Rebranding 101: When Is It the Right Time to Rebrand Your Business?
There could be many reasons why it’s time for a rebrand of your business, whether it be to reach a new customer following, perhaps your business has outgrown its previous brand, maybe the market is outgrowing your business, or the old imagery of who you are just doesn’t hit home any longer. Whatever the case may be, rebranding your business across all mediums takes time and calculation, whether your business is B2B or B2C. Some of the largest marketing fiascos of all time come from poor rebranding, and at BG Digital Group, we realize how important it is to create a careful brand that’s worth remembering. Below are some of our thoughts to consider when initiating a company rebrand.
What Is Your Brand and How Does It Affect Your Business?
Essentially, your brand defines your business’ identity. To many, branding is simply the words, images, taglines, and campaigns associated with your business, and while that is partially true, there is something much deeper to successful branding. Quite literally, every single thing your business produces is a part of your overall brand, whether it is a logo or a social media post. Truly successful branding will make a potential customer remember and feel a certain way about your business. Creating a meaningful brand begins with building a clear voice to consumers that they enjoy and recognize so easily there is a natural association. You cannot do this simply through posting a logo or writing an editorial about your business. It takes time, creativity, manpower, and cohesive content… lots and lots of content.
The Greatest Brands of Our Time and What Makes Them Great
Great brands are so ingrained in the consumer’s mind that while just driving down the road at 70+ mph, someone can likely see an image and know what lies behind the next exit. How long did that consumer likely look at the road sign? 3-4 seconds. Some of the greatest brands of our time have evolved to become household logos, names, and products simply by their branding.
For example, Apple Inc. did a major rebrand prior to the launch of the first iPhone that showed they were a sleek company of virtual simplicity. Apple didn’t just stop at their logos; they brought their stores, products, packaging, webpages, social media, and even their customer service to the next level of brand cohesiveness. Apple stores are all white space with stainless finishes and tempered glass throughout. Sound familiar? Their products fit that branding design concept too. Their boxes are simple and white, their customer service is astoundingly simple, and every single store looks the same. When you visit Apple, either through their website or at their stores, you know exactly what to expect. Apple is solid proof that successful branding doesn’t just stop at logos and ad campaigns, it encompasses every single piece of the business, making a consumer unconsciously know the brand.
When Is It Time to Rebrand?
There could be a vast amount of reasons why it’s time to rebrand, and some are more positive than others. The best thing to understand before rebranding is that there is no set timeline for a rebrand. Your business could have launched just a few months ago, and it could be time for a rebrand. If your target market is ignoring you, if you feel your product doesn’t seamlessly fit with your brand, or if your market has not received your brand the way you had originally hoped are all reasons for a quick recalibration in direction. Rebranding can be done in steps over time, so testing the waters by changing a few things here and there is also a positive until you feel you have hit your stride. Your business also might want to consider a rebrand if your business has outgrown a dated branding identity. It takes years of unhinged success to create a “classic brand” i.e. Coca-Cola, Tropicana Orange Juice, Gap Inc., etc. For most companies, it’s all about following trends and understanding an ever-changing marketplace. If your business is successful but dated, a rebrand could delight your customers and be a great way to remind them of your company’s long history of successes.
BG Digital Group can help rebrand your business across every medium, whether through print, social media, video production, content creation, and more. From creating logos, redesigning a website, producing content, publishing eye-catching targeted ads, and following a cohesive, brand-central marketing plan, we boast a great team that can help every step of the way. Contact us today to help you launch the new face of your business with your unforgettable brand.