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“there is no substitute for guts”

— Paul Bear Bryant

Engage. Inspire. Motivate.

Let us engage you on a journey through a world of creative, inspirational storytelling that motivates us to expand our minds, build on our experiences and humanize the branding process.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Stories, Life, and Memories!</strong></h2> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Every single day we walk through life—we live it. We live out our own stories as we interact with those around us and as we choose how to spend our free time. Sometimes alone, sometimes surrounded by friends or loved ones, often some combination of the two extremes. Storytelling is intertwined with our daily lives.</h1> <p class="has-drop-cap">Amidst this mixture of experiences and interactions, during our fits and starts of daily activities; in moments taken for granted or cherished forever in memory—our minds are ever keen on gathering information to mold ourselves into stronger individuals, better able to cope with the future when tomorrow finally comes for each one of us despite today never happening quite as you imagined it.</p> <p>Our brains don't work without a story to tell about everything that happens. Some are mundane; some are epic! We are what we make of ourselves based on our brains' stories about the world around us and each interaction with it or another person. The strength in these stories gives us the opportunities to learn, grow, and achieve greatness beyond imagination.</p> <p>Our lives become defined by our memories—not just those of great moments but also important ones. We must remember that no matter how hard we work or how much effort we put into anything, there can be no memory of it without a story. So next time you step up to bat, consider your story:</p> <p>What will people who knew you say?</p> <p>Will they laugh at your failures and cheer your successes?</p> <p>Do you even want them to?</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="https://www.blevinscreativegroup.com/article/when-building-a-brand-dont-go-for-second-best/" data-type="post" data-id="4241">Storytelling</a> is not just for Fairy tales</strong>.</h2> <p>Once upon a time, there were no brands. Companies produced stuff and sold it as best they could before their competitors knocked them off the shelf.</p> <p>I know you're thinking, "That sounds awful." And, well, you're right. It was pretty rubbish. However, that's just how it used to be - and now we have brands. And we can thank storytelling for that.</p> <p>You see, back in the day, your only form of advertising was a billboard and a newspaper ad (if you were lucky). That meant you were competing with every other business doing the same thing. The result? More or less, all companies produced similar products, and consumers couldn't tell them apart.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://www.blevinscreativegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Why-good-stories-are-key-01-1024x691.png" alt="Storytelling " class="wp-image-4623"/></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Enter branding. </strong></h2> <p>By spending money on <a href="https://www.blevinscreativegroup.com/storytelling/is-branding-an-art-science-or-a-little-bit-of-both/" data-type="post" data-id="4477">brand building</a>, companies invested in their future success by creating a story around the products they sold. And it worked - to this day, stories still move people. They are even part of how we communicate our sense of identity with others - i.e., "I'm an Apple person" or "I'm a socially conscious dude."</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://www.blevinscreativegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/story-board-778x1024.jpg" alt="Storytelling Storyboard " class="wp-image-4629" width="398" height="521"/></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>That's deep for breakfast. But it works.</strong></h2> <p>People want to relate to what they buy and be part of something bigger than themselves - this is true whether they're conscious of it or not. I bet you do it yourself with at least one brand. And if you don't, I bet you like the brand (or hate it) for a reason.</p> <p>So, what do you need if you want to make sure your company is successful in today's consumer-centric market? Well, more than anything else, it's a great story! And that's not only because of how we communicate with each other and how we think but also how we make decisions (it's why <a href="https://www.blevinscreativegroup.com/storytelling/things-we-love-about-road-trips/" data-type="post" data-id="4055">your parents</a> want you to stop buying clothes and read more).</p> <p>You see, when it comes down to making a purchase, consumers use emotions or rational processes. The former is based on how information makes them <a href="https://www.blevinscreativegroup.com/services/" data-type="page" data-id="6">feel</a>, and the latter focuses on logic and practicality.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mind Tricks (Ration vs. Emotion)</strong></h2> <p>Ration vs. Emotion may sound a little complicated, but it's not. The best example is how people buy cars. Think about your last car purchase, and you'll realize that the process probably went something like this:</p> <p>1. Look for a car (rational)<br>2. Find one I like (emotional)<br>3 Familiarity - do I know anyone that has one (logic and practical)<br>4. Cost - how much can I afford (logic and practical)<br>5. Color - do I like it (emotional)<br>6. Extras - should I get the automatic/sunroof/upgrade package (emotional and logic + practical)?<br>7. Decision made (emotional)<br>8. Purchase (rational)</p> <p>That was probably an over-simplified version of how you got your shiny new set of wheels, but it demonstrates that people don't just consider the rational aspects of a purchase. They also allow emotions to drive them through the process, which is important because research has shown that emotional decisions are the best predictor of future behavior.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://www.blevinscreativegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/logical-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4634" width="405" height="405"/></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>How does it relate?</strong></h2> <p>So how does this relate to you? Well, getting your audience to make an emotional connection with your brand is the difference between you being a flash in the pan and having them return again and again (and spending that hard-earned cash).</p> <p>So, if you want your audience to connect with your brand emotionally, you must tell them a story. And that's the beauty of it - it doesn't even have to be original! Just make sure your audience is there with you at every stage.</p> <p>So, for example, when you're writing an advertisement or content marketing piece, make sure they are learning something about the product they wouldn't know otherwise. The ad could talk about how much room there is in the boot or what features make it a safer drive in the car example.</p> <p>That way, you give them information that they can relate to and become more <a href="https://www.blevinscreativegroup.com/services/" data-type="page" data-id="6">emotionally invested</a> in your product.</p> <p>For your brand, if you want something a little more cohesive - don't just advertise through various outlets; try creating a multi-platform campaign. People are always on their phones or listening to the radio. So, if your audience is a captive one, you can get them invested in your product by giving them information at every stage of the purchasing process.</p> <p>In short, companies have been <strong>telling stories</strong> for years to grab their <a href="https://www.blevinscreativegroup.com/case-study/hurst-home-company-case-study/" data-type="post" data-id="1420">audience's attention</a> and invest in their brand. But today, people don't just want to be told a story - they want to be part of it too. That's why storytelling is an important marketing tool for your brand, and great storytellers can make or break a company.</p> <p><em>This is your story, and it's important to you.</em></p>

