Howdy, Partner! Top Co-Branding Partnerships That Work
Co-branding might seem like an industry buzzword for new marketers, but tried and true professionals know that partnerships can be a great opportunity for both companies to boost brand recognition, inspire consumer confidence and increase overall sales. Yes, we’ve talked co-branding before—but hey, there’s more! Co-branding isn’t just for the big boys (corporations and big businesses)—and it’s not only useful for brands with similar product lines. Almost any and every company you can think of, from large to small and across a variety of industries, could potentially benefit from a co-branding partnership with a like-minded business.
So let’s delve into the world of co-branding partnerships and take a peek at some of the most unique, fascinating and downright memorable brand partnerships out there today.
Nix the Negativity!
How do you make your clients feel?
Do your clients look forward to your correspondence? Or do they dread hearing your latest sob story?
Even if your head is spinning from an already-busy workweek, or your Monday didn’t run as well as you’d hoped, when it comes to your relationships with your clients, you best keep your negative business to yourself.
TMI
I’ve noticed a serious increase in negative attitudes in the professional world over the last few years. Maybe too many people became too friendly and forgot the importance of professionalism. Perhaps it’s this new culture of over-sharing. (If you’re posting to Facebook on the hour and Instagramming your breakfast every day, it might be time to step away from the computer for a week…or a month.)
Branding Basics from ‘Breaking Bad’
Back in 1996, when I started my freelance business, I rarely ran across a small business owner who actually understood the meaning of the word “branding.”
“I don’t need any branding. I don’t have any cows.”
Yea, I’m not kidding. I’ve heard that.
I believe it was around 2008 that I began to hear the word “branding” used in certain “in the know” circles. Nowadays, the word—and especially the concept—are understood well enough that even mainstream entertainment is teaching us lessons on branding.
Who’s a Fan of Breaking Bad?
Did you see last week’s episode? Did you catch the branding references?
It’s Grammar Game Time!
With the start of football season signaling the fast-approaching fall weather, we thought we’d offer you guys a little grammar game to exercise your brains this week.
Typos and grammatical errors are bad for your brand. Period. Grammatical mistakes make you look unprofessional and inexperienced, and show poor communication skills. Now that’s definitely not the way you want the world to view your business and your brand, is it?
See how many of these grammar and spelling mistakes you catch right away!
What the Pocket Fisherman Can Teach Us About Branding
Recently, I ran across old pictures of my parents out fishing with the Ronco Pocket Fisherman. I had myself a good laugh. The old commercials came to mind, so I checked out YouTube—and lo and behold, I found them! Yes, the commercials are a little silly, but something dawned on me: I can totally see why my parents and other people bought the Pocket Fisherman in the 1970s and 1980s.
Those Ronco commercials! They’re so cheesy, but so enchanting. They’re the products you never knew existed, but now you can’t live without them. Hey, I’m not a big shopper, but even I can’t resist some of those Ronco products. I’m a beer drinker and I love entertaining guests—how cool would it be to be able to instantly frost my glasses with the Ronco Glass Froster? (Sure, with some forethought I could have easily put those glasses in the freezer, but the Ronco does it instantly, like magic!) See, now you could insert ME right into the infomercial.
Protect Your Brand with a Strong Social Media Policy
Chances are most of your employees are using social media. Many of them are using social media at work. Some of them are using social media from work every day. Are your employees clear on what constitutes appropriate use of the Internet during business hours? Do you have a policy in place that clearly outlines how employees can and cannot use social media?
If not, read this—because the time is now to get that social media policy in place. The integrity of your brand is at stake!