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Marketing Is A Tradecraft. Prove Me Wrong.

Posted by TLS Brand Whisperer on May 11, 2025 10:58:32 AM

So, I’m binging Madam Secretary on Netflix (I’m only on season 1, no spoiler breaches here!)

And the word tradecraft keeps coming up. It’s usually whispered in tense scenes involving espionage, aliases, burner phones, and some very stylish trench coats.

But it got me thinking…

Sure, tradecraft is traditionally associated with the spy world (CIA, MI6, Mission Impossible gadgets...cue theme music)—but let’s be real—marketing has its own covert operations. (Note: Human inserted em dashes, and knock it off with attempting to make that "a negative thing" when there are so many other mission-critical things happening in the world! The same people claiming content that's AI-generated isn't worthy because of em dashes are the same ones trying to earn fake engagement by asserting "negative assumptions". #YKWYR.)

Rant over. Let’s break down my hypothesis:

Tradecraft = The specialized skills and techniques of a particular profession.

Sounds like marketing to me. Especially branding.

It takes:

  • Deep recon into customer behavior
  • Strategic positioning under pressure
  • Constant adaptation in hostile environments (we’re looking at you, algorithm changes)
  • And a whole lotta influence, with just enough misdirection to make it look effortless

Which led me straight down a rabbit hole to Alexa. I shouted, “Play She’s Crafty by the Beastie Boys.” (Naturally.)

And suddenly I’m singing along and thinking:
🎤 She’s crafty... she’s always down for the pitch... she’s got a deck and a niche...

OK, I’ll stop. You’re welcome —or— I’m sorry? Dealer’s choice. 😉


So, is marketing tradecraft?

Absolutely.
It requires discipline, observation, timing, and an ability to move people emotionally and behaviorally without making them feel manipulated.

The best marketers are strategists and creatives. Analysts and empaths. Planners and poets.
If that’s not tradecraft, I don’t know what is.


Your Turn

What’s your personal brand tradecraft?
Is it your storytelling chops? Your ability to read between the metrics? Your uncanny sixth sense for when to launch, pivot, or pull the plug?

Drop it in the comments or tag a fellow brand spy who’s got the goods.


Teaser for the Next Brand Wagon Blog…

I’m workshopping a little something called SaaStegic: where SaaS meets strategy with a wink of sass. Let’s see if this wordplay goes anywhere… or if it self-destructs in five seconds. But there is interesting intel about the AI impact on SaaS (and the “marketing funnel” blowing up.)

Until then, stay crafty, my brand wagon riders. 🛻✨

Tags: #CraftyBranding

When the Math Isn’t Mathing...Are MQLs Dead?

Posted by TLS Brand Whisperer on Apr 27, 2025 8:44:15 AM

Count on me, Brand Wagoneers, to keep it reel (get ready for more puns) on marketing topics—and today, we’re zeroing in on metrics.
(And yes, I, Tricia, solemnly swear I’ve been using Shift+Option+Hyphen long before AI thought it was cool. )

Back to our math lesson.

Cue the chaotic budget-slashing headlines + AI fueling the FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt)…and you’ve got a formula where things just. aren't. adding. up.

Here’s the kicker: presumably, if we’re doing our jobs the write way (pun very much intended), hitching our dashboards to actual revenue metrics should help us avoid the cutting room floor.

So, what metrics actually matter now? (Cue the acronym parade.)

Once upon a time (re: yesterday 😉), the great debate was MQLs vs SQLs.
It used to be simple—sales and marketing held hands, sang “Kumbaya,” and agreed that lead scoring would declare when a marketing-qualified lead officially graduated to sales-qualified status.

Win/win, write?

Well, here’s your FUD wake-up call: that dance card is looking pretty empty these days.

Because it’s not just about volume of leads anymore, it’s about revenue alignment — for reel.  (Twice? You’re welcome for the nod, Insta—the OG.)

Metric

Formula

Tips to Survive the FUD

CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost)

Total Sales & Marketing Costs ÷ Number of New Customers Acquired

Include all costs: salaries, ads, tools.
Lower CAC over time = healthy growth.

LTV (Customer Lifetime Value)

(Average Purchase Value × Purchase Frequency) × Customer Lifespan

Focus on increasing LTV with loyalty programs, upsells, customer success.
High LTV with low CAC = YAY!

