Branding Lessons from Steve Jobs
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Last week the world lost a visionary entrepreneur and a demi-god in the world of computer technology named Steve Jobs. He has left an indelible mark in the lives of the millions of people who have purchased his products and the culture as a whole.
Beyond his signature black mock turtle necks, Steve Jobs managed to transform from entrepreneur to a solid brand. There is a lot that we can learn from his life and use these lessons to strengthen both our personal and business brands.
1. He had a strong point of view
Steve Jobs made bold statements and backed them up with results, such as when he boldly predicted that some day we'd all use computers to communicate.
Does your brand communicate your point of view to the world?
2. He was original and authentic
He was not a buttoned-down, stodgy business man; rather he was down-to-earth and didn't look like your typical CEO of the most successful company in the world. This guy was cool enough to debut the new iPod by pulling it out of a pocket in his jeans.
How do you express your originality and authenticity through your marketing messages?
3. He was a master showman
Steve Jobs could command an audience with his presentations with his uncanny ability to put big numbers in and understandable context and really connect the dots for his audience.
He also loved to go for providing an unforgettable moment in his presentations that would give both his audience and the world something to talk about later.
Not everyone needs to be such a showman, but can your articulate your USP in an engaging way with your marketplace?
4. He was both revered and reviled
People both loved him and hated him, but most people had some kind of opinion about him.
People have to know you exist in order to love you or hate you. Are you stepping out there and becoming known in your market?
5. He was consistent
Sporting his signature mock turtleneck, Levi's jeans and New Balance running shoes that he would often wear when speaking in public, Jobs had a reputation for promising great things and delivering them. From the iPod, iTunes, which is the largest music marketplace on earth, to the iPhone and the iPad, which has shipped over 20 million units to date, even with the occasional misstep (Newton is a good example) he consistently delivered winning products.
Branding is about setting yourself and your company apart in the marketplace. You show the world how your service or widget is better, cheaper, faster or cooler and then you effectively communicate how what you do makes your customers lives better.
Everything you do with regards to your business communicates something about your brand, so you may as well be intentional about it.
Incorporating these tips into the way you approach your business will help you to keep in mind that you always have the opportunity to make a larger impact on the world, and your business will grow and evolve to the degree that you grow and evolve as a person.
Not everyone can be a visionary, world-changing entrepreneur, but you can definitely take some inspiration from Steve Jobs' life and step your game up a bit.
For lots more ideas about branding and marketing your online business, visit http://mcreasite.com/blog today.
Beyond his signature black mock turtle necks, Steve Jobs managed to transform from entrepreneur to a solid brand. There is a lot that we can learn from his life and use these lessons to strengthen both our personal and business brands.
1. He had a strong point of view
Steve Jobs made bold statements and backed them up with results, such as when he boldly predicted that some day we'd all use computers to communicate.
Does your brand communicate your point of view to the world?
2. He was original and authentic
He was not a buttoned-down, stodgy business man; rather he was down-to-earth and didn't look like your typical CEO of the most successful company in the world. This guy was cool enough to debut the new iPod by pulling it out of a pocket in his jeans.
How do you express your originality and authenticity through your marketing messages?
3. He was a master showman
Steve Jobs could command an audience with his presentations with his uncanny ability to put big numbers in and understandable context and really connect the dots for his audience.
He also loved to go for providing an unforgettable moment in his presentations that would give both his audience and the world something to talk about later.
Not everyone needs to be such a showman, but can your articulate your USP in an engaging way with your marketplace?
4. He was both revered and reviled
People both loved him and hated him, but most people had some kind of opinion about him.
People have to know you exist in order to love you or hate you. Are you stepping out there and becoming known in your market?
5. He was consistent
Sporting his signature mock turtleneck, Levi's jeans and New Balance running shoes that he would often wear when speaking in public, Jobs had a reputation for promising great things and delivering them. From the iPod, iTunes, which is the largest music marketplace on earth, to the iPhone and the iPad, which has shipped over 20 million units to date, even with the occasional misstep (Newton is a good example) he consistently delivered winning products.
Branding is about setting yourself and your company apart in the marketplace. You show the world how your service or widget is better, cheaper, faster or cooler and then you effectively communicate how what you do makes your customers lives better.
Everything you do with regards to your business communicates something about your brand, so you may as well be intentional about it.
Incorporating these tips into the way you approach your business will help you to keep in mind that you always have the opportunity to make a larger impact on the world, and your business will grow and evolve to the degree that you grow and evolve as a person.
Not everyone can be a visionary, world-changing entrepreneur, but you can definitely take some inspiration from Steve Jobs' life and step your game up a bit.
For lots more ideas about branding and marketing your online business, visit http://mcreasite.com/blog today.