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For the longest time, I was always curious as to why Apple products were so appealing that some people could not fathom owning anything else. They don’t have the fastest technology, the sharpest cameras, or the most durable exteriors, so why do people go crazy for these devices? Brand identity and personality. That is the answer. Apple has done an incredible job at building their personal brand, from the colors they use, to the experience a customer encounters in the Apple store. Consumers associate Apple with an “aesthetic” lifestyle now because of how they have positioned themselves on the market, and it has worked wonders.
But Apple wasn’t built overnight. It took years of marketing campaigns, tactics, and creative integrity to develop the brand we know today when we hear the word “Apple.” That is the first thing to know when looking to develop your brand further. It is going to take a lot of time and effort, but eventually, if you’re consistent in how you’re positioning yourself, it will pay off. Brand identity is more than your services or what you sell, though. It is essentially who you are, and what makes you unique on the market.
So why is investing in your brand identity so important? Focusing on building your brand identity, rather than just a campaign or product, gives your target audience a long-term association or connection with your product. Even when your company introduces a new product or service that no one has tested out before, you will already have a group of people who are ready and willing to try it simply because it is owned by your brand. In turn, investing in your brand identity can give your marketing campaigns, products, and other business endeavors instant validation.
Building your brand can also bring you better customers. When customers feel a connection with your brand, they will continue to invest in it time and time again. Since it costs less money to convert past customers instead of attempting to convince new ones to purchase, your company can also save money.
Customers investing in your brand will also pay a premium for your products and services. Once you have a developed brand identity, just hearing the name will make the customers more inclined to purchase something from your company, even if it is slightly more expensive. There will be less convincing and research involved for them, so they will purchase your products faster.
Building your brand identity will take time. It is truly an investment for your company. But the long-term benefits far outweigh that investment.
In 2019, at the age of 17, Greta Thundberg was named the Time’s Person of the Year. She earned the title after inspiring climate marches around the world, galvanizing Gen Z to fight for their futures. At a UN Climate event in New York, she famously stood up to politicians, demanding they confront the reality of climate change. Every week, Greta continues her Friday for the Future climate strike to keep support for the movement strong. Her unwavering commitment to fighting global warming is truly inspiring because #TomorrowIsTooLate.
At the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Simone Biles made a big statement. It wasn’t another gold medal to further cement her status as the greatest gymnast of all time, but that mental health comes above all else. Biles faced a case of the “twisties,” which could have endangered her team’s success and more importantly her safety. Instead of ignoring the signs, Biles trusted her intuition and chose to be the team’s biggest fan instead of competing. Her decision tells us that no matter the stage, no matter the pressure, your physical and mental health come first.
Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is a strong voice in the House, fighting for climate legislation and equity. Her speeches are filled with powerful lines that inspire young women everywhere. One of her most famous speeches, made in response to rude comments from Representative Ted Yoho of Florida, proclaims, “having a daughter does not make a man decent. Having a wife does not make a decent man. Treating people with dignity and respect makes a decent man.” To learn more about her meteoric and unlikely rise watch Knock the House Down, which is available on Netflix.
Amanda Gorman was the nation’s first Youth Poet Laureate, and read her poem “The Hill We Climb” during President Biden’s inauguration. Only a few weeks after the January 6th attack on the Capital, the poem eloquently captured the mood of the nation as we reconciled the event and looked toward the future of our nation. Currently, Gorman is hosting writing workshops to help young girls find their voices.
For there is always light
If only we’re brave enough to see it
If only we’re brave enough to be it
-Concluding Lines to “The Hill We Climb”
Compared to the other names on this list, Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier might be unfamiliar to you, but their scientific breakthrough CRISPR is not. The CRISPR/Cas 9 tool allows for genome editing and could eventually be used to treat genetic diseases. It has already been used to treat an incurable form of leukemia, saving a child’s life. Doudna and Charpentier were the first pair of women to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Their invention has completely revolutionized microbiology and genetics research, allowing for an explosion of scientific progress.
Short and sweet, this daily news podcast packs a punch, with all of the daily episodes hovering around 15 minutes. Listen to it on your commute or as you get ready to stay informed on politics and current events. A daily news podcast helps you stay up-to-date on market trends, industry developments, and economic changes that could impact your business. The information is useful for strategic decision-making, which is an important skill to foster if you are looking to level up your career.
If you are an entrepreneur look no further than this podcast. In a little over an hour, podcasting giant Guy Raz interviews founders of top brands including Chobani, Tripadvisor, and Roku. Their stories illustrate the rocky yet rewarding path of starting a business and can help give you the motivation to continue growing your business and career.
From resume tips to mental health advice, this podcast is the swiss army knife of women’s career advice. In a half an hour, host Lauren Goodwin helps to demystify your working life with information about salaries, the job market, and workplace management. By interviewing industry experts, Goodwin provides the actionable advice you need to succeed in the workplace and feel good doing it.
For analysis on breaking news, look no further than the Pivot podcast. Recent episode topics include the A.I. Race and the SVB collapse, meaning with two short listens you can listen to hot takes on the most pressing topics in business. Longer and more business-focused than Up First, this podcast is great if you want to deep dive into a topic.
Host Jenna Kutcher provides the ideal mix of professional and personal tips on The Goal Digger Podcast. If social media and marketing are your niche, whether you're a business owner or marketer, then you will love Kutcher’s actionable advice for growth and improvement. Need to take a step back from work? Then listen to her recent podcasts on journaling and writing a book because personal growth is just as important as professional.
