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TOOLS & GUIDES TO HELP YOU BUILD YOUR MESSAGING
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SHOP BRAND & MESSAGING BOOKS
Below are branding and messaging books, with their Amazon affiliate links, that gave me the most comprehensive understand of the subject matter.
Forging an Ironclad Brand by Lindsay Pedersen
This book is one of the few that provides practical approaches, rather than theory, to brand strategy and message development. She makes abstract concepts clear, with comprehensive messaging frameworks designed for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and marketers who aspire to elevate their brand and engrain it into the hearts and minds of their audience.
Obviously Awesome by April Dunford
This book is masterclass in positioning, transforming the complex process into an accessible and actionable strategy. This book dives deep into the core of positioning, helping you to understand how to make your brand stand out to its audience. With practical tools and insightful examples, this book is a must-read for those who want to elevate their market presence.
Branding: In Five and a Half Steps by Michael Johnson
This is one indispensable manual for anyone looking to understand the art and science of branding. Stripping back the complexities of brand creation, Johnson offers a clear and concise methodology that guides readers through the process of building a distinctive brand. This book stands out with its unique "half step," focusing on strategy before creative execution, ensuring that every aspect of branding is intentional and impactful.
Building Brand Experiences by Darren Coleman
This book is an indispensable manual for anyone looking to understand the art and science of branding. Stripping back the complexities of brand creation, Johnson offers a clear and concise methodology that guides readers through the process of building a distinctive brand. This book stands out with its unique "half step," focusing on strategy before creative execution, ensuring that every aspect of branding is intentional and impactful.
Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
Miller offers a transformative approach to marcom, centered around the power of storytelling, introducing the StoryBrand framework to create compelling brand messages that engage and resonate with people. This book teaches you ways to clarify your message, eliminate confusion, and connect with your audience on a deeper emotional level, ensuring that your marketing isn't just heard, but is also impactful.
Archetypes in Branding by Margaret Hartwell & Joshua C. Chen
Time to dive into the universal narratives and the timeless power of archetypes that are woven into branding strategies. This reference guide offers details of each archetype, showing how it can shape brand narratives and foster deep connections with audiences. By integrating psychological insights into branding efforts, the toolkit equips brands with the ability to craft identities that resonate on a profound level.
Buyer Personas by Adele Revella & Pam Ward
This book dives into the methodical process of creating detailed buyer personas, providing you with the tools to uncover the real expectations and motivations of your audience. Revella’s expertise will guide you in aligning your marketing strategies with actual the needs of your audience, enhancing engagement and dramatically boosting your business’s success rate.
Awakening the Heroes Within by Carol S. Pearson
This book explores the psychological archetypes that reside within us all, shaping our behaviors, beliefs, and interactions. Pearson's book offers a deep dive into 12 universal archetypes, such as the Sage, Explorer, and Lover, providing insights into how these archetypes can serve as brand guides. By identifying and embracing these archetypes, you can uncover their inherent potentials for your brand.
Sales Differentiation by Lee Salz
The concept of sales differentiation is centered around the idea of distinguishing one's offerings and approach in a crowded market. This is directly applicable to messaging. Topics covered include value proposition, market understanding, competition analysis, communication strategy, and consistency. By applying these principles, you can learn to craft a brand that communicates unique value and resonates with others.
Beloved Brands by Graham Robertson
Beloved Brands is a comprehensive guide to creating brands that not only capture attention but also win over hearts. This playbook delves into the strategic thinking behind some of the most cherished brands in the world, offering practical insights and actionable steps for building a brand that resonates deeply with consumers. This book empowers you to transform your brand into a beloved icon in its industry.
Strategic Brand Management, 5th Ed by Kevin L. Keller, V. Swaminathan, A. Parameswaran, Isaac C. Jacob
Unlock the secrets of building and sustaining strong brands with the 5th Ed of Strategic Brand Management, introducing the latest research, strategic insights, and real-world applications to help you navigate the complexities of brand management. The authors delve into the crucial elements of brand equity, providing strategies to ensure consistency, relevance, and differentiation in a competitive marketplace. Rich in frameworks and case studies, this book is an indispensable resource for marketers, business students, and professionals seeking to leverage brand power to achieve long-term success and a robust competitive edge.
AUTOMATION TOOLS
What I Use (Since Y’all Keep Asking)
Yes, I do messaging strategy. But I’m also an entrepreneur with a good eye—so when I find a tool that works, I keep it. People ask me all the time what platforms I use to promote my work, design my pages, or stay visible without spiraling. So here’s a curated list of the actual tools I use and their affiliate links.
SmarterQueue is a game-changer for anyone looking to streamline their social media management. With its ability to automate the repetition of the same post, you can set up your evergreen content once and let it run on a schedule without lifting a finger.
The platform makes it easy to manage multiple social media accounts, track analytics, and ensure your content reaches your audience consistently. It’s the perfect tool for anyone who wants to maintain an active online presence with minimal effort.
Get Response, Sprout Social, iContact, MailChimp, and Constant Contact are all email automation clients I have used in the past. And for my business, I considered trying all platforms and actually used MailChimp for quite some time. But, more recently, I decided to subscribe to ActiveCampaign after it was referred to me by one of my former marketing professors.
So If you are like me, wanting an enterprise-level email marketing automation system without the price tag, ActiveCampaign may be the right email marketing automation tool for you.