The "feel, felt, found" technique is a powerful tool that salespeople use to persuade potential customers to make a purchase. It involves acknowledging the customer's feelings, empathizing with them, and providing a solution that has worked for others in a similar situation. In this blog post, we will explore how this technique can be applied to how customers interact with your Brand and how having a well-defined Brand Story can help.

A well-defined Brand Story is crucial for establishing a strong connection with your customers. It helps to humanize your Brand, create an emotional connection, and differentiate you from competitors. By understanding your Brand Story and using the "feel, felt, found" technique, you can effectively engage with your customers and build brand loyalty.

First, let's explore how the "feel, felt, found" technique can be applied to how customers interact with your Brand. When a customer interacts with your Brand, they may have concerns or reservations about your products or services. By acknowledging their feelings and empathizing with them, you can build trust and establish a connection. For example, if a customer is hesitant to purchase your product because they think it's too expensive, you can say, "I understand how you feel. Many of our customers have felt the same way at first."

Next, by sharing your Brand Story, you can help customers understand what your Brand stands for and how it can help them. For example, if your Brand Story is centered around sustainability, you can share how your products are made with eco-friendly materials and how you're committed to reducing your environmental impact. By sharing your Brand Story, you're not only providing a solution but also building an emotional connection with your customers.

Finally, by sharing how your other customers have found success with your Brand, you can help build trust and credibility. By sharing testimonials or case studies, you're providing social proof that your products or services work. For example, you can say, "However, what our customers have found is that once they use our product, they see the value it provides and are willing to pay the price."

In conclusion, the "feel, felt, found" technique is a powerful tool that can be used to engage with customers and build brand loyalty. However, having a well-defined Brand Story is crucial for establishing an emotional connection with your customers. By sharing your Brand Story, you can differentiate yourself from competitors, create an emotional connection, and establish trust and credibility. By using the "feel, felt, found" technique in conjunction with your Brand Story, you can effectively engage with your customers and build a strong brand that resonates with your target audience.

Are interested in learning how a well-defined Brand Story can help you be "the ONE" in your customer's minds?  Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

Creating a strong Brand experience is crucial for businesses looking to succeed in today's competitive market. As the saying goes, your brand is more than just a logo - it's the emotional and psychological connection that people have with your business. To truly connect with your audience, you need to create a brand experience that resonates with them on a deep level.

The first step to creating a brand experience that resonates with your audience is to understand who your target market is. You need to know their needs, desires, and pain points, as well as their values and beliefs. Once you have a good understanding of your target audience, you can start to develop your brand personality, tone of voice, and visual identity in a way that speaks directly to them.

Your brand personality should reflect the values and characteristics of your target audience. If your target audience is looking for a trustworthy and reliable business, for example, your brand personality should be built around those traits. Your tone of voice should also be tailored to your audience - if you're targeting a younger demographic, you might use more informal language and humor, while a more formal tone might be more appropriate for an older audience.

When it comes to your visual identity, consistency is key. Your logo, color palette, and overall visual aesthetic should be consistent across all touchpoints with your brand, from your website and social media profiles to your packaging and in-store displays. This helps to create a cohesive and memorable brand experience for your audience.

But branding is about more than just logos and visuals - it's also about storytelling. People connect with stories, and by sharing the story of your brand with your audience, you can create an emotional connection with them. Use your brand story to highlight your values, mission, and unique selling proposition. Show your audience why your brand is different from the competition and how your products or services can solve their problems.

In addition to storytelling, it's also important to focus on creating a memorable customer experience. Your brand experience should be consistent across all touchpoints, and you should strive to create a positive emotional response in your customers at every stage of their journey with your brand. This includes everything from the initial awareness stage to the post-purchase follow-up.

Finally, don't forget the power of social proof. Positive reviews, testimonials, and word-of-mouth recommendations can go a long way in building trust with your audience and establishing your brand as a leader in your industry. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and share their experiences with your brand on social media.

