Succeeding in today’s business landscape requires businesses to have a clearly defined business image and a recognizable brand. If you feel like your brand is starting to look dull or as though your business is not attracting as much attention as before, then you are probably right and it is time to think about rebranding your company. Here are some signs your brand might be in need of a little TLC.
1. Logo Appearance
Is your logo unhip and out of date? Over the years it’s not uncommon for a logo to lose its original luster and begin to look boring and outdated. Design trends are always changing and what looked nice ten years ago will most likely be in desperate need of a face lift today. This is an important reason to consider when contemplating whether your business should rebrand or not because often times your logo is the first impression a person has of your brand and you want it to be memorable.
After Bright Light Media’s rebranding
2. Outdated Website and Business Cards
There should never be embarrassment or any insecurity when someone from your company hands out their business card or refers someone to your website. The business landscape of today is vastly more different than it has ever been before and has changed dramatically over the past few years. This means that even websites which were created only 5 years ago may be outdated already. Business cards and your company’s website are crucial factors to consider when deciding whether to rebrand or not is important because these are an extension of your company’s brand image which is crucial in today’s marketplace.
Before redesign
After rebrand by Bright Light Media
3. Diminished Advertising Effectiveness
This one should be self-apparent, but if your company is having trouble reaching your target audience through advertising and other means then you should strongly consider rebranding. This will require your company to do in-depth research on your target audience and try new marketing techniques but this is all apart of reigniting your company’s business spirit.
4. You Have Outgrown Your Brand
If you are one of the businesses who started in a garage and are now in a high-rise downtown, then congratulations — but your brand probably does not match your status now. Since the foundation of your company, most likely there have been changes. Your business has field-tested through the years and your logo and brand should evolve in harmony with your company so that your company has a coherent image. This sign signals that you will have a lot more work to do than just altering a logo but it also means your business has the legs to keep growing.
It is important to keep your brand fresh and looking up to date. If your business falls into any of these categories, it may be time to consider a rebrand. If you are ready to get started but just don’t know where to start, contact us today to learn more about our branding services.
Bright Light Media, along with GIGS, Headfirst Summer Camps, and Georgetown Events came together to throw the first annual community event, Pumpkin Rock N Roll in Kensington, MD.
Warner Circle Park was transformed into a full-blown Halloween extravaganza, filled with tons of family-friendly attractions, festival-style music performances, costume contests, and the main event: The Pumpkin Roll, a derby race of Halloween pumpkins-turned-boxcars.
And with over 2,000 attendees, the event was definitely a success!
BLM was responsible for branding the event, putting together a logo and all the marketing materials to share with the community. We put together an event website, designed posters, flyers, volunteer t-shirts, and event banners.
We couldn’t have asked for a better time, weather, or turn out. Let’s do it again next year!
As stated in our previous blog, an effective brand creates an emotional feeling or attachment, providing a better chance the everyday person will identify, use, and stay loyal to your company/brand. This is the goal. Your finalized logo is only half the battle. The other half: you need to practice an effective form of brand management.
What is brand management?
Brand management allows you to control and supervise all the tangible and intangible parts of your brand. There are concrete things like the product itself, print materials, publication relations (PR) and the not so concrete things like that emotional reaction to the actual product that we keep mentioning. Managing is a constant process of gathering all the various ways your brand is being used on all media fronts. You want to capture the attention of your niche market, you want them to buy your product, remember you, and most importantly, become a returning customer.
So how do you go about this? Here are some key points to effective brand management:
Create brand guidelines
Gather brand colors, logo, and the voice you’re going for
What is your brand’s agenda?
Use your brand in different scenes and settings
Find the ways your brand works appropriately – what works and what doesn’t
What sets you apart from your competitors?
Consistency is key
Once your logo and/or tagline have been created use it everywhere your brand appears.
The more your brand appears, the easier it is for people to have that memorable relationship with it and that’s the goal, to be memorable
Be consistent with your brand over time and across different platforms
Achieve consistency and credibility with your brand and company
Find your market and place yourself accordingly
Position your brand into similar areas for what your brand represents
Figure out what sets you apart from your competitors who are reaching out to the same market
Utilize social media and communicate and keep up with your target markets
In essence, an effective brand is only as good as its competent management. Be prepared to constantly push your brand. One successful push doesn’t equal a successful brand. Monitor your brand as the world perceives it. Press for a strong and clear message for the market you are trying to reach and make sure they have just as clear an understanding of your company as you do. Make a lasting impression.
