal touches and a distinct company culture can set a business apart. Discover how Rajev uses unique selling propositions like the catchphrase "not assholes" to create a memorable brand identity. Learn about the pitfalls of mimicking larger corporations and why small businesses should embrace their personality to stand out. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business leader, this episode offers valuable strategies to help your brand shine.

Main Topics Covered:

• The role of brand behaviors in maintaining brand uniqueness
• The concept of "brand DNA" and its importance
• Strategies for promoting brand personality in growing businesses
• Rajeev's unique approach to branding in the IT industry
• Overcoming the challenges of self-promotion and marketing

Links to Additional Resources:

• Applied Brand Science
• Nordstrom’s Service Philosophy
• Learn more about Ethan Decker

Discover how to transform your brand identity by listening to this insightful episode. Learn to convey your brand's true essence and distinguish yourself from the competition. Apply these strategies to grow your business while maintaining authenticity and originality.

Subscribe to Cover Brand for more insights into the world of branding and marketing. Share this episode with a friend who could benefit from these strategies, and head over to appliedbrandscience.com to dive deeper into the principles of brand science. Your success starts here!

Castmagic and Descript used to create drafts and then edited with human eyes, ears and hands. Produced by BiCurean.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Ethan Decker and guest Dan Smink on this episode of Cover Brand as they delve into the nuances of branding within the manufacturing sector. Highlighting the difference between big B and little b branding, they discuss how even the smallest brand details can significantly impact a company's market reputation and sales. From the importance of premium perceptions to ensuring brand consistency, Dan and Ethan share practical insights and anecdotes, including real-life examples from the automotive and IT industries. Discover how to overcome industry barriers and position your brand in the neighborhood it aspires to be. Whether you're a branding novice or a seasoned pro, this episode offers essential takeaways to enhance your branding strategy and ensure your business stands out.

Main Topics:

• The distinction between big B and little b branding
• Importance of brand perception in the manufacturing industry
• Practical strategies for aligning brand details with premium market positions
• Understanding and utilizing brand neighborhoods to aspire and guide branding efforts
• Real-world branding examples from different industries

Want to take your brand to the next level? Consider the brand details that reflect your market aspirations and align with your company's values. Need help? Reach out to our team for expert branding strategies and advice.

Subscribe to Cover Brand for more insights into the world of branding and marketing. Share this episode with a friend who could benefit from these strategies, and head over to appliedbrandscience.com to dive deeper into the principles of brand science. Your success starts here!

Castmagic and Descript used to create drafts and then edited with human eyes, ears, and hands. Produced by BiCurean.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you struggling with the age-old challenge of aligning sales and marketing efforts? In today's episode, Ethan Decker dives into this common corporate conundrum with sales veteran Andy Wilson. They explore the concept of "brand body language," a transformative perspective that equates your brand's image to the non-verbal cues in a personal interaction. Discover why these subtle signals are vital to gaining customer trust and how they impact the sales process. Understand the necessity of a cohesive brand message and the role of sales and marketing collaboration in creating an effective brand embodiment. Tune in to learn strategies that refine your brand presence and avoid the dreaded "lipstick on a pig" scenario.

Main Topics:

• The dance between sales and marketing and the challenges it presents
• Understanding "brand body language" and its impact
• Real-life examples of brand alignment and customer perception
• The role of sales in embracing and embodying brand values
• How rebranding should be a profound shift, not just cosmetic
• Strategies to ensure that sales and marketing speak the same language

Call to Action: Ready to transform your brand's body language? Engage with the principles discussed in this episode and work towards a seamless integration between your sales and marketing departments. Review your company's branding cues today to ensure they align with your sales strategy and leave a powerful impression on your audience.

Subscribe to Cover Brand for more insights into the world of branding and marketing. Share this episode with a friend who could benefit from these strategies, and head over to appliedbrandscience.com to dive deeper into the principles of brand science.

