Branding vs Solving Prospects Problems

13 years ago

Originally Posted by selfmadetycoon

Hey Warriors,

I was wondering what your marketing looks like. Based on your experience, do you focus on branding or solving the prospects problems?

Branding could also be Unique Value Proposition where you differentiate to make the competition irrelevant.

Solving the prospects problems is knowing who your customer is and communicating in their language etc.

I realize both marketing strategies are powerful and I was wondering if any of you guys have experience on any of these two?

Both at the same time.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8098156].message }}

mamadou douka

13 years ago

Mamadou say Branding!!! If you can make your client stand alone above his competition not only that will fix the customer base issue but it will boost their self esteem and be more confident about themselves which will in most cases help them in their business and their own life.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8098203].message }}

Tom B

Banned 13 years ago

It would depend on the problem. If this is a problem where one solution will take care of their needs, I wouldn't worry about branding.

If their problem would lead to other problems then you would be stupid not making a brand to take care of all of their needs.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8098259].message }}

selfmadetycoon

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Thomas Belknap

It would depend on the problem. If this is a problem where one solution will take care of their needs, I wouldn't worry about branding.

If their problem would lead to other problems then you would be stupid not making a brand to take care of all of their needs.

Isn't all customers problems essentially the same because their all irrational?

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8098477].message }}

Tom B Banned 13 years ago

Originally Posted by selfmadetycoon

Isn't all customers problems essentially the same because their all irrational?

No, I wouldn't say all are irrational. Emotions do charge them like they do all of us. But all being irrational, no.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100425].message }}

maxjpip

13 years ago

Focusing on giving value to people, then you don't have to worry about branding.

Do both at the same time!

Thanks

Signature

#
#
# Product + System + Traffic = ??
#
#

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8098406].message }}

maximus242

13 years ago

Originally Posted by selfmadetycoon

Hey Warriors,

I was wondering what your marketing looks like. Based on your experience, do you focus on branding or solving the prospects problems?

Branding could also be Unique Value Proposition where you differentiate to make the competition irrelevant.

Solving the prospects problems is knowing who your customer is and communicating in their language etc.

I realize both marketing strategies are powerful and I was wondering if any of you guys have experience on any of these two? Just curious to see how many Warriors are making profit without differentiating or if any of you guys discovered a unique niche that your prospects love.

If you know anything about branding then you should know that branding focuses on solving the prospect problems.

Thanks

Signature

xResponsive Advertising Agency | Direct Marketing | Online Advertising | Create Breakthrough Campaigns for Your Business http://xresponsive.com

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8098594].message }}

Brendon Zahrndt

13 years ago

Originally Posted by selfmadetycoon

Hey Warriors,

I was wondering what your marketing looks like. Based on your experience, do you focus on branding or solving the prospects problems?

Branding could also be Unique Value Proposition where you differentiate to make the competition irrelevant.

Solving the prospects problems is knowing who your customer is and communicating in their language etc.

I realize both marketing strategies are powerful and I was wondering if any of you guys have experience on any of these two? Just curious to see how many Warriors are making profit without differentiating or if any of you guys discovered a unique niche that your prospects love.

I would say forget about branding until you have an innovative solution to the problem in question or you've established yourself as one of the go-to problem solvers in the market.

That's not to say that you can't work on creating a brand first, I just don't suggest it. Give your audience more time and value and let branding slowly fall into place.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8098818].message }}

Mark Pescetti

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Brendon Zahrndt

I would say forget about branding until you have an innovative solution to the problem in question or you've established yourself as one of the go-to problem solvers in the market.

That's not to say that you can't work on creating a brand first, I just don't suggest it. Give your audience more time and value and let branding slowly fall into place.

Horrible advice. Branding first. Always. You don't let your audience question and solve who you are, what your company is or the value you're offering. All of that must be spelled out for them to feel persuaded by right off the bat.

mark

Thanks

Signature

Copywriting + AI = CopyPrompting... watch a 10 figure copywriter demonstrate how to produce endless, high-converting VSLs, ads, advertorials, landing pages and more... in the CopyPrompting Membership

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100321].message }}

Mark Pescetti

13 years ago

Branding is HOW you position yourself in the marketplace; it should ideally communicate your biggest benefits (the value you're giving) in the name and/or tag.

Here's how I say it:

Your brand commands how people perceive your company.

A lot of marketers leave this to chance. Big mistake.

Once you get your brand, the USP and central theme to make your copy and advertising cohesive will easily come together. But it ALL starts with knowing exactly what you're communicating... and who you're communicating to. Make sense?

Mark

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Copywriting + AI = CopyPrompting... watch a 10 figure copywriter demonstrate how to produce endless, high-converting VSLs, ads, advertorials, landing pages and more... in the CopyPrompting Membership

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100312].message }}

Steve B 13 years ago

"do you focus on branding or solving the prospects problems?"

There is definitely a difference between branding a company and solving customer's problems; however, you've asked a question that implies one or the other is more important to a business and I don't see the logic or helpfulness in comparing one against the other.