Why good stories “storytelling” is the key to your success!

Stories, Life, and Memories! Every single day we walk through life—we live it. We live out our own stories as we interact with those around us and as we choose how to spend our free time. Sometimes alone, sometimes surrounded by friends o…
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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Marketing to multiple audiences is challenging. It's not just a simple one-word shift, but it requires action and change that can sometimes be difficult to implement—especially for those who have been doing it successfully for many years. It means looking at you’re marketing from a different perspective.</h1> <p>However, with the help of some tools and resources, it is possible to expand your brand and still achieve success.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Branding with Authority</h2> <p class="has-drop-cap">If you aren't already established authority in the industry or niche you are targeting, it can be challenging to get results right away. However, there is no need to panic! With a bit of research and by looking at your competition, you can determine where you stand in the market. Once that is determined, it's just a matter of taking action to improve your authority over time. This could be easy for some, but others may find it more difficult than they expect. So, if this sounds like you or anyone in control of your business, don't worry! Take it one step at a time.</p> <p>Start by creating blog posts, articles, videos, social media updates, etc., to increase your authority in the beginning while also promoting your brand or product. This will help you determine how successful your marketing efforts are over time and any areas you need to improve on.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brand Marketing the Product (The Art of Branding)</h2> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Branding has always been an essential aspect of creating successful marketing campaigns for products. However, with the power of technology and social media updates, it is possible to take branding to a whole different level than it has ever been before.<br></li><li>Promoting your product is fine, but this doesn't mean you are branding it the right way. Many people assume that because they have a website or social media account technically means they are branding their products the right way. However, unfortunately, it takes more than that to stand out in today's day and age.<br></li><li>To indeed have an impact on your audience, you need to be yourself. If you aren't true to who you are as a person or as a company, it will never translate well with the people who follow you or those you are targeting. So, take time to truly understand your target audience, as well as yourself and your product, to brand it from start to finish successfully</li></ol> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brand Influencer Marketing</h2> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li>To reach a broader range of people interested in your product or service, you need influencers. That means getting out there and finding the right people that will help promote your brand with the help of their following.<br></li><li>Influencers come with different price points and benefits to working with them, so do your research before you start considering certain people or companies for this position. You want to make sure that they are relevant to your target audience and relevant in terms of what they can offer you and your company.<br></li><li>When you find the right person for the job, don't forget to get creative with promoting it. This could be through a giveaway or campaign that will help attract attention and new followers to you and your brand while making an impact on their lives and yours as well.</li></ol> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"> </h3> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brand Target Audience Demographics (The Science of Branding)</h2> <p>Growing your brand isn't just about getting more people to follow or like what you post or share online. It's also about reaching out to the right audience to give them exactly what they need from your company, product, etc. That means looking at your target audience demographics, which is a fancy way of saying 'who you are targeting.'</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://www.blevinscreativegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/charts-of-branding-1-1024x833.jpg" alt="Branding Marketing " class="wp-image-4494"/></figure> <p>This includes looking closely at the numbers, including age, location, occupation, etc., to get an even better idea of the type of people you are trying to reach. This will help determine what type of marketing efforts are best suited for these individuals to be achieved quickly and effectively over time.</p> <p>Once you have demographic information about your target audience, it becomes easy to create new marketing strategies that will get their attention once again while making them feel involved with your brand or product. That is all market research is! So, take advantage by getting creative with your efforts while not forgetting about essential aspects such as demographics and what you can do for them to make a real difference.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Knowing Your Competition (The Science of Branding)</h2> <p>Just like we talked about market research, you need to know who your competition is before you even attempt to create a brand identity that sets yourself apart from them any other company or product. This means knowing who they are and understanding the types of marketing efforts they use and their target audience.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Whole Lot of Both:</h2> <p><strong>Strategy -</strong> What aspects should stay consistent to attract the desired customer base while bringing enough of that interest to keep them coming back for more? The "whole lot of both" approach combines marketing strategies to give clientele a greater understanding of what it takes to build an iconic brand. It's not just about attracting a following to a website; it's about showing them you care and provide value to their lives.