The Branded for Success book was written in 2007 by my wife and 2 of our colleagues. It’s purpose was to highlight my wife’s graphic design talent that could be leveraged for a business to get a successful brand. It has allowed the three authors to gain authority as branding experts since they are published authors on the subject.

Understanding of branding has grown and evolved over the last 18 years. The principles in this book are still applicable but some updating is necessary. This chapter discusses about how much should you financially invest into creating your brand. Using our content transformation services, we will evaluate it to see that it is not outdated and irrelevant. This is our opportunity to update and supplement with necessary content that may have been missed when it was originally offered.

Since the book was written from a design perspective, this topic is important and should be determined after the foundational brand elements are completed first. New content will be added as necessary before we prepared for it’s new delivery. Since the repurposed content will be used for premium access content, I will provide summaries of the original text and the repurposed text. Also, when we are finished, the chapter divisions may not be the same, since this will not be repurposed into another printed book.

Summary of chapter 13 of the original text:

When considering how much to budget for branding, the real question is: how much is your reputation worth? While you can get a basic logo for a few hundred dollars, these options typically lack the research and strategic thinking needed to create a brand that resonates with your target market and drives growth.

Major brands invest millions in crafting their identity, but you don’t need to spend anywhere near that to build a powerful brand. At Branded For Success, we’ve developed affordable branding solutions for entrepreneurs and small business owners who understand the value of strong branding but may not have a large budget. We offer two packages: a home-study course that guides you through the branding process at your own pace, and an all-inclusive Weekend Retreat Package that delivers a complete, customized brand experience. The retreat includes one-on-one interviews, in-depth research, logo concepts, high-resolution photography with full rights, branding strategy sessions. Even your lodging and meals, all designed to give you a market-ready brand in a matter of weeks. With limited spots and deep personal involvement, this experience ensures your brand is authentic, targeted, and unforgettable.

Whether or not you choose to work with us, make branding a priority. A strong brand builds trust, credibility, and loyalty and that’s an investment worth making.

Summary of the corresponding repurposed text:

If you’re serious about building a successful business, branding isn’t just about a logo. It’s about shaping how people perceive, connect with, and trust your business. While cheap logo design options exist, they often lack the strategic depth and personal relevance that truly effective branding requires.

Big brands like Nike and Apple didn’t get where they are by accident; they invested in research, strategy, and storytelling. While small businesses don’t need to spend millions, they do need to view branding as a worthwhile investment. Many entrepreneurs struggle because they either attempt DIY branding without proper guidance or hire piecemeal services that don’t offer a complete solution.

That’s why Branded for Success was created, to offer two affordable, comprehensive branding paths: a self-paced DIY Brand Strategy Course for those who want control and a framework, and the VIP Brand Retreat, a high-touch, done-with-you experience that delivers a full brand package including custom visuals, messaging, photos, and more. Both options equip entrepreneurs with the tools, confidence, and assets they need to grow their businesses with impact.

Whether or not you work with Branded for Success, the key is to brand intentionally, with strategy, clarity, and ownership of all your assets. Strong branding builds trust, attracts better clients, and supports long-term growth.

Observations:

This particular topic is not as cut and dry as others we have worked through. It depends on the size and current influence of the person/company. It also depends on how much they are willing to risk financially to get a brand they want or need.

The mom and pop store down the street probably cannot invest in a multi-million dollar brand. A Fortune 500 company cannot afford not to invest that much. Most likely, the mom and pop store will do most of the legwork building the brand. They will outsourcing what they need. For example, they will likely hire someone to help with the visual identity part of the brand. The Fortune 500 company will hire a nationally respected firm to do all of the market and customer research. They will then include those results with the inside research and work they did. This is how large companies make sure they nail the brand.

Final Thoughts:

This chapter may just need a little brushing up since this topic will always exist in branding. Discussion and debate will not stop on this. There is not hard and fast answer for each particular situation. We will need to make sure that addressing it is comprehensive as to satisfy all who read it. That will not be an easy task.

If you’ve ever felt stuck because your content only works in one format say, a podcast that doesn’t translate well to social media, or a long article you can’t seem to shrink into a reel? You’re not alone.

