Comments on: How intention makes a brand – a quick case study

By: How to drive away business - what customers never tell you

How to drive away business - what customers never tell you — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:28:05 +0000

[...] The pros know the magic is in the details. [...]

By: Gunnar Andreassen

Gunnar Andreassen — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 09:20:50 +0000

Epic quote: You set your intention, you maintain your purpose, you follow through. People notice. You build your brand.

Great post!

By: Stacey Cornelius

Stacey Cornelius — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:29:52 +0000

And if people didn’t respond to the work, all your professional framing would be money lost for good. It starts with the work, but if you don’t treat it like you really care about it, others won’t, either.

By: Sally Mack

Sally Mack — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:37:25 +0000

Stacey, you make an important point. The kind of deliberateness you mention is the result of thinking through how you perceive yourself which leads to the perception other people have of you.

Because I have photos for exhibits professionally printed and framed, I am perceived as a “professional” although I make very little money at photography yet. It’s part of branding (as you would agree). Just because I don’t make money at it does not mean that I will present my work in any way other than at its best, at MY best.

On the other hand, I don’t give my work away, either, except rarely as gifts to friends.

It’s taken years (10, now?) of annual exhibits of professionally presented photos but I’m finally reaping some rewards. If the photos weren’t well-presented, I wouldn’t be invited to exhibit year after year.

By: Stacey Cornelius

Stacey Cornelius — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:33:53 +0000

Exactly. If you try to run a business on the cheap that *looks* like you’re running it on the cheap, and people will believe you. Show clearly that you believe in what you’re doing, start to finish, and that message comes across, too.

By: Lydia, Clueless Crafter

Lydia, Clueless Crafter — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:56:28 +0000

Ohh, and how key it is to select the best venues. Product – whatever that may be and whether for sale or not – placement is key.

I’ve made it my mission to only write for pay. Why? There seems to be a 1-to-1 ratio. It’s a misconception to think that you will gain anything for free. 0 dollars out, will eventuallly pull nothing in.

By: Rachel Mathews

Rachel Mathews — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:05:40 +0000

As you know, we English love our pubs. It’s become quite a trend over the last 10 years for gastropubs where the food is excellent and people come for that more than they do to drink.

Outside most pubs in the UK there is a sign that says – ‘good pub food served here’. Except for the gastropubs – they don’t need a sign. You can just tell the moment you see it what kind of food and service you are getting.

Sounds like your artisan is the same. The irony is if you go to pub that boasts what wonderful food they serve, you can guarantee they don’t!

You are absolutely right, branding needs to be well thought out and permeate everything you do. No obnoxious sign needed.

By: Linda L. Jones

Linda L. Jones — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:19:16 +0000

This was a knock upside the head today. I’m sitting here scrunched over my work and feeling like I’m losing out to the pressure to keep it affordable. Meanwhile, I’m not taking any time to work new designs or delight myself with my own work.
Duh.
And thanks.

By: Sherice Jacob

Sherice Jacob — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:21:01 +0000

When you simply “be yourself” coming up with a brand isn’t that difficult to do. People who come up with “fake brands” around something they really don’t believe in will be uncovered quickly – especially with the way social networking works. What is that 5,000+ year old oracle advice? Know Thyself?

By: Stacey Cornelius

Stacey Cornelius — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:00:42 +0000

I agree, Yolanda. When you have your feet under you, it shines through. When you’re not sure why you do what you do, that sense of unease is also apparent.