</p> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <p>Brand identity is so crucial because the modern consumer can choose from countless options for specific products. Whether your audience is young or old, you must ensure they can connect with your brand before purchasing, so for that connection to happen, you must appeal to their emotions just as much as their rational side by being relatable and meeting your business goals.</p> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-right is-style-large is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p><strong>"A great strategy is a combination of both art and science,</strong> <strong>not just one or the other."</strong></p></blockquote> </div> </div> <p class="has-drop-cap">There are many underlying factors that companies take into consideration when building a successful brand identity today, such as color schemes and fonts: "The right colors convey an emotion which can make all the difference in how consumers perceive and react to a product (or service)." The last thing you want is to be perceived as boring or dull by your target market because then it's game over, no matter how good a product you have.</p> <p>For some companies, building their brand identity is not just to generate revenue but also to establish their name in an industry that may be competitive with other brands. When creating a unique brand experience, companies are more likely to get noticed by potential clients who can quickly lose interest when visiting websites that don't appeal to them. As stated before, the overarching goal is to connect with your audience on multiple levels so they can become loyal customers. This will often lead to higher conversion rates and greater profits once they are converted! "A great strategy is a combination of both art and science, not just one or the other."</p> <p>Having a well-defined branding strategy is helpful when we look at these three questions:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>What is your business's mission and vision?</li><li>What do you want to accomplish for your customers, investors, and employees?</li><li>How will your company be different than competitors?</li></ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Logos</strong></h2> <p>These then help define the characteristics of who you are. A good example would be the <strong>logo. </strong>The image should represent every aspect of what you're all about and convey that in just one picture. So having some consistency across these items will help give an identity to your brand. With this, you can establish trust with consumers while understanding what ultimately defines them as a brand.</p> <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:100%"> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Here are three basic rules that brands should follow to help establish a strong brand identity:</h4> <hr class="wp-block-separator is-style-wide"/> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Stay consistent. </li><li>Let your personality shine through. </li><li>Don't overcomplicate it.</li></ol> <hr class="wp-block-separator is-style-wide"/> <p></p> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <p>Your color palette, font, and tone should all be used consistently across different media forms such as social media, website design, etc. This will allow consumers to adapt more quickly to the company while helping them feel more comfortable with what they are seeing. For example, one of the most successful brands out today is Coca-Cola, which extensively uses its colors in its logos across its product line. Another great example is IKEA which has repeated the same image of an older-looking family for almost 40 years!</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <p>Having this consistency allows people to identify what you stand for quickly. For the personality, this is where you let your creativity take off. If there are specific characteristics about your company that define it as being innovative, creative, etc., show it in a way that will attract your target market. Just because you must follow some rules doesn't mean it has to be boring!</p> <p>Making sure not to overcomplicate things are just as important as anything else. Remember when Apple first released their simple logo with just their name on an apple? And now look at their logos today! There are so many changes that they made but still considered what made it successful in the past and modifying it for future use. Creating an "iconic brand" is all about keeping things simple while adding the necessary tweaks to ensure it stays fresh and relevant.</p> <p>Since brand identity is so important, there are a lot of existing factors that can help support your branding strategies:</p> <p>• <strong>Custom logos: </strong>If done correctly and with the same principle above, it can help build a brand. If you want to be serious and professional, avoid cartoon-like images that may try too hard to keep your audience's attention.</p> <p>• <strong>Website design: </strong>Whether it's a landing page or an extensive microsite (brands like Coca-Cola have), make sure it fits your necessary branding guidelines such as colors, fonts, logos, etc. This will help establish an image for users before they even see any content on the site! Just like print advertising goes hand in hand with TV ads, a website should go hand in hand with social media platforms to convey a message across every different platform.</p> <p>With everything that goes into branding, it takes a lot of communication and coordination across the company. Whether you call yourself an art director or designer, don't forget about all these factors while establishing your brand identity!</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Conclusion:</strong></h2> <p>As stated above, it is crucial to keep your brand consistent across all digital and physical media you use (and even in the office!) while still incorporating characteristics that define your business and will attract people to you! Let's keep in mind that many factors are involved in building a solid brand identity, such as color, fonts, logos, and even your website design, so remember to involve all parties when creating a brand strategy.</p> <p></p>

