Many companies aim to become cult brands, but it’s essential to approach brand building correctly.

Brands should focus on becoming their best version instead of trying to be the next big thing. 

This means identifying their strengths and weaknesses and listening to their customers.

By doing so, brands can build a loyal following of customers who appreciate and advocate for their brand, ultimately making it successful.

Onward!

🌟 Rising from humble roots in rural Mississippi, Oprah overcame countless challenges to become a force in media, aptly known as the “Queen of All Media.”

Her contributions range from her unforgettable talk show, her significant philanthropic efforts, and her role as a promoter of literature and mindfulness. 📚🌍

Her towering success, punctuated by numerous Emmy and Academy Awards, her network (OWN), and membership in the distinguished American Academy of Arts and Sciences, highlights her lasting impact.

For those of us building brands, here are three lessons to take from Oprah’s incredible journey:

1️⃣ Authenticity is Key: Oprah’s heartfelt and honest interactions won her audiences’ trust worldwide. In branding, authenticity helps build deep, emotional connections with customers. Embrace and showcase your brand’s true essence.

2️⃣ Overcome Adversity: Oprah transformed her challenges into stepping stones towards success. When facing adversity in business, learning, adapting, and using these experiences to propel growth and resilience is essential.

3️⃣ Deliver Value: Whether through inspiring narratives, quality content, or resources for self-improvement, Oprah always focused on providing value to her audience. As brand builders, our mission should similarly revolve around enriching our customers’ lives.

Let’s strive to embody the authenticity, resilience, and dedication to value creation that Oprah has shown us.

Onwards!

As leaders of major brands, it’s vital to keep a close eye on the evolution of cult branding – those brands that foster a deep sense of loyalty and community among their followers. They’re more than just businesses. They’re movements, ideologies, and in some cases, lifestyles. 

A phenomenal example is the brand cultivated by musician and entrepreneur Jimmy Buffett.

The ‘Buffett Brand’ is a masterclass in longevity and consistency.

It’s about freedom, escapism, and a relentless pursuit of a laid-back lifestyle, represented by Buffett’s signature track “Margaritaville.”

Despite lacking a constant presence on mainstream radio charts, Buffett’s brand has successfully amplified its voice, carving out its niche. His success is due to “quietly making noise.” It thrives on a simple premise: providing an escape. It’s often imagined as a sun-drenched beach with a cooling, colorful cocktail, making Buffett’s brand a favorite.

What’s even more commendable is Buffett’s unwavering consistency. Like any potent brand, the Buffett empire has been faithful to its image. While other artists have indeed cultivated cult followings, Buffett stands out with a kingdom not just limited to music but expanded into an impressive array of businesses, including restaurants and resorts.

During challenging times, his fans often substitute their beach vacations for a retreat into his music, restaurants, or resorts. A testament to his brand’s strength is the $700 million Margaritaville casino resort being built in Biloxi, Mississippi, despite the financial strain most casinos project.

The Buffett brand reportedly nets Jimmy an estimated $40 million per year from an impressive variety of sources, including concerts, tequila, bestselling novels, flip-flops, and more, in addition to his music. Critics may argue that much of his music sounds similar, but the secret of his success lies in consistent fan satisfaction. He has never strayed from his genre, sticking to his style for decades. The most catastrophic thing a cult brand can do is betray its fans by veering from its foundational ethos.

In the face of the tumultuous world of music and the unpredictability of the economy, the Buffett empire stands unfazed. It transcends conventional measures of success and is immune to shifts in musical technology and market trends. Buffett’s tropical conglomerate has weathered many storms without requiring any bailouts.

The key takeaways for CEOs and leaders from Buffett’s branding success are the importance of authenticity, consistency, and understanding the desires of your fanbase. Cult brands are built over time and require an unwavering commitment to a core ethos. In an ever-changing world, being a beacon of consistent satisfaction could be your brand’s life raft in the storm. Jimmy Buffett’s cult branding provides a unique template to emulate and learn from.

In the dynamic marketing world, Apple’s ‘Underdogs series offers several key insights for brands looking to make a lasting impact. Through a narrative-driven approach, the series showcases how storytelling can transform advertising from a sales pitch into a compelling experience.

Apple’s series places product features within an engaging plot. Each episode seamlessly integrates the product into the narrative, demonstrating its capabilities in real-world situations. For example, Apple’s ‘Find My’ feature becomes a hero in the story, illustrating how it can be a lifesaver in a dramatic theft scenario.

Moreover, the ‘Underdogs’ series successfully addresses data security and hybrid working schedules. This focus on timely issues underscores Apple’s relevance to its consumers’ everyday lives and fosters more profound connections with the brand.

Humor and suspense play crucial roles in the series. By mixing ‘goofery’ with ‘thrills,’ Apple keeps the storyline entertaining and suspenseful, enhancing viewer engagement and making the content more shareable and memorable.

Notably, the series blurs the line between advertising and entertainment. Viewers remain engaged with the content and are less likely to dismiss it as just another advertisement. It’s a testament to the potential of branded content when it’s done right.

The decision to air the series on digital, social, and Apple’s website amplifies its reach. The series is thus accessible to a broader audience, enhancing the brand’s visibility.

In a nutshell, Apple’s ‘Underdogs series offers valuable lessons on the power of storytelling, relevance, humor, suspense, branded content, and multi-platform release in modern marketing. It’s a masterclass on how a brand can foster deep connections with its audience while effectively showcasing its products.

“I have been up against tough competition all my life. I wouldn’t know how to get along without it.” —Walt Disney.

Competitors can be a source of motivation: they give you a bar to hit and surpass. They can also be a source of creative inspiration.

Some competitors may have already figured out a solution to your problem (there’s no reason to reinvent the wheel if you don’t need to). Or, you may see something they’re doing and know how it can be done way better.

Learning what your competitors are doing and offering can help make your products, services, and marketing stand out.

Put It Into Practice

List five of your top competitors. Circle the one you believe that you compete with most directly.

Now, plan a time to visit their website or their brick-and-mortar store (if they have one). Then answer the following questions:

What makes their store and website stand out?

What are the similarities between their store and website and yours?

What are the differences between their store and website and yours?

What improvements can be made to their store and website?

How can you implement some of the strategies they are using? 

What can you do that they are not doing?

Try looking at competition as more than an obstacle. Rather, see it as an opportunity. Competition can help you refine your business, helping you identify potential gaps in your offerings and paving the way for innovative solutions that set you apart.

Remember, competition isn’t just about outdoing others. It’s about bettering ourselves and sustainably growing our businesses.