Let's Build Social Worlds

This Christmas marks an auspicious occasion!

It's the release of one of the first Discworld book written by Rhianna Pratchett (Daughter of Terry).

And I can't wait to read my copy of Tiffany Aching's Guide To Being A Witch with my daughter!

For those unfamiliar with my literary hero Terry, he created an entire world around him called Discworld.

It's a comic fantasy series released in a multitude of instalments between 1983 and 2015, it takes place on the fictional “Discworld,” a flat planet balanced atop the backs of four planet-sized elephants, who collectively stand atop a cosmic turtle.

Like JRR Tolkien before him he was big on the whole world building thing (something I'm trying to do at present with the community I'm building).

But with more innuendo and fart jokes.

I love this quote about her dad that I stumbled on recently.

'When most fathers shuffle away to the great shed in the beyond, their kids inherit things like their LP collection, a carefully curated selection of humorous postcards or a dicky bladder. I inherited a world.' - Rhianna Pratchett

So let's take a look at how the concept of world building can be applied to your brand the communities you're building (and you ARE building communities right?).

Here's a brief synopsis of brand world building!

Introduction to Brand Worldbuilding:

• Just like in storytelling, worldbuilding in branding is about creating an immersive, engaging universe around your brand.
• This involves defining the brand's personality, values, and the unique world it inhabits.

Types and Elements of Brand Worldbuilding:

• Types: Similar to storytelling, there's Hard (detail-oriented) and Soft (emotion and vibe-oriented) Brand Worldbuilding.
• Key Elements:Brand Geography: This is your market landscape. Who are your competitors, and where does your brand fit in?
• Brand Inhabitants: These are your customers. What are their lifestyles, needs, and desires?
• Brand Culture: Your brand's ethos, style, and voice. What are your brand's customs and traditions?
• Brand History: Your brand's backstory, milestones, and evolution.
• Brand Rules: The core values and principles that guide your brand.

Tips for Effective Brand Worldbuilding:

• Consistency: Ensure your brand's messaging and values are consistent across all platforms.
• Inspiration: Draw inspiration from your brand's heritage, customer stories, and industry trends.
• Visualization: Use visual elements like logos, color schemes, and design to bring your brand's world to life.

Common Mistakes and Conclusion:

• Mistakes to Avoid: Overcomplicating the brand story.Inconsistency in brand messaging.Neglecting the customer's role in your brand's world.

I want to tell it through the eyes of my two favourite characters.

Granny Weatherwax and Sam Vimes. Two of the most flawed (read human and interesting) characters Discworld has to offer.

"In the beginning there was nothing, which exploded." - Terry Pratchett, "Lords and Ladies"

Much like the fantastical genesis of Discworld, your brand's journey begins with a spark – an idea.

According to a Content Marketing Institute study, 72% of marketers attribute their success to content strategy. In Discworld, every character, every plotline weaves into a larger narrative. Similarly, your brand should have diverse content streams that interlink, each contributing to your overarching story.

Crafting Your Discworld: The Art of Content Streams

Tall, stern, and antisocial, Esmerelda “Esme” Weatherwax – Granny to her friends, Mistress Weatherwax to everyone else – grew up with the perfect face for a Bad witch. Unfortunately, after her sister, Lily, took a turn for the Bad, Granny was left to be the Good witch.

Consider Granny Weatherwax, a character defined by her depth, resilience, and complexity. Your content should mirror these traits – resilient in the face of change, complex enough to engage, and deep with valuable insights. Each piece of content, like a character in a novel, should add depth to your brand's narrative.

Tying into the wider story of you, your why and your purpose.

“You can‘t go around building a better world for people. Only people can build a better world for people. Otherwise it‘s just a cage.” Esmerelda Weatherwax

The Wisdom of Granny Weatherwax: Answering Questions in the Sales Cycle

Granny Weatherwax, known for her sharp wit and wisdom, never shies away from the tough questions. In your sales cycle, adopt her straightforwardness. A Salesforce report highlights that 89% of business buyers expect companies to understand their needs and expectations. Like Granny, your responses should be insightful, direct, and tailored to your audience's needs.

Navigating Ankh-Morpork with Sam Vimes: Strategies for Engaging Prospects

Samuel "Sam" Vimes is the Commander of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch. He is the central character of the Watch Series, in which his rises from being a poor and often-drunk policeman to being the leader of a modern police force. He always does the right thing and is an extremely flawed character.

“Vimes had got around to a Clean Desk policy. It was a Clean Floor strategy that eluded him at the moment.” Sam Vimes

Sam Vimes, the pragmatic and astute commander of the City Watch, is adept at reading people and situations. When engaging with prospects, be more Vimes. Understand their underlying needs and motivations. Read between the lines to offer solutions that resonate personally with your prospects. The data is right in front of you. You just need to do a little digging.

Consistency and Reliability: Lessons from Vimes and Weatherwax

Both Vimes and Weatherwax are known for their steadfastness and reliability. In branding, consistency is key. A Lucidpress report states that consistent branding can increase revenue by 33%. Your brand should embody the reliability of Vimes and the unwavering presence of a Weatherwax, building trust with your audience over time.

Let's take inspiration from the rich, interconnected world of Discworld. Like Granny Weatherwax's wisdom and Sam Vimes's keen insight, your brand's content strategy and sales approach should be thoughtful, personalised, and consistent. In the words of Terry Pratchett,

"There's no justice. There's just us."

Let's make 'us' stand out in the digital Discworld.

Until next time peeps!

Nick, your guide in the digital realm of social!

I Ate'nt Dead - Esmerelda Weatherwax