In business, branding is key to success in both the short-term and the long-term. Being aware of branding mistakes and how to prevent (or rectify) them can be useful when reviewing business performance. Here are some of the most common errors, which can be avoided by working with a specialist brand strategy agency.
Lack of brand strategy
Most businesses have a detailed short/medium/long-term plan with forecasts, milestones and strategic objectives. However, sometimes we assume that branding will simply fall out of the overall vision or mission, or somehow become obvious along the way.
It’s critical to create a comprehensive brand strategy, defined as much as possible over the entire lifecycle of the brand. Using the services of an experienced partner like www.reallyhelpfulmarketing.co.uk/specialist-services/brand-strategy-agency will ensure that you create the best platform for your brand to succeed over its lifetime.
Style over substance
If you have invested a lot of time and effort into your brand design and logo, it can be tempting to think that’s “job done” and the rest will take care of itself. In reality, a great-looking livery will not make up for a malfunctioning website, or content that doesn’t resonate with your demographic.
All brand elements must work in sync for your brand to build successfully. Some interesting and very high-profile branding mistakes with key lessons are highlighted here.
Stuck in the past
In the modern world, things move fast and your brand needs to stay relevant. While many brands retain loyalty over the long term, it’s easy to become complacent and overlook key environmental or sector changes that could have a significant impact on your brand’s status. Annual strategy reviews are an obvious way to stay on track.
Stuck in the present
In a world where trends appear to drive everything, it can be tempting to jump on board and effect major changes to your branding to fit in. This could result in your brand losing loyal customers without gaining sufficient new business to compensate for those losses. Knowing your strategy, and how and when to change direction, is critical for long-term success.