Pipeline Velocity

(Number of Qualified Opportunities × Win Rate × Average Deal Size) ÷ Sales Cycle Length (in days)

Faster pipeline = faster cash.
Improving velocity often means fixing early-stage friction.

ROmI (Return on Marketing Investment)

(Revenue Attributed to Marketing – Marketing Costs) ÷ Marketing Costs

Attribution is the hard part. Build reporting that tracks touches (multi-touch attribution beats first-touch or last-touch).
Positive ROmI = bragging rights. 

SQL-to-Won Rate

Number of Deals Closed ÷ Number of Sales-Qualified Leads (SQLs)

Tells you if you're feeding Sales good leads…or just vibes.
Low rate? Time to fix targeting or lead scoring fast.

Notice something? None of these metrics cares how many free eBooks got downloaded last quarter. 📚 (Yeah, I said it.)

Meanwhile, getting MQLs (aka people willing to give up their email address for a gated checklist) is why the whole “Is the MQL dead?” conversation is now gathering steam like a TikTok conspiracy theory.

(Thanks a lot, AI. And thanks even more to the bazillion lazy “Top 10 Ways to..." templates.)

So, Let’s Keep It Reel...📈

In my humble ROmI experience, good marketing is still a glorious mashup:
Art + Science + Psychology = Survival.

Humans still crave human interactions. (Until bots learn how to genuinely laugh at a bad joke, we’re safe. For now.)

So, to keep marketing off the chopping block:

  • Prove impact beyond vanity metrics.
  • Tie campaigns to pipeline and revenue, not just clicks and impressions.
  • Speak CFO language when it’s budget defense season. (It’s always budget defense season now.)

To sum it up: It's both magic AND math.

marketing metrics that matter these days (1)

P.S. My official stance on the "impressions" metric?
Sure, include it in the report…because if a tree falls in the forest...yada yada. 🌲
But don’t let your ROmI conversation derail there. Your brand deserves better math.


Want more marketing wake-up calls served with a side of sass?
Keep ridin' the Brand Wagon at: brandwhisperer.ai/blog

Tags: #ROMI, #BrandKPIs, #AreMQLSDead

Prompting You to Consider Authenticity in the AI Age

Posted by TLS Brand Whisperer on Apr 20, 2025 12:38:10 PM

On this inspirational Sunday (Easter if you celebrate), I offer a cautionary poem for the generative AI moment we're in...

It’s All About The Prompts, ’Bout The Prompts

They asked the box to dream for them,
and it did—plastic Hasbro castles and candy skies.
Likes rolled in. Applause echoed.

Meanwhile, the ground quakes.
AI is reshaping industries, rewriting rules.
And here we are,
chasing superficial likes.

It is, in fact, all about the prompts.
The future is being written.
Think harder.
Because your brand will wear
what you dress it in today—
and tomorrow’s human audience is keeping tabs.

(and now you’ve got Meghan Trainor’s ‘it’s all about that bass’ in your head, amIright?)


Dilemma: What should we do about AI?
(The proverbial we—brands, marketers, creators, humans…)

Exploring, learning, playing, and then remembering who it’s all for makes total sense.
With that in mind, let’s explore ways to play with generative AI to learn its SWOT and then…
always present your findings with your authentic voice.

Full disclosure: I borrowed tips from other thought-leaders talking about this and even asked my BFF, ChatGPT, which I nicknamed chIQ (pronounced chick 🐣 😏), for the ‘best of the best.

🎯 Top 5 AI Prompt Types

These are my current favs to learn generative tools.
It’s also "interesting" to try the same prompts across the different tools to compare results.
(ChatGPT is still the best IMO.)

1 Point of View Expansion Prompts

“Please take the current debate about [insert Topic] and develop a nuanced opinion that challenges the dominant narrative. Back it with recent examples, future trends, and sources.”

Why this works:
It forces AI to build a stance, not just summarize noise.
Apparently, this makes people stop scrolling. Or at least some people, maybe even the right people identified in your ICP (Ideal Client Profile)!

2 Case Study/Scenario Prompts

“Please write a hypothetical scenario where [insert Industry/Trend] changes dramatically because of [X technology or trend]. Frame it as if advising an executive audience.”

Why this works:
Storytelling works, even in business context. Especially if it’s actionable. Why?
We are programmed to love a good story…well except perhaps AI?…and a few other questionable humans lacking character and kindness.