Is Branding an Art, Science, or a little bit of Both

Marketing to multiple audiences is challenging. It’s not just a simple one-word shift, but it requires action and change that can sometimes be difficult to implement—especially for those who have been doing it successfully for many years. It…
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tobe Hooper was one of the most influential horror directors of the 20th century.</h2> <p>Many in and out of the industry widely considered his 1974 directed film, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, to be regarded as one of the most notable and most incredible horror films ever made, and that horror film has had a massive influence on the genre over the decades and influence on the 1980s slasher era.</p> <p>Hooper began his film industry career as a sound editor and assistant director on low-budget exploitation films. Hooper's other films include 1974's Eaten Alive and 1982's Poltergeist. He also directed several episodes of the X-File, Stephen Kings Salem's Lot, The Equalizer, and Masters of Horror.</p> <p>Hooper was born in Austin, Texas, in 1943. He began his career making commercials and industrial films before moving into directing features. His first feature film was1972's Eggshells, a low-budget psychodrama about a mother who slowly goes insane. Hooper followed this up with The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, which became an instant cult classic. The film, however, would be banned in several countries and caused controversy for its graphic violence.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Chainsaw Massacre</h2> <p>Despite the controversy, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was a huge success, and Hooper quickly became one of Hollywood's most sought-after horror directors. He followed up the film with 1974's Eaten Alive, a cannibalism-themed horror movie starring Marilyn Burns and Allan Arkush.</p> <p>The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a 1974 American horror film directed by Tobe Hooper, and the film leading actors were as follows: </p> <p>Marilyn Burns, Paul A. Partain, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow, and Gunnar Hansen. Tobe Hooper's Chainsaw Massacre is considered one of the most influential horror movies.</p> <p>The classic horror film follows a group of friends who grotesquely fall victim to a family of vicious cannibals while on a road trip through Texas. The film was marketed based on a true story to attract viewers, though the events it depicts are mainly fictional.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote has-small-font-size"><blockquote><p>The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was released to many mixed reviews but was a huge commercial success, grossing over $30 million at the box office. The horror film has since become one of the most influential horror films of all time and has been ranked by several critics in the genre as one of the greatest horror films ever made. </p></blockquote></figure> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://www.blevinscreativegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/texas-chainsaw-725x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-4933" width="372" height="526"/><figcaption>Poster Features: Leather face Jedidiah Sawyer wielding a chainsaw.</figcaption></figure> </div> <p>In the year 2005, the Library of Congress selected the film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."</p> <p>The film spawned a franchise of seven sequels and a remake.</p> <p>The franchise includes the following: </p> <p>Leatherface, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Texas Chainsaw 3D, Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, Texas Chainsaw 4: And also, the following: </p> <p>The Next Generation, The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Leatherface.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">They're Here!</h2> <p>Hooper then directed the classic supernatural thriller Poltergeist, produced by Steven Spielberg.</p> <p>A poltergeist is a ghost or other supernatural entity responsible for physical disturbances, such as noise, movement of objects, and sometimes even attacks on people. The word "poltergeist" originates from the German words "poltern" (to knock) and "Geist" (ghost or spirit).</p> <p>Poltergeists are often associated with a particular person, usually a teenage girl or young woman. It is thought that the Poltergeist is using the person as a focus for its energy or that the person may be subconsciously causing the disturbances. In either case, the poltergeist activity stops when the person leaves the area.</p> <p>Over time there have been many reports of poltergeist activity, but it is challenging to investigate these claims scientifically. Some scientists believe poltergeist activity may be caused by psychological factors, such as stress or repressed anger. Others believe that poltergeists are real but that they are very rare.</p> <p>On August 26th, 2017, film director Tobe Hooper passed away at 74. While his career spanned over four decades, Hooper will always be remembered as a master of horror.</p> <p>Hooper's death shocked the film world, as he was still an active director at the time of his passing. His most recent project was the 2017 sequel "Leatherface," which was a return to the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" franchise that Hooper helped create.</p> <p><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001361/" target="_blank" data-schema-attribute="about" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tobe Hooper</a> created and directed some of the most iconic films in the genre. His movies are still hugely influential, and his legacy will continue to be felt and heard for many decades. </p> <p>Mr. Hooper will be remembered for his visionary work and ability to scare audiences like no one else.</p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p><strong><em>"No matter where you're going, it's the wrong place." </em></strong></p><cite><strong><em>Tobe Hooper</em></strong></cite></blockquote>