Both are important but every company is unique and will come to find it's own happy medium between spending time on each activity. What is best for my company has no relation to what is the proper mix for yours.

A marketing consultant could realistically spend the vast majority of her time in solving her client's unique challenges. An affiliate marketer, who has a less personal "client contact" model probably doesn't pay much attention to customer problems other than creating a compelling offer that addresses problems "en mass."

I have come to understand this: the brand and the individual customer care are both very important. I strive to be my customer's only logical choice. Is that branding or customer service? The answer is "yes."

Steve
- Thanks
Signature

Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
SteveBrowneDirect
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100382].message }}

Paul Gram

13 years ago

Everything starts with branding, positioning, and authority. You can solve problems while effectively positioning and branding yourself at the same time. To do one without the other is foolish.

Thanks

Signature

Click Here For My Exclusive WSO
Kindle Self Publishing Supersite - Kindle Templates, Book Covers & Trailers, Marketing Tips, & More

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100393].message }}

Brendon Zahrndt

13 years ago

Selfmadetycoon: "Solving the prospects problems is knowing who your customer is and communicating in their language etc."

Mark Pescetti: "But it ALL starts with knowing exactly what you're communicating... and who you're communicating to. Make sense?"

Sorry Mark. You can't possibly communicate your value (your definition of branding) honestly without first having proven to your market that you offer value in the first place.

You've agreed with the OP and then immediately contradicted yourself on a topic that is subjective in nature.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100412].message }}

Mark Pescetti

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Brendon Zahrndt

Mark Pescetti: "But it ALL starts with knowing exactly what you're communicating... and who you're communicating to. Make sense?"

Sorry Mark. You can't possibly communicate your value (your definition of branding) honestly without first having proven to your market that you offer value in the first place.

Seriously?

If you can't communicate the value of what you offer - BEFORE marketing it, you don't belong in this business.

You should never go-to-market with a product or service that doesn't solve people's problems.

Nor should you begin your campaign in the absense of a brand that clearly communicates the value and benefits you're offering people.

Mark

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Copywriting + AI = CopyPrompting... watch a 10 figure copywriter demonstrate how to produce endless, high-converting VSLs, ads, advertorials, landing pages and more... in the CopyPrompting Membership

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100633].message }}

Brendon Zahrndt

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Mark Pescetti

Seriously?

If you can't communicate the value of what you offer - BEFORE marketing it, you don't belong in this business.

You should never go-to-market with a product or service that doesn't solve people's problems.

Nor should you begin your campaign in the absense of a brand that clearly communicates the value and benefits you're offering people.

Mark

Let me make this easy for ya.

I started an apparel company.

Our target market was cheerleaders, dancers, & gymnasts.

The only market research we did on our competition was taking a look at the vendors who were selling products we thought we could also create, only better, at the competitions we wanted to do business in.

The 'problem', as we saw it, was that the spirit wear being sold to our target market was boring and dull. We set out to be a little more cute, a little more girly, and a little more fun.

So we learned how to 'build' the apparel we wanted to sell, started calling event coordinators asking them if they were interested in having an additional vendor sell at their competition.

They agreed, and we set up shop.

The first 'event' we ever sold at we made $1600.

We had no marketing plan other than calling gyms to have us set up at their meet.

We had no business name other than the legal entity we had set up. We had nothing other than the product itself.

We didn't even hang a banner.

The next event we sold $3300.

No branding, no marketing, nothing.

But we new we were on to something when we took the product to the market and they responded.

No signage, nada. A product and a hope.

That business I speak of did almost $175,000 in sales our last fiscal year.

We created a 'brand' once things really took off.

See, when I speak, I speak from actual experience, not theory.

You do not need to brand yourself first, as the OP is asking. I am living, breathing proof of that.

If you need more help on this subjective topic, I am happy to help.

Brendon

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100675].message }}

Mark Pescetti 13 years ago

Originally Posted by Brendon Zahrndt

Let me make this easy for ya.

Let me make it easy for ya? Oy.

Congratulations. Sincerely. That's an awesome story.

However...

In a face to face situation, where you can talk up the value you're offering, even without a brand and USP, you can get away with sloppy marketing.

I've done it too.

I sold 5,000 of these shirts before I had my parent branding and website up. (I think the actual number was higher, but I can't remember. The whole thing is a blur.)

I set up a booth at a few different festivals and made a lot of money.

It was my ability to talk up the concept, and obviously, put myself in front of the right people that made it successful.

Most people/business owners don't have that luxury. And implying that you shouldn't solve people's problems and create a brand that communicates it isn't giving good advice. No matter how you dress it up with your own personal experience.

Sure...

I get it...

Yes, you can make money without a brand. But you had a strong value proposition... and you're obviously a competent sales person. Most people, especially newbies, will have much more success, faster, if they are perfectly positioned.

Branding helps them accomplish that.

