Schools and rules go hand in hand. We might refer to them as guidelines, expectations, or even contracts between students and teachers… but they are still rules, essential to functioning in an effective manner in school. Rules keep our students on track, aware of appropriate boundaries. Rules are NOT about dampening the fun, but rather allow behaviors to be funneled into appropriate channels so that everyone may have engaging and enjoyable experiences at school, growing and learning in a healthy and safe environment.
Knowing this about rules and schools, I figure it makes sense to put branding into a similar context. There are three keys rules of branding that, should we all follow 100%, will help school ministry to thrive and allow each of us to be happy and healthy as part of it. So, allow me to present the Rules of Branding:
There is a key word, obviously most critical, that I leave with you as the final thought. To be most effective as a school ministry, above all you must be consistent. Blessings to you this day as you consider the role you play in the consistent presentation of your school's brand, communicating through word and deed the critical mission and purpose of your Lutheran School.
Knowing this about rules and schools, I figure it makes sense to put branding into a similar context. There are three keys rules of branding that, should we all follow 100%, will help school ministry to thrive and allow each of us to be happy and healthy as part of it. So, allow me to present the Rules of Branding:
- Your brand is a promise that must be reinforced every time people come in contact with any facet of your school. Whether through the student experience, parent/teacher conferences, extracurricular activities, or even just chit-chat at the end of the day, your brand must be true throughout.
- Your brand must accurately reflect the core beliefs of your school, from leadership all the way through every last person who delivers your brand experience to parents and students.
- Consistency builds brands, so every encounter with your brand — whether with staff members, the educational experience, your website, marketing communications, news coverage, or any other form of brand experience — must consistently contribute to your desired brand identity.
There is a key word, obviously most critical, that I leave with you as the final thought. To be most effective as a school ministry, above all you must be consistent. Blessings to you this day as you consider the role you play in the consistent presentation of your school's brand, communicating through word and deed the critical mission and purpose of your Lutheran School.