Rebrand Checklist
In the ever-evolving landscape of business, staying relevant and resonating with your target audience is crucial for long-term success. Rebranding is a strategic move that can help your company adapt to changing market conditions, reposition, and breathe new life into your identity. However, rebranding is not a decision to be taken lightly. It requires careful planning, execution, and detailed strategy to ensure it reaches the untapped potential of your market and customers.
As brand experts, we work with businesses going through this process every day. Early in the project, we provide our clients with a checklist of items that will need to be updated and refreshed during their rebrand initiative. If your company is considering a rebrand, this list can be helpful as you evaluate the timing, cost and effort involved before you get started.
Visual Identity
Your visual identity plays a significant role in shaping your brand's perception. Ensure that your new brand aligns with your brand story and resonates with your target audience. Consistency is key, so all elements should work together harmoniously. Each of these elements will need to be updated:
- Logos (stacked, horizontal + full color, b&w)
- Icons, patterns, imagery, photography
- Brand story / brand messaging
- Brand book (fonts, colors, usage)
- Website design
Business Framework
Updating your trademark, website domain, and email address is often necessary when rebranding your company to maintain consistency, legal protection, and a professional image. However, the extent of these updates may vary depending on the scope of your rebrand and your specific circumstances.
- Legal (Trademark, DBA, etc)
- Website domain (if your business name is changed)
- Email addresses (if your business name is changed)
The Basics
Updating templates is an essential step when undergoing a rebranding process. Templates are fundamental tools for maintaining brand consistency across various communication materials, both internally and externally. Here are the templates that are crucial to updating first so you can hit the ground running:
- Presentation deck template (ppt, keynote)
- Letterhead
- Business cards
- Email signatures
The Full Rollout
A thorough evaluation of your current brand assets will help you identify elements that need to be preserved or updated. This step is crucial in determining the scope of your rebranding efforts. Listed below are the most common items that need to be updated during a rebrand. Your business may have more depending on your specific processes and needs.
- Social platforms (icons, cover photos, messaging, URLs + page names)
- Social post templates
- Internal and external digital platforms (Zoom, Slack, Calendar Booking Tool, Contracts, etc)
- Sales + marketing materials
-One sheeters
-Landing pages
-Email templates
-Case studies + other content templates in Canva
-Sales deck
-Proposal templates
-Trade show / event materials
-Swag
-Canva brand kit buildout
- Signage
- Launch materials
-Social posts
-Email announcement to current client base and network
Rebranding is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning and consideration of various factors. By defining your objectives and conducting a brand audit you can embark on a successful rebranding journey. Remember that rebranding is not just about changing your logo; it's about creating a cohesive brand experience that resonates with your target audience and positions your company for future success. With the right strategy and execution, a rebrand can breathe new life into your company and set the stage for growth and innovation.