Here are 5 ways likeable brands are like likeable people.
1. They’re good listeners.
Who wants to listen to someone else talk about how great they are, how great their accomplishments have been, how amazingly talented their kids are? Those are the types of conversations – the “one-way” kind – I try to escape, and fast.
Conversely, people who take a genuine interest in others, who sincerely want to know what someone else is thinking, who respect others’ point of view, who ask insightful questions and listen intently to the answers…those are the kind of people who are easy to like and end up being the life of the party.
The best automotive OEM supplier brands (like all brands) first find out all there is to know about their customers, what makes them tick, what goals they want to accomplish, what keeps them up at night. Then, they craft good, strong, customer-centric marketing communications based on these insights.
2. They have a good sense of humor.
Everyone likes to laugh, but not if the joke is in poor taste or at the expense of others. Likeable people are self-deprecating. They can laugh at themselves. They don’t take themselves too seriously. They’re funny, but they know there’s a time and place for funny.
Great brands can be funny, too. They can be clever at times. Humor and interesting turns of phrase are effective ways to get a marketing message across. But it’s a fine line that should never, ever be crossed.
3. They don’t overstay their welcome.
Nothing worse than trying to get rid of someone, no matter how likeable they might be.
Great brands are respectful of their audience’s time. Their communications say just what they need to say to get their point across, and eliminate the rest. Just because you can come up with 1,000 words doesn’t mean you should, especially when saying it in just 200 words would be clearer.
Enough said.
4. They’re clean, well-groomed and decently dressed.
This sounds superficial, I know, but when people don’t practice good personal hygiene, it can be a real turn off.
The strongest automotive OEM supplier brands aren’t sloppy and they’re not the least bit careless. There are no typos in their copy. Their communications are well-designed, attractive and neat.
5. They’re dependable.
One of the best character traits a person can have is dependability. When you say you’re going to do something, you do it. The “follow through” and the “follow up” are both exceptional.
For brands, this quality is really important. Prompt, appropriate and useful responses to customer feedback – good, old-fashioned, person-to-person responses, as well as the ones to comments made on social media – are essential in preserving the integrity of a brand.
So, will your brand be the hit of the party?
There are 0 comments