Comments on: How to turn a free meal into an extraordinary brand

By: How to keep your marketing hand in & your creative head down

How to keep your marketing hand in & your creative head down — Mon, 09 May 2011 18:27:59 +0000

[...] How to turn a free meal into an extraordinary brand Some people don’t think details are important. Some people think “brand” is just for corporations. I disagree on both counts. Join me for dinner and I’ll show you what I mean. [...]

By: thestudiosource.com » Passion, profession and dirty little secrets

thestudiosource.com » Passion, profession and dirty little secrets — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 01:57:39 +0000

[...] how-to marketing articles in favour of fixing faulty thinking, or shifting to your desired customer’s buying space. And for good [...]

By: Stacey Cornelius

Stacey Cornelius — Fri, 07 May 2010 19:21:29 +0000

I really think about brand as a flavour. Everything you do should have a “Shannon-ness” about it. You can talk about all kinds of things if you at least keep your voice consistent, and create an impression that forms a cohesive whole.

By: Shannon OD

Shannon OD — Fri, 07 May 2010 17:52:57 +0000

I just love how you made this point here – the illustration through a meal service is really making me think about some of the ancillary messages and pieces of information that I may say and do that perhaps don’t compliment the over all branding. Neat to think of it between a gormet restaurant and a cafeteria. You have me thinking Stacey!

By: Stacey Cornelius

Stacey Cornelius — Fri, 07 May 2010 11:50:48 +0000

It’s not about perfection, it’s about being real. That means you can be consistent without being the least bit boring.

By: Stacey Cornelius

Stacey Cornelius — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:46:28 +0000

The unusual settings throw everything off. My menu wouldn’t appear in a country & western bar because it would confuse the clientele, who would expect something quite different. If you and I were served our gourmet meal in that setting, we’d be confused because it wouldn’t complement the food. So ideally, it all works together. The work, your personal brand, and your customers.

By: Sally Mack

Sally Mack — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:34:04 +0000

Hi, Stacey,

Your post describes a corollary point (and perhaps the same one) to my belief that you’re known by the company you keep. This is especially true with artwork.

I declined an invitation to join a “vanity gallery” because I wasn’t desperate to show my work among that by other people who had the means (but not necessarily the talent) to exhibit. I knew the quality of some of that work and did not want to be associated with it.

Of course, with your dinner–please invite me!–one assumes that the immediate company you keep (assuming you have a dining partner) remains the same but the different settings appeal to different larger audiences.

By: Kathleen O'Connor

Kathleen O'Connor — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:52:10 +0000

I think this kind of ties into all the talk in the blogosphere about revealing your ‘flaws.’ Sure, it might detract from your brand at one point, but in the end, it makes you human. People can’t relate to those who seem like they are perfect and professional all the time.

I also think it’s hard to be consistent with your message if you’re not 100% sure what your message is yet. For example, I just started blogging. I’m still trying to figure out what I enjoy writing about and how I like to write. I’m sure that certain things I have written so far will detract from my brand in SOME people’s eyes. But not everyone’s. I guess that will pave the way for me to find my voice and my perfect client.

We’re not two-dimensional beings. Being consistent all the time would be, well, boring.

By: Stacey Cornelius

Stacey Cornelius — Tue, 04 May 2010 17:16:28 +0000

You’re right, you don’t sacrifice your work by obsessing about your brand. That one simple question – does this enhance or detract? – keeps you on the right track. When you’re consistent with your message, your people can pick up on your vibe easily.

By: Kathleen O'Connor

Kathleen O'Connor — Tue, 04 May 2010 17:03:52 +0000

Good stuff, Stacey. I believe in branding and I’ve struggled with it. Before, I thought I had to be very “professional” and have stock photos of people with gray suits on my website, lol. Then I changed my mind and tried to create something that was more aligned with who I am. Maybe some people will be turned off by that, but it will help me weed out the people who aren’t right for me! You can’t appeal to everyone. It all really depends on who you’re trying to reach.

So, while I don’t think it’s good to compromise your credibility, I also think it’s damaging if you worry so much about your “brand” that you limit your own self-expression and exploration. Entrepreneurship is a journey.