The Art of Re-Branding

re·brand

rēˈbrand/

verb

gerund or present participle: rebranding

1. change the corporate image of (a company or organization).

After two-months of planning how I wanted to make a "Come Back" for my blog and my brand I finally put everything into play. I spent a Saturday with my best friend working and putting things together. As I was planning my come back, I jotted down a few tips for re-branding and marketing strategies. Now I'm no Marketing Major or PR (well not just yet) but I've done my research. I believe re-branding is important because you have to stay update. As for example, Apple has released up to 6 phones since 2012, the iPhone has new features and releases updates as well. With your brand I believe you've got to be willing to go over and beyond . These tips below can help your brand and will give you a better mindset as well.
Identity & Design:

I decided to make one last name change for my brand. A name I could see on business cards, billboards, newspapers etc. I thought of a name that would ring bells when someone here's it. A name that when they hear they'd ask themselves "Who is Xoxo, I. Joelle?" or "What is she about"? I want my brand to speak for me. If someone was to ask me what is the significance behind my name I could tell them exactly what it means. Your brand name may not come to in the blink of an eye, it may sound funny, but you may have to do some soul searching for your brand name. Believe me, you'll know it when you hear it. 

• A brand that will ring bells when people hear it 

• Have some significance to your brand let your brand speak for you.

 Once you've come with a brand name choose a design such as a logo, banner , layout, theme to correlate with your brand name. For example, I redesigned my YouTube banner just in time for Spring. Try to keep things fresh with your brand and to keep up with new ways to switch up your brand. 

• I used Pic Monkey for my designs. Pic Monkey is free, but they allow a 30 Day trial as well.

•  I bought my blog layout on Etsy for just $2.99 .

Content: 
Whether you're starting a blog, YouTube channel, Business etc. You've got to know your platform. Put into play what kind of audience you're trying to reach. Last year when I tried to re brand my blog, I was too busy trying to keep up with other bloggers and their content I was losing my own voice. This time around I sat down and made a schedule for each month for what kind of content I wanted to put out for my blog and YouTube channel. But know this everyone is doing the same thing, but they're isn't anyone doing it they way you want to. Do your best to stand out from the rest and don't blend in to what others are doing. It's all about being true to yourself and your brand.

• Be original,Break the mold, Be You
• Be consistent
• Know the peak hours to put out your content
• Find different ways to deliver your content

Social Media / Digital Marketing:

With so many social media outlets you would think it wouldn't be that hard to get your brand out there but not everyone will view it. I would get so frustrated when I posted a New Blogpost that i worked so hard on and no one read it. I restricted myself to one social media outlet. This time around I thought back to my days in my Fashion Merchandising class in high school and how we learned about marketing. You want people to see your content you've got to market your brand. Don't be afraid to start a new page on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. sometimes you have to start fresh.  There are social media sites that allow you to network with others who have the same interest as you. I recently joined Bloglovin which allows my blog to reach others and for me to meet other bloggers around the world.

Social Networks: 

• Create a Business page on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc.
• Bloggers : Bloglovin, Independent Boggers, Brown Girl Bloggers, Style Your Success
• YouTube, Google+, Linkedin WordPress

Invest: 

It's time to put some money away for your brand. You may want to purchase business cards, trademark, a new camera, wardrobe, makeup etc. to help your brand but how are you going to do that  if you don't invest. I see my brand as a future business so I know there are things I  may have to buy to make my brand better. If you're serious about your brand then you'd take the time to invest in your brand.



Success:
No this won't be an overnight success, this comes with hard work and dedication. When things don't go right, that doesn't mean you just drop everything and give up. Sit back and reevaluate how you can do things differently. Everyone won't be a fan of you and your brand, but that doesn't mean you're less of a person. You won't be everyone's cup of tea just like some people prefer guacamole on their Chipotle bowl and others prefer no guac ( like me) but that doesn't make Chipotle less of a business. Be willing to go over and beyond for your brand and know this is a representation of you. You don't want to be seen as the person who gives up easily. Success comes to those who work hard and believe in their dreams. It may seem like nothing is happening, but surely a year from now you're going to see why you worked so hard. One thing I've learned is that just because the audience doesn't applaud doesn't mean they aren't watching.