In conclusion, your brand is more than just a logo - it's the emotional and psychological connection that people have with your business. By focusing on creating a brand experience that resonates with your audience, you can build a loyal customer base and establish your brand as a leader in your industry. With a consistent visual identity, engaging storytelling, and a focus on creating a memorable customer experience, you can create a brand that truly connects with your audience.

Are interested in learning how your Brand can help you be "the ONE" in your customer's minds?  Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

"People don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it."

Simon Sinek

Defining your "why" is a critical component of building a successful Brand. As Simon Sinek famously said, "People don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it." In other words, if you can clearly communicate the purpose and values behind your company, you're much more likely to attract and retain loyal customers. In this blog post, we'll explore why defining your "why" is so important, and provide some helpful resources and links from Simon Sinek to help you get started.

First and foremost, your "why" is all about your company's purpose. What motivates you to do what you do, and why should your customers care? This is about more than just making money or providing a product or service; it's about tapping into the emotional drivers behind your business. When you can clearly articulate your "why," you're more likely to connect with customers on a deeper level, building brand loyalty and advocacy that can sustain your business over time.

At RocketDog, we believe that every business has a unique story and purpose that sets them apart. We work closely with our clients to help them define their "why" and develop a brand that truly resonates with their target audience. Here's why defining your "why" is essential for your business and how RocketDog can help:

1. It Gives You Direction and Focus

When you have a clear understanding of your "why," you can create a roadmap for your business that aligns with your values and purpose. This roadmap helps you make strategic decisions that will ultimately drive your business forward.

2. It Helps You Stand Out from Your Competitors

In a crowded marketplace, having a unique value proposition is key. When you define your "why," you differentiate your brand from your competitors and give your customers a reason to choose you.

3. It Builds Trust with Your Audience

Customers are more likely to do business with Brands they trust. When you communicate your "why" effectively, you establish a deeper connection with your audience and build trust.

Here are some resources and links from Simon Sinek to help you get started:

• Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action (book)
• Simon Sinek's TED Talk: How Great Leaders Inspire Action
• The Golden Circle: Why, How, What (article)

Defining your "why" is a crucial step in building a strong Brand that resonates with your audience. With RocketDog's help and Simon Sinek's resources, you can create a Brand that drives your business forward and establishes a deeper connection with your audience.

Are interested in learning how we can help you define your "WHY"?  Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

A Brand Guide is a document that outlines the key elements of a company's brand, including its visual identity, messaging, and tone of voice. It's a vital tool for ensuring consistency and cohesiveness across all of a company's marketing and communication efforts. In this blog post, we'll discuss why companies need a brand guide, and how it can help them achieve their business goals.

1. Consistency: One of the most important reasons for having a brand guide is to ensure consistency across all of a company's marketing and communication efforts. A brand guide lays out the rules for how a company's logo, color scheme, typography, and other visual elements should be used, helping to ensure that all materials, from business cards to website and social media, are aligned and consistent.
2. Clarity: A brand guide also helps to ensure that a company's messaging is clear and consistent. It lays out the key messages that a company wants to communicate, as well as the tone of voice that should be used, helping to ensure that all communications are aligned and consistent.
3. Flexibility: A brand guide is not meant to be a one-time document, but rather a living document that can be updated and adapted as needed. A well-designed brand guide allows for flexibility and scalability while maintaining the core elements of the brand.
4. Differentiation: A strong brand guide helps a company differentiate itself from its competitors. By clearly and consistently communicating the unique value of a company's products or services, a brand guide can help a company stand out in a crowded market.
5. Employee engagement: A brand guide is not only a valuable tool for marketing and communication efforts, but it also helps to engage and align employees with the company's mission, vision and values. By providing a clear understanding of the company's brand, employees can better understand their role in representing and promoting the brand, leading to a more engaged and aligned workforce.

A Brand Guide is an essential tool for any company looking to build a strong, consistent, and effective brand. It lays out the key elements of a company's brand, helping to ensure consistency and cohesiveness across all of a company's marketing and communication efforts. By providing a clear and consistent brand, a company can differentiate itself from competitors, engage employees and ultimately achieve its business goals.