3 Framework/Model Creation Prompts

“Based on current trends in [insert Industry], please propose a 3-part framework that organizations can use to adapt to [insert Challenge]. Each part should include action steps.”

Why this works:
People LOVE models (no, not the runway kind). It positions you as the architect of thinking, not just the repeater of it.
(Think: Gartner Hype Cycle-level authority.)

4 Contrarian Angle Prompts

“Please summarize the conventional wisdom about [insert Topic], then take a contrarian but well-supported position. Defend it in under 300 words.”

Why this works:
Everyone sounds the same until someone intelligently says, "But what if we’re wrong?" That’s the birth of authentic thought leadership.

5 First-Person Narrative Prompts

“Please write a first-person reflection on the future of [insert Industry/Trend] in the voice of a [Founder, CMO, CISO, etc.], showing real vulnerability about what’s uncertain.”

Why this works:
Vulnerability + vision is now a superpower. People crave humanized expertise, not brand robots, as stated above and worth repeating with a megaphone.

Curious to know if you’ve tried these or others and what your results were?

Take note, I used PLEASE in all the prompts—putting kind back in #humankind. Plus, it's just smart to be polite to the machines. 😏

Conclusion for This Sunday's Scoop:
Choose Your Prompts Like You Choose Your Legacy.

In a world of infinite content, authenticity is differentiation.
Use the tools — but don’t let the tools use you.

Prompt wisely. Build thoughtfully. Brand bravely.


P.S. Generative AI defined — in case you didn’t know or look it up yet:

Tool

What It “Generates”

ChatGPT / Claude / Gemini

Essays, emails, poems, strategic ideas, etc. (text)

Midjourney / DALL·E

Images and art (and it’s getting better and better!)

Suno / Udio

Music

Runway / Sora

Short videos

GitHub Copilot

Computer code

Not to be confused with Agentic AI. If you want to learn more about that and how it's apparently going to disrupt SaaS ...(I’m still grappling with it myself)... check out Jay Schwedelson's info-taining podcast.

Brand Wagon Blog AI Prompts Infographic

 

 

 

 

Tags: #BeKind, #AIforBrands, #BrandAuthenticity

Securing Your Online Reputation—Avoiding Meme-able Missteps 🚩😬

Posted by TLS Brand Whisperer on Mar 30, 2025 11:31:45 AM

Let’s address the digital elephant—or rather, the shadow IT elephant—in the room. 🐘 (And yes, that's a big elephant.) After last week's adventure through brand miscommunication disasters, we've stumbled onto another not-so-hidden truth: your online reputation is as fragile as your grandma’s teacup collection—one wrong move, and you're picking up pieces forever.

Combine a dash of cybersecurity negligence with a pinch of sloppy communication, and voila—you've cooked up a PR nightmare casserole, garnished liberally with memes, embarrassment, and possibly criminal charges? Funny/not funny.

img_0314_720

(Meme source: https://www.facebook.com/igallerydmv)

The recent Signal leak debacle got me thinking: how can we protect brands from becoming internet punchlines in the wild west of the digital world?

Here’s what I'd prioritize as the top three in a survival guide (brought to you by common sense—something often in shockingly short supply):

🔑 Leadership 101: Monkey See, Monkey Do

Model secure behavior from the top down. If leadership treats cybersecurity like the fine print on a candy wrapper—guess what? So will everyone else. Your job description literally includes not sabotaging your company. Lead by example.

📞 Sensitive Information? There's an App for That—It’s Called a Phone Call.

I shouldn't have to spell this out, but if you’re discussing anything sensitive via a messaging app… well, you probably shouldn't be handling sensitive information. Stick to the old-fashioned method—a secure phone call. It's shockingly retro but remarkably effective.

🔐 Passwords: Two Factors are Better Than None

Still using "Password123" as your login? Congratulations, you're asking for trouble. If 2-factor authentication (2FA) feels like rocket science, just remember: failure to launch here means your brand might explode spectacularly on social media later.

Remember, if you’re not actively managing your narrative, the internet’s army of meme-makers and thieves will happily rewrite it for you. (Spoiler: you won’t like their version.)

