Your favorite t-shirt = ruined
When Kurt Cobain showed up in a Mudhoney T-shirt, I couldn’t get to the record store fast enough to get my hands on their CD. When Jason Isbell rocked a Sound Emporium T-shirt, I spent the next two weeks exploring the catalog of amazing music recorded there. The real estate covering their bodies represented a chance to make a statement, statements guys like me are more than eager to receive.
I do the same thing today. If I dig your brand, I want to wear it. It’s my way of making the identical statement as my musical heroes. Not with band T-shirts, rather the brands owned and operated by those I admire.
Here are a few in my current rotation.
But this story isn’t about those shirts, it’s about this one shirt.
I carry Brand Fuel T-shirt’s with me all over the place. There are a bunch of photos on social accounts of me in the two versions of their logo I’ve worn as we got to know the people behind the brand, years ago. I actually think the first T-shirt (which is NOT ruined, mercifully) was stolen from Misters Rosin and Fiveash upon our first visit to one of their very cool showrooms.
Needless to say, T-shirt #2 suffered terribly from an oil stain and recently had to be retired from the Brand Rotation. I was heartbroken. It was like losing a friend. But, the guys behind the logo are still making T-shirts so…
Our exchange went something like this:
Me: (texting image of stained shirt) I ruined it. I am so bummed right now this T-shirt went so many places with me.
Brand Fuel Reply: It’s never too late to send me your address and shirt size again. So, stop your woe-is-me-ing. 🙂
Me: Address provided with much speed, extra tight please. j/k medium. This situation has inspired a blog post and thank you my friend…
That exchange made me realize just how deeply I cared about Danny and Robert’s brand – and perhaps, how much they cared about me. Losing that shirt meant fewer opportunities to share the Brand Fuel story wherever I’m stopped and asked about that powerful rocket logo. That oil stain interrupted my ability to tell the story of the brand created by friends of mine, in much the same way those musicians told the same stories by wearing the T-shirts of the bands they wanted other people to know about.
When you truly care about a brand, you go beyond merely admiring someone else’s work; you begin to pick up the ability to share the message behind the brand. And that’s SUCH a great testimonial to anyone, like Brand Fuel for instance, working to make something great. Not to mention, in each scenario, it’s a high quality garment which makes this a shirt I want to (versus have to) wear. The garment tells a story about quality in much the same way as the brands behind them.
If your brand has a story, let’s hear about it. I’ve got lots of space left in the closet. I welcome the chance for any and all of the readers of this piece to share their stories with me in the vehicle of your choosing. The stories that resonate most with me will become future additions to a “Brand Rotation” of shirts I wear – should there be a willing audience!
PS – T-shirt #3 is pictured below. SCORE!
About our guest and friend, Roger Burnett: Roger has spent 20+ years making complex concepts more understandable for both buyers and sellers alike, and has devoted the majority of his recent career to writing and executing sales and marketing plans for early and mid-stage businesses. He is a student of organizational behavior and the disciplines successful selling organizations use to achieve the greatest reach, even in instances of scarce resources. He loves the outdoors and seeks memorable experiences whenever possible. You can find and connect with him HERE.
This story originally appeared on PROMOCorner. https://www.promocorner.com/identity-marketing/Other-Band%E2%80%99s-T-shirts?i=1483