Branding important? [Paysite Tip]

[MarkTiarra]

Hey I haven't been here in a bit and just had posted something in another thread here from my blog and figured I should post the latest one up for ya'll. Here goes:

In just about any other industry but ours, millions of dollars are spent on the simple idea of branding. Is it really warranted or is it just a collective ego thing for each company? I’m sure it’s some of both and to varying degrees depending on the product/industry but let’s look at the effect it has on our own.

I think most webmasters will agree that the vast majority of programs/sites don’t spend much time on the thought of creating a true brand. Sure the domain name gets some thought and maybe a little time spent on a logo but some nice graphics and a slick name hardly qualify as a true brand. A brand is what happens when the mere mention of the name or a glimpse at the logo brings with it the weight of perceptions and suppositions. The company that has successfully created a brand doesn’t have to sell you on the quality of the brand and the idea behind it so much because it has taken on a life of its own and has a perceived value established.

In adult this means consumers will chat it up to their friends (I wonder how many sales Bang Bus got from word of mouth!) and webmasters will trust they are promoting a product of a certain level and not worry about wasting their traffic. A few companies that come to mind that have created a real brand have also done very well for themselves. Are they doing well because they created a brand or is the brand a result of success? FTV, Naughty America, Lightspeed etc… In the case of Naughty America they went to a lot of trouble to make a very recognizable logo and video bumper as well.

In my view, the answer to my question is that part of why they did so well is that they built a brand. They built trust in webmasters because of care for quality and they were perceived by the consumer to be more than just run of the mill porn. it’s far too easy in this business to just churn mediocre stuff out, but the people who care enough to create a brand perception also care enough to provide good product and people respond to that. They respond to the brand right off the bat because it’s an indicator of the quality to come. Over time that brand will bring you more and more of the coveted “type in” traffic as well.

So take the time to think out a brand. Make a visual brand that leaves a quick impression instead of trying to make something too graphically slick, make it graphically recognizable (Pepsi, Nike, Target… graphical masterpieces???) and then build a consistent product that keeps in line with the perception the brand puts forth.

It may seem like basic advice but what % of people are following it?

Feel free to check out more for free at:
http://www.guaranteeddesigns.com/blog/

[AdultB2B]

Mark your points on branding are well taken. But unfortunately the job doesn't stop with establishing a brand. Once you've established that brand you need to sell something! This industry is full of well established brands that fall short of their true potential because they only emphasize promoting the brand and don't spend the time and effort to tell people why their brand is better and how it will benefit the end user. Only then will a company realize it's true potential.

[MarkTiarra]

Originally posted by HotHardCash
Mark your points on branding are well taken. But unfortunately the job doesn't stop with establishing a brand. Once you've established that brand you need to sell something! This industry is full of well established brands that fall short of their true potential because they only emphasize promoting the brand and don't spend the time and effort to tell people why their brand is better and how it will benefit the end user. Only then will a company realize it's true potential.

I certainly agree. This is just one tip out of many on that blog that all deal with delivering the best selling paysites. =]

[timelord]

I think this thread borders on SPAM.

While it contains arguably useful info for newbs, the call to action at the end to leave Cozy and go get more free stuff at your one stop shop was what makes me shun such threads.

Why leave cozy when there is already plenty of FREE stuff including years of accumulated lessons, insights and knowledge.

In adult this means consumers will chat it up to their friends (I wonder how many sales Bang Bus got from word of mouth!)

Not at all in my experience. Most surfers don't like their friends to know they look at porn let alone what turns them on.

WOM (word of mouth), is great for mainstream, but crap in most domains of Adult.

[MarkTiarra]

Originally posted by timelord
I think this thread borders on SPAM.

While it contains arguably useful info for newbs, the call to action at the end to leave Cozy and go get more free stuff at your one stop shop was what makes me shun such threads.

Why leave cozy when there is already plenty of FREE stuff including years of accumulated lessons, insights and knowledge.

Not at all in my experience. Most surfers don't like their friends to know they look at porn let alone what turns them on.

WOM (word of mouth), is great for mainstream, but crap in most domains of Adult.

Fair enough. Next time I'll post only the info.

[aardvark2]

Mark,

If you want to focus your contribution on the board on brand issues and wish to add a call to action, I suggest you improve your sig and turn it into a call to action. Your sig is all over the place. It needs focus...Apply your own brand stuff to your sig and you should do fine.

Look at mine, for example.

I liked your blog by the way.

[Hammer]

He might want to read the rules about sigs too since his has way more links than is allowed.

Music lessons?

[timelord]

I'm going to give Mark some credit here. He's a fast learner!

Good on you Mark.

[MarkTiarra]

Originally posted by timelord
I'm going to give Mark some credit here. He's a fast learner!

Good on you Mark.

Well I might as well do something right. =] I've never been one to read the manual but you don't have to tell me twice. lol.