Cult Branding: Rules and Principles that Inspire Customers to Love Your Brand

How do we make our customers choose us over and over?

This question only starts to become important when a brand is seeking sustainable growth. Under the demand of profitability and growth one is faced with the ultimate question on how to accomplish growing the brand and across many years (some cult brands are 100+ years old). This quest to grow must be supported by customers who love the brand and choose it over its competitors. Brand Lovers that regardless of what is happening in the world have a real affinity toward the brand.

The customer loyalty factor:

Cult Branding includes a few rules, such as Belonging. Humans must belong. Some components are principles such as selling lifestyles, here the brand has to uncover how each customer feels and then group them into trends and attitudes (Harley Riders have an affinity towers the color black.)

In other words these seven rules and principles won't tell you everything there is to know about Cult Branding, but they will give you a nice overview and practical framework to utilize in your own marketing endeavors.

Think of this list as your indispensable "Cult Branding Cliff Notes."

Here they are. Read them. Use them!

#1 – The Golden Rule of Social Groups
Consumers want to be part of a group that’s different.

#2 – The Golden Rule of Courage
Cult-Brand inventors show daring and determination.

#3 – The Golden Rule of Fun
Cult Brands sell lifestyles.

#4 – The Golden Rule of Human Needs
Listen to the choir and create Cult-Brand evangelists.

#5 – The Golden Rule of Contribution
Cult Brands always create customer communities.

#6 – The Golden Rule of Openness
Cult Brands are inclusive.

#7 – The Golden Rule of Freedom
Cult Brands promote personal freedom and draw power from their enemies.

Learn how to apply the Seven Golden Rules in your business with the Cult Branding Workbook.