Branding and Identity (the agency test)

Posted by Jake Bronstein on January 21, 2013.

 

It’s been just over 6 months since we launched on Kickstarter and just over 3 since we launched the website. In that time, no fewer than 5 creative, branding and/or identity agencies have gotten in touch. Some have wanted as much as $50,000 for their services (and have impressive portfolios of brands we love that would easily seem to justify the fee), while others have offered to give their input for $0 (believing that, simply standing next to our brand would ultimately help them in the long run).

 

In both cases, we’ve always said, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

 

The reason is simple: My business card is nothing more than a stamp, purchased from an online stamp company. There’s nothing fancy or designed about it. It’s just a solid piece of equipment that makes a satisfying “cu-chunk” sound every time I smash it into the blank cards I buy on Etsy. It’s handsome. It’s reliable. It looks great even when I get the angle wrong. It’s fun to stamp into books when I lend them out and works great for the return address on envelopes. It’s made in America. And the whole system cost just $60. Until someone can show me something better, there’s not much point in talking.

Post a Comment
  • http://www.facebook.com/andrew.malis1 Andrew Malis

    The simplicity of your business cad, packaging, product values, etc. makes up your branding. You may not need a marketing firm now, but at some point the word-of-mouth growth will slow, and you’ll need to widen the net. That’s when a responsible, serious ROI driven firm will help you grow.

  • http://twitter.com/follyrob Rob Weideman

    Links to stamp company and etsy cards would be awesome!

  • http://june85.tumblr.com E K

    awesome idea!

  • http://twitter.com/SomeoneCreative Liz Abbate Hyman

    I love it! Who ever said there’s anything wrong w a stamp and kraft cards, especially when it works w the vibe of your brand? My (unsolicited) suggestion: how about throwing that hot logo from your website on the stamp? Doesn’t cost too much more through the right vendor, you get rolling on consistency of your brand image, and you can keep the satisfying cu-ching of the equipment.