As a wise man said, “A Brand is not a logo, it is a promise, it is a pledge, it is a commitment.”
Do people hang out at Starbucks because of its logo? No, they hang out there because they want to be part of a tribe. They know that the coffee may be more expensive than at McDonalds but they are there for the Starbucks culture. They can write their next novel on a laptop in a back corner without anyone asking them to leave. They can get the coffee like they want, “machiato, skim milk no..” whereas (to my horror) Tim Hortons puts in the milk before you get it and you don’t get a choice! So, Startbucks makes the commitment to be a unique experience from other coffee joints.
So when people talk about your business, do they talk about your logo or do they talk about you and how you helped them or how you stepped up and gave them valuable information or how you gave them the solution to their problem. Some people call it your “Mission” statement but in the end, people don’t read a statement to understand a business. They experience your business and how you follow through; how you keep your promise; how transparent you are in what your business is; how much value you deliver to them; how honest and upfront you are in what your promise is for the business you deliver.
If you are honest and open about your promise to them as to what you pledge you will do for them and you follow through with that commitment, they will follow you knowing who you are and how credible you are in the promises you make. That is your brand. The persons who become your customers are the ones who understand who you are and what you pledge to do for them in your business.
So, don’t hide behind a logo or use a spokesperson in your videos because you feel you aren’t your business. Get out there and put your face and talk about why you started your business. People connect with people. People buy from people, they don’t buy because of a logo.
This is why I have recently developed a website based on my name www.jane-gardner.com because people will see my face, listen to my voice and maybe even be on a call and the trust that develops from the human connection of talking one on one will always be better than a logo at boahb.com.
Who can talk to a logo?
My promise, pledge and commitment for my business is that I will always be honest and forthright about what is my business and why I do it as the wave of the future on the internet is that honesty and openness and transparency of who you are is how we connect as humans and the new technology of video, livestreaming and audio means there is no way to hide behind a logo if you want to do business.
My mission is to help you move forward in your business at https://jane-gardner.com.