4 Ways Brand Archetypes Improve Emotional Branding

Think about the brands you love. Their products, marketing, brand voice, or something else? Brands are like people with great personalities, and all well-loved brands have an emotional connection with their target market. 

In this article, we will share how to use brand archetypes to create a dynamic brand identity that wins over your audience! This test has 12 brand archetypes, and every brand – including you – fits at least one.

 

The 12 Brand Archetypes

 

 

Brand archetypes are powerful tools for developing brand personality and building a strong connection with your target audience. 

 

For instance, Lego is the third-most loved brand in the world. Many associate it with fond childhood memories, and Lego has a strong emotional connection with its customers. But why? 

 

Successful brands like Lego have an archetype. Experts conducted these studies like Carl Jung. Archetypes appeal to basic human needs and desires, and each archetype matches a human want. That’s how brands build a deeper connection with their target market.

 

Let’s get to know the 12 archetypes!

 

 

1) The Outlaw

 

 

Core value: Freedom

Brands: Harley Davidson, Jack Daniels

 

The Outlaw archetype appeals to humans’ admiration and desire for nonconformity and revolution. Outlaw brands seek to change the status quo and shake things up.

 

 

2) The Magician

 

 

Core value: Power

Brands: Disney, Dyson

 

The Magician archetype appeals to human curiosity toward change and renewal. Magician brands leverage foundational human knowledge – whether scientific or nonscientific – to surpass limits and make dreams come true.

 

 

3) The Hero 

 

 

Core value: Mastery

Brands: Nike, Red Cross

 

The Hero archetype advocates tenacity in the face of challenges. Hero brands inspire us to overcome obstacles or protect others with courage, resilience, and mastery.

 

 

4) The Lover

 

 

Core value: Intimacy

Brands: Hallmark, Victoria’s Secret

 

The Lover archetype fosters close emotional relationships between people. Lover brands appeal to humans’ basic desires for love, beauty, and warmth.

 

 

5) The Jester 

 

 

Core value: Enjoyment

Brands: Skittles, Ben & Jerry’s 

 

The Jester archetype wants to have fun and live in the moment. Jester brands make people feel good. They encourage us to enjoy the lighthearted pleasures of life.

 

 

6) The Everyman

 

 

Core value: Belonging

Brands: IKEA, Target

 

The Everyman archetype emphasizes belonging, community engagement, and relatability. Everyman brands are wholesome, down-to-earth, and likable.

 

 

7) The Caregiver

 

 

Core value: Service

Brands: UNICEF, The Salvation Army

 

The Caregiver archetype is compassionate and nurturing. Caregiver brands are always ready to serve, care for, and protect others.

 

 

8) The Ruler

 

 

Core value: Control

Brands: Microsoft, Rolls Royce

 

The Ruler archetype takes control and leads. Ruler brands want to ensure safety, prosperity, and security by enforcing order and exerting power.

 

 

9) The Creator 

 

 

Core value: Innovation

Brands: Pinterest, YouTube

 

The Creator archetype pushes boundaries and brings new ideas to the world. Creator brands value imagination, original thinking, and individuality.

 

 

10) The Innocent

 

 

Core value: Safety

Brands: Dove, Aveeno

 

The Innocent archetype is rooted in simplicity, tranquility, and positivity. Innocent brands promote happiness and fulfillment in sentimental and clean living. 

 

 

11) The Sage

 

 

Core value: Understanding

Brands: TED, Harvard University

 

The Sage archetype constantly pursues truth and enlightenment. Sage brands find success by collecting and sharing knowledge to better the world.

 

 

12) The Explorer

 

 

Core value: Freedom

Brands: Patagonia, The North Face

 

The Explorer archetype seeks novelty and open-mindedness by exploring what’s out there. Explorer brands are curious and authentic and want to discover the world around them independently. 

 

What’s My Brand Archetype?

 

Like personalities, each archetype represents a distinct set of traits and values. 

 

Each brand archetype appeals to a target market with similar shared beliefs. Everyone’s core desires are different. Some brands attract us more than others. For example, the Innocent archetype is associated with purity, simplicity, and optimism. The Explorer archetype is associated with adventure, independence, and freedom. 

 

To find out your brand archetype(s):

 

1. Refer to the chart and decide the archetype(s) to align your brand with. 
2. Answer these guiding questions.
3. After discovering your brand archetype, start building your brand identity, and marketing efforts around it. 

 

Let’s learn how brand archetypes build deeper connections!

 

How To Use Brand Archetypes To Build An Emotive Brand

1) Establish a Clear Brand Identity

 

When you take a personality test, you learn more about your identity. Likewise, identifying a brand archetype helps establish a unique brand identity. This identity directs all aspects of the brand’s messaging, from marketing campaigns to product or service design.

 

The brand archetype clarifies your business values and mission. You can better align your branding to represent your business’s ideals. 

 

2) Develop A Consistent Brand Voice

 

The brand archetype impacts the tone of voice and style of your brand’s messaging. For example, a Jester archetype brand may use humor and lingo in its marketing. A Sage archetype brand may use a more serious and intellectual tone.

 

Look at the difference between Skittles and TED:

Skittles is a Jester Archetype brand, whereas TED is a Sage Archetype brand. Skittles uses playful colors and messaging in its marketing. TED goes for minimalism, with simple colors and a short, empowering tagline.

 

A consistent tone of voice sustains your brand identity. It helps you better connect with your audience!

3) Connect with Customers on an Emotional Level

 

Research shows that 95% of purchase decisions are subconscious and emotionally driven. You must appeal to the common emotional desires in your customers’ collective unconscious to increase conversions. By aligning your brand with one or more of these archetypes, marketers can attract customers who admire that archetype’s traits and values. 

 

Customers who value your traits will feel strongly about you. With emotional bonds, your brand connects deeply with your target audience. It strengthens loyalty and emotional attachment!

 

4) Stand Out in A Crowded Market

 

Your brand can differentiate itself from competitors with a unique tone and identity. It helps you stand out in a crowded market! 

 

For example, an Outlaw archetype brand attracts customers who want something distinct and non-conformist. Outlaw archetype brands like Vans and Jack Daniels have become icons in their industries because of their unique brand story and messaging.

 

Transform Your Brand With A Brand Archetype

 

Building your brand from scratch is challenging, but you can make it easier with brand archetypes. It is a powerful tool for creating an emotive brand to connect with your audience more deeply.  By identifying their specific archetypes, companies can establish a brand identity, connect with customers emotionally, and differentiate themselves from competitors.

Transform your brand with a brand archetype  with us today!