Dilate Digital https://www.dilate.com.au/ Create Business, Better Everyday - Dilate Digital Wed, 19 Mar 2025 09:49:32 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://www.dilate.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-2-48x48.png Dilate Digital https://www.dilate.com.au/ 32 32 The ultimate guide to creating creative that actually works https://www.dilate.com.au/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-creating-creative-that-actually-works/ Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:58:23 +0000 https://www.dilate.com.au/?p=75047 Great creative is the lifeblood of impactful marketing. It’s the difference between a campaign that makes people pause and one that fades into the background faster than you can say, “Skip Ad.” But let’s get one thing straight—good creative isn’t just about looking nice. It’s about strategy, precision, and, most importantly, making people feel something. […]

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Great creative is the lifeblood of impactful marketing. It’s the difference between a campaign that makes people pause and one that fades into the background faster than you can say, “Skip Ad.” But let’s get one thing straight—good creative isn’t just about looking nice. It’s about strategy, precision, and, most importantly, making people feel something.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about mastering the art (and science) of creative. From nailing the technical details to creating emotional connections, this isn’t fluff—this is your roadmap to creative that actually works.

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Brand storytelling: How to make people care about what you do https://www.dilate.com.au/blog/brand-storytelling-how-to-make-people-care-about-what-you-do/ Fri, 14 Mar 2025 10:40:50 +0000 https://www.dilate.com.au/?p=75012 Most brands are forgettable. Not because their products aren’t great, but because they fail to connect. They focus on features, push discounts, and talk about themselves like they’re the main character—but they never tap into what makes people care. That’s where brand storytelling changes the game. A great brand story doesn’t just describe what you […]

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Most brands are forgettable. Not because their products aren’t great, but because they fail to connect. They focus on features, push discounts, and talk about themselves like they’re the main character—but they never tap into what makes people care.

That’s where brand storytelling changes the game.

A great brand story doesn’t just describe what you sell—it makes people feel something. It turns a product into a movement, a business into a belief system. It’s the reason people wear Apple like a badge of honour, happily spend $12 on a pint of Häagen-Dazs, or swear by Dr Bronner’s all-in-one soap like it’s some kind of holy relic.

And the best part? You don’t have to be a billion-dollar company to do it.

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Why most brand positioning statements are useless (and how to fix yours) https://www.dilate.com.au/blog/why-most-brand-positioning-statements-are-useless-and-how-to-fix-yours/ Wed, 05 Mar 2025 10:16:55 +0000 https://www.dilate.com.au/?p=74913 Most brand positioning statements are a waste of words. They sound good in strategy meetings, but in the real world? They’re forgettable, generic, and do nothing to make a brand stand out. If your brand positioning statement could be swapped with a competitor’s and no one would notice, you’ve got a problem. A strong brand […]

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Most brand positioning statements are a waste of words. They sound good in strategy meetings, but in the real world? They’re forgettable, generic, and do nothing to make a brand stand out. If your brand positioning statement could be swapped with a competitor’s and no one would notice, you’ve got a problem.

A strong brand positioning statement isn’t just a tagline—it’s the foundation of how you differentiate, communicate, and connect with the right customers. Done right, it makes your marketing sharper, your messaging clearer, and your brand impossible to ignore.

Let’s break down why most brand positioning statements fail—and more importantly, how to fix yours.

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Building better customer personas that actually work for your marketing https://www.dilate.com.au/blog/building-better-customer-personas-that-actually-work-for-your-marketing/ Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:27:04 +0000 https://www.dilate.com.au/?p=74554 Most buyer persona advice is marketing fluff. There, I said it. Too often, businesses treat creating personas as a checkbox task—design a fictional “customer,” slap a name on it, and forget about it by next quarter. But this lazy approach leaves immense potential untapped. Done right, customer personas are the backbone of your marketing—a living, […]

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Most buyer persona advice is marketing fluff. There, I said it. Too often, businesses treat creating personas as a checkbox task—design a fictional “customer,” slap a name on it, and forget about it by next quarter. But this lazy approach leaves immense potential untapped. Done right, customer personas are the backbone of your marketing—a living, breathing guide that shapes your strategy and supercharges your results.

We don’t just tick boxes at Dilate. We’ve redefined what it means to truly understand your audience. So, if you’re looking for the ultimate guide to building personas that don’t just sit in a dusty file but drive every decision, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it.

What is a buyer persona (and why are most missing the point)?

Let’s start with the basics (but not the boring kind). A buyer persona is more than a list of demographics with a trendy name like “Techie Tom” or “Eco Ellie.” A real buyer persona digs deep. It uncovers what drives your audience, what keeps them up at night, and what makes them hit “Buy Now” without a second thought.

The problem? Most personas barely scratch the surface. They tell you that your target customer is 35, works in tech, and likes coffee. Great. But how does that help you write an ad, craft an email, or build a product? It doesn’t.

At Dilate, we think of personas as strategic tools. They’re not static profiles but dynamic, actionable insights that connect every part of your marketing—from the first touchpoint to the final conversion.

Why your marketing needs a spine (AKA why personas matter)

Buyer personas give your marketing strategy its backbone. With a clear picture of your ideal customers, your efforts become structured, targeted, and far more effective. Instead of drifting aimlessly, you’ll move with purpose—attracting the right audience and making a real impact.

When you know exactly who you’re talking to, everything changes. Suddenly, you’re not just broadcasting messages into the void—you’re having a conversation. You’re solving real problems, addressing real fears, and showing up where your audience actually is.

Think about this:

  • Have you ever written an ad that flopped because it didn’t connect?
  • Spent thousands targeting the wrong audience?
  • Launched a product, only to realise it wasn’t what your customers needed?

Buyer personas fix all of that. They help you understand not just who your audience is but how they think, what they value, and how to meet them exactly where they are.

