IF THE PAINTER CAN DO IT, YOU CAN TOO
IF THE PAINTER CAN DO IT, YOU CAN TOO
While the “big guys” are a convenient source of reference, it makes the whole idea of branding somewhat inaccessible for the rest of us. And this is just not the case. Even the smallest company can brand itself. While smaller companies may not use the same methods to express their brand that a big marketer might – like national TV, stadium sponsorships, or celebrity endorsements – they certainly can express their distinctive identity.
LET ME TELL YOU A STORY OF TWO PAINTERS. A few months ago, my wife and I decided to repaint the interior of our home. We called two painters that came highly recommended for an estimate. Let’s call the first, Painter A.
Painter A cancelled our first two scheduled meetings, both at the last minute. On the third visit, he appeared on time, showing up somewhat disheveled and full of paint (We kind of expected that). Painter A had a piece of notebook paper which he scribbled on as he walked up and down and all throughout our home. After about an hour, Painter A said he had all the information he needed to provide an estimate. He promised to fax his estimate the following evening. The estimate came five days later.
Painter B was quite a different story. We scheduled a meeting and he arrived right on time. He too, was covered in paint, but we noticed a bright logo mark on his overalls. Painter B carried a clipboard with a questionnaire. He asked my wife and I a series of detailed questions, and really made us think about the project in ways we hadn’t before. After 20 minutes, Painter B said he had all the information he needed, presented us with his business card, and left. He too, promised us an estimate the following evening. And true to his word, his estimate was waiting for us on the fax machine when we arrived home the next night.
Guess who we chose to paint our home? Painter B, and he did marvelous work. Every company, from the global business to the local craftsman, can create a distinctive presence.
Branding enables you to position your firm as the best solution to a prospect’s needs. Without true distinction, the perceived value of working with one company over another becomes blurred. Prospects then swiftly base their purchase decision on price alone. Branding enables you to make a stand and deliver from a position of strength. And for smaller companies, branding gives you the important credibility to win that first sale.
If Painter B can create a distinctive brand presence, why can’t you? What are some things you can do right now to further differentiate your company’s brand?
IF THE PAINTER CAN DO IT YOU CAN TOO - To learn more about this author, visit Ed Delia's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
When marketing “experts” refer to the concept of branding, they typically point to global and widely recognized brands: Coke, McDonalds, FedEx, Microsoft, GE, and the like.
While the “big guys” are a convenient source of reference, it makes the whole idea of branding somewhat inaccessible for the rest of us. And this is just not the case. Even the smallest company can brand itself. While smaller companies may not use the same methods to express their brand that a big marketer might – like national TV, stadium sponsorships, or celebrity endorsements – they certainly can express their distinctive identity.
LET ME TELL YOU A STORY OF TWO PAINTERS. A few months ago, my wife and I decided to repaint the interior of our home. We called two painters that came highly recommended for an estimate. Let’s call the first, Painter A.
Painter A cancelled our first two scheduled meetings, both at the last minute. On the third visit, he appeared on time, showing up somewhat disheveled and full of paint (We kind of expected that). Painter A had a piece of notebook paper which he scribbled on as he walked up and down and all throughout our home. After about an hour, Painter A said he had all the information he needed to provide an estimate. He promised to fax his estimate the following evening. The estimate came five days later.
Painter B was quite a different story. We scheduled a meeting and he arrived right on time. He too, was covered in paint, but we noticed a bright logo mark on his overalls. Painter B carried a clipboard with a questionnaire. He asked my wife and I a series of detailed questions, and really made us think about the project in ways we hadn’t before. After 20 minutes, Painter B said he had all the information he needed, presented us with his business card, and left. He too, promised us an estimate the following evening. And true to his word, his estimate was waiting for us on the fax machine when we arrived home the next night.
Guess who we chose to paint our home? Painter B, and he did marvelous work. Every company, from the global business to the local craftsman, can create a distinctive presence.
Branding enables you to position your firm as the best solution to a prospect’s needs. Without true distinction, the perceived value of working with one company over another becomes blurred. Prospects then swiftly base their purchase decision on price alone. Branding enables you to make a stand and deliver from a position of strength. And for smaller companies, branding gives you the important credibility to win that first sale.
If Painter B can create a distinctive brand presence, why can’t you? What are some things you can do right now to further differentiate your company’s brand?
IF THE PAINTER CAN DO IT YOU CAN TOO - To learn more about this author, visit Ed Delia's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
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| When marketing “experts” refer to the concept of branding, they typically point to global and widely recognized brands: Coke, McDonalds, FedEx, Microsoft, GE, and the like.
While the “big guys” are a convenient so... |
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| Everyone in sales fears hearing the price objection, yet very few salespeople prepare how to deal with it. |
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| Are you still advertising in the old fashioned way. Name, address, phone number and a few services you offer? If you are, you must break free from the mould in these difficult times and try a different way of gett... |
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In 1895, Gillette decided it was time to return home. Moving back to Fond du Lac in Wisconsin, he took up work as a salesman for the Crown Cork & Seal Co. The company’s founder, William Painter, had invented the cor... |
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| It doesn't matter how good your product is or how much you believe your target market NEEDS what you're selling. If it's not a good fit, it isn't going to matter because they won't buy. Why your marketing campaign n... |
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![]() Ed Delia (Visit Ed's Website) Ed Delia grew up in the dynamic and challenging world of marketing. In 1998, he was named president of Delia Associates, assuming full control of the company founded by his father in 1964. Delia Associates has directly contributed to the success and growth of a wide varitey of clients, helping businesses expand their sales opportunities through the development and implementation of highly successful branding campaigns. In 2007, Ed became only the ninth professional in N.J. to earn the Professional Certified Marketer designation from the American Marketing Association, Joing an Elite group of just 250 marketing professionals in the U.S. who hold that designation. Ed was honored as one of New Jersey's 40 under 40 for 20069, an annual designation by NJBiz, the state's leading business publication. He also was named 2006 Outstanding Business Person of the Year by the Somerset Business Partnership. Ed is a frequent speaker on branding, marketing, advertising, and technology-driven communications. He is an Expert Speaker for Vistage International, the largest peer-to-peer learning organization for CEOs. Ed earned his BA in English from Dickinson College in Pennsylvania.
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In 1895, Gillette decided it was time to return home. Moving back to Fond du Lac in Wisconsin, he took up work as a salesman for the Crown Cork & Seal Co. The company’s founder, William Painter, had invented the cor...












