Forty-five years ago today (October 1, 1969), singer Loretta Lynn recorded "Coal Miner's Daughter," a true-to-life song about her childhood in eastern Kentucky during the 1930s and '40s.
The song was a number one country hit in the U.S. and Canada by the end of 1970, and is arguably the most famous page in her extensive songbook. But more importantly, "Coal Miner's Daughter" has defined Loretta Lynn's personal brand ever since its release.
It served as an inspiration for her 1976 autobiography, as well as the 1980 movie based on that book and the film's soundtrack. The title is on her tour bus and above the entrance to her home. Each time she walks on stage, she's introduced as The Coal Miner's Daughter, and it's that song that ends each one of her concerts.
Whether she set out to write a theme for herself or not, the song resonates with listeners because it's true, and people feel that! There's no pretense. No attempt to impress anyone with fancy lyrics. It just tells her story, and makes her immediately sympathetic and relatable in 2 minutes and 58 seconds. (It also happens to be a great record!)
So, what's your brand's story? The real story, not a mission statement concocted in a conference room and loaded up with marketing-speak.
Are you staying true to that story? Sharing it wherever you can? Living it?
Then, think how your story can serve as a compass when considering everything from what you make and how you make it, to who you hire, how you cultivate your corporate culture, which causes you support, and, of course, how you market.