Master of Horror

Tobe Hooper was one of the most influential horror directors of the 20th century. Many in and out of the industry widely considered his 1974 directed film, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, to be regarded as one of the most notable and most i…
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pinpoint your Personality!</h2> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">The one thing that pretty much every company needs is branding. Without it, you're running around in the dark, hoping somebody buys your product/service while having no idea who they are or why they would want to buy from you. Branding gives companies a face and puts a name to the products or services they sell.</h1> <p class="has-drop-cap">Even if you don't have a brand, your company should look professional and clean. Your logo should be simple enough for people to remember easily, but not so simple that it seems completely generic. Several websites have logos that anyone can go onto and purchase, but first, you must decide what your company is going for.</p> <p>If you want a modern logo, go with one that has some circle or square around it. If you're looking for something more traditional, go with the typefaces and colors that are more on the conservative side.</p> <p>If you like the idea of having your logo, you must know what the different parts of the logo mean. For instance, there is always an image used in all symbols. This image should represent whatever business you're in or whatever it is that you do. You can also put your initials in the logo if you don't want it to be so literal.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Logos</h2> <p>When designing your logo, it should be simple but also unique enough so people will recognize it as yours. If somebody says, "oh! I love what XYZ company did with their logo," you don't want to have to say, "what logo? That looks like every other generic logo out there." Make your company stand out.</p> <p>Once you pick the colors and font, do not stray from it! This goes back to knowing your target audience to understand what you want the logo to say and look like. If you pick a color scheme, make it consistent across your branding (business cards, posters, etc.)</p> <p>It is also essential that when creating your logo or picking one that you don't use any clip art or images that could be offensive in any way. Also, it's a good rule of thumb to keep your logo on the smaller side. It looks better that way and will also help with its recognition.</p> <p>Next time you need a new business card or another branded item, make sure the branding is consistent and top-notch!</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Does the Branding Say to Your Target Audience?</h2> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Overall Appearance</h3> <p>Basically, branding is the promise, unique to your business and your business alone, that you have made to your target audience</p> <p>How you have branded your company is how it will appear to the public and your clients.</p> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Building the Brand</h4> <p>Building a good reputation with the public and keeping that promise you've made to the target audience is a crucial building block for a strong brand. Keeping promises and building that reputation makes more clients and prospective clients gain trust in you and want to turn to your company for their needs. Creating a brand-new company and building this reputation is crucial to its success.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Your Logo and Tone of Voice: </h3> <p>How you want clients to perceive you, as well as your tone of voice in general. Consistency is key when it comes to the tone of voice and logo. Once you have chosen a specific color scheme, style, and so on that gives your company a confident personality, you do not want to ever stray from that!</p> <p>You can't just pick something you like; your company's brand is the sum of all promises and expectations that you make to your target audience.</p> <p>Building a good reputation and keeping those promises and expectations with your target audience is one of the most significant building blocks of a strong brand — if not THE biggest — for companies, businesses, and entrepreneurs. Keeping promises builds trust between business owners and their clients or prospective clients.</p> <p>This builds more clients and prospects over time, which grows your company's bottom line exponentially. A crucial part in keeping promises is understanding what your brand actually 'says' to your targeted market- the value proposition- the commitment you have made to them, usually by way of slogan or tagline on some level: "the ultimate driving machine" -(BMW), "Just do it"- (Nike), "Because you're worth it"- (L'Oreal), etc.</p> <p>According to a white paper by Entrepreneur University, a value proposition is a statement of how you plan to help your target audience- what problems you will solve for them. That's not all, though: "To create a successful brand or product, entrepreneurs must understand their target market and be able to articulate the needs of those consumers."</p> <p>To break it down even more straightforward, if your company had a slogan on some level along the lines of "we bring people together" as in Angie's List, then that would be part of your value proposition because your company promises that they can help connect people with products or services that benefit them.