3 Things Kids Can Teach us about Branding
The greatest wisdom is often found in the unlikeliest of places. As I’ve been teaching my 6-year-old neighbor Mav (short for Maverick) how to draw and paint, he has reminded me of how we adults once saw the world, and even ourselves—when we didn’t worry about the right way to do something, how we looked doing it or that anything could go wrong.
And, actually, these reminders might also teach us a thing or two (or three) about branding:
01
You should be able to explain your business to a 6 year old.
As we grow up, sure, our lives become more complicated. But often, it’s us who are doing the overcomplicating.
Especially when it comes to talking about what we do and selling people on the value of our products, services or even ourselves. We think we have to use big words, buzz words and industry jargon to create trust, to sound like we know what we’re talking about.
But the opposite is true.
People respond to clarity, not complexity.
So to help you simplify and filter your message, think about how you might explain what you do, how you do it or even why to a 6 year old. Start there, because less is more and simple always sells.
02
Keep asking why.
Ever had one of those conversations with kids where they just keep asking you “why” until you run out of answers?
As exhausting as that can be, it’s actually a pretty helpful tool in branding.
One of the most important pieces of your brand is to uncover your story. And at the heart of that story are two important “whys”— why you do what you do and why people should care.
Many times, in strategy sessions with clients, it takes asking “why” over and over in various ways in order to get to the source of what really motivates people and how to position their brand.
Or, when it comes to writing for something specific (like an ad or marketing flyer) ask yourself “why should people care about this” and let that lead the way you write, speak and inspire action.
By asking why over and over and in every situation, you will be able to find the answers your brand needs.
03
Done is better than perfect.
I love doing art projects with kids because they are rarely worried about how things look, what people will think or the “right” way to do it.
When Mav paints a house, he paints all of his ideas as immediately as they come to him and doesn’t worry about how perfect it is or isn’t. Red door, blue walls, green window, 5 stories? Done. All that matters is he leaves with a painting and had fun trying something new.
As adults we get stuck. We have a million ideas and that’s where they stay. Because we’re too fearful of judgment or failure. We never feel ready and it’s never quite “right.”
So take a lesson from Mav: worry less, and do more. Because progress will get us farther than perfect ever could and done is often better than good.
