Peachi Williams - Stir the Pot: Rule-Breaking Brand Strategies that Stick

00:01  Hey there brand builders, welcome to Stir the Pot, where we're throwing out outdated branding rules and mixing up strategies that actually work. I'm Peachi Williams, your brand chef, and today we're going to talk about what it really takes to create a brand that sticks. Let's get cookie.    

00:20  Now before we jump in, let me reintroduce myself. I'm Peachi Williams, also known as the Brand Chef and Brand Voice Builder. I help entrepreneurs, creatives and business owners mix the perfect ingredients to build a brand that connects, converts, and truly stands out. I'm all about breaking the branding rules that don't serve you, because when we create a brand that's authentic and fun, success follows. So Are you ready? Let's go.    

00:50  Now listen, there's a lot of outdated branding advice floating around Floating around, right? Stuff that tells you to follow a formula, play it safe, and stick to the same overused messaging as everyone else. Sound familiar? Or maybe you've spent hours trying to find the perfect messaging but end up sounding just like everyone else. Or maybe you feel stuck because you're following all the rules but not seeing results. And that's because the problem isn't you, it's the system. The good news is, there's a different way. And today I'm going to show you how to break the rules the right way so your brand finally stands out.    

01:32  So what's the problem with traditional branding? First, it's boring, right? It's predictable And worst of all, it makes you forgettable when you try to sound like everyone else you faded to the background, but your audience really craves something real, something that feels human. And that's where the rule breaking comes in. Here's the deal. There's no one size fits off formula to brand new success, but there is a method that works. One, I want you to dish the templates because your brand should never feel like a fella fell in the blank exercise. That doesn't mean that you can't use templates, but when you do, make sure you're making them your own.    

02:18  2 Embrace your own voice. All those quirky personality traits you have or different, different styles that make you memorable. Those work. And three, experiment and adjust because branding is a living, breathing thing. I want you to test it, tweak it, and refine it over time.    

02:40  Ok, let's talk about some bold brands that broke the mold and actually thrived. Whether it's a brand that flipped its messaging, owned its uniqueness, or ditched traditional marketing, the key takeaway is this. They stood out by doing things differently. And guess what? You can too. The first brand is Wendy's. They had a personality shift on Twitter. So what did they do differently? Instead of a typical corporate social media presence, they developed a bold, snarky and humorous voice on Twitter.    

03:16  They stood out by engaging in playful roasts of their competitors, right? They created viral moments and they made social media fun and engaging. So the key takeaway here is don't be afraid to show personality in your brain voice because people connect with brands that feel human. Our second brand is Liquid Death or Canned Water with an Attitude. What did they do differently? They actually marketed their canned water like an edgy energy drink. They targeted a young rebellious audience and they stood out because their branding was completely unconventional.    

03:52  They used metal inspired packaging, they filled their advertising with humor and they had a death to plastic mission. The key takeaway is that unexpected branding can make even a simple product exciting. So I want you to dare to take a fresh approach. And our third brand is Sphinx because they revolutionized the category. The founder, Sarah Blakely, she took her personal frustration and turned it into an innovative, relatable brand. And instead of traditional corporate marketing, Sphinx used humor, real life storytelling and direct engagement with the customers. And the key takeaway here is if your brand solves a real problem, I want you to lean into personal storytelling to connect with your audience on an emotional level.    

04:39  Now let's make this personal. Think about your brand. What is one thing that makes you different? This could be your story, your style, your values. But whatever it is, I want you to own it. So take a moment to write it down because that's your secret ingredient.    

05:02  Are you ready to put these things into action? Here are three quick ways to break the rules in your branding right now. First, try rewriting your bio in a way that actually sounds like you dare to be different. Then you can test the messaging style that feels fun and natural instead of stiff and professional. Now, that does not mean that if you work in a corporate environment, you can't be fun.    

05:30  You can kind of bend the rules a little bit to make it more personable to your audience. And three, flip a common industry phrase into something that reflects you and your brand personality. Remember, we're daring to be different.    

05:48  Now, people love stories. They want to feel something when they engage with your brand, right? So forget being perfect and I want you to try and share the real journey, whether it's to success, a challenge, or a behind the scenes moment. Your audience will connect more deeply with your brand when you share your truth.    

06:11  Now here's a final tip. Consistency does not mean repetition, right? It means alignment. So make sure your messaging, visuals, and customer experience all reflect your brand personality, because that's the secret to making your brand unforgettable. All right, let's recap what we covered. First, traditional branding rules can make you blend in and not stand out. Second, your brand's uniqueness is its biggest strength, and you need to own it. And 3rd, breaking the right rules can build stronger, deeper connections with your audience.    

06:54  Thank you so much for hanging out with me today. Branding doesn't have to be overwhelming. It can actually be fun when you let yourself break the rules. The right rules, that is. And if you want to keep the conversation going, here's where you can connect with me, our agency, the right mix, our ecosystem. Color Me Brand for resources, cooking up brands and of course, please tune into our podcast for our podcast at PodcastTalkLikeabrand.com Again, I'm Peachi Williams, your brand voice builder and brand chef, and you'll have a very brand day.