Are interested in learning how we can create a comprehensive Brand Guide for you?  Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

As a college or university, your Brand is one of your most valuable assets. It's what sets you apart from other institutions and helps you attract and retain students. However, if your Branding is not up to par, it could be turning potential students away. In this blog post, we'll discuss the warning signs that your Branding may be turning potential students away and what you, as a college or university, can do to fix it from a design agency perspective.

1. Your messaging is unclear or inconsistent: A key component of your Branding is your messaging. If your messaging is unclear or inconsistent, it can be difficult for potential students to understand what your institution is all about. This can lead to confusion and ultimately result in potential students choosing another institution. A design agency can help you develop a clear and consistent messaging strategy that effectively communicates the unique value of your institution.
2. Your visual identity is outdated or unappealing: The visual elements of your Branding, such as your logo, color scheme, and Website design, are also important. If your visual identity is outdated or unappealing, it can give the impression that your institution is not current or relevant. A design agency can help you update your visual identity to create a modern and visually engaging Brand that effectively communicates your institution's values and mission. See our work for the University of Washington (Look Book) to see how we used updated design to attract new students.
3. Your Website is not user-friendly: Your Website is often the first point of contact for potential students. If your Website is not user-friendly, it can be difficult for them to find the information they need, leading to frustration and ultimately resulting in them choosing another institution. A design agency can help you create a Website that is easy to navigate, visually engaging, and provides relevant and up-to-date information about your institution.
4. Your social media presence is weak or inactive: Social media is a powerful tool for reaching potential students. If your social media presence is weak or inactive, you're missing out on a valuable opportunity to connect with potential students. A design agency can help you create a social media strategy that effectively communicates your institution's Brand and values and reaches your target audience.
5. Your Branding is not aligned with your mission and values: Your Branding should align with your mission and values as an institution. If your Branding is not aligned with your mission and values, it can be difficult for potential students to understand what sets you apart from other institutions. A design agency can work with you to ensure that your Branding is aligned with your mission and values, and effectively communicates the unique characteristics of your institution to potential students.

In addition to these key areas, a design agency can also help you with other aspects of your Branding such as creating a Brand Guide, developing a Brand voice, and creating a Brand that is consistent across all platforms and touch points. A design agency can also help you create a Brand that resonates with your target audience, by conducting research and testing to ensure that your branding is effective and appealing to potential students.

In conclusion, it's important to regularly review and update your Branding as a college or university to ensure that it's effectively communicating the value and unique characteristics of your institution, and attracting potential students who are a good fit for your school. A design agency can help you with this process by conducting a thorough branding audit, identifying problem areas, and developing a comprehensive Branding strategy that addresses those issues and aligns with your mission and values.

Are interested in knowing how we can help your university be "the choice"?  Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

As a creative agency, one of the most common questions we get asked is "when is it time to refresh a brand?" It's a question that doesn't have a one-size-fits-all answer, as it depends on a variety of factors. In this post, we'll explore the key considerations for refreshing a brand from a creative agency's perspective.

Signs that it's time to refresh your brand

There are a few key signs that it's time to refresh your brand:

1. Your Brand is no longer aligned with your business: As your business grows and evolves, your brand should reflect those changes. If your brand no longer aligns with your mission, values, or target audience, it's time to consider a refresh.
2. Your Brand is no longer resonating with your audience: If you're not seeing the engagement or results you want from your brand, it may be time to reconsider your messaging and visual elements. A brand refresh can help you connect with your audience in a more meaningful way.
3. Your Brand looks dated: Just like fashion trends, branding trends come and go. If your brand looks dated or out of style, it may be time to give it a fresh update.
4. You're launching a new product or service: If you're launching a new product or service, it's a good opportunity to consider a brand refresh. This can help you align your new offering with your overall brand and ensure a consistent experience for your customers.
5. You're entering a new market: Expanding into a new market is a great time to consider a brand refresh. This can help you tailor your messaging and visual elements to better resonate with your new audience.

