There’s a lot of pieces involved in creating a successful brand. The first part – the part with the most pieces – is the most important because considering all of these areas informs what the second part will look like.
Ready to start ticking off those to-do’s?
Note – these give a basic synopsis. Think hard!
Here you go:
PART ONE: Strategy
This is the BRAND bit. What you’re all about.
Vision – Where do you want to be?
Mission – How are you going to do it?
Purpose – Why does your brand exist?
Values – What do you stand for?
Ideal customer – Who do you want to work with?
Positioning statement – What’s the gap that you fill? Where do you sit?
Brand Idea – Can you define your brand in one simple statement?
Promise – What are you delivering?
Brand story – What’s your story?
Voice – What do you sound like?
Goals – What are you aiming for? (Not the same as vision, more specific)
Issues – What’s stopping you getting to where you want to be?
Strategies – How can you get to where you want to be?
Tactics – What specific things can you do to help you reach your vision?
That, is a very basic look at what to include in your Brand Strategy. It gives you loads of information – it’s what you brand IS, a useful reference tool so you can be more focussed.
This information will help you to make important decisions in Part Two.
PART TWO: Visuals
This is the BrandING bit – using your brand to inspire your visuals so that they align with your brand and work strongly for you because they’re created from a place of intention rather than “just to look nice”.
Colours
Fonts
Illustrations
Icons/ Symbols
Patterns
Logo
Photographs
PART THREE: Application
This is where you share your brand and your branding so that people know who you are. Use these to stand out. Make sure the visuals and your brand message are consistent between them. You won’t need all of these. Choose what you’ll use.
Website
Social Media covers
Social Media posts (create templates for speed and consistency)
eBook
Brochure
Magazine
Postcards
Leaflet/ flier
Folder
Documents
Invoices/ Quotes
Banner
Signage
Uniform
Livery
Packaging
Freebie
Book
Merchandise
Workbooks/ worksheets
Handouts
Video thumbnails
Video graphics
Journal
Planner
Stickers
Email signature
Email design
Newsletters
Presentations
Reports
Certificates