So ask yourself: What do you want your brand story to say about you? 🤔

Until next time, stay sharp, stay secure, and please—keep your brand (professionally and personally) out of the meme-verse. ✨

Tags: #CommunicationMatters, #BrandReputation

Lost in Translation: When Brand Communication Misses the Mark

Posted by TLS Brand Whisperer on Mar 16, 2025 9:31:13 AM

Ready for this gut check, Brand Wagoneers? What happens when your brand speaks, but no one actually understands? Or worse—when they think they understand, but they're miles off from what you meant?

Spoiler alert: It’s not great.

Take Doge—yes, the meme-dog-turned-crypto-mascot. What started as a joke somehow became a serious financial asset, powered by hype, Elon tweets, and a collective misunderstanding of what it even is. Some see Doge as a viable investment, others as a meme-gone-wild.

And then there’s DOGE—not the coin, but the Department of Government Efficiency Services (formerly the US Department of Digital Services). Its stated goal? Cut $1 trillion—15% of the federal budget. Much like its canine counterpart, DOGE started with an idealistic premise: streamline bloated government spending. But much like Dogecoin, the interpretation—and execution—spiraled into something much bigger, more chaotic, and not necessarily what people signed up for.

America has spoken on the demand for change, but the whirlwind of abrupt cuts and scorched-earth policies has been met with a mixture of public confusion, support, and outright contempt. Just like Doge holders debate whether it's a joke or a financial revolution, citizens now wonder: Is DOGE the efficiency overhaul we needed or a reckless meme-ification of government policy?

The lesson? When brand communication is unclear—or left to public interpretation—hysteria fills the gaps.

So, what can we learn from this chaos?


3 Big Ways Brand Communication Breaks Down

1. You Think You're Clear. You're Not.
Just because you said it doesn’t mean people heard it—at least, not the way you intended.

📌Example: Bud Light’s Sponsorship Controversy (2023)
When Bud Light partnered with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney for a small-scale sponsorship, the brand likely saw it as an inclusive marketing move. Instead, it ignited a political firestorm, alienating both conservatives (who called for a boycott) and LGBTQ+ supporters (who felt the brand abandoned Mulvaney when backlash hit). Sales took a double-digit percentage hit, and executives scrambled to clarify their stance—too late.

💡 Fix: If you take a stand, commit to it. Waffling in response to backlash makes a brand seem inauthentic to everyone. If Bud Light had proactively defined its values and communicated them clearly before the campaign, it might have controlled the narrative rather than letting others define it.

2. You Leave Too Much Room for Interpretation

A brand without a clear voice is like a Twitter free-for-all—people will fill in the blanks however they want.

📌Example: Dogecoin. Is it a joke? A serious investment? A decentralized dream? No one can say for sure, which is why its value swings harder than a wrecking ball.

💡 Fix: A strong brand narrative leaves less room for ambiguity. Define your core story and repeat it consistently—because if you don’t, the internet will rewrite it for you.

3. Noise is Drowning Out the Signal
You’re communicating—but so is everyone else. And in today’s landscape, the loudest voice isn’t always the most truthful.

📌Example: The current political climate. Let’s be real—propaganda has rebranded itself as "news," and fact-checking is practically a full-time job. When misinformation spreads faster than the truth, perception becomes reality (even when it’s false).

💡 Fix: Brands (and news outlets, for that matter) need to fight misinformation with clarity. Be relentless about transparency, simplicity, and fact-backed communication. If you don’t control your story, someone else will—and they might not have your best interests in mind.


Brand Communication Survival Kit: How to Avoid the Chaos

Top Tips for Keeping Your Message Crystal Clear:

Test for Understanding, Not Just Approval
Before launching a campaign, test it outside your marketing bubble. Ask real people how they interpret the message. If you get wildly different answers, back to the drawing board.
Ask: “What does this mean to you?” instead of “Do you like this?” You need feedback on clarity, not just appeal.

Stick to One Core Message
If your audience can’t summarize your brand in one sentence, your messaging is too scattered. Refine it.

Simplify, Then Simplify Again
If you need a decoder ring to understand your brand’s mission, you’re losing people.
Clear > Clever.

Fact-Check Yourself Before Others Do
Especially in industries prone to misinformation (looking at you, crypto and politics). Transparency isn’t just ethical—it’s strategic.

Own Your Narrative, Relentlessly
Repetition isn't boring—it's branding. If you're not repeating your core message, you're letting the noise win.