How to refresh your brand

Refreshing your brand doesn't have to be a daunting process. Here are a few key steps to take:

1. Define your Brand: Start by revisiting your brand foundation - your mission, values, and target audience. What has changed since you first established your brand? What do you want your brand to represent now?
2. Conduct market research: It's important to understand how your brand is perceived by your audience and the market. Consider conducting market research, such as surveys or focus groups, to gather insights and feedback.
3. Evaluate your current Branding: Take a good look at your current branding elements, such as your logo, color scheme, and messaging. Are they still relevant and effective? What changes do you want to make?
4. Create a Brand refresh plan: Once you have a clear understanding of your brand and what changes you want to make, it's time to create a plan to bring it to life. This should include everything from your visual elements to your messaging and tone of voice.
5. Update your Branding elements: Once you have a plan in place, it's time to start updating your branding elements. This can include creating a new logo, updating your color scheme, and revising your messaging.
6. Communicate the refresh to your audience: It's important to communicate the refresh to your audience and stakeholders. This can help ensure a smooth transition and build excitement around your new brand.
7. Monitor and adapt: As with any branding effort, it's important to monitor and adapt. Keep an eye on how your refreshed brand is being received and make any necessary adjustments to ensure it's effectively communicating your value proposition and resonating with your audience.

In conclusion, refreshing your brand can be a valuable investment in the long-term success of your business. By regularly evaluating your Brand and making updates as needed, you can ensure that it stays relevant and effective in the ever-changing landscape of your industry. Don't be afraid to shake things up and try new things - a fresh Brand can bring new energy and opportunities to your business.

Are interested in knowing more about we build successful Brands for our clients? Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

Branding is an essential aspect of any business, big or small. It's more than just your logo and color scheme - it's the overall perception that people have of your company. A strong Brand can differentiate you from the competition, attract high-quality customers, and even command a higher price for your products or services. In this post, we'll explore the importance of Branding and how it can benefit your business. (See our Case Study for Comprehensive Wealth to see how we evolved a trusted Brand)

What is Branding?

At its core, Branding is about creating a unique identity for your business. It's about defining what sets you apart from the competition and crafting a message that resonates with your target audience. Your Brand is the sum of all interactions that people have with your business - from your Website to your customer service to your social media presence. It's about creating a consistent and cohesive image that reflects your values and mission.

Why is Branding important?

Branding is important for a variety of reasons. Here are just a few:

1. Differentiation: In a crowded market, it's important to stand out from the competition. A strong Brand can help you differentiate yourself and make it clear to potential customers what makes you unique.
2. Trust and credibility: A consistent and professional Brand can help build trust and credibility with your audience. People are more likely to do business with companies that they perceive as trustworthy and reliable.
3. Customer loyalty: A strong Brand can foster customer loyalty. If people have a positive experience with your Brand, they are more likely to become repeat customers and even recommend your products or services to others.
4. Value: A well-established Brand can command a higher price for its products or services. People are often willing to pay more for a brand that they trust and perceive as high quality.

How do you create a strong Brand?

Creating a strong Brand requires careful planning and a consistent approach. Here are a few key steps to take:

1. Define your Brand: Start by identifying your target audience and your unique selling proposition (USP). What sets you apart from the competition? What are your core values and mission?
2. Develop a Brand strategy: Once you have a clear understanding of your Brand, it's time to create a plan to bring it to life. This should include everything from your logo and color scheme to your messaging and tone of voice.
3. Implement your Brand: Once you have a solid Brand strategy in place, it's time to start implementing it across all channels. This includes your Bebsite, social media profiles, marketing materials, and customer interactions.
4. Be consistent: Consistency is key when it comes to Branding. Make sure that all of your branding elements - from your logo to your messaging - are consistent across all channels.
5. Monitor and adapt: Your Brand should be an ongoing process. Keep an eye on how your brand is perceived by your audience and be willing to make adjustments as needed.

In conclusion, Branding is an essential aspect of any business. It's about creating a unique and consistent identity that resonates with your target audience and sets you apart from the competition. By investing in a strong Brand, you can build trust, credibility, and customer loyalty - all of which can drive business growth and success.

