3 Tips for Approaching Your Business’ Rebrand
We are constantly evolving. Where we start isn't always where we end up. And the same goes for our brands (even here at Blades Creative).
How do you know when it’s time to create a new brand for your existing business? When you feel the call to level up. For me, I rebranded in early 2021 because I knew that the next phase of Blades Creative was not going to match where I started.
If it’s time to bring the next evolution of your business to light, here are a few re-branding tips you should consider.
Know your story and values as well as you know your products and services
As business owners, we know our shit. We know it so well, in fact, that sometimes we overlook the other parts of our business that help us stand out — and that draw our people to us.
When it’s time to rebrand, it’s not just about how your offers create unique solutions for people. It’s about how you align your values and your work with what people need. To hone in on where you need to start your rebrand, recognize where your current brand feels out of alignment with how you are actually working and how people view your brand.
You may notice this through the clients who are approaching you and how they think you do business, where you may want different clients who need to be served differently. Starting at this point, rather than with visuals alone, also ensures that you’re building a solid future foundation for the next few years of your business.
Allow more time than you think you need
This is a big one. A rebrand doesn’t happen overnight and, even if you hire a brand designer to help, you’ll need to be present for feedback and execution. On top of doing your own client work or creating/selling products, you'll be doing discovery for your own business. Instead of just jumping into a rebrand project, look at your calendar and dedicate space to actually work on it. Look for weeks where you don’t have any new projects on the calendar or can dedicate a good chunk of time to managing people who are helping you — or to dig into the work yourself.
So… how much time do you actually need for a rebrand? Ideally, you’ll be working with a copywriter, designer (brand and web), photographer, and so on, so you'll need a minimum of 6 months to complete your rebrand. Told you it was more than you expected!
Delegate tasks you don't need to do
The next evolution of your business is probably one that brings you out of doing all the work yourself. At least, that’s what I see in most of my clients’ rebranding projects. It also means that you’re getting closer and closer to the work that is most aligned with your calling and your customers’ or clients’ needs. Odds are, DIYing your brand or updating your website don’t fall into those aligned categories.
That’s why I’m a big fan of delegating where you can. You don’t have to do everything — and your rebrand will launch with fewer hitches if you don’t. The key, of course, is to make sure that anyone you hire to help you with your rebrand is in alignment with where you want to go. You don’t want to hire an e-commerce site builder if you’re offering intuitive coaching, for example. Find people whose skills align with your goals for the business. This is something you’ll also want to consider before you get started because you’ll want to budget for extra help. I always recommend hiring a brand designer, a web designer, a copywriter, and a photographer, which can add up considerably.
Don’t let the cost discourage you, though. It’s an investment in the future of your business — and can help you see what’s really possible.
Find a branding expert to bring your (re)brand to life
You want to rebrand your business because you recognize that it’s meant to serve on a higher level. DIYing your brand or cutting corners on the process won’t help you reach that potential, though. That’s why hiring a brand designer is non-negotiable for many business owners.
Of course, I know that trusting someone to bring your brand’s potential and purpose to life — and interpret it into visual elements — is a leap of faith. That’s why we offer crafted brand packages that help us harness what is uniquely yours, and deliver branding and assets that match your needs and goals for the business.
At Blades Creative, we offer intuitive, impactful branding and design for women entrepreneurs and creative businesses. We believe in collaboration and creation that tells a story and brings magic into your interactions. We dig deep and get to know not only our clients but their audiences as well. Our design process is a true partnership from beginning to end — and will help you bring the next (aka best) version of your business to life.