Oh, you're branded. Like it or not.

For many of us direct response advertising is the way to go because as we all know as marketers branding can be very expensive. And direct response typically moves the needle faster. However, even if as a marketing leader or owner of a company you choose not to engage in brand marketing exclusively, it’s important to remember that everything you do from the moment you start your company impacts your brand. I saw a great example of brand-in-action without an advertising dollar being spent this past weekend during the balloon festival in Anthony, Kansas. Yes there is an Anthony, Kansas and yes they have a balloon festival. Who knew? The example comes in the form of food trucks. My wife and I love food trucks. It was in the evening, we were hungry - Leslie decided to walk down the street and buy her food, which included a side of a really unique apple slaw, similar in texture to coleslaw. My son and I along with his friend elected to go with the traditional burger and fries. Our two experiences could not have been more different. Leslie‘s food truck was very warm and welcoming, clean and organized. Mine however was a hot mess. We’re talking burgers here people. The husband operating the food truck could not write the order down correctly and so his wife had to take over. The food truck was not very organized and unfortunately we realized too late, wasn’t all that clean. The worst part I believe though was the constant bickering between the wife and husband. They were putting each other down in front of their customers and their young adult children who were there helping, chimed in. It’s unfortunate. But it serves as a stark reminder that everything you do impacts your brand and opinions of those who would be your customers. Although I am using a food truck as an example every small to medium to large to enterprise size company has to effectively manage its brand reputation and understand reality versus perception to not only succeed, but to trive. My two cents. Have an awesome week people.

Are you currently managing your brand's reputation? Are you in need of direct response marketing to help move the needle? Know more: [email protected]