Originally Posted by Brendon Zahrndt

If you need more help on this subjective topic, I am happy to help.

Brendon

It's okay. I'm good.

Mark
- Thanks
Signature

Copywriting + AI = CopyPrompting... watch a 10 figure copywriter demonstrate how to produce endless, high-converting VSLs, ads, advertorials, landing pages and more... in the CopyPrompting Membership
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100797].message }}

Brendon Zahrndt

13 years ago

Mark Pescetti: "Horrible advice. Branding first. Always."

Mark Pescetti: "Most people, especially newbies, will have much more success, faster, if they are perfectly positioned."

Most people=not everyone≠always.

Which, in your own words, proves my point.

Do you have the test results of your latter comment?

Horrible advice?

Hardly.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100834].message }}

JohnMcCabe

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Brendon Zahrndt

Our target market was cheerleaders, dancers, & gymnasts.

The only market research we did on our competition was taking a look at the vendors who were selling products we thought we could also create, only better, at the competitions we wanted to do business in.

The 'problem', as we saw it, was that the spirit wear being sold to our target market was boring and dull. We set out to be a little more cute, a little more girly, and a little more fun.

Brendon

Brendon, maybe your definition of branding is a little different than mine, but this sounds like you definitely had your 'brand' in mind. Spirit wear that is cuter, more girly and more fun. That was your message, your brand, even if you didn't have a formal logo, tag line, etc.

The fact that you did the numbers you did tells me that the brand resonated in your marketplace...

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100957].message }}

Brendon Zahrndt

13 years ago

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

Brendon, maybe your definition of branding is a little different than mine, but this sounds like you definitely had your 'brand' in mind. Spirit wear that is cuter, more girly and more fun. That was your message, your brand, even if you didn't have a formal logo, tag line, etc.

The fact that you did the numbers you did tells me that the brand resonated in your marketplace...

John,

I may have had a 'brand' in mind, as you define it, but our initial focus wasn't 'branding' as I define it.

Just like starting my affiliate marketing business five years ago. Branding was not a focus. I picked products I wanted to promote and promoted them. I wrote articles, built sites, people read the articles, clicked through, and bought stuff.

My writing, which was nothing more than my personal experience with said products, resulted in affiliate commissions. No branding. And to a smaller extent I am still an affiliate marketer today.

Mark said: "You don't let your audience question and solve who you are, what your company is or the value you're offering."

I say - that is exactly what we did. And it worked.

He also said: "If you can't communicate the value of what you offer - BEFORE marketing it, you don't belong in this business."

I say - that is exactly what I did. Where was the branding before they got to the article?

My focus was on solving some sort of problem for the reader through my experience.

I may be my own brand, but I didn't need branding first.

[ 1 ] Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8101035].message }}

perfect

13 years ago

Both are indispensable part of each other. But one can position one's brand as the problem solver.

Thanks

Signature

Submit your articles to www.365articledirectory.com FREE, approval within 48 hours

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100990].message }}

Malcolm Thomas

13 years ago

Branding is when you establish yourself as an authority in your niche and you solve the most important questions for your customers and prospects.

I say this because your goal as an IM should be to do both.

Solve people's pressing problems (so they exchange your value for their money) and brand yourself as an authority in your field (to get repeat buyers and build a long term business).

Focus on doing both and your problems will go away.

Thanks

Signature

Learn How To Make $100 Per Day Using This Dead Simple Method!

The Easiest & Most Realistic $100 Per Day Method Ever Revealed!

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100997].message }}

markobrien

13 years ago

Originally Posted by selfmadetycoon

Hey Warriors,

I was wondering what your marketing looks like. Based on your experience, do you focus on branding or solving the prospects problems?

Branding could also be Unique Value Proposition where you differentiate to make the competition irrelevant.

Solving the prospects problems is knowing who your customer is and communicating in their language etc.

I realize both marketing strategies are powerful and I was wondering if any of you guys have experience on any of these two? Just curious to see how many Warriors are making profit without differentiating or if any of you guys discovered a unique niche that your prospects love.

If you are solving a clients problems are you not then creating a Brand ?

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8101523].message }}

Gary Ning Lo

13 years ago

I would say both... Find a problem provide a solution that is unique.

Cheers,

Gary

Thanks

Signature

-------------------------------------------------------------

I Will Send $500 To Your Paypal Account If You Don't Make Money With This. Guaranteed!

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8101597].message }}

selfmadetycoon

13 years ago

Hey Warriors,

Thanks for all of your insights. Someone should make this thread a sticky, because I feel this is a very important topic for anyone in business and something that can't be ignored. I created a poll so if you can cast a vote, I feel it could help others as well.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8101988].message }}

Branding vs Solving Prospects Problems

Trending Topics

Is that me or is Christmas getting sadder as time goes by?

Running an Online Store and Dealing with Spammy Backlinks - Best Strategies to Remove Them

Not sure how I should price my new product for existing members...any suggestions?

What are you thankful for in 2025...

Greeting