Rebranding Made Simple: 6 Steps to Refresh Your Business Identity

Ready to Spruce Up Your Brand? Follow These 6 Steps to Rebrand Your Business!

JUMP AHEAD

In this article 

Step #1: Assess your current brand 

Step #2: Dive into market research 

Step #3: Refine your mission statement 

Step #4: Refresh your visual identity 

Step #5: Define your brand voice and messaging 

Step #6: Unveil your rebrand to the world 

 

TL;DR

Out with the Old, In with the New! Whether it's a little touch-up or a complete makeover, rebranding your business can inject new life into your brand, attract fresh audiences, and give your bottom line a boost.

Here are six steps to guide you through a successful rebrand:

Assess your current brand. Identify what's working, what's not, and where you can improve. Dive into market research. Understand your existing customers, explore potential markets, and scope out your competitors. Refine your mission statement. Revisit the heart of your brand and make sure it aligns with your goals. Refresh your visual identity. Give your logo, colors, and website a fresh new look. Define your brand voice and messaging. Craft a consistent tone and message that resonates with your audience. Unveil your rebrand to the world. Update all your marketing materials and share the exciting news with your audience. If your brand is feeling a bit stale…

If you're trying to reach new customers…

If you feel like your brand is getting lost in the shuffle…

If you've shifted your focus or mission…

Then it might be time to consider a rebrand for your business.

Rebranding involves reimagining your marketing strategy, visual identity, and messaging to create a revitalized version of your brand. It's an opportunity to breathe new life into your business, connect with fresh audiences, and reinvigorate your sales.

And the best part? It doesn't have to be a daunting or expensive process.

In this guide, we'll walk you through a six-step checklist for rebranding. Whether you're giving your brand a little facelift or a complete transformation, you'll learn how to rebrand your business without breaking the bank.

 

Let's get started!

Step #1: Assess your current brand Before you start making changes, take some time to evaluate where your brand stands today. A brand assessment will help you:

Identify what's working well for your brand. Pinpoint areas where your brand could use improvement. Uncover opportunities for growth and enhancement. By understanding your current brand landscape, you'll be better equipped to plan your rebranding efforts and avoid past mistakes. It'll also give you valuable insights and ideas for moving forward.

Remember, the more established your brand is, the more cautious you'll want to be with changes. Take Uber, for example. In 2018, they made significant updates to their mission, logo, and app design, but they kept the company name the same. Why? Because the name "Uber" had strong brand recognition, and changing it could have done more harm than good.

Step #2: Dive into market research Market research is a crucial part of any rebranding strategy. It's essential to understand how your brand is perceived, how it compares to competitors, and what your target audience wants and needs.

Start by gathering feedback from your existing customers. Surveys are a fantastic tool for collecting valuable data and insights. Ask your customers what they think of your brand, what they like and dislike, and how you can improve.

If you're looking to attract new audiences, you'll need to go beyond your existing customer base and get to know your target market. Develop buyer personas to understand who your ideal customers are, what they're looking for, and how you can meet their needs.

And don't forget to research your competitors! Understanding what your competitors are doing well and where there are opportunities for your brand to stand out is essential for a successful rebrand.

Step #3: Refine your mission statement Your mission statement is the heart and soul of your brand. It's a concise statement that explains what your business stands for and what it aims to achieve. Take some time to revisit your mission statement and make sure it still aligns with your goals and values.

Your mission statement should drive every part of your brand, from your logo to your messaging. By putting your mission front and center, you'll not only attract customers who share your values but also keep your branding consistent across channels.

Step #4: Refresh your visual identity Your visual identity is what sets your brand apart visually. It includes things like your logo, color palette, and website design. Giving your visual brand a refresh can breathe new life into your brand and attract attention from new audiences.

Start by updating your logo and color palette. Choose colors and designs that reflect your brand's personality and resonate with your target audience. Consider hiring a designer or using online tools to create a new logo and design elements for your brand.

And don't forget to update your website and other marketing materials with your new visual identity. Consistency is key when it comes to branding, so make sure all your materials have a cohesive look and feel.

Step #5: Define your brand voice and messaging Your brand voice is how you communicate with your audience, both verbally and in writing. It's essential to have a consistent tone and message across all your marketing materials to build trust and credibility with your audience.

Take some time to define your brand voice and messaging. Consider how you want your brand to be perceived and what kind of language and tone will resonate with your audience. Craft messaging that reflects your brand's personality and values and use it consistently across all your marketing channels.

Step #6: Unveil your rebrand to the world Once you've updated your visual identity and messaging, it's time to share your rebrand with the world! Update all your marketing materials and touchpoints with your new branding, and then announce your rebrand to your audience.

Consider issuing a press release, posting on social media, sending out an email blast, or writing a blog post to share the exciting news with your audience. Be transparent about why you made the changes and how it reflects your brand's growth and evolution.

 

Here are a few actionable tips you can incorporate into your rebranding process:

Get Feedback Early and Often: Don't wait until your rebrand is complete to gather feedback. Involve key stakeholders, employees, and even loyal customers in the process from the beginning. Their insights can help you make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls.

Test Before You Launch: Before rolling out your rebrand to the public, conduct thorough testing to ensure everything looks and functions as intended. Test your new website on different devices and browsers, review print materials for any errors, and gather feedback from a select group of customers or focus groups.

Communicate Internally: Make sure everyone within your organization understands the reasons behind the rebrand and how it aligns with your mission and goals. Provide training or resources to help employees adapt to the new brand identity and messaging.

Create a Rebranding Timeline: Set clear deadlines and milestones for each stage of the rebranding process to keep your team on track and accountable. Having a timeline will help you stay organized and ensure a smooth transition to your new brand identity.

Celebrate Your Relaunch: Once your rebrand is live, take the time to celebrate your accomplishments with your team and customers. Host a virtual launch party, offer special promotions or discounts, or share behind-the-scenes insights into the rebranding process on social media. This not only generates excitement but also reinforces your brand's commitment to growth and innovation.