What to Consider when Rebranding your Creative Business

First thing is first - why are your rebranding and what are your goals for it? Every successful project in a business needs a set of goals that you can aim for, that will give you purpose and drive, and allow for clarity. So before you undertake anything, think about this and create a strategy that you are going to follow over the next six months to complete the rebrand. Once you've worked out what your new brand needs to achieve for you, and how you're going to get there, it's time to go back to the drawing board of your business and undertake the initial steps of working out your brand messaging. When I am working with my clients I work with my unique niching process, to uncover their brand story and their unique selling point (USP). To work these out have a think about your WHYs - your big reasons to doing what you're doing. Then think about the WHOs - who do you want to work with. Lastly, think about the WHATs - what are you going to offer. All of this will help you build up your messaging, and without any of this your branding designer will not know where to start.

Having completed a lot of soul-searching tasks and the not so fun strategy creating, it's time to move on to some creative stuff! Firstly I'd like you to create a personal vision board as to what this rebrand is going to bring you - or what you want it to bring you. You can do this on Pinterest or by cutting out words and images from magazines, brochures etc. Really think about what kind of life you want for you and your family. Once this is done, make sure it is in a prominent place where you are often looking.

Next I invite you to create a brand vision moodboard on Pinterest. Go back to your messaging and really think about what images to put on the board that incapsulate the vision you are looking to create for your new brand. Pin images like font inspiration, brand pattern inspiration, brand shoot inspiration, anything visual that portrays what you want to create and produce in your business, images that evoke the emotional side you are trying to tell, images that portray your values. And so on. Whittle these down until they are cohesive in style and are inline with your messaging, and you have your brand vision board.

Once you have these done, it is time to onboard a brand designer.

Once you have onboarded your brand designer, it will be time to set them to work. A good branding designer will spend a lot of time with you on calls before they get going. They will need to know your vision and all about you and your business before they even begin to design, and this is great because you have done all the prep right!? The first thing they do will be to create a moodboard for your brand, and then they will move onto the design. Don't be afraid to ask questions about their work. Whilst they are the expert and you should absolutely listen to their knowledge and experience, it is your brand and you want to fall in love with your branding. A good brand should stand the test of time and not be one that you want to change every year or two.

Also this month is a good time to book in a brand photographer to capture beautiful imagery for your final website and launch. And don't forget to keep looking at your strategy, keeping on top of all that you have worked out you need. This month would be a good month to start building the structure to your website and to think about your copy too.

This will likely be the month that you have your brand shoot. Key things to remember are; pay attention to the types and sizes of images you need for your website, only work with a brand photographer that is right for your brand in terms of style and values, create a detailed design brief that the photographer can work with to understand your vision for the day, choose a venue that works for your brand and offers natural light and a variety of spaces, choose clothes and styling that works for you and your brand, be as organised as possible so that you can enjoy your day and make the most of it.

Other things that will need to happen this month is not to forget to keep on top of your strategy and all that you need to do to launch. You will need to continue working on your copy and website and consider creating a lead magnet to start an email list who you can launch to and sell to when the time is right.

This month will involve all the final, fiddly bits that need doing in order to launch. You will receive your brand shoot imagery back (PS. make sure you work with a photographer who can work to your timings!) and this needs to go into the website with any final copy, tweaks etc. You need to plan your launch announcement on social media, your email list, etc. and work out how you are launching if you haven't done this already.

I also invite you to look at your mindset and does it need some attention - do you truly believe in yourself and what you are putting out there? You could look into investing with a professional mindset coach or perhaps it might simply need some minor tweaks to your routine and other things you can do for yourself. Don't underestimate the power of a positive mindset for your launch.

It's launch month! Please buy yourself a bunch of flowers!

On a serious note, I know this may feel scary but it's why you've spent six months completing your rebrand, so you can feel that everything is as in place as it possibly could be and that you have a seriously beautiful new brand that your dream clients are going to love. And that's who it's about really. Yes, you've spent a long time pouring yourself into your new brand and making it personal with your story and your passions, but one of the main reasons that you have done this is so you can grab the attention of the people that you really want to work with - who will get you and fall in love with what you do.

So remember to celebrate this time, launch in style and lost momentum afterwards. Keep up the strong and consistent messaging and show the world your new brand. And congratulations on all of your hard work!