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Feeling like your brand could use a little more *pizazz*? Maybe things are starting to feel a bit stale, or perhaps your biz has grown and evolved, and it’s time your branding reflected that.

Whether you’re just not feeling proud of your brand anymore or you’re itching for a fresh, sophisticated look, it’s definitely time for a rebrand! But rebranding isn’t just about splashing some new colours on your website or tweaking your logo. I’m breaking down the 5 foundational steps you *absolutely* need to tackle before diving into a rebrand.

1. Know Your Business Inside Out

Before you can rebrand like a pro, you have to know your business deeply. Think of it like dating; if you don’t know yourself, how can you present your best self to potential new partners (clients)?

Embrace the WOW Brand Model™

Let’s break it down with my trusty WOW Brand Model™:

• Who: Understand your target audience. Picture them, know what makes them tick.

• Originality: What sets you apart? Your unique flair needs to sparkle through your brand.

• Why: What makes people feel when they interact with you? What do you stand for?

This strategic combo of Who, Originality, and Why creates the perfect foundation for your brand to flourish. (And better yet – it will help give you direction on what to actually base your brand on).

2. Talk to Your Target Audience

Do you know what many people do wrong? They talk to everyone except their ideal clients! Mistake alert! Your mum might love your brand, but unless she’s your target audience, her feedback isn’t what you need.

Ask the Right Questions

Here are some questions to ask your target audience:

• How would you describe my brand in three words?
• What makes my business different from others?
• How do you feel when you interact with my brand?
• What colors/styles come to mind when you think of my business?
  Pin these answers up on your inspiration board and let them guide you.

3. Define Your Brand Positioning and Vibe

Every brand has its own vibe, like a fabulous party! Do you want yours to be a chic black-tie event or a fun, colourful show?

Pin Down Your Five Words

List five words that describe how you want people to feel when they encounter your brand. Maybe it’s playful, bold, inspiring, reliable, or calming. These words will help you shape everything from your visuals to your voice.

Positioning Is Key

As you can imagine – a playful brand will have a vastly different look than a serious brand. Take some time to work out where you sit on these scales to help create the right vibe for your business.

• Playful vs. Serious
• Feminine vs. Masculine
• Bold vs. Reserved
• Affordable vs. Premium

4. Create a Pinterest Mood Board

Now comes the fun part—creating a visual feast for your brand! Head over to Pinterest and start pinning.

Creating a Pinterest board will help you to have a collection of inspiration and direction when you get to the CREATION stage of your rebrand. There are so many wonderful trends and designs already in the world that you can use as inspiration to springboard your own brand off (read: INSPIRATION not copy and pasting).

Strategic Pinning

Use those five words you drafted earlier and combine them with search terms like:

• Playful font pairings
• Minimal colour palettes
• Bold photography

Pin everything that resonates with your brand vibe. Before you know it, themes will emerge!

Bonus Step: Take It Back to Your Audience

Alright, you’ve got a mood board that could make any designer weep with joy. Now, it’s time for a litmus test with your audience.

Validate Your Ideas

Ask them:

• Do you prefer this colour palette or that one?
• What does this mood board make you feel?
• Which font stands out to you?
  Gather all this invaluable feedback, tweak as necessary, and get ready to rock your rebranded world!

Join the Rebranding Revolution

Feeling inspired and ready to roll? Let’s make sure your rebrand is a smash hit. I have a FREE masterclass coming up on August 22, 2024, where we’ll dive deep into creating brands that your clients will rave about. Get your tickets here, and let’s turn your rebrand dreams into reality!

Or, join me inside The Co+Creation Design Club to have me inside your business as your creative director, cheerleader and coach: diydesignmybiz.com/club

Find out more about the WOW Brand Model here: https://www.whitedeer.com.au/podcast/wow-model

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