Branding Your IP
A Guide to Branding and Selling Your Unique Methodology
As founders, you pour your heart, soul, and countless hours into building your businesses. But what about the unique methods and processes you develop along the way? I'm talking about your Intellectual Property (IP) – the secret sauce that sets your services apart. Branding this IP not only adds value to your business but can also create new revenue streams and growth opportunities.
Let’s dive into why and how you should brand your methodology, using use my business as an example.
Turning IP into a Standalone Asset
At Lab Creative, we specialize in working with founders to position their businesses for sale, often by making them less founder-centric. Ironically, our own brand is quite founder-centric. My face, opinions, personality, and creativity are integral to Lab Creative's appeal. While this approach aligns with our current goals, it does raise an important question about the future: how sellable is a brand that's closely tied to its founder?
Enter Brand Camp – our unique branding methodology. It's not just a process; it's a trademarked brand in itself. With a catchy name, distinct visual identity, and messaging that aligns yet stands apart from Lab Creative, Brand Camp is set up to thrive as an independent entity. It’s a potential product to sell or a framework for training others.
The Power of a Process
Our incredible design process is another aspect of the business that holds immense value. It’s a step-by-step guide that's not only efficient from a client experience standpoint but also impactful in design direction. We often nail logo designs in the first round (or come very close) – saving time and delighting our client. This process, if we packaged it up, can be a valuable tool to train other designers.
Why Brand Your Methodology?
Scalability: By branding your methodology, you create a scalable asset that can grow beyond your personal involvement.
Revenue Streams: It opens up new revenue streams like training programs, licensing, or even selling it as a standalone product.
Longevity: Even if your business is founder-centric, a branded methodology can continue to thrive independently.
How to Brand Your Methodology
Name It: Give your process a memorable and descriptive name that captures its essence.
Visual Identity: Create a visual brand for your methodology that aligns with your main brand but can also stand on its own.
Clear Messaging: Develop messaging that clearly articulates the benefits and uniqueness of your process.
Trademark It: Protect your IP. Trademarking adds value and legal protection.
So while Lab Creative is my primary focus, Brand Camp and our design process stand out as potential game-changers. They are valuable assets with the potential to evolve into success stories in their own right.
Are you harnessing the full potential of your unique methodologies? It's time to think about your IP not just as a part of your business, but as a brand in its own right.
Ready to unlock the full potential of your IP and transform it into a scalable brand? Book a call with me, and let's explore how you can make your unique methodologies stand out and succeed on their own terms.