I’m going to share an important lesson about exploiting a competitive advantage, but first, you need to read this true story… “Mike,” Patti said. “You’re going to cut off your fingers.” “No, it’ll be fine, Patti. You just need to know what you’re doing. There
Branding jargon is a curse that plagues businesses around the world. It’s hard for me to wade through the bullshit that branding firms and marketing agencies spew out to sound smart—and I’ve been in branding for 16 years. But not all branding terminology is for
I was conducting my evening scroll through Instagram, as I usually do, when I stumbled into a mysterious brand I had never heard of—Bandulu. The name captured my eyes and the “ulu” echoed in my ears as I said it over and over in my
A tagline becomes part of your brand identity. It’s often the most memorable part. You might even call it your verbal logo. Don’t believe me? Well… Just Do It. Think Different. The breakfast of champions. The happiest place on earth. I rest my case. Listing
“Anytime Michael goes by you — nail him. Put him on the ground on every drive.” – Isiah Thomas People are understandably obsessed with the Michael Jordan documentary The Last Dance that’s on ESPN right now. The series is crushing ESPN viewing records. It gives us an
Rivalries are the best. Growing up a Michigan State fan, I got my hands in a vicious battle with the University of Michigan at a very young age. I remember talking trash to my best friend and neighbor, whose uncle was Michigan Alumni, every time
Here’s a little secret nobody tells you about building a brand… You can be average in almost all categories as long as you’re ‘The’ best, largest, fastest, or some other …est in one category that matters to your customers. I love the story they tell
Slack is one of the best accidents in history. Stewart Butterfield, the founder & CEO of Slack, didn’t set out to build the fastest growing business app in history, but he did. I’m going to share the origin story (because it’s interesting) and then we’ll dive
The Tony Robbins brand does three things: Promises a better life. Showcases Tony’s powerful personality. Exudes a passion for helping people. In other words, Big T has mastered the 3 P’s of branding. These aren’t magic. You can leverage the same triggers to build your
Should startups be focused on building a brand from day 1? This video dives into the difference between your logo and your brand, and what to focus on if you want to build a brand that leaves a mark on the world. Cast votes, build
Great direct response copywriting is like a mirror. A skilled copywriter can make us see ourselves in their copy. It almost feels like they’re typing our thoughts back to us. Not tuning your copy to WIIFM (what’s in it for me) is where most copy
Niche down. Find your niche. Focus. There’s no shortage of brand and marketing experts telling you to find a niche. They’re not wrong. Focusing your attention on a specific group of people is key to success, but it’s not easy. Intentionally cutting out a portion of
Why did you start a company? There are easier ways to make a buck. The entrepreneurial life is not one to enter half-assed. You either come in with your whole ass or not at all. It’s painful watching so many companies struggle. Especially when it
Launching a new product is exciting and scary at the same time. You have a great idea, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed by everything that has to be done to turn your idea into a reality. None of us are immune to launch stress.
