TASK #27: A BRAND NEW YOU!
“People hate me because I am multi-faceted, talented, wealthy, internationally famous genius.” Jerry Lewis
Every product has a slogan. I mean everything. They’re funny, or pithy, or funny/pithy, and they capture the essence of the product–when you hear them you have at least a decent guess as to the product it represents, i.e.: JUST DO IT. Nike. Or IT’S NOT DELIVERY–IT’S DIGIORNO. I guess that doesn’t really count, does it…but it works! Or the classic: THE PAUSE THAT REFRESHES.. Coke. Or: EAT FRESH. Subway. WHEN YOU CARE TO SEND THE VERY BEST. DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT. BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS. Whatever.
People need a brand too, because if you don’t brand yourself, someone will do it for you.
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The slogan represents the BRAND. And the BRAND, if it’s good, identifies the product and differentiates it from the competition. In television this is especially important. E! is a brand. And you know it’s different from TLC and ESPN. E! has done a good job branding itself, even if it’s slogan: E!, The Pop Of Culture, sorta sucks.
People need a brand too, because if you don’t brand yourself, someone will do it for you.
So, define your brand. And be honest about yourself. Strong and silent…Ruggedly masculine…Class clown…Nerdishly nerdy…Rather be fishing… I voted for Trump and go fuck yourself, or I think anyone who voted for Trump is a brain-dead redneck. Or: I rule the boardroom, Good in bed, Awesome dad, Will work for beer, Don’t tread on me… you get the picture.
And you can mix and match. You be: Good in bed and on the driving range; Awesome chef and mechanic; Ruggedly masculine clown…whatever you want–AS LONG AS YOU’RE HONEST WITH YOURSELF!
And when you have your brand, go for a slogan. Something that sells you, defines you in a short phrase. Makes you memorable.
I did it for myself. My brand: Intelligent and forthright. And my slogan: You Want A Piece Of This?
TASK:
Brand yourself and create a slogan. Something descriptive, something catchy, something that means something to you. Take a black magic marker and write the slogan on a white tee-shirt and wear it to work or to a ballgame or to your favorite restaurant. If you don’t want people to see it, wear the tee-shirt under another shirt.
Photo by Matthew G