5 Signs Your Business Needs a Rebrand
By Madi Balman, Freelance Graphic Designer at Mae Creative
Photo Credit: Carrie Roseman Studios
In this day and age, your brand is the foundation of your business. The power of visual media is a major factor in driving business and reaching the right customers. Many businesses and individuals are struggling to figure out where they are going wrong in marketing, social media, and sales. What they do not realize is that they need to examine the root of their business: their branding.
Why branding?
Branding is everything that encompasses your business: marketing, mission, stance, demographics, voice, you name it. There are several distinguishing factors that can tell you that your business is due for a rebrand.
You did not get your logo professionally made.
As a business owner, it is understandable to want to do things yourself to save money, but this can hurt you if you do not have what you need to begin with. Using a free, easy-to-use software like Canva is great, but many don’t know that if you create your logo there, you technically do not own it (we love that fine print!). Not only that, but without direction or help from a professional designer, you won’t have all your files in the correct formats or color codes you need. It is always better to have the correct things you need from the beginning, including your logo.
It has been 3-5+ years since you updated anything.
When was the last time you changed the content on your website, evaluated your current business strategy, or refreshed your logo to be up to date with the latest trends? If your answer is three years or more (or even worse, never), this is a sign you need a rebrand. Even making small changes can make a huge impact. Starbucks, Apple, and Target are great examples! They remain in line with their brand while still keeping up to trend consistently.
Your target market and business strategy has changed.
When starting your business, you want to make as much money as possible, so you take on as much work as you can. Over the years, you start to niche or tend to gravitate towards a certain demographic: this is normal. It is actually highly recommended by marketing experts to be as specific about your target audience as possible. When your brand no longer fits your ideal customer, you will not be successful in winning their trust over a competitor who might suit them better.
You don’t have functional marketing.
Have you noticed that your website is incredibly slow? Or maybe you are spending money on social media advertising or SEO but not getting results? Marketing that is not functioning means that you are not getting the leads you want. First, make sure all of your technology is working properly. Then, go back to the root of your business and reevaluate how you are targeting your customers. If you don’t, you may hit a plateau in growth. Hitting a plateau is one of the most uncomfortable positions to be in as a business owner, but it is essential to push through and continue to grow. If this means changing your strategy, your verbiage, or updating your mission or goals, then you should do it.
You have inconsistency in your visual brand.
Do you hate your logo? Does your social media look thrown together? What does your website look like? Your visual brand is supposed to be consistent and cohesive. With your logo being the most important aspect of your visual brand, it needs to pave the way for your “aesthetic.” Inconsistency does not instill trust in your customers, and can be detrimental. Not only that, but it can look clunky and can hurt your ability to compete with another company that looks more consistent and professional.
Rebranding is not always a one-size-fits-all solution. It takes time and effort to recognize what you want for your business, and furthermore, how to tackle your goals. Remember to persevere through any challenge, as you always have as a business owner. By taking the time to reevaluate and hire a professional to take a look at your current branding, your business will surely benefit in the long run.
Madi Balman is a freelance graphic designer and digital marketing specialist for her company, Mae Creative. Mae Creative strives to provide relationship-built customer service to busy entrepreneurs and business leaders. She has created over 75 logos and brand suites since Mae Creative opened in 2018. Madi is also the designer for Carolina Spark Magazine and North Carolina Bridal Magazine. Madi currently resides in Groton, Connecticut, with her husband and her many houseplants. She has received honors and awards for her leadership, and enjoys guest speaking for high school and college students. If you are interested in seeing more of her work or inquiring about a branding project, visit her website at www.MaeCreative.graphics.
Facebook, Instagram: @maecreative.graphics | TikTok: @maecreative
