Dec 09 2024 39 mins 2
In today’s episode of The Simple Pin Podcast, Kate chats with Katie Trant from Foodie Brand Lab about the concept of branding. Starting with the foundational question, What is branding?, the discussion explores how to truly understand branding—whether you’re two months, two years, or even 12 years into your business journey.
Katie shares insights from her extensive experience working with big brands, her own business, and helping others establish their brand identities. Let’s dive into the key takeaways.
Introduction to Understanding Branding
Kate: Katie, welcome to The Simple Pin Podcast.
Katie: Thank you so much for having me.
Kate: I’m so excited to chat with you. I first heard you on the Food Blogger Pro Podcast while getting ready one morning. As I listened, I started framing up questions, and what stood out to me was this whole world of branding.I use the term “branding” casually—like when I say, “Make sure your Pinterest images are branded.” But after hearing your story, I realized branding is so much more than that. It’s almost existential—a perception we can’t always control, and in this light we might not understand branding as well as we think. So, let’s start there: When I say “branding,” what does that mean to you now versus before you entered this industry? What does it really mean to understand branding?
Related: Personal Branding & Pin to Website Connection
What Is Branding?
Katie: To be honest, I didn’t think much about branding before I got into the field. The technical definition of branding is the act of applying an identity to something. For example, when you say, “Apply your branding to Pinterest pins,” you mean using your visual identity—colors, logos, fonts—so people recognize your content. That is branding, but it’s just one part of it.People often think branding is just their logo, visual identity, or personal style. But branding is a complex ecosystem made up of many elements. Creators benefit from understanding not necessarily every aspect, but at least the major components of branding and how they apply to their businesses. To truly understand branding, it requires seeing the bigger picture beyond just logos and images.
Understand Branding for small businesses
Kate: That resonates with me. When we think of branding, we often think of big companies like Coke or Starbucks. As small business owners, it can feel like branding doesn’t translate to us because we’re often starting with a hobby, an idea, or a passion. For someone just starting or bumping along in their journey, what are the key elements they should consider when building their brand?
Katie: Branding is crucial, even for small businesses. My background is as a food blogger, and I’ve seen how challenging the past year has been with algorithm changes and AI developments. For example, the Helpful Content Update devastated many sites, while AI tools like ChatGPT shifted how people search for information.In this uncertain environment, having a strong brand—a compass—helps you stay grounded. It reminds you who you are, what you stand for, and what you offer. This clarity resonates with your audience and sets you apart, no matter the size of your business. If you want to understand branding fully, it’s about establishing this clarity and consistency,
