Brand Strategy
for a successful Brand.
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Define Your Brand Core
Defining your Brand’s core values, purpose, mission and vision are the first steps in the process of creating your Brand. Here is where you should start also when making adjustments to your current Brand or when doing a rebranding.
Start by putting together a small team of key people within your Brand. Gather people that are deeply involved internally with your Brand but also people that are involved with your customers. Once assembled it’s time to think and jot down why exactly you are doing what you are doing.
If you are a solo-entrepreneur then it can really help to bounce your ideas off someone. We can be that someone, giving you useful tips and advice that promote the longevity of your Brand.
In this step we create the following:
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Why does my Brand exist?
What does the future look like for my Brand?
How do I create that future? -
Core values are the beliefs that you, as a Brand can stand by and that guide your Brand story, actions, behaviors, and decision-making process.
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You are perhaps not the only one with this business idea in your area, but there is only one you!
Take your time!
This step requires a lot of reflection upon your self and your Brand. Our advice is to divide this step up in to several meetings and let it take as long as it takes.
Many companies will have their Brand Core in a very official format such as a statement hidden deep within their websites or annual reports. But how many actually take the time to sit down and feel how they resonate with these statements? Times change and healthy Brands adopt to the times.
This step is different then brainstorming for a marketing campaign, especially if you’re working with a team. In this step you are digging in to the soul and essence of your Brand. Try to avoid going in to the meeting with the thought that you will come out of it with everything clear and written down.
This is so that your team can work without pressure and you don’t end up with something forced.
To help you find your Brand we’ve created a Brand Questionnaire. It is a form that step by step guides you through process of creating your Brand. Sign-up with the form at the end of the page and will mail it to you!
You can fill it up with your team, alone or together with us. If you’d like our help then usually in 2 to 3 online meetings we will have your Brand core fleshed out.
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Write messaging that resonates with your core and relates to your audience.
In the previous step we found your unique story, now itâs time to think about how to communicate that story in a relatable and compelling way to your target audience.
During this step it is also good to go through your main selling points for your product or business. In this step you will also crystalize your Brandâs essence and give it a catchy and compelling tagline.
This also works for organizations. Do you want to attract volunteers, or do you need funding? Learn to direct your message towards your audience so that your cause sounds captivating and clear.
Brand personas or your target audience.
Who are your potential Customers? Unless you are selling the cure to aging then you need to think of whom it is that is interested in your Brand, product or service.
In the Brand questionnaire you’ll find a worksheet that helps you envision and write down your target audience.
In this step we create the following:
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Who the people are that you want to reach. What are they like, what do they like and what needs do they have?
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An NGO working with mental health doesn’t sound the same as spa center.
To connect with your audience you need to sound authentic and relatable. -
Are you a witty and trendy hipster
or a firm but helpful sibling? Who is the voice that narrates your Brand story? -
You arenât just looking for a great name. Youâre looking for a great name for you!
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Red Bull: Red Bull gives you wings.
Nike: Just Do It.
The tagline is the extension of your Brand by which people will remember you.
Which are the functional and emotional benefits that you offer?Which are the main selling points of your products and or Brand?
The Brand questionnaire is a step by step form that guides you through process of creating your Brand. Sign-up with the form at the end of the page and will mail it to you!
Once you have defined who your audience is then you can start to speak to them.
If you are noticing that your current marketing efforts are not being heard then a quick tip would be to revisit your messaging. See what your Brand is communicating, and if it is speaking to your audience in an understandable and relatable way.
Own your Brand!
Letâs say you want to become a Health Coach or start your Beauty salon or Yoga studio. You are not the only one with this business idea in your area, but there is only one you! Here is where your Brand messaging and story becomes important.
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Support your strategy visually with an identity that is uniquely you!
Before diving into your Brand identity and creating a logo as the first thing itâs really important that you have your Brand core and messaging mapped out. In other words, the Brand core and the Brand messaging can be seen as your Brand strategy and the Brand identity the tools to visually support that strategy. Makes sense?
Show your Brand!
Your Brand identity is how you look to the world. Images and graphics communicate on a sensorial level. This is why so many people take their decisions based on what they see before they have even tasted the food, listened to the sales pitch or tried the product.
Remember that looking cool to one target group can make you look really uncool to an other, and before you know it you might have alienate a huge crowd .
This is why you have to be certain that your identity or image matches that of your strategy.
Your Brand also needs guidelines and an aesthetic that is recognizable and consistent across all the touchpoints were you are visible.
When designing your identity, you will need a comprehensive visual language that can be applied to everything from your website and Instagram pics to your billing, packaging and even store front! This is called a Brand style guide.
In this step we create the following:
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A Brand style guide is the handbook over the aesthetics of your Brand. Without one it’s impossible to keep consistent, with one, any Designer can create exact visuals that represent your Brand.
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A logo is like a visual tagline. It’s how your Brand gets recognized visually.
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You photos should always be taken with your Brand core and messaging in mind.
Show not tell. This rule is golden. Support your cause with infographics and visuals that adhere to your Brand style guide.Your Brand’s website is your most valuable marketing asset. Here you have complete control and can really showcase your Brand!
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Are you ready to take control and start branding?
Start by filling in your details and let us know what you are interested in.
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âWorking with Jenn and John also gave me a creative outlet for my own ideas and they were very good at extracting my vision and concretizing it in a creative and refreshing way.â
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âJohn is the ultimate professional, and has always treated me as a professional rather than someone who knows nothing about creating and maintaining a business website.â
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âBefore meeting them I was struggling to maintain my blog, and my marketing was sporadic. Now I have a Brand Package and I can run Social Media campaigns tied to my blog, run a scheduling system AND I have a beautiful new Website!â
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âI needed to move my old Website from Weebly to WordPress before the launch of my upcoming book series. John not only took care transferring the the site but he created a competely new design in a matter of days! I couldnât be happer.â
