Quiz: What's Your Brand Personality?
Is your brand battling an identity crisis? Take this quick two-minute quiz to get some clarity.
Target. Nike. Apple. Pepsi.
If reading these names instantly evokes a feeling or memory, you’ve just proved the power of brand persona. Like people, brands without a personality are just plain boring — and that’s exactly why personality-driven branding is important.
Like it or not, we interact with brands on a deeply personal level. Case in point: Have you ever LOL’d at a Progressive commercial? Or shed a tear seeing the Dove ‘real women’ campaign? A human connection was made in those moments, and we have personality-driven branding to thank for that.
One of the biggest challenges I face as a freelance writer is working with clients who haven’t established their brand persona. Sure, you can have the most beautiful logo, the smartest business plan, or the most clever slogan, but if you don’t know who your brand is, you’re screwed. Why? Because your brand must feel human to effectively sell to humans. And when you can think of your brand that way – character traits and all – you’ll shorten the time it takes for your audience to recognize, recall and pay attention to you. (Plus, you’ll make my job wayyyyyy easier. 😉)
Is your brand battling an identity crisis? Take this quick two-minute quiz below to get some clarity.
The Brand Personality Quiz
If your brand walked into a room, it would give a…
1. High five
2. Hug
3. Handshake
Your brand’s favorite outfit would be a…
1. Statement tee and destroyed denim
2. Sundress and sandals
3. Pencil skirt and heels
Your brand would jam out to…
1. Lizzo
2. Billie Eilish
3. “How I Built This” podcast
At the bar, your brand would order…
1. Jalapeño Margaritas
2. Rosé
3. An Old Fashioned
Your brand would binge watch…
1. Sex & The City
2. Gilmore Girls
3. CNN
Your brand’s Starbucks order would be…
1. An Iced Caramel Macchiato with a Double Shot Espresso
2. Earl Grey Tea
3. A Black Coffee
Your brand would read…
1. “You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero
2. “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle
3. “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Steven Covey
Your brand would vacation in…
1. Miami
2. Joshua Tree
3. The Hamptons
Answer Time!
If you answered mostly 1: Your brand is ADVENTEROUS.
Your brand BRINGS. THE. FUN. It’s bold, outspoken, playful, sassy, spirited, energetic and not afraid to push the envelope.
Your brand BFFs include: Skittles, Billie, La Croix
If you answered mostly 2: Your brand is ASPIRATIONAL.
Your brand is often in its feels. It’s sincere, heartfelt, sophisticated, relatable, genuine, emotional and authentic AF.
Your brand BFFs include: Anthropologie, Dove, Third Love
If you answered mostly 3: Your brand is ANALYTICAL.
Your brand is a straight shooter. It’s smart, traditional, trustworthy, reliable, forward thinking, sophisticated, innovative and factual.
Your brand BFFs include: Volvo, Microsoft, Uber
Think you’ve got a better idea of your brand identity? Let me know in the comments below!
How To Spark Creativity When You're Feeling Stuck
Feeling uninspired? Here are three tips to try when you need to reignite your creative spark.
Creative ruts…we’ve all been there. I’m a writer and photographer, so conquering occasional ruts comes with the job description. But even those who don’t consider themselves “right brained” can experience a brain block now and then. The good news is, creativity is a skill that, just like anything, can be practiced and improved.
If you need to reignite your creative spark, here are a few helpful tips I learned from a workshop with Dennis Hodges (a creativity expert and award-winning photographer) during Global Entrepreneurship Week Kansas City.
1. Take a pause.
So often, our creativity is stunted by endless to-do lists, mindless distractions (here’s looking at you, social media!) and the pressure of day-to-day life. Dennis suggests taking a few 10-minute breaks during the day to unplug and let your mind daydream. In fact, he says simply giving your brain permission to turn off can actually boost productivity.
2. Find a comfortable setting.
I don’t know about you, but nothing kills my creativity more than being chained to a desk all day. As a business owner and freelancer, working where and when I want has helped boost my creativity tenfold. If I’m working from my home office and get writers block, I know exactly what coffee shops will feed my creative energy. (Heads up if you ever see me at Thou Mayest with my laptop and a bowl of Golden Grahams.) Find a comfortable setting – even if it’s just a corner in your house – where you feel inspired to think.
3. Make a mind map.
A mind map is a great visual thinking tool and an easy way to brainstorm thoughts organically without worrying about order and structure. Similar to what a family tree looks like, it starts with a subject (like a product launch, rebranding, trip, etc.), with all related ideas coming off the subject (budget, time, tasks, etc.). A mind map can turn a long list of monotonous information into an organized diagram that works non-linear with your brain's natural way of doing things.
For more creative inspiration, I highly recommend checking out Global Entrepreneurship Week when they come to town next November. The week-long event is totally free and includes hundreds of workshops tailored to business owners, entrepreneurs and those that aspire to be, too!
This post is sponsored by Global Entrepreneurship Week, but all opinions are my own.