Format limitations are one of the biggest reasons people avoid repurposing. You may think, “This just won’t work anywhere else,” or “My content doesn’t belong on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.”

But here’s the truth: It’s not about forcing content to fit. It’s about transforming it so that it belongs.

The Problem with Format Limitations

Different platforms have different rules. Your audience consumes content differently depending on where they are and what they’re doing.

If you’re only posting in one format (like a blog or podcast), you’re missing the opportunity to connect with your audience in ways that feel more natural and engaging to them.

That doesn’t mean duplicating your content. It means reimagining it.

The Solution: Content Transformation Services + The REPURPOSE Framework

With the right strategy and support, any piece of content can be turned into something new and impactful. That’s where content transformation services come in and why the REPURPOSE Framework was created.

Our step-by-step system helps you:

• Break long-form content into digestible visuals and bite-sized pieces
• Adapt your message to fit each platform’s best practices
• Maintain consistency while tailoring tone, length, and style
• Reach more people without starting from scratch

Eliminate:

• tech overwhelm
• creative burnout
• “But this won’t work anywhere else.”

Bring New Life to Your Content

Your content has more life in it than you think. And you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Break free from format limitations. Expand your reach. Truly connect with your audience where they are. The REPURPOSE Framework (coming soon) is designed to help you.

Let’s make your content work smarter, not harder.

The Branded for Success book was written in 2007 by my wife and 2 of our colleagues. It’s purpose was to highlight my wife’s graphic design talent that could be leveraged for a business to get a successful brand. It has allowed the three authors to gain authority as branding experts since they are published authors on the subject.

Understanding of branding has grown and evolved over the last 18 years. The principles in this book are still applicable but some updating is necessary. This chapter discusses about being brand consistent over a number of products and pieces. Using our content transformation services, we will evaluate it to see that it is not outdated and irrelevant. This is our opportunity to update and supplement with necessary content that may have been missed when it was originally offered.

Since the book was written from a design perspective, this topic is important and should be determined after the foundational brand elements are completed first. New content will be added as necessary before we prepared for it’s new delivery. Since the repurposed content will be used for premium access content, I will provide summaries of the original text and the repurposed text. Also, when we are finished, the chapter divisions may not be the same, since this will not be repurposed into another printed book.

Summary of chapter 12 of the original text:

If you have multiple products, the best way to maintain brand consistency while distinguishing each product is to establish a strong, recognizable brand foundation and customize select elements to suit each target audience.

A great example is the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. All titles share a consistent layout, font, and name placement, preserving brand integrity. Yet each edition is tailored to a niche audience through changes in colors, fonts, and imagery that reflect the unique personality and mood of that market. For instance, softer fonts are used for family themes, while bold, vibrant colors appeal to youth. These customizations never conflict with the core brand, allowing the series to reach diverse audiences while remaining unmistakably part of the same brand.

Ultimately, branding is about integrity, delivering consistent quality and visual identity across all offerings, paid or free, so your audience learns to trust and value everything you produce.

Summary of the corresponding repurposed text:

If you offer multiple products or services, keeping your brand consistent while giving each offering its own identity is key.

The Chicken Soup for the Soul series is a prime example of how to do this well. Despite having dozens of niche-specific titles, the series maintains consistent branding. It does this through uniform layout, typography, and title treatment, while using tailored design elements, like unique fonts, colors, and imagery, to appeal to specific audiences. This balance of consistency and customization ensures brand recognition without sacrificing relevance.

At the heart of this strategy is brand integrity. Knowing what should stay the same and what can adapt is the key to this. A strong brand doesn’t just look cohesive. It consistently delivers quality and keeps its promises to its audience, whether the product is paid or free. To successfully manage a multi-product brand, start with a solid visual and tonal foundation, build in flexibility for niche appeal, and always prioritize clarity and quality. A scalable brand system and style guide can help every new product launch feel aligned, polished, and trustworthy.

