This blog was originally posted as a guest post on Studio Guerassio.

Answer me this: What is your core brand message? That’s a tough question, but my goal is to make it easier for you to answer by the end of this post.

First, let’s start by answering “What is a core brand message?”

A core brand message is the one main idea that defines your company or business. It’s the core essence of your brand. It’s what makes you… you.

When someone hears your company or brand name, what’s the one thing they can’t help but think of? THAT is your core brand message.

Since a brand message is an idea… a concept, it can be hard to articulate. But here are some examples in the form of famous taglines:

• Apple – “Think different”
• Disneyworld – “Where Dreams Come True”
• Energizer – “It keeps going, and going…”
• Subway – “Eat Fresh”
• Visa – “It’s everywhere you want to be”

A tagline is one component that makes up a brand, but your brand is really influenced by every interaction someone has with you and your products. That’s why it’s important to start with your brand message before creating your designs and other marketing materials.

There are three main criteria to consider when creating your core brand message:

1. Your Company’s Mission and Values
2. Your Target Audience
3. Your Competitors

1. Understand your Company’s Mission & Values

Your company’s mission and values should influence the way your company operates; they are driving forces behind every decision your company makes. If your core brand message is in sync with your mission and values, you’ll find that it’s 100x easier to be authentic and communicate your brand message consistently.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. What do you and your employees care about?
2. How does your company make an impact for your customers or the world as a whole?
3. What are some opportunities that your company would turn down instantly – and why?

After you have a solid understanding of your company internally, let’s explore the external influences.

2. Understand your Target Audience

First, who is your target audience? (and don’t say “everyone!”). Your customers help your business run, so you need to appeal to whatever is important to them. Understand who they are, and what they care about.

Questions to Ask:

1. The people who are buying your products/services now – why do they buy from you?
2. What customers do you want to attract? What are their demographics (age, location, income, etc.)?
3. What do they value?
4. What motivates them/what do they want?

Once you have a solid understanding of your target audience, you can determine where your company and your customers overlap. We’re getting closer to defining your core brand message.

3. Consider your Competition

The last main factor to consider is your position in the marketplace. Take the ideas from the last step (where your company and your customers overlap), and compare that with your competitors.

Questions to Ask:

1. Are your competitors already promising the same thing?
2. What makes you different?
3. Why would someone buy from you instead of them?

Your core brand message should be different from your competition’s.

Use Brand Planning as a Tool

Once you have an idea that (a) blends your company values, (b) considers your target audience, and (c) differentiates you from your competitors, you have your core brand message.

Use your brand message as a planning tool for your designs and marketing materials. When you meet with your designer or marketer, tell them your core brand message and make sure they understand. You now have a good starting place to ensure a clear and consistent brand.