How to Create a Successful Brand, the Lost way.

As time goes by many companies are working around the clock wondering how they can create the next big product that everyone will want. Once they have what they view as this wonderful product created,it is next to the branding station. CEO's are awaiting the count down of the product launch, as they are imaging their product and company being the next big brand, in an already branded world. But as they launch this product how do they plan on creating this brand? As I sat on my couch last night I was wildly amused that the show Lost, if followed, is an excellent example on how to build a strong product line. Step 1: Have a good product. Before you market your product and have dreams of success it all starts with the product. No matter what people say if the product is not good it will fail. Imagine JJ Abrams walking into a crowded business room of Hollywood Execs and pitching Lost. "Imagine a plane crash and 44 passengers stranded on an island. We follow them over a year's time as they learn to survive with the various monster's that plague them." Though the show has slightly geared off it's original premise, the product has remained good and intriguing enough to keep people's attention for the last six years, winning various awards along the way. Step 2: Engage the Customer. If you have watched an episode of Lost, you know it is filled with Easter Eggs. From phone numbers that are flashed on the screen to fake Driver's licenses that give you interesting addresses. Once you have a good product you have to encourage your customer to enjoy and talk about the product even when it is not in their hands. Step 3: Listen to the Customer. If a product is failing their is a reason why. If their is a feature that customers like, find out. Lost writer's originally planned Michael Emerson's character Benjamin Linus to only appear in a few episodes, but after receiving positive reviews from fans around the world the character stayed and proved to be a prominent character in the show. Step 4: Accessorize. Once you have that million dollar product it is time for the lunch boxes and action figures that will link to your core product. These will not be for everybody, but your niche collector and die hard fan will die for these. They cannot get enough of your show right now, so give them a little bit more. Microsoft knew this when it invented Windows. Look at the success of such products as Microsoft Office. Step 5: Give back to the Customer. Throw conventions and Q and A's in which the consumer can engage their product at the very highest. Everybody from Apple to Blizzard Inc, to comicbooks have been doing this over the years. Invite your customers in and make them feel like a part of the product. So that is it. Follow these steps and you should have a widely recognized brand for years to come or just simply a hit TV show that has left, millions confused since day one.