What is Lifestyle Marketing?
Lifestyle brands are easy to identify but can feel difficult to define if you don’t know the criteria. A quick Google search tells you that lifestyle brands invoke and appeal to a culture or “lifestyle,” but what does that actually mean, and how is it different from other forms of branding and marketing?
The difference between creating a lifestyle brand and building a regular brand really comes down to tapping into your audience’s needs and creating a brand identity that resonates with their way of life. Think of it as marketing with a little je ne sais quoi – that certain something that makes your customers go, “Wow, they just get me.”
Today, SizzleForce Marketing is going to unlock the secrets of building your own lifestyle brand!
Ready to Create a Lifestyle Brand, but Unsure Where to Start?
Find your Niche
We start many of our marketing blogs by addressing the idea of understanding your audience. Lifestyle brands require a niche. Supreme is an example of a company that has honed its reputation as a lifestyle brand. It is something of a cultural phenomenon – because it tapped into its audience, who value exclusivity, creativity, individuality, and authenticity.
By understanding your customers’ passions, interests, and values, you can build marketing strategies that speak to them on a personal level and create a sense of kinship. It’s not just about making a sale; it’s about building a meaningful relationship with your audience.
Build Your Identity
Now we’re talking! Now that you’ve got a firm grip on your customer’s preferences, it’s time to create an identity! Ideally, this is an identity that your customers will relate to. This is Hot-Topic catering themselves a place where fans of pop culture and alternative fashion alike can flock to purchase unique clothing items. Everything, from the cramped and cluttered floor plan to employees being encouraged to rock their alt fashion, caters to this very specific aesthetic.
On the other hand, Lululemon is a brand that sells itself as being dedicated to athletics and health. They offer fitness and health events and even started to house fitness studios and opportunities to try out their gear. A very different identity, but one that sells more than a product: a promise.
Deliver an Experience
Have you ever walked into a Walmart after shopping at Target? We don’t recommend it; it’s a somewhat depressing experience. Nothing against Walmart – they offer very competitive prices and have saved our butts more than once when trying to stock up on affordable snacks! But let’s be honest; you don’t walk into Walmart expecting to feel comfortable or cared for. You expect to save money.
Target, on the other hand, provides Starbucks, Pizza Hut, and some very cute household goods to peruse. It’s not exactly a high-fashion brand, but if you’re looking to kill some time in a store, chances are you’ll be more comfortable and have a better time at a Target than you will at a Walmart. Everything from their packaging to their lighting makes the experience more pleasant.
Delivering an experience is about taking those values that you discovered your clients prefer and ensuring that every aspect of your business caters to those values.
Creating Super Fans
Once you understand your customer, develop your identity, and deliver an experience, you’ve taken your first step toward creating fans. Fans are essential to any lifestyle brand. But what sets them apart from other fans is that they’re not just invested in your product but in you as a company.
The best way to create super fans is to be authentic, tell your story, and create a community. If people authentically resonate with your message and story, they’ll be more likely to participate in store events and believe that the values you advertise are ones you actually believe.
Authenticity really is key here. If you attempt to build a lifestyle brand that doesn’t reflect your company’s values, your clients will catch it. Believe us.
Integrating a digital strategy
In today’s marketplace, it’s impossible to separate online from offline marketing. Your customers are most definitely using search engines and social media to find information about your brand before buying from you. They’re also checking out product reviews, content recommendations, and more through their smartphones while shopping in stores or browsing online catalogs.
This means that you need an integrated digital strategy that takes advantage of all of these channels–and more–to reach your target audience effectively.
Building Relationships
You could surmise this entire blog with the words “building relationships.” It’s all about focusing on your customers rather than focusing solely on selling products and services.
By focusing on service, quality, and product design, you can create an authentic experience for your target market that resonates with them on an emotional level–and this will build long-term loyalty between you and your customer base.
Lifestyle marketing isn’t just for big companies with a lot of resources. It’s a strategy that anyone can use to build a better brand experience. And if you’re ready to start implementing these tactics in your business but are unsure of where to start: reach out to us!
At SizzleForce Marketing, we’re experts in crafting compelling content that connects with your ideal customers. With years of experience and a team of expert strategists and creatives, we’re committed to delivering high-quality content that drives results. Let us help you take your online presence to the next level. Learn more about SizzleForce Marketing’s Services.