Final Thought: Brand Communication is a Responsibility

Whether it's government transformation, a beer giant, or a news outlet—when brands fail to communicate clearly, trust erodes. And in an era where misinformation spreads like wildfire, clarity isn’t just a strategy—it’s survival.

So next time you put a message out there, pause and ask:
“Will this be understood the way I intend?”

Because if the answer is anything but a confident yes, you might be feeding the chaos instead of cutting through it.

P.S. Did I just successfully maneuver around politics without getting myself in hot water? 🤔 Let’s call it a brand communication stress test. Pass or fail—let me know in the comments. 😆🔥

Tags: #CommunicationMatters, #BrandMessaging

BLUF or Fluff: The Real Power of Storytelling in Branding

Posted by TLS Brand Whisperer on Feb 23, 2025 12:14:31 PM

Alright, Brand Wagon riders, let’s cut to the chase—because, ironically, that’s exactly what BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) is all about. It’s a military term used to lead with the most important information right away. And while it might seem at odds with storytelling—which is all about the journey, the twists, the “aha!” moments—it’s actually a pretty handy principle for branding.

This week’s BLUF (aka the CONCLUSION):
Storytelling isn’t “fluff”—it’s your brand’s secret weapon. Done right, it builds trust, deepens connections, and drives business growth. 💥

Let’s dive into why storytelling is mission-critical for your brand (and how to wield it like a pro).

Why Storytelling Isn’t Just a Fairytale 📖✨

Think of storytelling as the peanut butter to your brand’s jelly—sure, you could have jelly on its own, but why would you?

Emotional Connections

People don’t buy products; they buy feelings. A good story makes your audience feel seen, understood, and part of something bigger. That’s where brand loyalty (the elusive unicorn 🦄) starts to bloom.

Memorability

Stats fade. Stories stick. Remember that kid who traded his Pokémon cards for a single shiny Charizard? Yeah, that’s a story. Your brand needs its own “Charizard moment.”

Differentiation

In a sea of sameness, your story is your flare gun. It signals what makes you you—your values, your quirks, and why someone should care.

Engagement

Stories beg to be shared. They turn passive consumers into active brand ambassadors—because who doesn’t love retelling a good one?

Simplification of Complex Ideas

Even the densest concepts can be broken down into bite-sized, relatable narratives. Think of Apple: “Think Different.” Simple. Powerful. Story-driven.

Caveat: Loyalty is tough—humans are fickle creatures. But when someone really connects with your brand story, they’re more likely to spread the word.

Practical Tips for Storytelling That Sticks 🛠️

  1. Write. A Lot. Then Weave.
    Dump it all out—your brand’s why, your origin story, your big vision. Then pull the golden threads and weave them into something cohesive.
  2. Read It Out Loud.
    If it sounds robotic or forced, it is. Storytelling is ancient—it’s how humans passed down history before Google existed. If it doesn’t flow off the tongue, it won’t stick in the mind.
  3. Share It From Memory.
    This one’s huge. If you can’t remember your brand’s story, how can you expect anyone else to? Share it over coffee. At a networking event. With your Uber driver. See what lands.

Avoid the Fluff Trap 💡

“Branding is just fluff.”
If I had a dollar every time I heard that, I’d be typing this from my private island. 🌴 But seriously—fluff has its place (marshmallows, anyone?), just not when it comes to your core brand message.

Screenshot 2025-02-23 at 11.20.53 AM

The key?
Make it feel effortless, but never hollow. Your story should have substance, heart, and purpose.

The Final Word: BLUF Meets Brand 🚀

In branding, leading with clarity doesn’t mean ditching the story—it means sharpening it. Give your audience the bottom line but take them on the journey too.

Because here’s the thing:
People might skim facts, but they’ll always remember how your story made them feel.

 

Tags: #BrandStorytelling

Color me brand memorable

Posted by TLS Brand Whisperer on Feb 16, 2025 3:14:22 PM

Today, I’m feeling blue … so I figured, why not share fifty shades of blue from my personal library? Because honestly, we could all use a dose of Vitamin Sea, am I right? 🌊💙

But before you grab your beach towel, let’s talk brand colors—because choosing the right hues isn’t just about looking pretty; it’s about making an impact (and, ideally, not making people’s eyes bleed). And yes, your brand colors should be documented in your brand guide. We’re not just talking about slapping a logo on everything.

