I may be showing my age here, but I can still remember the days when Simon Cowell was the judge everyone loved to hate on the TV show “American Idol.” His critiques were razor-sharp, with one classic remark that he’d dish out to contestants after their heartfelt performances going along the lines of: “Yeah, it was good. Technically sound. You have a voice that’s good enough. But I’ll bet you nobody is going to remember that performance tomorrow.”
And you know what? He was often spot on. When I think back to ‘American Idol,’ I can’t recall a long list of performances by the many contestants who braved their way to center stage. Admittedly, I do have a vivid recollection of perhaps one or two standout performances by the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Philip Phillips, among a small handful of others. As for the vast majority of contestants, well they seem to have faded into obscurity in my memory.
The same principle holds true for creative marketing, be it branding, social media marketing, or advertising. Given the oversaturation of all of these touchpoints, brands operating under the premise that their creative can be just “good enough” are destined to lag far behind. In a digital culture heavily reliant on metrics, the brands that truly endure are the ones that ensure their creative is memorable.
Most brands share a common goal – to break through the clutter and establish an enduring presence. However, keeping your place in the spotlight by relying solely on impressions, clicks, open rates, page views, and the like, becomes an uphill battle.
When your creative marketing challenges the status quo and consideration is given to memorability, it becomes the catalyst that powers brand recall and lays the foundation for unwavering loyalty. And it’s this loyalty that nurtures long-term customer relationships and fosters repeat business, ensuring that your brand stays ahead in a dog-eat-dog world.
But, how can brands achieve this elusive memorability in their creative marketing endeavors? It’s a question that requires some exploration.
Think beyond the lead generation machine
Fixating solely on lead generation tactics falls short when it comes to building enduring brands. The creation of memorable brands entails connecting with your audience even before they enter your industry’s marketplace. Most of us have limited attention spans and we often promptly filter out product-centric information, one-time offers, and invitations to explore lead magnets. While completely abandoning lead generation efforts may not be advisable, it’s crucial to recognize that memorable brands prioritize brand building over lead generation tactics. Therefore, shifting the focus away from lead generation alone and introducing thoughtfully executed brand building to your mix can lead to the creation of a memorable brand.
Crafting clever storytelling
One of the most effective ways to make your brand memorable is through emotive storytelling. Even with B2B brands, ultimately humans still make decisions, and humans are hardwired to connect with not only narratives, but also emotions. When your marketing efforts paint a picture that we as humans can relate to through our life experience, it engages your audience on a deeper level. These stories should resonate with your target audience and elicit emotions that create lasting impressions.
Unique brand identity
Your brand’s visual identity, including logos, color schemes, and design elements, plays a significant role in memorability. Aim to break away from your competition and lead the herd rather than follow by creating a brand identity package that is uniquely yours. When your target audience can distinguish your brand from the others by its visual elements, you’ve achieved a remarkable level of memorability.
Consistency across channels
To ensure your brand remains memorable, maintain consistency across all marketing channels. Your message, tone, and visual elements should be consistent. This coherence reinforces your brand’s identity and makes it easier for customers to remember and recognize. Whether a potential customer encounters your brand on social media, your website, or a physical advertisement, the consistency in messaging and design strengthens memorability.
Animation
Incorporating animation into your branding efforts can be a highly effective way to enhance your brand’s impact. Animation provides an engaging and visually striking means to convey your brand’s message, and coupled with other aspects such as an emotive narrative and your unique visuals, it can be a powerful way to break through the clutter. Whether it’s teaser pieces, explainer videos, or interactive animations on your website, it captures your audience’s attention and enhances memorability.
Innovative campaigns
Being memorable in today’s competitive landscape requires thinking outside the box. Innovative marketing campaigns that challenge the norm are more likely to be remembered. These can include viral videos, social media challenges, or using a series of clever imagery that makes your audience think or smile. Embrace ingenuity and creativity in your marketing efforts and you will be rewarded with a loyal audience that remembers your brand.
By integrating these tactics into your marketing approach, brands can effectively navigate the crowded landscape and remain a thriving force in their industry. We encourage you to seek out the advice of a well-balanced creative marketing and brand strategy team, like Creative Chain, to help create a memorable brand.
Further Reading
How to start a branding agency – by DesignRush