We believe that the ultimate goal of brand equity building is to move the consumer from brand awareness to brand insistence.
Brand insistence is reserved for those brands that have been carefully designed to posses these characteristics: relevant differentiated benefits for their target customers, ability to build strong emotional connections, have a high degree of awareness, are perceived to deliver deep value for the price and are easily accessible.
These drivers work together to move customers from 1. being aware of your brand to 2. purchasing your brand to 3. preferring your brand to 4. being loyal to your brand to 5. insisting on your brand.
The Blake Project’s brand insistence model incorporates these five elements, driving a customer to insist upon a particular brand to meet his or her needs. We believe that these five areas of emphasis and activity are critical in becoming a category-of-one-brand where there are No Substitutes.
1. Awareness
First, consumers must be aware that there are different brands in the product categories in which your brand operates. Next, they must be aware of your brand. Ideally, your brand should be the first one that comes to their minds within specific product categories and associated with key consumer benefits. Consumers should be able to identify which products and services your brand offers. They should also be able to identify which benefits are associated with the brand. Finally, they should have some idea of where your brand is sold.
2. Relevant Differentiation
This is the most important thing a brand can deliver. Relevant differentiation today is a leading-edge indicator of profitability and market share tomorrow. Does your brand own consumer-relevant, consumer-compelling benefits that are unique and believable?
3. Value
Does your brand deliver a good value for the price? Do consumers believe it is worth the price? Regardless of whether it is expensive or inexpensive, high end or low end, it must deliver at least a good value.
4. Accessibility
Your brand must be available where consumers shop. it’s much easier for consumers to insist upon your brand if it is widely available. Slight brand preference goes a long way toward insistence when the brand is widely available. The importance of convenience cannot be underestimated in today’s world.
5. Emotional Connection
First, the consumer must know your brand. Then he or she must like your brand. Finally, the consumer must trust your brand and feel an emotional connection to it. There are many innovative ways to achieve this emotional connection from advertising and the quality of front line consumer contact to consumer membership organizations and company-sponsored consumer events.
The Blake Project Can Help: Discover Your Competitive Advantage With Brand Equity Measurement
Branding Strategy Insider is a service of The Blake Project: A strategic brand consultancy specializing in Brand Research, Brand Strategy, Brand Growth and Brand Education