Are interested in knowing more about we help build successful Brands? Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

Before developing marketing campaigns or investing in branding initiatives, it is important to have a brand alignment from the inside out. Internally, you must know the purpose that is at the core of your brand. You must understand what makes your business unique. From the outside, it is important to develop a concise message and branding strategy that clearly communicates the solution that you want to offer customers. 

Thankfully, there are many resources that can help businesses develop a strategy that works for them. In this article, we will share a comprehensive guide to develop a strategy that actually delivers results.

Step 1: Understand Your Brand

Before you begin working on your brand strategy, it is important to understand the purpose of your company and what your mission statement communicates. Understanding your core values will help you stay true to your goals while making sure that you are meeting the needs of your audience. Understanding your unique selling propositions will help you grow and expand by leaning into the differentiators that set you apart from the competition.

At the core, a brand is the promise you make to your customers. This includes the name, symbol, design, and content that identifies your goods and services as distinct from those of other sellers. The key elements that make up a brand include brand name, logo design, tagline or catchphrase, product packaging, visual identity system, and voice in advertising. By creating a brand that is aligned on every channel, you can better communicate with your audience.

2. Determine Your Priorities

As you begin outlining a branding strategy, it is critical that you identify your company priorities. What is the most important factor that contributes to your growth and development? What are you trying to accomplish with your branding strategy?

These are the questions that you need to answer before executing a plan. Once you know what you want, it will be easier for you to develop a plan that leads to success. This is important because it allows you to allocate resources to the right places. For example, if you need to expand your brand across multiple states, you can determine where you can reduce and increase ad spend in order to reach the most relevant audience.

3. Create The Ideal Customer Persona

An ideal customer persona is a fictional representation of your target customer. Having this fictional character in mind helps marketers and business owners develop a message that effectively speaks to the audience.

The process of creating an ideal customer persona starts by asking some questions: What are the needs, interests, motivations, and goals of your target customer? What are their demographics? Where do they live? What are their values? Who do they trust? How much money do they make?

The answers to these questions can give you insights into what type of messaging will most effectively capture the attention of your customer.

4. Accentuate Your Unique Value Proposition 

There are many ways that businesses can establish a unique value proposition. You may create innovative products, offer customizable services, or develop products that are more effective than competitors. However, the most effective way to differentiate yourself from your competition is by finding and emphasizing your unique values.

Your uniqueness might come from the quality of your products or services. It might come from the quality of customer service that you provide. Whatever it is, you should make sure that you are putting it on display so that customers know exactly what sets you apart from other businesses in your industry. By accentuating this unique service or product, you can help customers begin to see why they need to choose you over your competitors.

5. Streamline Your Messaging

In order to effectively communicate, you must have a clear understanding of your brand and messaging. This is a process that can be difficult to do on your own. In order to ensure that there is a cohesive voice and tone for your brand, there must be an understanding of your goals from every member of the department.

There are many tools out there that can help streamline this part of the branding process for both small and large companies alike. In addition, there are many third party agencies, like RocketDog, that can help identify gaps in communication. 

6. Make Sure Your Brand Guidelines Accurately Represent You

After the fundamentals are established, a playbook of brand guidelines are the next step in developing an overarching strategy. These guidelines should include how to use your logo and assets, the details of your standard color scheme, your messaging strategy, and the mood of your imagery.

The guidelines should be clear and concise, outlining what you want to represent and how you want to present it. These guidelines should include the tone and voice of the company, as well as any other design elements that might need to be included, such as colors, fonts, imagery, etc.

These guidelines help you target your ideal audience and identify what channels you want to use for marketing purposes. These guidelines will act as a framework and outline for all initiatives that you engage in.

Conclusion

A brand strategy is much more than just logos and colors, it is the way you communicate your value to customers. By spending time developing the mission, vision, and core values of your brand, you will be better able to streamline your messaging and communicate your values to customers. If it is difficult to align both internally and externally, consider working with a third party marketing agency that can help identify gaps in messaging and streamline the proposed strategy.