In my search to enhance my own brand, I have decided to learn from renowned influencer and social scientist, Brene Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston. She calls herself a researcher and a storyteller.
Wikipedia says the following about her: Brené Brown (born November 18, 1965) is an American research professor in The Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston. She has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy[1] and is the author of five #1 New York Times bestsellers: The Gifts of Imperfection, Daring Greatly, Rising Strong, Braving the Wilderness, and her latest book, Dare to Lead, which is the culmination of a seven-year study on courage and leadership.
Brown’s 2010 TED talk – The Power of Vulnerability – is one of the top five most viewed TED talks in the world, with over 35 million views.
Brené Brown has a significant brand in the field of self-help and empowerment. Her brand tone is inviting, warm and welcoming. You feel enticed to spend more time with her – she is the wise part you have not discovered yet. And she will give you the tools to uncover your own wisdom. She shows up in her vulnerability and makes you feel safe and at home with her. Her motto is “courage over comfort”, and she invites everyone visiting her website to join her on a journey to be more vulnerable and courageous.
Her brand identity shines through her verbal language. It portrays a personality of realness and care. She is knowledgeable (proven in the millions of views of her YouTube video on “vulnerability”) as well as through her publications. You feel you want to spend time with her because she knows what she is talking about and she uses language that soothes and comforts you as well as challenge you to grow.
Her brand symbols portray a real person. Not one who is better than you. Just a caring person with the heart to impact and influence others. The picture on her homepage of her sitting outside on a bench in front of a window reflects balance, light and openness. She is not hiding something, she is confident, with an invitation to come to join her for a conversation. Men and women around the world follow her blogs, read her books, follow her on Social Media. She is the coach, psychologist and mentor for the masses.
Take a look at her website Brené Brown
What stands out in the use of her colours is the approachability and professionalism with a touch of sunshine yellow. Her logo is stylish.
And her colour pallet inviting both men and women. She uses her brand colours consistently. Her message remains the same – she says, “I am your researcher, and by the stories I tell you, I help you to grow and be the best you can be.”
Visually Brene Brown uses subtle tones of brown – portraying the messages of grounding and solidness.
I like the way she uses the colour turquoise, which portrays energy, wisdom, wholeness, emotional balance, spiritual grounding. Her brand colours support her message beautifully. It is sophisticated, stylish and comfortable. Giving the message of hope.
As Brene Brown is her brand, her story is her brand’s story. She shares her life timeline on her website from her birth till date, showing she is a real person, with a real family and a heart for making an impact through her influence. She lives her brand through her visuals and language in a long list of service offerings:
- Books
- Blogs
- Audio
- YouTube videos
- Speaking
- Articles
- Podcasts
- Social Media.
Consistently through the services and products, she is offering the same voice – inviting, warm and welcoming. You feel enticed to spend more time on her platforms as you find gems to help you with your life.
She has been a worthy teacher and mentor to me on my journey to empower myself about branding. It is clear she has used professionals, and she continues to use professionals as her brand language and visuals are consistent, professional and successful.
