In today’s competitive business environment, having a strong brand strategy is essential. However, without it, your business might face hurdles like customer confusion, internal misalignment, and even stagnant growth. But how do you know when it’s time to seek help with your brand strategy? In this guide, we’ll explore the 5 signs you need help with your brand strategy, break down what to watch out for, and explain how you can solve these issues with the right strategic approach.
Watch This Episode to Recognize the Signs You Need Help with Your Brand Strategy
I want to help you today by offering some clear, actionable advice on your brand strategy. It’s easy to get lost in complex jargon on marketing sites or in advice that doesn’t quite fit your business. That’s why I’ve created a video that walks you through these five critical signs, so you can identify if you need help with your brand strategy.
As a business owner, time is of the essence. Let’s work together to figure out if revamping your brand strategy can solve your business challenges right now.
Fancy a chat to find out more? Book a call now.
What is Brand Strategy?
Before diving into the signs, let’s clarify what brand strategy actually is and why it matters for your business.
Brand Strategy Defined
A brand strategy is a long-term plan for the development of your brand. It involves the strategic use of positioning, messaging, values, and visual identity to create a coherent experience for your audience. This foundation is important before you hire creative professionals, like photographers, because it informs every aspect of how you present your brand to the world.
If you’ve ever hired a designer or photographer without having a solid brand strategy in place, you may have experienced inconsistent branding. This is because every piece of the puzzle needs to fit together seamlessly.
Your Brand Name
Your brand is your name. This is often defined as a logo or symbol used to define and summarise everything you do and why.
Your Branding
Your Branding is how you manage how you are perceived. The intent behind how you curate the deeper meaning of your service or product.
Your Branding Strategy
Your Brand Strategy defines the intent of your branding and then your brand. This is always based on clear factual research and logic that you use to inform the curation.
Help With Brand Strategy: The 5 Key Signs
To make it simple, I’ve narrowed down the 5 signs you need help with your brand strategy. Each sign represents a common challenge businesses face when their branding isn’t aligned, strategic, or clear.
Sign 1- Internal and External Misalignment
Internal Misalignment
Do you ever find yourself second-guessing key decisions in your business? If you struggle with decisions about your business’s direction, priorities, or team dynamics, it might be a sign that your internal brand alignment is lacking.
In contrast, when your internal strategy is solid, decisions become smoother, your team operates more efficiently, and everyone understands the business’s mission and values. Without this alignment, decision-making can cause delays and frustration in your business.
External Misalignment
External misalignment often shows up when you begin expanding your team or working with outside vendors. If your brand isn’t clearly defined, your team or partners may interpret things differently, leading to inconsistent messaging, visual identity issues, or misunderstandings. This can result in confused customers and a brand that lacks cohesion.
How This Works:
A well-defined brand strategy provides clear guidelines for both internal teams and external collaborators, creating consistency across all touchpoints.
Sign 2- Indecision on Brand Elements
The “Blue or Red?” Dilemma
Have you ever found yourself stuck on small decisions like whether to use blue or red in your marketing materials? This might seem trivial, but it’s a red flag that your brand lacks a consistent visual strategy.
When you don’t have a defined brand identity, it’s easy to waste time on small decisions that should already be predetermined by your strategy. This indecision can delay important projects and lead to inconsistent branding across your platforms.
How This Works:
A thorough brand strategy includes detailed visual identity guidelines, such as colour schemes, typography, and imagery. This eliminates guesswork and guarantees a cohesive look and feel for your brand.
Sign 3- Confusion About Your Place in the Market
Lack of Competitive Insight
Do you know where your brand stands in comparison to your competitors? Many business owners struggle with this, and their perception is often clouded by personal biases or emotions. If you’re unsure of how you stack up against competitors or are constantly comparing yourself to others, it’s a sign that your brand strategy may be lacking factual competitive insights.
How This Works:
By working with a brand strategist, you can gather accurate market data, identify your competitors objectively, and build a strategy that positions your brand as a unique, valuable player in your industry.
Sign 4- Struggling to Attract Your Ideal Client
Customer Disconnect
If you often find yourself asking, “Why don’t my customers love my brand?” it could be because your brand message isn’t speaking to the right audience. Miscommunication about what you offer, or why it’s valuable, often points to gaps in your brand strategy.
When your brand strategy is strong, it naturally attracts the right clients—those who understand and value what your brand stands for.
How This Works:
A clear brand strategy focuses on understanding your audience, creating messaging that speaks to their needs, and delivering value that resonates with them. When done right, this strategy turns your audience into loyal superfans.
Sign 5- Lack of Recognition and Visibility
Struggling for Spotlight
Are you constantly trying to get noticed, but feeling like your efforts aren’t yielding results? You may only be chasing short-term attention (like follower counts or viral posts) rather than building a sustainable, long-term brand presence.
How This Works:
Your brand strategy should map out how you will build recognition, trust, and loyalty over time. Rather than focusing on quick wins, work on becoming memorable and consistent, which will attract lasting attention and credibility.
Fancy a chat about your Branding? Book a call now.
Timestamps For This Episode
00:00 Episode Begins
00:41 Bloopers
01:27 Some Branding Lingo
03:25 The Key Benefits of Having A Good Branding Strategy
05:00 SIGN 1: Misalignment
07:32 SIGN 2: Should That Be Blue or Red?
09:01 SIGN 3: Big Fish, Little Fish (Cardboard Box)
10:18 SIGN 4: Why Don’t They LOVE Me?!
11:20 SIGN 5: Where’s My Spotlight?
13:40 How All This Comes Together