</p> <p>Below is a list that CEOs, small business owners, and entrepreneurs can use to examine their own company's value proposition. Ask yourself what your brand says about the world you aim to build for your target market. Then go back and look at how accurately your brand reflects that vision, according to this list:</p> <p>It's essential to identify these attributes because they'll help you maintain a competitive edge.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Help vs. Hurt</h3> <p>Businesses that do good (help) can include TOMS Shoes or Patagonia (buys one get one free for charity); tobacco producers or similar companies might analogize businesses that hurt. Ask yourself: does our company promote helping our customers? Or hurting them?</p> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:100%"> <h3 class="has-text-align-left wp-block-heading">Price</h3> <p>Lower-priced brands might be analogized by Walmart (can afford lots of products); higher-priced brands might be compared by Apple (graphics, design, performance.)</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Passion</h3> <p>Passionate brands might include Harley Davidson (motorcycles for lifestyle); brands that aren't passionate may promote the same product/service for business reasons with less enthusiasm.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Personal</h3> <p>A personal brand would be like Tom's Shoes; businesses that promote their employees alongside their product or service might reflect this.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Product</h3> <p>A 'product' brand is basically a give it to you straight type of company. An example of this would be Viking Range Corporation which makes professional-grade home appliances 6) People- Brands that focus on people might include Lululemon Athletica (encourages humanity/community); Walmart might analogize brands that don't.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Planet</h3> <p>Brands that are planet friendly may include Patagonia or TOMS Shoes; brands that aren't eco-friendly would analogize to oil producers.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Process</h3> <p>A process-driven company might be compared to Google because of their efficient working style; companies without a process, like some non-profits, might focus on the result instead of how it gets done. 9) Profit - Companies with profit as one of their primary goals would analogize to oil producers or similar businesses; companies without profit goals relate more closely to non-profits looking for donations 10) Price - Low price points can be found in stores like Walmart; high price points would analogize to Apple.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Pride</h3> <p>Proud brands might include Harley Davidson (motors for lifestyle); brands that don't promote pride might be Analogized by the oil industry.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Proven</h3> <p>Companies with proven products or services may focus on facts and statistics; companies without a strong product/service history will likely focus more on promises than results.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Place </h3> <p>Location-based businesses like McDonald's can relate to this attribute; non-location-specific companies like TOMS Shoes do not.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Purpose</h3> <p>This word relates to companies with a charitable purpose beyond their business model, like John Deere (environmentally friendly) or Patagonia (one item sold = one thing donated); oil producers or similar organizations would analogize companies without a goal.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Purity</h3> <p>Pure brands might include those that use all-natural ingredients like Burt's Bees; brands that aren't as pure might relate to oil companies trying to market themselves as environmentally friendly.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Quality</h3> <p>Quality is typically represented in superior technology, performance, or features; non-quality-focused companies would analogize more closely to non-profits looking for donations.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Quantity</h3> <p>This attribute focuses on the sheer numbers of a company, so examples include Walmart and McDonald's who sell lots of items with low price points; non-quantity companies would be Analogized by organizations like the Red Cross.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rebellion</h3> <p>This attribute focuses on companies that rebel against established market norms, so examples include Apple with their sleek and stylish products or TOMS Shoes with their one-for-one business model; brands without this type of edge might analogize more to traditional oil companies. 20) Relaxation - Brands that; companies that don't focus on quantity would analogize to non-profits looking for donations or smaller organizations.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Security</h3> <p>Brands concerned with security might include those focusing on protection like Master Lock; brands not worried about safety would analogize more closely to oil producers.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Savings</h3> <p>Brands focused on savings might include warehouse stores like Costco or Sam's Club; brands that aren't focused on savings might be analogized to non-profits looking for donations.</p> </div> </div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion:</h2> <p>Brands with unique personalities can set themselves apart from the competition and establish themselves as a brand worth following. If you have extra time, consider creating a few "personas" or characters that represent your ideal customer, and use them when writing your content to help guide the tone. Remember to enjoy the journey while building that iconic brand persona.</p>

