how to build a fun brand that makes you stand out from the crowd!

A lot of clients who work with me have 'fun' as one of their *keywords and many go for larger than life brands and visuals that not only capture their audience but draw them into their own authentic world! 

This is where my specialities are, luckily, so today I'm giving you some simple tips to start your own unique/colourful/fun/OTT authentic brandworld. 

1. Work out WHO you are, WHAT your business offers and how you can move forward in a completely authentic way. Everyone, imo, should be 100% authentic but if you want to really stand out and go BIG with your brand, hitting everyone you meet in the face with it, then go for 200% authenticity... oh yes I went there. Every interaction you have, email you write, social media post you share should WHAP the real you out there. GO BIG OR GO HOME, FRENS. 

2. This leads on to my next point. Go bigger, window up wherever possible.

Are you a music artist who wants visual worlds for each release (hello I do this as standard)? Amplify those visual worlds with music videos; a full narrative, a mini film and splurge the details within it all over your socials through content that optimises each channel/feature. 

Are you a retail business? Does your window display catapult who you are and what you're about to everyone who walks past and makes them stop in their tracks? No? You have work to do, fren. Make that store an EXPERIENCE. How does it smell? How does it sound? How you can add to your customers' senses in every way? 

Are you a coach or consultant who does regular public speaking? How is your staging? Does it smash who you are and what you're about in the faces of your audience? If not, why not? Do you give away specialised goodie bags that will surprise and delight your delegates and make them remember the EXPERIENCE as well as adding value to them through the items you've chosen to giveaway? 

You get the idea!

3. And whaddya know, this links nicely on to my next point. People always say 'think outside the box'. I say go 4D (that was kinda cheesy but it's staying). In an online world, business cards are dying as is anything that isn't sitting on Zoom. If you're trying to get some real life connection back by sending out press releases/business cards/some kinda targeted physical promotion, send them a cake instead! Or whatever floats your boat. Ideally it would be something well thought out that is an extension of your authentic brand, but that's not as catchy (or tasty) as cake. 

Are you a music artist putting on a gig? Consider all the senses; scent (pick a smell and scent all your gigs/signings etc), taste (give out sweets with your logo on), vision (make that staging OBVIOUS), audio (you have that covered!) and touch (maybe your staging goes out into the audience, maybe you have a character or mascot that goes into the audience and interacts). 

Are you an author organising a release party? How can you make this release party different from any other? What would YOU do if practicality didn't halt your creativity in its tracks. Host it in a swimming pool with all your guests splashing about on inflatables? Host it in the depths of nature where you all camp out and cook on a grill? These are simple concepts but pairing them with an occasion like this can make for a super memorable themed event. 
How can you bring your book to life with your release party? Aim to CREATE A WORLD with your book (or product) and take it further and further with each milestone, event or marketing tactic. 

This blog post was pretty much brainvomit from me but the overall idea is to take your branding to the next level x584330. There is so much competition right now and if your brand does fall into the more fun/OTT category then you can be SO playful with it; see how far you can go and what kinda experience you can create for your audience. Make a memory for them! 

* Brand keywords are super fun and useful. You basically pick 10 ish adjectives that convey your brand; fun, bold, adventurous, flamboyant etc. It makes life easier when communicating with your designer/social media manager/anyone.