The Alarming Effects of Consistency
I’ve mentioned the importance of being consistent a few times before, but the subject really deserves an entire article.
Being consistent can drive your brand into the memory of your customers. Being inconsistent can defeat your marketing campaign and leave people wondering about your professionalism.
How does your small business stack up with regard to consistency? Do all of your materials sing in harmony with one unified message, or are they more like a drunk hoard of Christmas carolers?
A consistent message helps people remember
As most kindergarten teachers will tell you, repetition is the key to memorization. What they might not tell you is that repetition is also the key to making people remember your business (even if they aren’t trying to remember it).
But you can’t just repeat anything, you have to repeat the same thing.
Can you imagine what would happen if I used a different word each time I wanted my dog to sit? Here boy…recline… We humans may be a good deal more complicated than dogs, but the idea is still the same. If you want people to remember and understand your message, the best way is to repeat the same consistent message over and over again.
Inconsistency confuses people
I ran into a great example of this last week: I was driving down a nearby commercial road and saw a business that had one logo on it’s billboard, and an entirely different logo at the entrance. When I was about a block past the entrance, I saw not one but two cars turning around. I took a quick look in my rear-view, and sure enough, they were trying to get back to that business.
Let that be a lesson to all of us—it’s best not to confuse customers.
Here’s another example from SitePoint Articles on why consistency is critical.
“Is a ‘twin overhead cam’ the same as a ‘double overhead camshaft’? My motor mechanic knows, but I don’t. The use of multiple terms for the same thing is a significant cause of confusion.” - Gerry Gaffney
Consistency looks professional, inconsistency doesn’t
As a small business owner, you’re probably fighting for all the credibility you can get. Having a consistent logo and design can help provide that. If you don’t have an established logo or a consistent design, you’ll always look less professional than the company that does.
I know designers can be expensive; but even if you can’t afford proper corporate identity design, you should at least keep your look and feel as close to consistent as possible. Once you master consistency, the next step is to make your corporate identity seductive.
Lastly, there are some times when being consistent just doesn’t fit. The company 37 Signals uses the term “intelligent inconsistency,” and I think that is a great way of putting it. Drew McLellen from Drew’s Marketing Minute also discusses this in his article about consistency.
In the end, much of your success will depend on how well you can relate to your market consistently.
Reader Comments
Inconsistency has been a stumbling block of my small business. Working a full-time job, raising a toddler and helping my wife get through school has made consistency almost impossible. Fortunately, I have a loyal customer base and have not lost any existing business, but I’m certain that I’ve missed opportunities.
Today, I announced my resignation at my full-time job and plan to make my part-time business a full-time one, thus enabling consistency. Thanks for the great advice in this post. It will help me focus my plans.
Great Post, this is something that I am currently dealing with….a new puppy! He’s been pretty good, but sometimes when I say something new, he just looks at me, completely confused! It’s hilarious!
Danny - Congratulations on going full time! If your customers have stuck with you through inconsistency, you’re probably giving them something pretty darn good. Good luck!
Graham - All it takes is some repetition and consistency : ) I do love new puppies, there is a surprising amount you can learn from them. (I see a post coming on this one…)
Thanks for your comments, it really makes our fledgling site a lot more warm and friendly.
- Mason
Great article. Consistency can be really useful for getting a message across. I’ve been trying to get any guest posts I writeto have a similar/the same by-line even, just to enforce that. :)
Michael - consistency in your by-line is definitely a good thought. After that, the trick is to craft a by-line that is intriguing enough so that people will follow it back to your blog. Best of luck!
We beleive in Quality material.200-001 braindumps All of our Questions and Answers are well shaped in PDF and Simulator format. These products are realy worth of your valueable.350-029 braindumps
will is a great way to find useful info.
Great article! I have frequently thought about this subject. You’ve definitely put a significant quantity of thought and study into developing this comprehensive piece. You provided and suggested many facets I had actually ruled out. Well done. Do you plan on composing a follow-up? Karen, Waist Training: Is It Right for You? reporter
数年間、尤納斯・布蘭金都はあるいは、滑車に乗って運転して勤務に取って代わりを堅持します。よくグッチの中でメモ帳、図面、ノートパソコンといくつかフィットネスの用具を保管して、よくたとえばのメモ帳が発生して濡らされて、グッチコピーノートパソコンが切り傷を負われるなど人の楽しくない事を譲りが。
自動車と運動する業界で長年設計の経験する尤納斯・布蘭金を持っていて考えてどのようにこれらのグッチコピー問題を解決するかを始めて、行に乗るのが更に楽しくて更に安全なことを譲ります。もしかするとあなたは１つのもっと良いグッチをかえるのがを提案して、しかし尤納斯・布蘭金はこのように考えることはでき(ありえ)ないです。彼は航空輸送を考えるのがどのように極限に達している有限な環境下で運送を完成したのをやり遂げるのを始めます。
理想的なグッチを設計するため、グッチネクタイ新作尤納斯・布蘭金は繰り返し航空輸送のコンテナに対して研究します：彼らはどのように組み立てたのですか？相互にどのような効果関係ですか？どんな種類のねじを使いますか？異なる圧力の環境の下に材料はどんな反応がありますか？環境の変換は材料に対してどんな程度の腐食がありますか？グッチコピー問題を待ちます。今のところ、あなたは全世界でいかなる１つの空港は人々が“赤ちゃんの貝”のキャリーバッグを使いを見ることができます。
Being a small company owner, you’re possibly fighting for all the reliability you may get. Using a regular brand name and design will help supply that. Should you don’t come with an set up logo or a regular design and style, you’ll generally look rogue compared to organization that will.
I am aware makers might be pricey; nevertheless in case you can’t find the money for suitable business identity design, you must at least keep your look and feel as near to regular as is possible. Once you master uniformity, the next thing is to generate your own corporate identification seductive.
Add Your Comment