The Personality of Branding

Pinpoint your Personality! The one thing that pretty much every company needs is branding. Without it, you’re running around in the dark, hoping somebody buys your product/service while having no idea who they are or why they would want t…
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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">"Can a great job of marketing be measured?" Measure great marketing sure, it's possible to measure and perform an ROI analysis on your marketing efforts, and we will be looking at some ways we can do this. Measure the rate of return on your investment in a specific plan or decision. Measure the rate of return on your investment within a particular plan or decision. This will measure how much revenue is generated relative to costs, the higher the ratio, the better.</h1> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Return on Investment (ROI)</h2> <p>It's possible to measure and perform an ROI analysis on your marketing efforts. Here are a few numbers you can use for reference when measuring success: - If you're generating sales from a campaign with a Return on Investment (ROI) greater than 25%, that campaign was a success. - If you generate sales from four movements, each with an ROI of 10%, those four campaigns are equally successful.</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>If you invest $100,000 in marketing and receive back $300,000 in sales, that's a 300% ROI on your investment. - If you've spent $200,000 on marketing over six months and received back shy of $500,000 in sales during that time frame, the ROI is around 230%.<br></li><li>The more resources (money) invested into any marketing campaign means it must deliver more value (sales). A campaign with a 30% return would be unsuccessful if it only cost $10K to run. But if it cost five times as much, $50K, it would be a success. - It's possible to have more than one campaign running at any given time. - ROI is often used in conjunction with other metrics to pinpoint where budgets are being spent most effectively.<br></li><li>This measures how much revenue is generated relative to costs. The higher the ratio, the better. - If you've spent $200,000 on marketing over six months and received back shy of $500,000 in sales during that time frame, the ROI is around 230%. That's a great return on investment! - The more resources (money) invested into any marketing campaign means it must deliver more value (sales). A campaign with a 30% return would be unsuccessful if it only cost $10K to run. But if it cost five times as much, $50K, it would be a success.<br></li><li>It's possible to have more than one campaign running at any given time. - ROI is often used in conjunction with other metrics to pinpoint where budgets are being spent most effectively.</li></ul> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>ROI is often used in conjunction with other metrics to pinpoint where budgets are being spent most effectively.</li></ul> <p>So, in this article, we are trying to say that you can measure how effective your marketing campaign is based on the following things: # of sales generated per $ spent, # of leads generated per $ spent, and # of sales/leads generated per time spent on marketing efforts. These are all great metrics to measure the success of your campaigns!</p> <p>I agree that you cannot always be sure about how well a campaign is doing or how successful it is- especially if there isn't measurable data. There are so many things that may affect the outcome of your campaigns, such as media coverage, industry trends, etc. I've heard so many people say, "it's working because..." but genuinely haven't been able to find out why it's working so well their gut feeling. But even those people couldn't prove how those campaigns were affecting those results. What was most effective? The placement of the ad? Which media channel/placement is producing the most results for my company?</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://www.blevinscreativegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/mesuring-great-marketing-1024x682.jpg" alt="Measure Great Marketing" class="wp-image-4441"/></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS</h2> <p>However, it's important to utilize those metrics as much as possible and incorporate them into your overall strategy. You can't just go on hunches or faith that it's working if there isn't any data to back up these assumptions. Without testing, one never knows what will work best for their business! It's all part of how you <strong><a href="https://www.blevinscreativegroup.com/storytelling/how-organic-content-will-make-your-competitors-green-with-envy/" data-type="post" data-id="4225">Measure Great Marketing</a></strong>.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">A.) ROI – Return on Investment</h3> <p>This measures how much a campaign earned instead of initially spent to launch marketing. This is the best way to measure the effectiveness of all marketing campaigns</p> <p>On top of finances, this also accounts for, and measures leads and the quality of traffic</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">B.) Cost Per Win</h3> <p>This measures the expenses involved in each sale. This is most effective to compare one <strong><a href="https://www.blevinscreativegroup.com/article/when-building-a-brand-dont-go-for-second-best/" data-type="post" data-id="4241">marketing campaign</a></strong> versus other expenses involved in each sale </p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">C.) Cost Per Lead</h3> <p>Cost per lead, often abbreviated as CPL, is an online advertising pricing model, where the advertiser pays for an explicit sign-up from a consumer interested in the advertiser's offer. It is also commonly called online lead generation.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion:</h2> <p>There are so many measurements that can be taken for marketing because there are so many variables at play. It's never possible to consider every metric when working with a marketing campaign. Still, if you narrow things down - focusing primarily on ROI - then there's usually no reason why something would not turn out well for you in the end. </p> <p>The best thing about gathering all this information is that there are online tools where marketers can access these detailed analytics reports without having much technical knowledge or hiring an outside agency. This is excellent news for businesses who need information quickly and need to maximize their time as well.</p> <p>In conclusion, marketers should consider ROI, cost per win, and cost per lead when working to quantify the success of a project in their business. If a company cannot prove ROI for a marketing campaign, it probably should not spend the money on it. This is because you can measure whether something works by breaking down metrics and finding patterns in the data. So, by doing this, you should figure out what is working to continue to do more of it with your marketing campaigns! </p> <p>It is essential to not focus on either costs or leads but to look at them in tandem with one another because these metrics are critical for business success. If you don't have enough leads, it will be hard to make money; it will be challenging to get results if you do not spend enough money.</p> <p>You can't measure great marketing. Hang on, wait, yes, you can! </p>

You Just Can’t Measure Great Marketing… On wait, Yes You Can!

