The Branding Project Timeline
Branding Project Timeline and Rebranding Flowchart
Every project is unique but the branding project timeline has some common elements. The brand flowchart (see below) is a good representation of the typical Stealing Share branding project timeline. Call us and we can help.
Every branding project can change based on the needs of the client. But the basic nature of a project and its resulting marketing strategy remains the same. And is quite scientific in nature. Note that our branding project timeline includes market research. We think embarking on this process is an important decision for a brand.
As a result, we don’t like leaving anything to chance.
Research takes the guesswork out of the process. But, only if you are asking the right questions.
Because of that brand research focus, our branding process starts with both qualitative and quantitative research to dig into the beliefs and triggers of the target audience.
The first step in a branding project timeline: Fielding market research
The start really begins with our clients. We hold one-on-one interviews to understand the issues around the company, looking for things to test in the research. We also conduct a Behavior Modeling Session to uncover the precepts that drive target audiences. From those sessions and interviews, we design the brand research.
While the research is fielded, we conduct a competitive analysis and brand audit. These serve two purposes. The competitive analysis is to understand what is claimed in the market.
The brand audit is to find what the client can claim. We’re looking for a brand position that stands apart from the rest of the market (so it represents a true choice) and can be fulfilled by the company and its culture.
At this point, we know what is most important to the target audience (research).
We see the competing positions (competitive analysis). And what is true about you (brand audit).
It is at this point in a branding project timeline that the true strategic work begins.
Our brand strategists then develop positioning, strategy, and tactics that are actionable and aimed to create preference.
Note, any brand creative and design work needed to complete the branding process would start in the latter stages of the flow chart. We know it makes sense to say wait on creative. But more times than we care to remember marketers have started designing a new home page or launched a new initiative before the strategy is complete.
Success requires a mix of patience and impatience. Get things done but make sure they are being done right.
The Branding Project Flow Chart
While it is true that every Stealing Share branding project timeline is different, there are some standard practices that we believe are important to ensure your success.
Success results from important upfront strategic work, designed for clear strategy and positioning.
So, let’s talk for a moment about brand research. From our perspective, nothing is more important than that research.
As a result, we make no assumptions when we work on your project. We look for the highest emotional intensity among the target audience in the context of what you offer.
The Branding Project Timeline Research
A foundation to our branding project timeline is the research methodology. Because methodology matters.
Only after modeling the behaviors and completing the qualitative portion of the research do we create the questionnaire for the quantitative research. and completing the qualitative portion of the research do we begin to create the questionnaire used in the quantitative portion of the project.
This research is fully double-blinded. So, the interviewee is unaware of who is sponsoring the brand research. This is to eliminate bias.
The research is also designed to quantify the emotional intensities. We measure more than just rational ideas. So, when your share-stealing brand is complete, you have confidence in its power.
As a result, the research is projectable to the larger target audience. It is a randomized study designed to uncover emotional intensities, switching triggers and competitive advantages.
The strategy work follows the research and dissection of the competitive positions. And teaching your entire organization finishes our work. Click here to see some examples of our completed branding projects.