Branding 101: What Makes a Brand Powerful
A powerful brand is more than just a great logo and a mission statement (although those certainly lay the groundwork for any brand.) We live in a time where competition rises up on every corner, and the only thing setting each company apart is its unique vision and dedication to consumers. Consider these 9 quotes from some of the world’s most powerful billionaire CEO’s, as they unravel the mysteries of true brand integrity:
"Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room."
- Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon
"I think as a company, if you can get those two things right – having a clear direction on what you are trying to do and bringing in great people who can execute on the stuff – then you can do pretty well."
- Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook
"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."
- Steve Jobs, Co-Founder of Apple
"Too many companies want their brands to reflect some idealized, perfected image of themselves. As a consequence, their brands acquire no texture, no character."
- Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group
"Focus on building the best possible business. If you are great, people will notice and opportunities will appear."
- Mark Cuban, Owner of Dallas Mavericks
"A great brand is a story that is never completely told. A brand is a metaphorical story that connects with something deep – a fundamental appreciation of mythology. Stories create the emotional context people need to locate themselves in a larger experience."
- Scott Bedbury, Founder of Brandstream, former Advertising Director of Nike
"If people believe they share values with a company, they will stay loyal to the brand."
- Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks
"Make every detail perfect, and limit the number of details to perfect."
- Jack Dorsey, Co-Founder of Twitter
"A brand is the set of expectations, memories, stories, and relationships that, taken together, account for a consumer’s decision to choose one product or service over another."
- Seth Godin, Founder of Squidoo
Now that you’ve heard from the experts, apply their words of wisdom toward your own brand. Rise above the competition and create a brand that’s memorable and unique. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be well on your way to driving more customers to your business.