Castmagic and Descript used to create drafts and then edited with human eyes, ears and hands. Produced by BiCurean.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Ethan Decker on Cover Brand as he chats with Sima Ali, founder of the Ali Law Group and HRtelligence. This episode covers the killer concept of your “brand neighborhood,” a method to define where your brand stands in the market (aka your ideal brand position). Whether you’re a business owner launching a new product or revisiting your company's image, this episode provides a clear, simple tool to help you effectively position your brand. Sima shares her journey and the challenges she's encountered, while Ethan offers expert guidance on positioning theory and practical branding exercises. Transform your brand strategy with this engaging discussion!

Main Topics:

• The fundamentals of brand positioning
• Understanding pricing strategies and brand perception
• Defining and creating a brand neighborhood
• Comparing brand positioning across different industries
• Practical exercises for identifying your brand’s ideal market position
• The importance of logo, color palette, and brand equity

Links to Additional Resources:

• Ali Law Group
• Fiji Water Marketing Case Study

Call to Action: Take the first step towards refining your brand’s position by exploring the brand neighborhood exercise discussed in this episode. Identify and align your brand with its ideal counterparts in and outside of your industry!

Subscribe to Cover Brand for more insights into the world of branding and marketing. Share this episode with a friend who could benefit from these strategies, and head over to appliedbrandscience.com to dive deeper into the principles of brand science. Your success starts here!

Castmagic and Descript used to create drafts and then edited with human eyes, ears and hands. Produced by BiCurean.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Cover Brand, Ethan Decker sits down with Marc Wallace, a Vistage master chair and seasoned executive coach, to discuss the multifaceted world of branding. What is a brand? How is it defined? How do different elements like logos and reputation play into a company's overall image? Listeners will gain insights into the importance of both "Big B" branding, which encompasses a company's entire reputation, and "Little b" branding, which involves the tangible elements like logos and colors. Through engaging anecdotes and examples from industry giants like Starbucks and Apple, discover how these two sides of branding can work together to create a robust brand identity. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or a small business owner, this episode will equip you with the knowledge to enhance your brand's presence in the market.

Main Topics:

• Understanding the dual nature of branding: Big B vs. Little b
• The importance of logos, colors, and mascots
• Real-world examples: Starbucks, Apple, McDonald’s, and GEICO
• The role of reputation in branding
• Consistency and reliability as keys to strong branding

Don't just listen—apply these insights to make your brand stand out in a crowded market. Recognize the power of both your visible brand elements and your reputation to create a holistic brand strategy.

Subscribe to Cover Brand for more insights into the world of branding and marketing. Share this episode with a friend who could benefit from these strategies, and head over to appliedbrandscience.com to dive deeper into the principles of brand science. Your success starts here!

Castmagic and Descript used to create drafts and then edited with human eyes, ears, and hands. Produced by BiCurean.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Ethan Decker and his guest, Peggy McCartha, as they explore the intricacies of brand architecture in the latest episode of Cover Brand. Peggy, with over 36 years of experience in photography and business strategy, shares her journey of managing multiple business brands, including Headshots by Peggy, Quintesphere, TimeBenders, and Global Business Plaza. They tackle the challenges of creating a cohesive identity when multiple offerings intersect and provide actionable strategies to decide between a "branded house" and a "house of brands". This episode is packed with insightful advice to help you streamline your brand strategy, ensure consistent messaging, and reach your target audience effectively.

Key Topics Covered:

• Understanding brand architecture: "Branded House" vs. "House of Brands."
• Strategies to manage intersecting businesses under one brand identity.
• The importance of identifying and targeting your audience for each offering.
• Real-world examples from well-known companies like Kirkland, Coca-Cola, and Procter & Gamble.
• Tips for consolidating offerings when targeting overlapping audiences.

Links to Additional Resources:

• Visit Applied Brand Science for more insights into brand strategy.
• Discover the Global Business Plaza!

Subscribe to Cover Brand for more insights into the world of branding and marketing. Share this episode with a friend who could benefit from these strategies, and head over to appliedbrandscience.com to dive deeper into the principles of brand science. Your success starts here!

Castmagic and Descript used to create drafts and then edited with human eyes, ears and hands. Produced by BiCurean.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.