The Magic of 3 and how you can use it in your branding

So what is so powerful about the number 3? Why not 10 or 17?

First take a look around you and you will see so many things come in threes. Let's think about some classic stories and nursery rhymes. The Three Musketeers. The Three Wise Men. The Three Blind Mice

But the number 3 isn't just powerful in stories. It applies to branding too. Let's explore some of the ways The Rule of 3 can help you create a more powerful brand.

3 points of difference

When discussing what makes your product or service different from the competition, showing them in sets of 3 works well. Keeping the message short and clear with 3 points means people are more likely to understand what you are trying to get across and recall it later.

For example, Marigold rubber gloves emphasise 3 key points of difference that distinguish them from other brands of rubber gloves:

Long-lasting materials

Enhanced comfort and fit

Specialised design features for a variety of different needs

3 words in your tagline

Many well-known brands use the Rule of 3 to create catchy taglines. By reducing their big idea to just 3 simple words, it sticks in our minds and is instantly recognised when we hear it.

Think of the taglines of some of the best-known brands. The most memorable ones include just 3 words:

Nike: “Just Do It”

McDonald’s: “I’m Lovin’ It”

Kentucky Fried Chicken: “Finger lickin’ good.”

3 parts of a memorable story

Using the Rule of 3 in stories makes them more engaging and easier to remember. Think about the typical plot structure we see in books and films.

The 3-Act structure divides a story into 3 parts:

Setup: We meet the characters and learn about their everyday lives.

Confrontation: The hero has to deal with challenges.

Resolution: The hero overcomes the challenge and achieves their goal.

When telling stories about your brand, you can use a similar structure where your brand plays the role of the guide, helping the customer overcome a challenge and become the hero of the story.

3 key features to highlight about your product

When talking about the features or benefits of your product or service, displaying them in sets of 3 is an effective strategy. Identify the most important and bring those to the forefront.

Apple is a great example of a brand that leverages the Rule of 3. Their ads for the iPhone 15 focuses on 3 key things:

“A17 Bionic chip.

Advanced camera system.

USB-C Connectivity.”

By keeping it to 3 important features, Apple tells you clearly why their phone is worth it.

In conclusion, the Rule of 3 is a valuable technique that can be applied in your branding and marketing to create more compelling communications. They can help make messages easier to understand, more engaging, and more memorable.

Read the full article on my blog, where I discuss each of these aspects in more depth.