I’ve never interacted with someone famous, but I did go to high school with the brilliant, kind, hilarious Adam Herz, the man who wrote the American Pie movies.
Adam and I met in 5th grade in our public school’s ‘gifted and talented’ program (cringe). I attended his bar mitzvah in middle school (zero cringe unless there is video of my 13 year old self dancing). And we were both on homecoming court our senior year in high school (cringe again).
As a result, I personally knew most of the characters in the movies. Some of the characters are exaggerations, but mostly they are spot on: the upbeat band geek; the jock who is mocked for wanting to sing in chorus; the female foreign exchange student; the friend who refused to do a number two at school.
I think one reason those movies were so successful was the specificity of the characters. They were unlike each other and uniquely themselves. I think this helped the movie because (HERE COMES THE SCIENCE OF HOW HUMAN ATTENTION WORKS) humans instinctively give their attention to people who are KNOWABLE and DISTINCT.
Human brains intrinsically WANT to understand where you’re coming from.
Not because they care about you (sorry).
Because they CARE ABOUT THEMSELVES. And humans are HARD WIRED to want to know if someone is in our tribe or not in out tribe.
Want an example? Okay, picture this: You just met someone who starts A LOT of sentences with “This one time? At band camp?” Your brain will–without even noticing it–put her one of three categories
- No distinct vibe=not my tribe
- Love the vibe=my tribe
- Not my vibe=not my tribe
IN OTHER WORDS, PLEASE REMEMBER THIS ABOUT BRANDING: Human brains are wired to put things in categories. Having a KNOWABLE brand category, they’re more likely to give your brand attention!
That’s why it’s so important for you to share who you are and what you’re about via a CLEAR and DISTINCT brand personality!
If your brand voice is not ‘THIS ONE TIME? AT BAND CAMP?’ clear, I’d love to help. BOOK YOUR BRAND PERSONALITY SESSION WITH ME BY CLICKING HERE.