Your brand is the Caregiver Brand Archetype- ready to learn how to use it?
Understand the Caregiver Archetype:
The Caregiver loves to act as a mentor or guide, supporting and defending those around them. Usually consistent, trustworthy, and responsive, this archetype is a shoulder to lean on in times of trouble. They’ll protect and care for anyone that falls into their circle.
Since the Caregiver wants to be of service to others, they fear being selfish or ungrateful. Such fears often lead them to be exploited by people, becoming a martyr to the needs of others. Overall the compassion and generosity of this archetype makes them well loved.
It only makes sense that the medical field is full of this archetype – as are many service professions. However, any brand in which stellar customer service offers a competitive edge or where families are the main customer are also a natural fit for the Caregiver archetype.
Purpose:
The Caregiver archetype’s main purpose is to protect people from harm. They aim to help and serve others.
Strengths:
The Caregiver archetype’s strengths include empathy, communication, consistency, trust, compassion, and generosity. They have a great capacity to give care and be there when people need them to be.
Challenges:
The challenges for the Caregiver archetype very obviously include burnout and overextension. In addition, they must avoid martyrdom of self, and the tension between mothering and smothering (the tendency to do too much for someone else rather than allowing them to do for themselves).
Brand Voice:
The least effective Caregiver archetype brand voice is telling people you care. The caregiver brand is shown and spread through word of mouth. As Caregiver organizations and individuals are often non-profits and service providers, a superb reputation for customer service is essential. A key marketing strategy is to act in ways that cause customers to tell others about how well they are treated (to go well beyond the extra mile). Employees of exemplar Caregiver businesses are well taken care of so that they can then take great care of the customers. This tangible commitment is all a part of that brand voice of support and nurturance. The solid, safe environment offers a predictable environment for employees and customers alike.
Brands and Customer:
The caregiver customer is looking to help other people or the world – or to get care themselves while they take care of the people in their lives. The Caregiver organization helps people meet their obligations with ease and offers support and nurturance. The Caregiver brand archetype is a natural fit for brands where customer service provides the competitive advantage over other brands. If a brand provides support to families (from mini vans to fast food) or provides nurturance, it can also be a good fit. Obviously this archetype works well with healthcare companies and mental health and health care professionals. Somewhat surprisingly, this works well for many political organizations, if their platforms are aimed at health and care. Finally, as mentioned previously, this is a good fit for non-profits and charitable organizations.
Pin this handy reference sheet:
Not sure you found the right archetype?
Most brands are a mix of more than one archetype – and two archetypes can be tricky but very rewarding to blend. Below you will find links to all of the archetypes so you can familiarize yourself with other descriptions and characteristics to see if there is one that feels like a better fit for you and your brand. If you are still struggling – feel free to contact me to chat and see if together we can sort out what works best for you!