“Can a great job of marketing be measured?” Measure great marketing sure, it’s possible to measure and perform an ROI analysis on your marketing efforts, and we will be looking at some ways we can do this. Measure the rate of return on your…
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Nightmare is a horror film that was released in 1984. Wes Craven starred as the director of this trendy movie set on a fictional street named Elm, in a fictional town. </h2> <p class="has-drop-cap">Several teenagers are being killed in their dreams by an unknown man who never leaves any clues behind to find him. He is burned, wears a dirty green and red striped sweater, and has razor knives for fingers. It is up to Nancy Thompson, one of the few teenagers still alive, and her boyfriend, Glen Lantz (Johnny Depp), to figure out what is happening before more people around them are killed. </p> <p>James Saxon plays their father, who happens to be a policeman working on finding this murderer, but so far has little success. This ultra-realistic horror flick was headed for disaster when James Saxon fell asleep during filming and missed his cue; however, Wes Craven decided it fit the scene because, well, his character was sleeping, so it fits perfectly.</p> <p>The scenes shot in the dream sequences are filled with bright primary colors and are very surreal. The scenes shot during the day look stark white and highly realistic. This scenery change is what makes this film stand out from others of its period. It gave ordinary objects a horrifying element that would grab viewers' attention yet keep them entertained because they were nervous about what might happen next. </p> <p>Nancy's battle against Freddy Krueger became one of the American Film Institute's best 100 Heroes and Villains as chosen by the public as #51 on their list of heroes and #7 on their list of villains.</p> <p>Krueger looks like he belongs in a nightmare, not in real life.</p> <p>The Nightmare on Elm Street was released on November 9, 1984. It grossed $25 million domestically and $29 million worldwide, which made it the most successful American horror film at the time.</p> <p><strong>Nightmare (noun) is a highly unpleasant dream in which the dreamer experiences helplessness, extreme anxiety, fear, or terror. </strong></p> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p><strong>"The first monster that an audience has to be scared of is the filmmaker."</strong></p><cite>— <strong>Wes Craven</strong></cite></blockquote></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Wes Craven</strong></h2> <p class="has-drop-cap">On August 2, 1939, Wes Craven was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and died in California on August 30, 2015. This master of horror began directing movies soon after graduating college with a major in English. His first movie was called The Last House on the Left, where he served as writer, director, and producer.</p> <p>Wes Craven went on to direct many other movies, including The Hills Have Eyes which was made into a television series canceled after only one season, Swamp Thing in 1982, based on the D.C. Comics character Swamp Thing, Nightmare on Elm Street starring Johnny Depp's ex-wife Amber Heard which grossed over $25 million domestically and $29 million worldwide and numerous others.</p> <p>One of his most famous film series is A Nightmare on Elm Street, which is about a man that has been dead for several years and can attack people in their dreams. He focuses on why Freddy was able to kill so many teenagers in Springwood and ensure they stay dead when he doesn't exist. This series became so popular and impacted American culture that there were at least nine movies made in this series, with a tenth rumored to be in production.</p> <p>The movie series also led to two television series: A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Series, which ran from October 1988 until March 1990, and Wes Craven's New Nightmare, which was released in 1994 in the theaters all over the U.S., just before the release of the seventh film in the franchise entitled Wes Craven's New Nightmare.</p> <p>Many of his films have been so successful that they have been remade now, having made hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide together. In December 1996 Wes Craven Directed Scream. </p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Scream American Slasher Film</strong></h3> <p class="has-drop-cap">The Scream movie by Wes Craven introduced a new "Nightmare" and reinvented and revitalized the slasher-horror genre with this modern take on the horror classic. A masked (Ghost Face) knifed maniac stalks high-school students in middle-class suburbia USA. And grossing around 137 million dollars at the box office.</p> <p>Wes Craven was a master of horror and made a career out of scaring people with spooky movies that were a little too real for comfort. With unforgettable characters, mind-blowing special effects, and movie posters that will forever remain in our nightmares, Wes Craven left behind a legacy larger than life. His unexpected death at the age of 76 has saddened millions worldwide as fans can't help but notice how such an epic director could die so young. While many people never got to meet him or even see his work, he will be remembered by those who did as someone who changed their world.</p> <p>Wes Craven died of brain cancer at his home in Los Angeles, California, on August 30, 2015, he was 76. However, it is currently unclear if there will be any more movies made after his death or they will remain as classics that are unforgettable to millions around the world who have watched them repeatedly with friends and family alike.</p> <p>One thing for sure, though, is that Wes Craven's movies will never leave our minds as he leaves behind a legacy larger than life itself - one that cannot be captured by words or images alone but only through the memories of those whose lives he touched with his heart-pounding horror flicks.</p> <h5 class="wp-block-heading">The nightmare is genuine, and if you are brave enough to face it, it will come to you. The demons of dreams come at night when the shadows grow long. It is said that they peer out through windows, their eyes fixated on those who lie helpless in their beds. They have been known to be the culprits of wrongdoings. But they are not evil beings. The nightmare exists to teach us about ourselves. If you are brave enough to face it, the beasts will come for you. They will come in human form, possessing your friends and family members until you are all that remains.</h5> <p>This master of horror left us with nightmares that will always stay in our minds whether we like it or not!</p>

A Master of Horror: Wes Craven

The Nightmare is a horror film that was released in 1984. Wes Craven starred as the director of this trendy movie set on a fictional street named Elm, in a fictional town. Several teenagers are being killed in their dreams by an unknown…
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