#28: Branding Expert Danny Matthews – How to build a seaweed startup brand, avoid common pitfalls, understand the neuroscience of buying decisions, find Problem-Solution fit and craft the right story.

Danny Matthews is a branding expert with a big vision to solve the world’s biggest problems with creative design and brand strategy. Among his accolades he has been featured in the Huffington Post, BBC Radio, the FSB’s First Voice and has shared a stage with Facebook and Google. In 2019, Danny founded Short Story Ventures, a Venture Studio that helps early-stage founders build a fundable startup brand, gain traction and get to market successfully.
 
Check out ⁠⁠Inside Seaweed Newsletter⁠⁠! Just one short email per month, no spam and you can cancel at any time. If you'd like to give it a try, head over to ⁠⁠insideseaweed.com ⁠⁠

Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:11 - Setting the Scene: Building a Fundable Brand
00:01:26 - What is a Fundable Brand?
00:03:00 - Key Considerations in Setting Up a Brand
00:04:00 - The Concept of Pitching
00:05:00 - Effective Networking Pitches
00:08:00 - Example of an Introductory Pitch
00:10:00 - The BIO Framework: Brand, Investor, Origin Story
00:12:00 - Crafting an Investor Story
00:13:00 - Crafting a Brand Story
00:14:00 - Neuroscience of Buying Decisions
00:17:00 - Common Pitfalls in Building a Brand
00:19:00 - Importance of Obsessing Over the Problem
00:21:00 - Problem-Solution Fit vs. Product-Market Fit
00:23:00 - Traction: Data Plus a Promise
00:24:00 - Guidelines for Crafting the Right Story
00:26:00 - Storytelling Framework: Hero, Problem, Guide
00:28:00 - Real-Life Example: Cold Water Thermometer
00:31:00 - Role of Sustainability in Product Development
00:33:00 - Insights from the Mushroom Industry
00:36:00 - Tactical Advice for Brand Building
00:38:00 - Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Useful Links:
Danny Matthews on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter
Short Story Venture: Website

Get in touch Inside Seaweed's host Fed DeGobbi on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠, Instagram or by emailing him directly at fed@insideseaweed.com - Please send in your feedback: what do you want to hear more or less of? Any suggestions? Would love to hear what you think!