While branding may seem like an elusive concept, the reality is that there are certain tactics and techniques that are used by the best branding examples.
Throughout this blog post, we’ll draw on real-world examples from some of the most successful brands. As we’ll see each brand has found its own success secrets.
Branding is an integral component of any successful marketing strategy. It enables businesses to differentiate themselves from competitors and establish a unique identity in the marketplace.
Effective branding helps businesses to create a strong emotional connection with their customers – as we have seen with brands like Apple, Nike, Coca-Cola, Airbnb, Amazon, Google, Harley Davidson, and Lego. Can their tactics be applied to your own business?
Whether you’re a small business owner, marketer, or aspiring brand strategist, this post will offer valuable insights on how to create your own successful branding strategy.
This post is part of a cluster posts series related to “Branding: The Practical Guide For Brand Owners.“
To find a special gift waiting for you on this page, click the button below to take a peek, before you read on …
Building a brand that can grow and dominate is a challenging task.
The first challenge is creating a unique brand identity that resonates with the target audience while differentiating it from competitors. Once established, maintaining consistent messaging and quality becomes crucial in building brand loyalty.
The second challenge is scaling the brand while maintaining quality and identity, which can require significant investment in resources and infrastructure.
Finally, external factors such as market disruptions or changes in consumer behavior can present unforeseen challenges that require adaptability and agility to overcome.
Brands that have endured and evolved have a special place in the market. They often have a strong emotional connection with consumers, who trust and rely on them to meet their needs.
These brands have adapted to changing times and consumer preferences while maintaining their core values and identity. This ability to evolve has enabled them to stay relevant and competitive in the market.
Moreover, these brands have a rich history and legacy that adds to their appeal and gives them a unique advantage over newer brands. Consumers perceive them as reliable and trustworthy, which creates a sense of loyalty that transcends generations.
Enduring brands have proven their worth over time, and their ability to adapt and evolve has ensured their continued success.
Trust and credibility are the twin aims of branding because they are essential to building a strong and successful brand.
When customers trust a brand, they are more likely to engage with it and make purchasing decisions that drive revenue for the business.
Credibility is also crucial because it helps to establish the brand as a reliable and authoritative source in its industry.
Through consistent messaging, quality products or services, and exceptional customer service, businesses can build trust and credibility with their target audience, establishing a positive reputation that can be leveraged to drive long-term growth and success.
A strong brand identity that communicates trust and credibility not only attracts customers but also cultivates loyalty and advocacy, as customers become loyal advocates for the brand and help to drive word-of-mouth referrals.
By building trust and credibility through branding, businesses can create a strong foundation for sustainable growth and success.
There are many examples of brands that showed great promise but failed to deliver on their potential. One such example is Blockbuster, which dominated the video rental market in the 1990s but failed to adapt to the rise of digital streaming services.
Similarly, Kodak was once a household name in photography but failed to embrace the shift to digital technology and eventually filed for bankruptcy.
Another brand that struggled to stay afloat was Sears, once a retail giant that failed to keep pace with changing consumer preferences and online shopping trends.
These brands serve as cautionary tales of the importance of innovation, adaptability, and staying in tune with the needs and preferences of consumers to stay relevant in today’s market.
Challenger brands do not necessarily have to be far smarter than leading brands to succeed. Instead, their approach needs to be more innovative, nimble, and disruptive.
Challenger brands often challenge the status quo, identifying gaps in the market that leading brands have overlooked or ignored. They also tend to be more focused on meeting their target audience’s specific needs and preferences rather than trying to appeal to everyone.
Moreover, challenger brands can leverage their agility to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and consumer preferences, whereas larger, more established brands may be slower to respond.
Ultimately, while intelligence is undoubtedly an advantage in any industry, it is not the only factor determining the success of challenger brands.
If you love quotes from people who matter, here are a few that explain why some experts love the brands they do. Both these quotes seem to highlight the importance of brand-connect with consumers.
"One of my most inspiring branding examples is Airbnb. The company has managed to create a brand that embodies the spirit of adventure, community, and exploration. Airbnb's branding is focused on creating a sense of belonging and connection between hosts and guests, inspiring people to explore new places and cultures."
"My most inspiring branding example is Coca-Cola. The company has managed to create a brand that is instantly recognizable and has a strong emotional connection with consumers around the world. Coca-Cola's branding is centered around creating moments of happiness and joy, from its iconic Christmas campaigns to its sponsorship of major sporting events."
Apple became an extraordinarily successful brand by focusing on innovation, design, and user experience. The company’s founder, Steve Jobs, had a unique talent for combining technology, design, and functionality to create products that resonated with consumers.
Apple’s success can also be attributed to its ability to create a cult-like following around its products through clever marketing and branding strategies. Apple’s brand is built around a premium image, and the company has consistently delivered sleek, elegant, and highly functional products with an intuitive user interface.
Apple has also successfully created an ecosystem around its products, with complementary services like iTunes, the App Store, and iCloud, which create a seamless user experience.
