Brand confusion - Star Wars retold

Everybody has seen Star Wars havent they? They know the story its mythology and characters. In this funny video animated by Joe Nicolosi he takes the story retold by his friend Amanda who has never seen the movie trilogy and takes it to another place ... far far away.

 it may make you think a little about what story people are telling about your brand.

It’s a good eye opener to asses when you think the world knows your brand and its own unique story how it might be retold though the snippets of information people think they know. Just how clearly do people remember your brands story or have they created their own retellling of it.

Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it) from Joe Nicolosi on Vimeo.

Every brand has a message. That message can be communicated in a number of ways, and one of the most crucial tools in your brand messaging toolkit is one of the most simple. Storytelling.

We are hard-wired, as a species, to connect to stories. That is why some of the most effective teachers throughout history were master storytellers. We’ll quickly forget carefully-crafted statements, and even the most profound principles, but we’ll remember a compelling story – sometimes for decades. And even pass it down for generations.

Questions to ask yourself

What is your brands story?

What does it represent?

Does it engage your customers around the metaphorical campfire?

If you and your company bring authentic value to the marketplace, then people will want to connect with your brand. And one of the quickest routes into the heart of your customer is an engaging story. Not a fairy tale, mind you, but a true story – one that demonstrates why your brand is unique and compelling.

Questions to ask customers

Tell me a story about what you know or experience about my brand?

Some times the best stories come form your customers relationship with your brand and if they dont you at least get to know how far far away thay are from your story to the story in their heads.

Be Authentic

Anyone can make up a story, but the customer's innate sense of authenticity is what transforms a story into a brand message. Spend a good deal of time looking back at your history and personal values in determining why you're even in the business you're in. What's your passion, and how can you tell customers about it?

Be consistent.

It's not enough just to tell a story; you must live it everyday through everything you do.  Every touch point of your business is a marketing opportunity.

BP is a good example at the moment of a brand who had a story, but because they didn’t live up to its promise are fighting a battle not just with their problem but with the PR and how their brand right up to its logo have faled.

Sources:

http://www.inc.com/resources/marketing/articles/20070501/miller.html

http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/706/are-you-telling-your-brand-story/