How to start a cult in 7 easy steps

Are you looking to create an enthusiastic and dedicated following for your brand or business??

While the word "cult" may carry some negative connotations, in the world of marketing, it refers to building a loyal and fervent community around your product or message.?

In this article, we show you how to start a cult following for your brand using seven key principles - or Cult Commandments, as we like to call them.?

Follow these steps (with pictures) to unleash your brand's true potential and build a devoted audience.

Step 1: Develop a Polarising Message

In your journey to nurture a dedicated following, your first crucial step is to develop a polarising message that defines your cult's identity. This message is the foundation upon which your cult following will be built.

To begin, ask yourself profound questions:?

What is the core essence of your brand??

What values and principles does it stand for??

Your message should not only resonate deeply with your target audience but also set you apart from the competition. It's not about being liked by everyone; it's about being passionately loved by a specific group.

Consider your message as the North Star guiding your brand's actions and decisions.?

It's not merely a catchphrase; it's the soul of your brand. This message will shape your brand's personality, mission, and purpose, providing a unique positioning in the market.

Think about what makes your brand memorable and relatable. What emotional connection does it evoke??

Your polarising message should encapsulate these elements, giving your followers a reason to believe in your cause and become part of your devoted community.

Remember that this step isn't about superficial branding but rather about carving out an authentic identity that resonates with your audience's values and aspirations.?

Once you've honed your message, you'll be ready to embark on the journey of building a fervent following.

Step 2: Pick an Enemy

In the world of marketing, selecting an "enemy" doesn't entail launching attacks but rather identifying what your cult opposes or aims to change. This strategic choice sets the stage for your cult's distinct identity.

Start by pinpointing the pain points or frustrations within your industry that resonate with your target audience.?

By highlighting these issues, you provide your followers with a shared perspective and a rallying point. They will see your cult as the antidote to their problems and a champion of their beliefs.

Picking an enemy allows you to create a narrative around your brand, framing it as a force for positive change. It positions your brand as the answer to challenges your audience faces, fostering a sense of unity and purpose.

While your enemy may take different forms, it's essential to maintain a constructive approach. Instead of dwelling on negativity, focus on how your brand can bring about positive transformation. This approach will attract like-minded individuals who want to be part of a movement and make a difference.

By embracing this strategy, your brand can resonate deeply with your target audience, instilling a sense of belonging and purpose that is vital to cult-like followings.

Step 3: Be Different and Celebrate It

In a crowded marketplace, setting your cult apart is imperative.?

This step is all about embracing your distinctiveness and celebrating it openly. Your cult's uniqueness is your ticket to creating a fervent following.

To start, consider every aspect of your cult – from visual identity to tone of voice and behaviour. You want to engage as many senses as possible to create a memorable and distinct impression. Your brand should look, sound, and act unlike any other in your industry.

Moreover, it's not enough to be different; you must proudly celebrate these differences.?

Flaunt your uniqueness as a badge of honour within your cult identity. When you're authentic about what makes you different, you'll naturally attract like-minded individuals who resonate with your values.

This celebration of uniqueness extends beyond just aesthetics; it should be integrated into your brand's mission and purpose. Show your followers why you're nothing like anyone else.?

By doing so, you create a deep connection with your audience, one that goes beyond transactions and becomes a shared identity.

Remember, celebrating your uniqueness isn't just about standing out in your market; it's about building a powerful connection with your followers.?

The more you celebrate why you're different, the more your followers will flock to you, knowing they've found a cult that truly speaks to them.

Embrace your uniqueness and wear it proudly as part of your identity.

Step 4: Bang Thy Drum Over and Over and Over

Consistency is the key to building a cult following. Once you've developed your polarizing message and embraced your uniqueness, it's time to ensure that the message is consistently broadcast to your target audience.

You'll want to utilise various channels to share your message, including social media, email marketing, content creation, and more.?

The goal is to make your message easily accessible and familiar to your audience. Regular exposure to your brand's core message reinforces it in the minds of your followers.

Think about it like this: religions have their followers attend church regularly or pray at specific times of the day to reinforce their beliefs and build a sense of belonging.?

In a similar vein, your consistent messaging creates a connection between your message and your followers' actions, fostering a deeper sense of loyalty and belonging.

