Right, so, picture this: the blue light of the screen, yeah? It’s like…stuck to your retinas. You know that feeling? Like, you’ve been staring for hours. And the metrics.
They’re just…flat. Like, a pancake. And it’s not just about the numbers, is it? It’s…it’s this ache. This…this thing in your gut. You built this, you know? This brand. This whole thing. And it’s…quiet. Too quiet. Isn’t that the worst?
Quiet. Almost like a ghost town. How do you, like, make people care? It’s a question that’s been keeping me up, to be honest. You ever just feel like you’re screaming into a pillow? Because, yeah, that’s it.
And you know, it’s funny. I was reading this article about AI, right? Like, how it’s changing everything. And I thought, well, even AI can’t make people feel something, can it? I mean, can it?
It can’t replicate that soul, that…that connection. Like, remember when you saw that sunset, the one that was all oranges and purples? You felt it, right? In your chest. That’s what a brand should be. A sunset. Not…not a spreadsheet.
It’s like, you’re trying to conduct an orchestra, but half the musicians are playing different songs. And…and, okay, I know, I know, that’s a weird analogy. But, it’s true! You see, the thing is, people don’t buy things. They buy…stories. They buy feelings. Like, you know that feeling when you find the perfect pair of jeans?
It’s not just the jeans, it’s how they make you feel. That’s the brand experience. And, like, 70% of people, they want brands that align with their values. So you gotta…you gotta show them who you are. You know? Authenticity. It’s a buzzword, sure, but it’s, like, real.
Okay, so, listening. That’s key. Seriously. Not just hearing, but listening. Like, really listening. And, yeah, data is important. But, data doesn’t tell you why someone does something. It doesn’t tell you about the…the heart of it. You know? Like, my grandma used to say, “The eyes are the windows to the soul.” And, well, I think that applies to brands too, in a way. You gotta see what’s behind the numbers. Harvard Business Review, they said something about emotional connection, and, well, it was like a lightbulb went off.
Think of it like…like a garden. You can’t just throw seeds and expect flowers. You gotta, like, water them, give them sunlight, pull the weeds. It’s work. But, it’s worth it. You know? I saw this thing on TikTok, actually, about this guy who grew the most amazing tomatoes. He talked to them, he played them music. And, okay, maybe that’s a bit much, but you get the idea. It’s about care. It’s about connection.
And, you know, it’s funny, everyone’s trying to be everything to everyone. But, that’s…that’s not how it works. You gotta pick your battles. You gotta be…you gotta be you. Like, that’s what makes you different. That’s what makes you…you. Like, that band, the one that everyone said was weird? They’re huge now. Because they were real. They didn’t try to be something they weren’t. And I think that’s powerful.
Branding, it’s not a destination. It’s a…a journey. Like, a road trip. You don’t know where you’re going, exactly, but you know you’re going somewhere good. And, yeah, you’ll make mistakes. Everyone does. But, you learn from them. You adapt. You grow. And, you know, I think that’s beautiful. That’s…that’s what life’s about, isn’t it? To be honest, I think the most important thing, is to remember, the feeling you get when you see a shooting star. It is fleeting, but its incredible. That is what your brand needs to be.