The step-by-step process to building personas that work

Creating a buyer persona means digging deep, asking the right questions, and uncovering the insights that elevate your marketing. Here’s how we do it.

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Creative is the foundation of modern marketing https://www.dilate.com.au/blog/creative-is-the-foundation-of-modern-marketing/ Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:41:33 +0000 https://www.dilate.com.au/?p=74373 Marketing is always evolving. A decade ago, data, targeting, and algorithms were so powerful that people wanted to rename the whole category “digital” marketing. They’re table stakes now—an assumed part of a proper modern marketing strategy. But maybe more importantly, they’re also far less effective. When few marketers were highly skilled at getting the most […]

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Marketing is always evolving. A decade ago, data, targeting, and algorithms were so powerful that people wanted to rename the whole category “digital” marketing. They’re table stakes now—an assumed part of a proper modern marketing strategy. But maybe more importantly, they’re also far less effective. When few marketers were highly skilled at getting the most from complex platforms, it was easy to outperform the competition through technical ability alone. So what’s the key to success today? Creative. 

Creative is what separates the good from the great, and the memorable from the forgettable. A statement that harkens back to the golden age of advertising, when the difference was in the execution. In a crowded marketplace, where audiences are bombarded with messages, creative isn’t just a factor—it’s the driving force behind campaigns that truly stand out, connect, and deliver measurable results.

This guide dives headfirst into the undeniable re-emergence of creative as the foundation of effective marketing. You’ll discover why it’s (once again) no longer optional, how it’s shaping the future, and how leading global brands are doubling down on messaging, meaning and creativity to drive growth.

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Performance vs creative: Why you can’t win without both https://www.dilate.com.au/blog/performance-vs-creative-why-you-cant-win-without-both/ Tue, 28 Jan 2025 07:32:53 +0000 https://www.dilate.com.au/?p=74080 Once, I’d have told you that performance was the key to growing a business, and creativity was just a ‘nice-to-have’—an extra flourish if the budget allowed. Now, my position has changed completely—and so has Dilate. Today, creativity isn’t optional; it’s the spark that transforms placements into persuasion and campaigns into connections. For years, marketers leaned […]

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Once, I’d have told you that performance was the key to growing a business, and creativity was just a ‘nice-to-have’—an extra flourish if the budget allowed. Now, my position has changed completely—and so has Dilate. Today, creativity isn’t optional; it’s the spark that transforms placements into persuasion and campaigns into connections. For years, marketers leaned heavily on one side: performance-driven pros obsessed over data, while creative thinkers focused on storytelling and aesthetics. The truth? You need both.

If you want to drive long-term, sustainable growth for your brand and business, you need to find the intersection of performance marketing and creative content. Performance provides the foundation that keeps your campaigns running efficiently, while creative elevates them, forging deeper connections with your audience. Businesses can no longer afford to prioritise one at the expense of the other—the right combination is what drives results that truly matter.

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What is brand positioning, and how is it crucial to your business? https://www.dilate.com.au/blog/what-is-brand-positioning-and-how-is-it-crucial-to-your-business/ Wed, 11 Sep 2024 09:00:56 +0000 https://www.dilate.com.au/?p=72545 Brand positioning is a crucial aspect of a brand strategy that defines how a brand is perceived in the minds of its target audience—AKA who your brand is for, and what your brand means to those people. It’s about carving out a unique space in the market and differentiating your brand from the competition. Here’s […]

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What Is Brand Positioning And How Is It Crucial To Your Business

Brand positioning is a crucial aspect of a brand strategy that defines how a brand is perceived in the minds of its target audience—AKA who your brand is for, and what your brand means to those people. It’s about carving out a unique space in the market and differentiating your brand from the competition. Here’s a closer look at what brand positioning entails:

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What is a customer journey map and buyer persona? https://www.dilate.com.au/blog/what-is-a-customer-journey-map-and-buyer-persona/ Tue, 10 Sep 2024 09:00:56 +0000 https://www.dilate.com.au/?p=72530 Cracking the code on successful digital marketing starts with truly knowing your customers. Two essential tools to help you do this are customer journey maps and buyer personas. Let's break down what they are and why they matter.

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Cracking the code on successful digital marketing starts with truly knowing your customers. Two essential tools to help you do this are customer journey maps and buyer personas. Let's break down what they are and why they matter.

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Here are some of the most common copywriting mistakes, and how to avoid making them https://www.dilate.com.au/blog/most-common-copywriting-mistakes/ Wed, 04 Sep 2024 10:09:29 +0000 https://www.dilate.com.au/?p=72453 Everyone wants their writing to be impactful. But even the best copywriters don’t get it right every time. Let's explore some areas of weakness that can hold your copy back. By avoiding these you can create written content that truly resonates with your audience and drives results.

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Most Common Copywriting Mistakes

Everyone wants their writing to be impactful. But even the best copywriters don’t get it right every time. Let's explore some areas of weakness that can hold your copy back. By avoiding these you can create written content that truly resonates with your audience and drives results.

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A lesson in decoding digital marketing terms https://www.dilate.com.au/blog/a-lesson-in-decoding-digital-marketing-terms/ Tue, 03 Sep 2024 09:00:38 +0000 https://www.dilate.com.au/?p=72429 Digital marketing can be overwhelming, especially for newcomers. There’s a bajillion new terms and acronyms, and it's easy to feel lost. So let me break down some of the most common digital marketing jargon, so it’s a little easier for you to navigate the digital world.

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A Lesson in Decoding Digital Marketing Terms

Digital marketing can be overwhelming, especially for newcomers. There’s a bajillion new terms and acronyms, and it's easy to feel lost. So let me break down some of the most common digital marketing jargon, so it’s a little easier for you to navigate the digital world.

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