Overall, Apple’s focus on innovation, design, and user experience, coupled with a strong brand and marketing strategy, has helped to cement its position as one of the world’s most valuable brands.
This great video from Adam Erhart tells us the whole Apple growth story, with special emphasis on the marketing strategy that the company used. Every entrepreneur/marketer needs to watch this!
Nike became a compelling and motivating brand by focusing on creating products that enable athletes to achieve their full potential while simultaneously tapping into the emotional and aspirational aspects of sport.
Nike’s branding and marketing efforts have consistently been centered around empowering and inspiring athletes of all levels to push themselves beyond their limits. The company has created powerful and emotionally resonant ad campaigns that celebrate the human spirit, such as the “Just Do It” campaign.
Nike has also been successful in creating a sense of community around its brand, with events like the Nike Women’s Marathon and partnerships with elite athletes that help to inspire and motivate consumers.
Overall, Nike’s focus on empowering and inspiring athletes, coupled with a strong brand and marketing strategy, has helped to establish it as one of the world’s most uplifting brands.
This video from CNBC is thorough. It tells you why Nike is one of the most recognized brands in the world. How did Nike become the giant it is today? Watch!
Coca-Cola became the world’s most-loved soft drink by focusing on consistent quality, clever marketing campaigns, and effective distribution strategies.
The company’s founder, Asa Candler, recognized the potential of Coca-Cola as a global brand and worked tirelessly to build its distribution network, ensuring that the drink was available across the world. Coca-Cola also invested heavily in marketing campaigns that created a sense of nostalgia and emotion around the brand, such as the “Share a Coke” campaign.
The company has also adapted to changing consumer preferences, with new flavors and product lines to suit different markets.
Overall, Coca-Cola’s focus on quality, marketing, and distribution, coupled with a willingness to adapt and evolve, has helped to establish it as one of the world’s most beloved brands.
In this video from CNBC, you ‘ll see how Coca-Cola has played – and continues to play – its marketing game globally. Worth your time to watch this!
Airbnb grew huge by creating a love for travel through its innovative platform, which allows travelers to experience local culture uniquely and authentically. Airbnb has invested heavily in marketing campaigns celebrating travel and the human experience, creating a sense of excitement and inspiration around the brand.
By connecting travelers with local hosts who offer unique and personalized accommodations, Airbnb has created a new way for people to travel and experience the world.
The company’s success can also be attributed to its focus on building a sense of community around its brand, with features like host reviews and the ability to message hosts directly, which fosters trust and enables travelers to feel more connected to the local culture.
Overall, Airbnb’s focus on innovation, community, and inspiring travel experiences has helped to establish it as one of the world’s most successful travel brands.
In this terrific video, Business Casual explains how in a span of 11 years, Airbnb went from being a company that rents 3 mattresses to a company that counts 150 million users, arranges 2 million bookings per day, and whose value is estimated at $38 billion. Wow!
To find a special gift waiting for you on this page, click the button below to take a peek, before you read on …
Amazon became the world’s #1 store for everything by focusing on customer experience, convenience, and a relentless drive for innovation. The company’s founder, Jeff Bezos, recognized the potential of e-commerce to transform the retail industry and worked tirelessly to build a platform that offered customers a seamless and convenient shopping experience.
Amazon invested heavily in building a robust logistics network, which enabled the company to offer fast and reliable shipping and a wide selection of products. Additionally, Amazon has successfully leveraged technology to enhance the customer experience with personalized recommendations and one-click ordering features.
Finally, Amazon has been willing to take risks and experiment with new business models, such as Amazon Prime, which offers free two-day shipping and a range of other perks to members.
Overall, Amazon’s focus on customer experience, convenience, and innovation, coupled with a willingness to take risks, has helped to establish it as the world’s ultimate store for almost everything.
This is a must-see video from Investors Archive, that features an interview with Jeff Bezos … and he explains, in his own words, what makes Amazon the brand it is, despite being in so many disparate types of businesses.
Google cornered almost 87% of the world’s online search by focusing on innovation, accuracy, and user experience. The company’s search engine algorithm is based on a complex ranking and relevance system, ensuring that users are presented with the most accurate and relevant search results.
Google has also invested heavily in developing new technologies and features that enhance the user experience, such as autocomplete and voice search. Additionally, Google has successfully created a simple and intuitive user interface that enables users to quickly and easily find the information they seek.
Finally, Google’s dominance in the search market has also been bolstered by its extensive partnerships and collaborations with other companies, which have helped establish it as the default search engine on many devices and platforms.
Overall, Google’s focus on innovation, accuracy, and user experience, coupled with strategic partnerships and collaborations, has helped to establish it as the world’s leading search engine.
Discovery UK has created this video that explains how two friends in a grade created Google, which has dominated the online research market now for close to 20+ years! What a story!
