Branding Project Timeline and Rebranding Flowchart
Every project is unique, but the branding project timeline has some common elements. The brand flowchart is a good representation of the typical Stealing Share branding project timeline.
Every branding project can change based on the needs of the client. But a project’s essential nature and resulting marketing strategy remain the same. Our process is quite scientific.
Note that our branding project timeline (branding tutorial) includes market research. We think embarking on this process is an important decision for a brand. As a result, we don’t like leaving anything to chance. Research takes the guesswork out of the process.
But only if you are asking the right questions. Because of that brand research focus, our branding process starts with both qualitative and quantitative research to dig into the beliefs and triggers of the target audience.
The first step in a branding project timeline: Fielding market research
The start begins with our clients. We hold one-on-one interviews to understand the issues around the company, looking for things to test in the research.
We also conduct a Behavior Modeling Session to uncover the precepts that drive target audiences. From those sessions and interviews, we design the brand research. While fielding the study, we conduct a competitive analysis and brand audit.
These serve two purposes. The competitive analysis is to understand what is claimed in the market.
The brand audit is to find what the client can claim. We’re looking for a brand position that stands apart from the rest of the market (so it represents an actual choice) and can be fulfilled by the company and its culture.
We now know what is most important to the target audience (research). We see the competing positions (competitive analysis). And what is true about you (brand audit)?
We pride ourselves in revealing competitive analysis
In today’s dynamic business landscape, rebranding has become a powerful tool for companies seeking to revitalize their image, reach new audiences, and stay ahead of the competition.
However, a successful rebranding effort requires a thorough understanding of the market and the competitive landscape.
This is where competitive analysis plays a pivotal role. By examining and evaluating competitors, businesses can gain valuable insights, identify gaps in the market, and formulate effective strategies to ensure their rebranding efforts resonate with their target audience.
We can’t overstate the importance of competitive analysis when planning a rebranding strategy.
Understanding Market Positioning
Competitive analysis is essential in rebranding because it provides crucial insights into a company’s market positioning relative to its competitors.
By carefully examining competitors’ brand identity, messaging, and market share, businesses can identify gaps and opportunities that can be leveraged during rebranding.
Analyzing competitors’ strengths and weaknesses allows organizations to differentiate themselves effectively and position their rebranded identity in a way that stands out in the market.
Identifying Unmet Customer Needs
A comprehensive competitive analysis evaluates the direct competition and uncovers unmet customer needs. By studying competitors’ products, services, and customer feedback, businesses can identify areas where their competitors may fall short and tailor their rebranding efforts to address those gaps.
This analysis helps companies determine how to offer a unique value proposition and create a more compelling brand that resonates with customers and meets their needs in ways that competitors may not have yet achieved.
Benchmarking and Setting Goals
The competitive analysis provides a benchmark against which a company can assess its rebranding goals and objectives. By examining competitors’ successes and failures, businesses can set realistic goals for rebranding efforts and align them with industry standards.
This analysis allows us to determine the desired market position and the specific metrics you need to track to measure your success throughout rebranding. It also helps identify key performance indicators (KPIs) that we use to evaluate the effectiveness of the rebranding strategy.
Uncovering Industry Trends and Best Practices
Competitive analysis provides insights into industry trends and best practices, helping companies stay abreast of the latest developments in their sector.
By studying the rebranding efforts of competitors and other successful brands in the industry, businesses can identify emerging trends, new marketing strategies, and innovative approaches to rebranding. This knowledge allows companies to adapt and refine their rebranding strategy to stay competitive and relevant in a rapidly changing marketplace.
Mitigating Risks and Anticipating Challenges
Rebranding is not without risks and challenges. The competitive analysis enables businesses to anticipate potential hurdles and mitigate risks associated with rebranding.
By studying competitors’ experiences, companies can learn from their successes and failures, avoiding common pitfalls and making informed decisions. This analysis also helps identify potential threats and challenges during rebranding, allowing organizations to develop contingency plans and strategies to overcome them.
Competitive analysis plays a crucial role
By understanding market positioning, identifying unmet customer needs, benchmarking goals, uncovering industry trends, and mitigating risks, businesses can develop a rebranding strategy strategically aligned with their objectives and tailored to resonate with their target audience.
Investing time and resources into competitive analysis before embarking on a rebranding journey empowers organizations to make informed decisions, differentiate themselves from competitors, and position their brands for long-term success in an ever-evolving marketplace.
Our strategic work starts in the branding project timeline
At this point in a branding project timeline, the actual strategic work begins. Our brand strategists then develop positioning, strategy, and tactics that are actionable and aimed to create preference. Note any brand creative and design work needed to complete the branding process would start in the latter stages of the flow chart.
We know it makes sense to say wait on creative. But more times than we care to remember, marketers have started designing a new home page or launched a new initiative before the strategy is complete. Success requires a mix of patience and impatience.
Get things done but do them right.
The Branding Project Flow Chart
While it is true that every Stealing Share branding project timeline is different, we believe some standard practices are essential to ensure your success.
Success results from important upfront strategic work designed for clear strategy and positioning. So, let’s talk for a moment about brand research.
From our perspective, nothing is more important than that research. As a result, we make no assumptions when we work on your project. We look for the highest emotional intensity among the target audience in the context of what you offer.
The Branding Project Timeline Research
A foundation of our branding project timeline is the research methodology. Because methodology matters.
Only after modeling the behaviors and completing the qualitative portion of the research do we create the questionnaire for the quantitative research. And after completing the qualitative portion of the research, we create the questionnaire used in the quantitative portion of the project.
This research is fully double-blinded. So, the interviewee is unaware of who is sponsoring the brand research. This is to eliminate bias. We design the research to quantify the emotional intensities.
We measure more than just rational ideas. So, when your share-stealing brand is complete, you have confidence in its power. As a result, the research is projectable to a larger target audience. It is a randomized study designed to uncover emotional intensities, switching triggers, and competitive advantages.
The strategy work follows the research and dissection of the competitive positions. And teaching your entire organization finishes our work.