When deciding on the right broadcast medium, choose one that aligns with your brand and is something you can commit to maintaining.

Consistency over time is more critical than choosing the trendiest platform. Just like a religious congregation, the regularity of your message helps build habits and reinforce belonging within your community.

Step 5: Target Outliers and Misfits

To build a cult-like following for your brand, it's essential to appeal to a specific group within your target audience – the outliers, alienated, strugglers, and misfits.?

This strategy, commonly employed by cults, taps into the power of connecting a mission or purpose with those who feel marginalised or overlooked.

Consider this: many disruptive businesses thrive by identifying an audience that's currently underserved or ignored by larger competitors. Your brand can do the same.?

Start by recognising who doesn't have a home or strong representation in your industry.?

Within your audience's broader circle, identify smaller circles representing existing communities. Then, pinpoint who remains underserved or disconnected.

These outliers and misfits often crave recognition, understanding, and belonging. They are drawn to missions or causes that make them feel heard and valued.?

By catering to this audience, your brand can fill the void they've been searching for and become their beacon of belonging.

By utilising technology and providing a platform for this community, you can transform a disaffected group into passionate followers.

Your brand becomes more than just a product or service; it becomes a place where people can genuinely belong, fostering deep loyalty and devotion.

Step 6: Build Belonging

Central to cult-like followings is the concept of belonging.?

Cults excel at making their followers feel special and valued. Similarly, your brand must create an environment where your audience feels good about themselves, celebrates their differences, and truly believes they're part of something extraordinary.

There are several effective strategies to foster this sense of belonging:

Social Proof: Demonstrate how individuals can belong by staying loyal to your brand. Showcase existing followers and their positive experiences.

Indoctrination: Quickly immerse new followers in your brand's mission, values, and community. Make them feel like they're part of something bigger from day one.

Leverage Recent Converts: Those who recently joined your following are often the most effective at converting others. Their enthusiasm and fresh perspective can be powerful recruitment tools.

Reward Loyalty: Recognize and reward your most loyal followers. This can be through exclusive offers, personalized notes, or other incentives.

Promote True Believers: Identify and elevate individuals who passionately believe in your brand's mission and community. They can become powerful advocates and even work for you voluntarily.

Tell Their Stories: Utilize storytelling to highlight the stories and experiences of your followers. This creates a sense of connection and unity within your community.

By implementing these strategies, your brand can foster a sense of belonging that goes beyond transactional relationships.?

It becomes a shared identity, a place where individuals feel valued and celebrated, and a community they are proud to belong to.

Step 7: Provide Opportunities for Demonstration

Allowing your followers to demonstrate their devotion is crucial for cultivating a cult-like following. This step focuses on the power of appearance in creating tribal connections within your community.

While we're often told not to judge a book by its cover, it's human nature to gravitate towards those who look, sound, and act similarly to us.?

This applies to groups of strangers coming together. Your goal is to capitalise on this instinct and create a sense of unity within your brand's community.

One of the most apparent examples of this tribalism is through uniforms or branded attire.?

It's not just about identification; it's about immediate connection with others who share that identity.?

While you may not need uniforms, you can leverage the power of language and symbols to promote inclusivity and contrast within your community.

Key to this step is making it easy for your community to contribute. Offer straightforward and frequent opportunities for your followers to showcase their dedication.?

This creates momentum and virality within your brand, as individuals eagerly demonstrate their commitment.

While evil cults stifle creativity and control their members, ethical brand communities flourish by letting their followers run with the brand identity.?

When your mission and purpose are strong enough, you don't need to hold people back; you can empower them to carry your brand's message forward.

In conclusion?

By following these seven steps inspired by the How to Start a Cult framework, you can create a fervent following for your brand or business. The choice is yours: build your brand community for good or for ill.?

Cults don't sell dogma; they sell belonging, and so should you. Cultivate a community where individuals feel valued, celebrated, and empowered to demonstrate their devotion.?

Your cult will thrive as a result.

Read the original article here: https://www.howtostartacult.co.uk/how-to-start-a-cult-in-7-steps-pictures

Buy your copy of How To Start A Cult here: howtostartacult.co.uk/book