The message first marketing hub
What actually is Message First Marketing…
and why is it such a big deal?
You keep hearing about Message First Marketing. But what exactly is it? Why have industry experts, agency leaders and leading CEOs identified it as an approach they couldn’t be without? And how do the world’s most successful brands consistently use it to their advantage?
Everything you need to know about this unique methodology that’s making a huge difference to branding, marketing and bottom lines is right here.
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What is message?
Your message is the essence of your brand and heart of your business. It’s your clear, compelling, central idea, succinctly expressed.
Why’s message important?
Your message is what gives your business relevance. Without it, no one will have a clear understanding of what you’re trying to do, how you’re doing it, or even why you exist.
Why put message first?
Putting your message first is the only way to get the best results with your marketing. It lays the foundation for every part of your branding, marketing and sales strategy.
Message first In practice
Think Volvo, think safety.
Think Nike, think empowerment.
Think Apple, think different.
Sometimes it’s just a word. Sometimes it’s a sentence, sometimes it’s just a feeling or emotion. But the one thing that all the most successful brands and businesses have in common is a strong consistent message. A message they use to inform every part of their marketing.
Message First in Practice: Surreal
Surreal is a fast growing food brand that makes fun and delicious cereal inspired by the flavours children love – except it’s healthy, high in protein, and aimed at adults. Here’s how they put their message first.
Message First in Practice: Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer (M&S) needs no introduction if you’ve spent any time in the UK. It’s one the country’s oldest retailers, renowned for its quality food, clothing and homeware. Here’s how the UK’s most trusted brand puts message first.
Message First in Practice: IBM
For over a century, IBM has led the way in computing technology, becoming one of the world’s most widely known brands. It’s all down to putting message first.
Message First in Practice: Victoria Bitter
Victoria Bitter – or VB – is Australia’s first and only billion dollar beer brand. What makes them so recognisable? Easy. A strong message.
Not sure what Message First could do for you?
If guaranteeing greater success with every single piece of your marketing isn’t enough to convince you, how about some more real world, real business benefits of message first marketing, like:
MONEY SAVED
by minimising missteps, cutting out complications and eliminating ineffective work
Revenue increased
by improving the effectiveness of every piece of content your organisation produces
Processes streamlined
by reducing effort and delivering a crystal clear guide for everyone in your organisation to follow
…Plus many more
It’s not rocket science, yet far too many businesses are missing out
It’s not rocket science, yet far too many businesses are missing out
Glowworm Digital
Unipart Rail
Userism Ltd
Volcanic
ProNetworks
Hillsgreen Marketing
TMT Commercial Contractors Ltd
Much Clearer
PR Agency One
Pole Star Digital
Space48
Marlowe Fire & Security Group
Likely Story
Discover everything you need to know about message first marketing and get started with one simple change to your operations.
Sounds like a no brainer. How do I put message first?
Putting message first doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, it should be second nature, common-sense.
That’s why we identified the unique message first methodology in the first place, and why we put together a simple, cost-effective three-step process to follow.
Discover
We discover your key truths and core attributes. Working together through interactive workshops, stakeholder and customer interviews and independent research, we identify all the essential inputs required to build your brand message.
Distil
Next, we combine all those inputs, pinpointing the most relevant details, capturing your brand essence and distilling your brand purpose into a single, clear, compelling idea that’s succinctly expressed – your brand message.
Deploy
Using that brand message as a brief for your entire brand identity, we deploy those solid foundations that will set you up for success. We use your message to inform your key internal messages (Mission, Vision, Values) and your external messaging (value proposition, promise, value proposition), crafting and creating a powerful multi-channel advertising and marketing strategy.
Want to learn more about the methodology, process, inputs and outputs behind message first?
Message first In action
Take at look at how we’re deploying message first marketing with some of the most forward-thinking organisations in the world
Naveo Commerce
Message First Brand BuildingPartnering with FORM, HNW brought clarity and value to a strategic merger with a brand built on clear, compelling messaging.
True North Excellence
Tone of VoiceA solid brand always starts with a solid message, delivered in a clear and consistent tone of voice. That’s why TNE invested in partnering with HNW to develop their brand.
Space48
Website copywritingSmart agencies invest in their own messaging. When Space48 did just that, HNW helped them put message first and stand out in a crowded sector.
SevenYays
MESSAGE FIRST BRAND BUILDINGStarting with a blank slate, SevenYays wanted to build a brand that’d propel their startup to success. Where better to start than with the message?
LIKELY STORY
Tone of VoiceLikely Story craft brilliant visual identities. But they know when they need expert help. That’s why they partnered with HNW on a crucial client tone of voice project.
handl Group
Branding and Copywriting SupportTwenty brands. Twenty identities. And one challenge. Creating the messaging that’d let each member of the group find an audience. Learn why handl Group is all in on message-first.