Often, interacting with a business is about more than simply placing an order for a product—it’s about connecting with the business almost as if the brand itself is a character. Brand personalities are embodied in the way a brand speaks and behaves, and those personalities resonate with people. Not only do they make the brand easier to identify, but they also encourage customer loyalty.

Whether a brand has a single, strong personality trait or finds itself somewhere between the two, a brand personality can guide marketing efforts and give customers something to connect to. So, have you met any of these brand personalities? And does your business fit one of them? Read on to find out.

The Everyman
Have you ever come across a business that wants to reach everyone? Their brand should probably be an everyman. They’re down to earth, they’ve got wide appeal, and they’re very genuine. They often work with universal products like denim or grocery store staples. Is this brand personality a little boring? Maybe, but they’re generally likeable and relatable.

The Rebel
The rebellious brand is often a brand that is reaching out to customers that want to disrupt the status quo. They might sell edgy clothes or specialize in the needs of a niche community. They’re brash and aren’t afraid to shock. They don’t have the general appeal of the everyman, but they’re well-suited to their particular customer base.

The Hero
The hero is here to save the day! These brands are often built around a product that helps people improve the world, whether that is helping them improve their own lives, address a social problem, or helping people take action.

The Nurturer
The nurturer is a quieter brand, especially when compared to the hero, but its focus on sincerity, kindness and thoughtfulness can make customers feel comfortable and well-cared for. These brands often put a premium on customer service and goes above and beyond to provide excellent service to the people who do business with them.

The Jester
Are you looking for a brand that lets you have a laugh? The jester is that brand! They might offer products that are focused on recreation or they might just want to give a positive customer experience, but either way the jester approaches customer interactions with humor and is always trying to ensure that everyone has a good time. This approach is less common with more serious markets—for example, you might not want to crack a joke while selling safety signage—but the jester can be found in a wide variety of places putting a smile on consumers’ faces.

The Creator
Innovative and maybe a little artistic, the creator is a brand that encourages self-expression and individuality. It’s artsy, and may play fast and loose with a few of the conventional rules. This brand probably also has extraordinary design behind their marketing.

Does your brand have one of these personalities? Do you combine two of them? Or are you working to build your brand’s personality? We’d love to continue the conversation with you in the comments below.

We talked a few weeks back about how you can go “back to school” to keep your business knowledge moving. Today we want you to think back to the lessons you learned when you were in school—and put them in practice in your business! Here are four of the classroom lessons that will help your business thrive every day.

1. Have the Right Supplies
Remember when you were getting ready for the return to the classroom and you got a shopping list of the things you would need that year? Business can sometimes be a lot like that—having the right tools on hand when you start the job is essential.

But what are the right tools? As a professional, unfortunately, you can’t simply pick up your checklist at your average big box store. However, you also have the benefit of experience and can make your own list. Does having a vertical market sales kit on hand for meetings help you make the sale? Make sure you have one of these kits on hand at the start of the next sales meeting. Does one of your customers respond to having a catalog laid out in front of them? Make sure you’ve got that catalog ready—or send them a personalized digital catalog like our zoomCatalog.

2. Take a Moment Every Day to Stay Organized
If your elementary school was anything like mine, you spent some time every day picking up after yourselves, and this is a great habit to build in your business, too! Take a few minutes every day to organize your files, get a few small tasks checked off your list, and straighten things up at your desk. This will help you stay organized, and you’ll find that doing a little every day is much simpler than doing all that organizing at one time.

3. Give Yourself a Break to Recharge
Whether it’s taking a lunchtime breather or getting outside for some “recess,” taking a moment to recharge can be just as helpful for you now as it was when you were in school. Taking that break can help you work more effectively and get more done in the long run.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask a Question
Do you need more information about a new product? Are you unsure how to go about placing an order? Do you just want to have a little more clarity? It can be easy to avoid asking these questions because you’re worried about whether you should already know this information—but don’t be afraid to raise your hand! Whether it’s asking a teacher for more information or asking your print provider for more information about a new product, asking a question is as great an idea in your business as it was in the classroom.

What schoolroom lessons do you still use in your day-to-day life? We’d love to see you join the conversation in the comments below.