Why Brand Colors Matter

Your brand colors set the tone (pun intended). They influence how people perceive you, recognize you, and even feel about your brand. Ever noticed how certain brands just feel trustworthy, exciting, or luxurious at a glance? That’s color psychology in action.

Here’s a cheat sheet on color meanings and their branding superpowers:

Primary Color

What It Says About You

Related Tertiary Colors

🔵 Blue

Trust, Stability, Calm

Teal, Navy, Sky Blue

🔴 Red

Energy, Passion, Urgency

Maroon, Coral, Burgundy

🟡 Yellow

Optimism, Warmth, Cheer

Gold, Mustard, Amber

🟢 Green

Growth, Health, Wealth

Mint, Olive, Emerald

🟣 Purple

Creativity, Royalty, Luxury

Lavender, Plum, Magenta

Black

Sophistication, Power, Elegance

Charcoal, Graphite, Jet Black

Mixing It Up

Once you've picked your primary brand color, the next step is creating a balanced palette. That includes:

  • Primary Colors: Your signature hues—front and center in your branding.
  • Secondary Colors: Supporting players that complement your primary colors.
  • Accent Colors: Used sparingly for emphasis (think buttons, highlights, and pop moments).

Brand Color in Action

Let’s play a game. Think of a major brand and the first color that pops into your head.

  • Coca-Cola? Red.
  • Starbucks? Green.
  • McDonald's? Yellow.

Boom. 🎤 That’s the power of brand color consistency.

So, what’s your brand’s vibe? Are you a bold, energetic red, a calm and collected blue, or a luxe and mysterious black? Whatever your palette, make it intentional, make it consistent, and make it memorable.

Thanks for joining me on this little trip down Vitamin Sea memory lane. 🌊 Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am going back to enjoying my ocean photos since I can’t be there in person.💙#NoFilters

50 shades of blue brand colors blog

Screenshot 2025-02-16 at 3.02.35 PM

 

Tags: #BrandColors, #NoFilters

TikTok Ban: Byte-Sized Patriotism or a Byte-Sized Panic?

Posted by TLS Brand Whisperer on Jan 19, 2025 8:50:18 PM

TikTok’s fate in the U.S. is flip-flopping faster than a pancake at brunch. The ban—or not ban, depending on the hour—has stirred up debates from dorm rooms to boardrooms.

Let’s sift through the noise (without dancing).

And at the risk of upsetting the apple cart, I support the TikTok ban because  ➡️ just say no to China ‼️

The Misinformation Machine
Let’s start with the most glaring issue: TikTok isn’t a news outlet, but you wouldn’t know that from the number of people who treat it like their personal Reuters. The platform’s viral content often masquerades as fact, spreading misinformation faster than it takes to type “part 2 in comments.”

🗞️Relying on TikTok as your sole source of information is like using a vending machine for gourmet meals—risky at best. 

The Creator Exodus
Creators crying foul over the potential ban remind us of MySpace influencers who once felt invincible. But platforms come and go. If your career hinges on one app, it’s time to diversify. Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and even LinkedIn are open for business. Adapt or scroll on.

The National Security Angle
Now, here’s the kicker: should the government step in? For once, YES. The lawsuit filed by a former TikTok executive alleging shady Chinese data-sharing practices underscores a crucial point. Protecting our citizens’ privacy—even if it means saving them from their own bad habits—is a step in the right direction. You wouldn’t leave your front door wide open, so why do it with your data?

Where Do Brands Go From Here?
If your brand relies on TikTok, this could be your wake-up call to rethink your digital strategy.
Start exploring platforms that prioritize privacy and transparency.
Bonus: no threat of being banned by breakfast. 😏

Tags: #BrandBan, #JustSayNoToTikTok

Is the BlueSky Fuss a Must? A Social Startup Story 🌌

Posted by TLS Brand Whisperer on Jan 5, 2025 3:45:03 PM

Hey there, Brand Wagoners! Look, it’s a shiny new social platform—yet again. This one goes by BlueSky, which, fun fact, sounds dreamy until you realize it’s essentially TwX (you know, the artist formerly known as Twitter). Except, unlike a Twix bar, it’s debatable whether BlueSky is a sweet treat or just more empty calories for your feed.