Observations:

We can easily see the common traits between the original content and the repurposed version. The core message of brand consistency with the need for flexibility are clearly discussed. Both used the same example, Chicken Soup for the Soul Series. That book series has been successful and clearly demonstrate this principle. This was especially seen in the visual elements of the cover of all the books. Both pieces emphasized brand integrity as a pillar necessary to pull this off successfully. It highlights the elements of quality and trust that consumers look for in a brand/company. Some of the differences are more subtle. The repurposed version moved away from the conversational style to a more instructional mode. As expected, the repurposed content moved away from the design-centric to a more brand-whole position.

Final Thoughts:

Both of these are similar in many respects which signifies that the original content and its principles are evergreen. Therefore only minor tweaks and adjustments to style and word choice are needed. In branding, somethings stand the test of time because how people perceive and receive a company are universal in nature. This is the final entry of this case study. Now we will use the repurposed content in its new delivery setting. Since the original focus was on the design aspect of branding, there will be significant expansion on the rest that is needed for a successful brand.

The Branded for Success book was written in 2007 by my wife and 2 of our colleagues. It’s purpose was to highlight my wife’s graphic design talent that could be leveraged for a business to get a successful brand. It has allowed the three authors to gain authority as branding experts since they are published authors on the subject.

Understanding of branding has grown and evolved over the last 18 years. The principles in this book are still applicable but some updating is necessary. This chapter discusses whether it si wise to use your photo in your company logo. Using our content transformation services, we will evaluate it to see that it is not outdated and irrelevant. This is our opportunity to update and supplement with necessary content that may have been missed when it was originally offered.

Since the book was written from a design perspective, this topic is important and should be determined after the foundational brand elements are completed first. New content will be added as necessary before we prepared for it’s new delivery. Since the repurposed content will be used for premium access content, I will provide summaries of the original text and the repurposed text. Also, when we are finished, the chapter divisions may not be the same, since this will not be repurposed into another printed book.

Summary of chapter 11 of the original text:

Using your photo as a logo in personal branding can be powerful but also risky. History shows that when a brand is built entirely around a person, major challenges arise if that person passes away or is no longer present. Just look at Colonel Sanders of KFC or Dave Thomas of Wendy’s. Businesses that leaned too heavily on personal imagery struggled to maintain relevance and credibility, often requiring full rebrands.

Instead of relying solely on a photo, it’s wiser to blend your image with a well-designed logo that represents your business more broadly. This approach keeps your brand resilient and flexible. Realtors and other personal-service professionals often do this successfully by combining a logo with their photo in a way that reinforces their identity.

Another essential point: keep your photos current. Outdated images can create confusion and reduce trust. Update them at least every other year or more frequently if your appearance changes. The key is recognizability. Your brand should remain strong and consistent across platforms, even if your role evolves. A balanced visual identity with a logo, photography, and flexibility helps ensure your brand can outlast any single moment or image.

Summary of the corresponding repurposed text:

Using your photo as a logo may seem appealing in the age of personal branding, but it’s not a sustainable strategy on its own. While your image can be a powerful part of your visual identity, building your entire brand around your face can create major risks, especially if your appearance changes or you’re no longer the face of the brand. Historical examples like KFC and Wendy’s show how brands suffer when they rely solely on a single personality.

Instead, use your photo alongside a well-designed logo. This hybrid approach, often used by realtors, keeps your brand personal but flexible. It’s also vital to keep your photos current so people recognize you and trust your brand. Update your photos at least every 1–2 years, or more frequently if your appearance changes. Also, have a clean, graphic logo on hand for times when a photo won’t work, like on small print materials or merchandise.

In short, your face can enhance your brand, but it shouldn’t be the whole brand. Balance authenticity with design, and your brand will thrive across platforms and seasons.

Observations:

Here we have a chapter which really does not need a huge overhaul. The concept of using a photo as your logo, in whole or in part, is usually not a good idea. There are situations where your picture with a logo is necessary but with the stipulation that the picture is current. Using a photo for a logo could spell a costly and time-consuming rebrand down the road. If you can, avoid at all costs.

Final Thoughts:

This particular brand topic will not grow old, whether 20 years ago or now or 20 years from now. It is considered evergreen. How it is described and applied may evolve. There may even be a slight shift toward it been more accepted. But I expect that using your photo as or in your logo will be frowned upon.