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By PATRICIA REDSICKER published MARCH 16, 2011 EST READ TIME: 7 MIN
The formidable challenge for marketers of boring brands is that you have to present content that is remarkable and
interesting even when your product—on the face of it—is not.
So, how should you get people to take interest in a boring brand?
The key is in distinctive presentation. Every brand has a unique story about its origin, its people and its experience.
The solution is to find an authentic theme, apply creative imagination and tell your story in a way that will attract and retain
people’s attention. What was widely perceived to be boring could become inspiring or at least interesting to a group of
people.
Let’s face it. Boring products solve legitimate problems too. QuickBooks, toilet paper and dentures fulfill a need just as much
as, if not more than, smart phones, cool music and fashionable clothes. If your brand is one that solves a problem but doesn’t
easily spark the imagination, here are five brand content strategies you can use to attract attention.
Roberts and Durkee knows this. In 2008, this run-of-the-mill law firm used content marketing
to become the de facto consumer advocate for victims of the Chinese drywall problem that
hit the US market toward the middle of the decade.
Procter & Gamble – the makers of Gillette razors, Head & Shoulders shampoo and other
everyday brands – created ManOfTheHouse.com as “the real man’s magazine,” packed
with compelling advice on guy-to-guy topics such as money, careers, gadgets, parenting
and, of course, sex.
The site specifically targets young dads and connects with them via Facebook and Twitter as
well. By December 2010, manofthehouse.com attracted over half a million unique visitors per
month.
How can I provide a forum for them to discuss these issues in a conversational, entertaining fashion?
Going completely against type, Agilent resisted the typical dry technicalities in favor of the
truly unexpected: a video puppet show. The highly engaging Agilent Puppet Chemistry is
so far removed from the company’s brand image, it immediately disarms, intrigues and
captures the audience.
And that audience consists of scientists and chemists who work in research and forensic
labs – an audience that is relying more heavily on the internet to research instruments and
platforms. This technique proved to be highly successful for Agilent, increasing traffic to their
website and encouraging more prospects to click through in search of more information.
Brainstorm a list of adjectives that describe your company and then research their opposites.For example if your
organization has a serious, demanding and dull environment, you could research ideas that are entertaining, relaxing and
fresh. Then create a mix of content that matches those ideas and presents your company in a totally unexpected way.
His very informal yet highly energetic style, frequently described as an unpretentious, gonzo
approach to wine appreciation, offers a stark contrast to everyone else’s dry, conservative
approach to wine culture. Most wine bloggers simply publish a written article and then wait
for visitors to subscribe. Gary, on the other hand, loves the camera, is passionate about wine
and comes across like a familiar dinner guest, relaxing in your living room.
How do you prefer to express yourself? If you enjoy being in front of the camera, try video blogging and inject your
own personality into the content. If you prefer to look people in the eye and feed off of their energy, speaking
engagements or training opportunities might be your vehicle.
Do people easily recognize your gifts or talents? Perhaps you’ve been told that you have a ‘golden voice’ or a ‘way
with words.’ Maybe they’re onto something. Explore your talents and find a complementary outlet to express them.
Social media presents the perfect opportunity to apply this “borrowed relevance,” as Bernoff calls it, because conversations
are already taking place there that are not product-centric, pushy or self-promotional.
A good example is Liberty Tax, a tax service franchise (yawn)…with a Facebook audience of
over 6,000 people! A quick look at their Wall reveals how they use a variety of tactics to
engage their customers and create a lively atmosphere. They discuss Groupon deals, hold
photo contests, show appreciation to different members of the community (teachers,
policemen and firefighters, etc.), and so on. They also make taxes fun (no, really!) by giving
away free tax apps, and offering advice and tips on little-known tax credits, refunds, etc.
Without a doubt, distinctive presentation is the key to a boring brand’s problems. But it is not without its stresses. Breaking
away from the comfort zone is risky and may open you up to criticism. I think Barry Gibbons, former CEO of Burger King, hit
the nail on the head when he said: “Ho-hum. We swim in an ocean of ho-hum, and I’m going to fight it. I’m going to die
fighting it.” If Burger King recognizes the importance of distinction, I think lesser-known brands ought to be taking notes.
Over to you: Are you fighting against being boring? What strategies have you employed?
See how more of the best brands on earth are conquering their content marketing challenges. Download our e-book:Get
Inspired: 75 (More) Content Marketing Examples.
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HOW-TO GUIDES
GETTING STARTED
Content Marketing 101 begins
PLAN
Build fundamentals of your plan
AUDIENCE
Understand your core audiences
STORY
Tell your brand story
CHANNELS
Determine your distribution channels
PROCESS
Manage your team and tools
CONVERSATION
Create your content and listen
MEASUREMENT
Prove the effectiveness of your
program
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