So why all the chatter? In the past few months, BlueSky has popped up on my radar thanks to clients swearing they “need” it (do they, though?) and privacy geeks singing its praises. Naturally, as a savvy marketer, I did the only logical thing: I signed up. Reluctantly, I admit, because exploring new platforms feels like adopting yet another needy pet—adorable but exhausting.

Still, “walk the talk,” right? Here’s what I uncovered as I sifted through the hype:

Decoding Decentralized: What's the Deal?

BlueSky promises to be different, with some serious buzzwords. Let’s break it down:

  • No Single Point of Control: Unlike Facebook or Twitter, no big corporation runs the show. Instead, data is scattered across independent servers maintained by communities or individuals. Think less Big Brother and more neighborhood co-op. 🛠️
  • User Data Ownership: You decide who accesses your personal data. Imagine that—your data, your rules! 🤯
  • Censorship Resistance: With no overlord to police content, there’s less risk of arbitrary censorship. But, hey, that also means trolls might set up shop. 😬
  • Community Governance: Platform rules? Features? Voted on by actual users—not some faceless boardroom. Democracy in action! 🙌
  • Blockchain Tech: Because of course. Secure data storage, transactions, and more buzzwords for your blockchain bingo card. 🎟️

The Reality Check 🤔

Switching hats from marketer to just tired human, I ask: do we really need another platform siphoning our energy? Can’t we just fix the ones we already have? (Not you, X—I mean, TwX…or whatever you’re calling yourself this week.)

Social media, for better or worse, comes with the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Case in point: political campaigns. Enough said. So, do we embrace BlueSky as the new hope, or just another time-suck in disguise? Let’s revisit after 2025 gets underway as we buckle in for a wild ride.

P.S. Hootsuite vs. HubSpot vs. Sanity 🧩

Before I go, here’s a nugget for the marketing nerds: connecting BlueSky to your Hootsuite account requires Zapier. But then it hit me—why use Hootsuite at all if your CRM (like HubSpot) already offers social planning tools? Sure, Hootsuite is robust, especially for non-premium CRM users, but is it worth the added cost these days? This question is a rabbit hole for another blog…stay tuned. 🌀

Tags: #RookieBrands, #SocialMediaTrends

The 12th Man Brand

Posted by TLS Brand Whisperer on Dec 15, 2024 4:37:50 PM

First, can we pause for a moment? Eight sacks on Jayden—and we still pulled off the win? Miracles do happen. #HTTR 🏈

Now, let’s talk about a concept I’m usually wary of pairing: loyalty and brand. Why? Because people are fickle. One day it’s pumpkin spice everything; the next, it’s oat milk matcha lattes.

But there is one domain where brand loyalty feels as enduring as those stadium beers: sports. Yes, where fair-weather fans are drowned out by die-hards bleeding [insert team colors here].

What Makes Sports the Hall of Fame of Brand Loyalty?

This week, I asked a friend, “Who’s your team playing?” Her answer? “I’m playing the…”

Note the use of I. Not "we," not "they’re." I. As if she were strapping on the helmet herself. Cue the 12th “man.”

This deep-seated allegiance isn’t built on logic—it’s built on emotion, identity, and a little bit of "it’s us against the world" vibes. And guess what? Businesses can absolutely tap into that energy.

Game Plan for Your Brand Loyalty Playbook:

  1. Create a Shared Identity
    Build a community where your audience feels like they’re part of something bigger. Think of those branded hashtags, insider newsletters, or exclusive clubs that give customers a front-row seat.
  2. Spark Rituals
    Whether it’s a unique packaging experience, a go-to playlist, or your annual Black Friday promo, rituals build emotional stickiness. People love a good tradition. (In the B2B world, this could be an annual data-rich research report, an unexpected practical swag gift, exclusive beta access to a product...you get the idea!)
  3. Be There for the Wins (and Losses)
    Sports fans stick around through losing seasons. Why? Authenticity. If your brand shows up for the tough times (hello, stellar customer support), you’ll earn trust—and maybe even love.

Final Whistle:

Even if you’re not running a brand campaign explicitly (because we know you’re avoiding the revenue attribution hot seat), every action you take is part of your brand story. Make sure those actions are scoring points, not penalties.

P.S. Ever been to the 5th quarter? It’s a real thing—and ridiculously fun when you win. 😁

P.P.S. Got a brand loyalty moment worth sharing? Slide into the comments or tag me @piscestls. Let’s hash it out like a good old rivalry game.