What’s a Brand Strategist & Why Do I Need One?

Admit it, when it comes to the term branding, you are probably thinking it’s all about choosing colors, fonts, and maybe a few photos, right? This is a big mistake so many business owners make. From new businesses, seasoned businesses – heck, even the big guys do it!

But what if I told you there was so much more to think about BEFORE you ever get to colors and fonts? In order to build an impactful brand in today’s market, you have to put a strategy in place. You wouldn’t go on a road trip without a map, would you? Well, some might, but that’s beside the point I am trying to make.

Who needs a Brand Strategist?

Working with a Brand Strategist is great for anyone who may be experiencing any of the following:

• Feeling disconnected with your brand and how it represents you and what you offer.
• Your brand isn’t currently representing who and where you are in your business and the direction you are headed.
• You are in a place where you are ready for growth and the next level, and you’re unsure if your current brand is strong enough to take you there.
• You’re contemplating changing your business name and brand direction.
• You’d love to have someone to brainstorm with and guide you throughout the entire process, ensuring that every decision is the right decision for you and your business.

What I often find is that many people may not really know what a Brand Strategist is or what he or she can really help you with. While I am sure every Brand Strategist has their own process, today I want to give you an inside look at what working with me is really like.

STEP ONE

Once a client inquires with me, I typically either hop on a call or have an in-depth email exchange (your choice). It’s important to me that I am just as much the right fit for you as you are for me. That’s the only way we can make magic together. We’ll discuss your overall needs and then I can make suggestions based on what you are telling me. Some clients need more in-depth help than others, with things like gaining clarity on your business name if you are thinking of changing it, copy coaching, or social media strategy. Note: These are in addition to building your brand together. Think of it as icing on your cake. Some clients need the icing, while others don’t.

STEP TWO

Once we decide we’re a good fit for each other, we’ll get the party started with locking you into my calendar and getting our first strategy call scheduled. I’ll send over some homework for you to do so that I can get a better idea of where you’re at with your branding. If you need to leave a lot of parts blank, then that’s okay too because we will work through it all together.

On our first call, you can tell me all of your thoughts and concerns about your current brand and then we can brainstorm back and forth to gain more clarity. We’ll focus heavily on the heart of your brand, the why behind your business, and begin to dive into your logo a bit. After our call is over, I will get to work on your overall brand strategy. This is where I map out the pieces for you so that all you have to do is come along for the ride and provide me with the pieces that I need to make sure it’s executed.

STEP THREE

I’ll complete your homework based on what we discussed during our call and prepare your brand strategy to be sent to my design partner Patricia. Once she receives my strategy, it is really easy for her to dive right in and get to work, because through working with me beforehand, we will already have a clear brand direction in place. Pat will begin to develop your first visual elements such as your moodboard and your first round of logo concepts. We’ll gather your honest feedback (we are all about transparency in our work), and then make edits as necessary and create something that you are head over heels in love with.

STEP FOUR

We’ll plan our next strategy session to discuss where we’re at and to get moving to the next step, which is strategizing your website. Most importantly, the user experience. We want to ensure that we are building a site that speaks to YOUR ideal client, not just anyone and everyone. This is where we’ll also address things like your brand photos, if you need them, and who may be the best fit for you in your area to work with (again, I help you at every single step). We may also be discussing your copy (this is the words written on your site). You may elect to work further with me for more in-depth copy coaching or you may hire someone to write the important pieces of your site for you. Regardless, I am here to help you make the best decision for you, your brand, and your budget.

STEP FIVE

This is where things really get exciting! After our second strategy session, I again work on your brand strategy and send it over to Pat. She will then begin developing your first draft of your homepage. While she is working on that, you and I are typically working in the weeds together honing in on your copy, site images, and all the pieces that we need to provide to Pat in order to make the site as magnificent as possible. There is usually a lot of hand-holding done at this stage, and I’m not afraid to give you a swift kick in the pants if you’re beginning to feel overwhelmed or doubt yourself. I’ll be your biggest cheerleader at every turn.

STEP SIX

As we prepare for your launch (this is when the world will see your live brand and website). I will develop a custom launch plan for you to be able to follow and fully execute. This entails how to share your brand with your audience, where to share it, and what to say. Easy peasy! I give you the strategy and you simply execute it. And if you’re someone going through a business name change, we’ll develop a plan to make sure everyone is aware of your transition so your business doesn’t skip a beat.

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So there you have it, an overview of what a Brand Strategist is and how I specifically work with my clients. I also provide unlimited email access plus additional call check-ins where they are needed because everyone and every project is unique. I hope this post is informative and helps answer any questions you may have about what goes into building a truly impactful brand – one that you won’t be outgrowing anytime soon.

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WHY CHOOSE ME?

Whether you’re a Creative Entrepreneur or a Wedding Pro, I put 110% into every single client and every single project that I take on. My experience over the past several years working with entrepreneurs such as yourself really lends to clients seeing actionable results and that is my biggest compliment. When a client comes back to me a week into her brand launch and says, “I booked my biggest client yet due to my re-brand,” or “I’ve had my most profitable year yet after my re-brand.” Those are the outcomes I strive for when working with you.

I love pretty, but I love pretty brands with a whole lotta strategy and heart behind them even more. Plus, my design partner and I have our processes down to a science, so working with us as a team truly gives you the best of both worlds. She’s a magical unicorn all on her own and I am honored to get to create so many brands with her.

Lastly, I will always treat your brand as if it were my own. There is nothing I would put my name on that I didn’t feel 110% confident in. My promise to you is to always be there for you, guiding you through this crucial time in your business journey.

If you’re ready to jump in and build the best brand ever, simply get in touch and let’s make some magic happen!