🧠 What Makes an Effective Marketing Strategy?

Hey there,

Welcome back to the 59th edition of Brandish,

Your guide to crafting an iconic brand.

Here’s something to think about.

What do Apple, Nike, and Trader Joe’s all have in common?

✋ Hangg onn, I already know what you’re thinking.

Trader Joe’s???

Let me explain.

If I told you to make a list of everything that Apple, Nike, and Trader Joe’s have in common. You could probably go on all day about what Nike and Apple have in common.

But you probably couldn’t even list one thing about Trader Joe’s.

But there’s at least one thing I can guarantee they all share that makes them killer marketers.

Simplicity.

Simplicity is the powerhouse driving the world’s most effective marketing strategies–including us at Obvi.

And the best part?

Anyone can use it.

Today, we’re breaking down why simplicity is a game changer for building your brand, engaging with customers, and driving sales.

So kick back,

Grab your Brez,

And get ready to take a hard look at your own strategy and start cutting the fluff.

Why Simplicity Wins (And Why It’s So Tough to Master)

Simplicity sounds easy right?

Just trim down the words, slap on a minimalist logo, and call it a day.

But the truth is, simplicity is one of the hardest things to achieve in marketing.

Why?

Because most marketers (and businesses) get caught up in trying to say too much.

We’re all guilty of overcomplicating things.

Whether it's piling on product features or adding jargon-heavy language, the end result is often overwhelming for the audience.

There’s this famous Winston Churchill quote: “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.”

That’s spot on.

It takes time, discipline, and careful thought to make something simple.

You’ve got to boil your message down to the essence, and that takes real work.

But when you do it right…

Like I said earlier, it’s a game changer.

A study from Kantar found that “too many messages can dilute communication as our brains can only think about 3-4 things at once.”

The human brain has a very limited capacity for information, so cluttering your message will just make it forgettable.

Simplicity, on the other hand, makes choices easy for consumers, helps them remember your message, and makes your brand impossible to forget.

The Science of Simplicity in Action

Think about your average unaware customer.

They’re not browsing the web or shopping for your product with a clear, focused mind.

They’re bombarded by thousands of ads, countless decisions, and a to-do list that’s a mile long.

The last thing they want is to waste time figuring out what you’re selling.

The easier you make it for people to get what you’re offering, the better.

Take Apple, for example. The company has built an empire around a minimalist philosophy.

From their sleek product designs to the clean, straightforward copy on their ads, Apple’s message is always simple and crystal clear: “This is the best. You need it.”

There’s no long list of features or technical jargon.

Just an iconic logo and a message that resonates.

Nike follows the same playbook. “Just Do It.” Three words.

That’s it.

But those three words say everything about their brand — they inspire action, motivate performance, and promise achievement.

Then there’s Trader Joe’s. 

Instead of adopting complex tech and self-checkout machines like other big-name grocery chains, Trader Joe’s doubled down on simplicity.

Handwritten signs, friendly in-store staff, and straightforward, quirky product packaging — these are all choices designed to keep things simple, approachable, and human.

And you bet it works.

How to Keep Your Message Simple (And Still Make It Memorable)

It’s one thing to understand why simplicity works. 

It’s another to actually pull it off in your own brand.

Here’s how you can strip down your messaging without losing the power behind it:

1. Cut the Fluff

Let’s face it, we’ve all been guilty of trying to pack in too much information.

But let’s be honest, no one cares about every tiny feature your product offers. 

What they care about is how your product will improve their lives.

2. Use Clear Language

Ever clicked on an ad and ended up more confused about the product than before?

That’s overcomplication in action.

Your customers shouldn’t need a dictionary or a decoder ring to understand your offer. 

Use simple, everyday language that anyone can understand at a glance.

3. Stick to One Message

One message per ad.

That’s it.

Trying to sell 10 different benefits or communicate 5 different ideas in one place is enough to make a customer's head explode.

Instead, focus on the one thing your audience cares about most, and hammer that point home.

4. Be Consistent

A confused customer is a lost customer. 

If your marketing says one thing on Instagram, another on your website, and something totally different in email, your audience will get overwhelmed–and it won’t be long until they’re gone forever.

The Trap of Choice Overload

More Isn’t always better.

It often leads to worse outcomes for your customers.

When consumers are faced with too many options, they tend to feel overwhelmed.

It’s called “choice overload,” and it leads to decision fatigue, confusion, and sometimes no decision at all.

Imagine going to a restaurant with a 50-page menu. At first, it might seem cool.

But after endlessly flipping through the dishes, you start to get annoyed and hungry.

The same thing happens in marketing. 

Too many options can cause your prospects to walk away.

Simply because they’re too overwhelmed to make a choice.

Tool of the Week

Increasing AOV is a challenge.

And for us at Obvi, it was at the forefront of our minds for the longest time.

Because unfortunately, you can’t just speak higher AOV into existence.

Or can you…

We also thought it was easier said than done until we started using AfterSell’s post-purchase network offers.

Here’s how it works:

AfterSell goes beyond upselling at checkout.

It’s about transforming every post-purchase moment into a revenue opportunity.

Think targeted offers that make sense.

You don’t need to be a tech wizard or spend hours on setup either.

AfterSell integrates seamlessly with your existing system, automating the process and boosting your AOV effortlessly.

No tricks. No hidden fees. Just straight-up revenue growth.

We’ve personally seen our AOV soar by over 15%. And it's not just us – brands like Patagonia and Everlane are already on board.

So if you’re looking to boost AOV with the push of a button, click HERE and let AfterSell work its magic.

And one last thing before wrapping up…

If you’re looking for best-in-class strategies to win with Organic and Paid Social, you should check out this free webinar featuring Thiago Nogueira and Danil Saliukov of Insense and Nick Shackelford of BREZ.

They’ll be going over:

• The modern purchase journey

• The latest paid social trends

• How to source UGC at scale

• Tips for seeding and affiliate campaigns for Q4

You won’t want to miss this one!

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, Sep. 25th. And grab your ticket HERE.

Wrapping Up

At the end of the day, marketing doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective.

And as a matter of fact, the simpler it is, the better.

That’s what makes the biggest brand in the world…

The biggest in the world…

They cut the fluff, dial in on messaging, and keep it consistent.

After today, you’ll not only be able to build a more memorable brand, but you’ll also make life easier for your customers.

And that’s the kind of experience that leads to trust, loyalty, and sales.

Until next week

Ankit