Harley-Davidson took the high road to reputation by building a solid brand identity, fostering a sense of community, and embracing its unique heritage. The company’s motorcycles are synonymous with the open road and the freedom and independence it brings.
Harley-Davidson has successfully created a powerful and emotional brand image that celebrates this heritage, with marketing campaigns that hail the American spirit and the unique lifestyle of riding a Harley. The company has also fostered a strong community around its brand, with events like the Harley Owners Group and partnerships with organizations that support veterans and first responders.
Finally, Harley-Davidson has been committed to quality and innovation, focusing on creating motorcycles that deliver an unparalleled riding experience.
Overall, Harley-Davidson’s focus on brand identity, community, quality, and innovation has helped to establish it as one of the world’s most iconic brands.
In this case study video from Value Entertainment, Tom Ellsworth (aka The Biz Doc) shares the story of Harley Davidson and how they don’t just sell motorcycles; they sell admission to the “badass club.”
Lego made growing a vast business child’s play by focusing on innovation, creativity, and a commitment to quality. The company’s iconic plastic building blocks have been a beloved toy for generations of children, and Lego has successfully evolved its product line to keep up with changing consumer preferences.
Lego has also invested heavily in developing new technologies and features that enhance the user experience, such as Lego robotics and augmented reality.
Additionally, Lego has successfully created a strong brand identity around its products, with marketing campaigns that celebrate the creativity and imagination of children. Finally, Lego has been committed to quality, with a focus on creating products that are durable and long-lasting.
Overall, Lego’s focus on innovation, creativity, quality, and strong branding has helped to establish it as one of the world’s most loved toy brands.
This is another of Adam Erhart’s great videos – this time with the success story of Lego. Who hasn’t played with Lego bricks as a child? This video is about the bricks that built Lego into a world-famous brand!
To find a special gift waiting for you on this page, click the button below to take a peek, before you read on …
Some of the most commonly asked questions on the best branding examples are listed below … with their quick answers. These are good extra angles from which to understand the talents and tactics many of them have used to fuel their growth.
Steve Jobs was known for his unique ability to combine creativity and innovation with a deep understanding of technology and user experience. He had an exceptional talent for anticipating and meeting the needs of consumers before they even realized those needs themselves, as evidenced by the success of products such as the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Jobs was a visionary who could see the potential of technology and design to transform people’s lives and was uncompromising in his pursuit of excellence.
Jeff Bezos started Amazon to build an online bookstore, not necessarily a huge brand. However, from the beginning, he recognized the potential for e-commerce to revolutionize retail and had a long-term vision for the company’s growth. He invested heavily in building a robust infrastructure, including distribution centers and a logistics network, which helped Amazon scale rapidly as it expanded into new markets and product categories.
All mega brand owners don’t need to be exceptionally ambitious. While ambition can be a driving force behind the creation and growth of a successful brand, other factors such as luck, timing, and a strong team can also play a significant role. Some brand owners may focus more on maintaining their success and building a legacy rather than aggressively expanding their brand.
Successful brands planning global expansions typically undertake extensive research to identify markets with the most growth potential and assess the local competition and regulatory environment. They also consider consumer behavior, cultural differences, and language barriers to tailor their products and marketing strategies to local preferences. Brands may partner with local businesses to navigate legal and cultural complexities and establish a strong local presence.
After conquering the market, big brands typically shift their focus towards maintaining their dominant position by continuing to invest in marketing and advertising to maintain brand awareness and customer loyalty. They may also invest in research and development to improve existing products or develop new ones to stay ahead of the competition.
1. Any successful marketing strategy must have branding as an essential component. It helps businesses stand out from competitors, create a distinct identity in the market, and develop robust customer relationships.
2. Though branding may seem challenging to grasp, it is not impossible to master. By observing the branding techniques of some of the most successful brands like Apple, Nike, Coca-Cola, and more, you can gain valuable insights into applying these tactics to your business. This blog post will highlight real-world examples of these branding strategies to help you get started.
3. If you are an aspiring brand strategist, marketer, or small business owner, this post has hopefully provided you with valuable insights on how to develop a successful branding strategy.
Branding and content marketing are tough because they require a deep understanding of the target audience, a commitment to delivering high-quality content consistently, and ongoing optimization to remain effective. This is where an expert hand can be invaluable.
With cutting-edge knowledge of the latest industry trends and best practices, an expert can help provide the guidance and support needed to achieve the desired results.
"I am committed to elevating my clients' branding and content marketing to a dominant position because I believe that a strong and distinctive brand identity, coupled with high-quality content, can be a game-changer for businesses. I've done it over and over for 40+ years and 125+ clients."
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Give yourself truly big benefits.
Get my weekly newsletter packed with cutting edge brand content tips, tricks, tactics, techniques, and trends. I scour the Net for you.
Get a free download of my 93-page eBook “BRANDSPEAK” … on how to deploy content marketing for total brand domination.
Just fill in the form to join my community … we have big and small brands for company. You’ll stay on the speedway to growth.
