How to capture hearts + minds: brand messaging 101

Every wonder why some brands stick with us while others fade away?

From Lululemon to Starbucks, Apple to Air BnB... how do these top brands create deep, lasting loyalty and connection—and how can yours do the same? The answer lies in the art and science of compelling brand messaging.

What is brand messaging?

At its core, brand messaging is a strategic narrative that distills your company's values, beliefs, and identity into a clear, cohesive story. It's not just what you say—it's how you say it, where you say it, and why it matters to your audience.

But just why is it so powerful?

  1. It creates connectionThe best brands don’t sell products—they sell experiences, aspirations and identity. Your brand messaging is the foundation of that narrative.

  2. It helps you to stand out In a world overflowing with endless options and sameness, brand messaging distinguishes you from your competitors so you can shine.

  3. It guides perceptionsBrand messaging is an expression guided by your values and reason for being. This is the truest reflection of how you want to show up in the world.

“People don’t buy what you do. They buy why you do it.”

— Simon Sinek

The must-have ingredients in your brand messaging recipe

The core components of your brand messaging should include:

  • Target Audience Personas — These are the detailed profiles of your dream customers. What keeps them up at night? What makes them happy dance? What problem are they desperately trying to solve? Understanding your people at this level helps you speak directly to them.

  • Brand Positioning — This is your special spot in the market. Your positioning tells people why you're different from all those other options. It's your "this is why I'm special" statement.

  • Brand Promise — This is the pinky-swear you make to your audience. What can they count on every single time they interact with your brand?

  • Brand Tone — Is your brand the life of the party? The wise mentor? The quirky best friend? Your tone is how your brand personality comes through in words. It's consistent across all your messaging—because nobody trusts someone with multiple personalities (lol).

  • Mission Statement — This is your "why I get out of bed in the morning" statement. A killer mission statement tells the world what you do, who you do it for, and why anyone should care. It's the heart and soul of your brand purpose.

  • Vision Statement — This is your brand's daydream about the future. If your brand were gazing dreamily out a window, what would it see? Your vision statement paints the picture of the impact you want to have on your customers and the world.

  • Value Proposition — This is your "here's why you should give me your money instead of them" pitch. It explains how you solve problems, make life better, and generally make your customer’s lives better in ways your competitors just can't match.

  • Tagline — Think of this as your brand's catchphrase—the one-liner people remember even when they forget everything else. Unlike campaign slogans (which come and go like fashion trends), your tagline sticks around. It's Nike's "Just Do It" or McDonald's "I'm Lovin' It"—simple, sticky, and oh-so-you.

  • Key Messages — These are your brand's greatest hits—the points you want to reinforce until people could recite them in their sleep. They should all play nicely together to create one beautiful brand symphony. The key with key messages (see what I did there) is that they make allll of your marketing messaging so much simpler—website copy, ad campaigns, external communications, the works. It all falls in place when you know what matters and have it spelled out in a meaningful way.

  • Brand Story — Everyone loves a good story. I know I do. Your brand story connects your past, present, and future in a way that makes people feel something. The best brand stories make people say, "Alright, I get where they've been and I want to see where they're going.”

  • Elevator Pitch — This is your "we just met at a party and you asked what I do" spiel. It's brief, punchy, and makes people say "tell me more!" instead of searching for the nearest exit. No one should ever see your eyes panic when someone asks about your business.

“Products are made in the factory, but brands are created in the mind”

— Walter Landor

Putting your brand messaging to work

When crafted with love, your brand messaging becomes the guiding light for everything else—your marketing, your content, your social media, even how your team talks about what you do at awkward family gatherings.

Think of it as your "Brand Bible"—the holy book that keeps everyone on the same page:

  • New team member? Hand them the Brand Bible.

  • Marketing team stuck on a campaign? Check the Brand Bible.

  • Not sure if a new opportunity is right for your brand? Consult the Brand Bible.

While your brand will grow and evolve (like we all do), your messaging is the consistent thread that keeps your brand feeling familiar even as it gets better with age.

Quit it with the boring B2B message—your business is worth so much more

The allure and adoration of your favourite brands don’t rest solely on their products and services, but in the powerful narratives they weave. By harnessing the power of story, you too can create a brand that sticks in people’s hearts and minds for the long haul.

Craving some clarity of your own? Dive deeper in with our Brand Foundations offering. Let’s booogie —

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