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March 5, 2023
When should you rebrand?
It’s a huge question, and a big decision not to be taken lightly. Rebranding is a great way to reflect your business’s growth and evolution, and show your clients and customers that you’re ~staying relevant~. But when exactly should you take that leap and rebrand your business?
I gotchu bestie. In this blog post, I’m spilling the tea on 6 signs that it might be time to rebrand. From feeling like your brand no longer feels like you, to struggling with inquiries, we’re covering it all.
Let’s do this thang.
1.) You cringe when looking at it, posting on social, sending people to your site, etc.
Do you ever find yourself literally cringing at your business’s branding? Maybe it’s your outdated logo or a color scheme that no longer feels relevant. Perhaps your website is cluttered and difficult to navigate, or your social media accounts are a mess. Whatever the reason, if you find yourself feeling actually embarrassed to share your brand with the world, send clients to your website, or create marketing materials, it’s definitely time to consider a rebrand.
Your branding should be a reflection of your business’s personality, values, and mission. (And most importantly, you should feel excited and empowered to share it!) If you don’t, it’s time to take a step back and consider a rebrand. Remember, rebranding isn’t just about slapping a new logo on everything – it’s about repositioning your business and making sure your brand reflects who you are… today.
2.) Your audience has changed.
As your business grows and evolves, your audience may have changed too. (Hell, my audience is WAY different now than it was just a year ago.)
Maybe you started out targeting a specific demographic, but now find that you take on clients from all walks of life. Or maybe you’ve niched down, and really narrowed in on the kind of work that lights your soul on fire. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to ensure that your branding speaks to the audience you want to attract—AKA, those dream customers for whom you started the business for in the first place.
Your branding should feel relatable, engaging, and inspiring to your audience. If it’s not, it might be time to consider a rebrand.
3.) Your offers have changed.
As your business grows and evolves, your services (or even products) may have changed, too. Maybe you’ve added new offerings, or perhaps you’ve shifted your biz to a new industry altogether. Whatever the case may be, if your branding doesn’t accurately reflect your current offerings, it can be really confusing for customers.
(Confusion is never good!!!!)
Your branding should be a reflection of what you offer, and if that’s changed, it’s time to consider a rebrand. By updating your branding to better align with your current offerings, you can make it easier for your dream clients to better understand what you do (and make more money in the process).
4.) Your inquiries have slowed.
Are you getting less leads, inquiries, purchases, or customers? If so, it’s probably time to take a closer look at your branding. Your branding plays one of the most important roles in attracting your ideal client, and if it’s not resonating with them, you can kiss new business goodbye.
By refreshing your branding, you can better connect with your target audience and create more business in general. (Plus, a bonus: a rebrand can also help you differentiate yourself from your competitors and stand out in a saturated market!)
5.) It’s been a while.
When was the last time you updated (or at least refreshed) your branding? If it’s been several years (or more), there’s a good chance it might be time. A lot can change in a few years – your business might have evolved, your audience may have shifted, and your industry may look a lottttt different than it did when you first launched.
A rebrand wil help ensure that your brand is still relevant and competitive in today’s market. Not to mention, it’s also a great opportunity to modernize your branding and give it a fresh, new look.
BUT— don’t feel like you need to rebrand every year. (That can be just as harmful as not updating your branding at all!!!) Instead, consider a rebrand when it makes sense for your business. Keep an eye on your competition, listen to your customers, and most importantly, be open to change.
6.) It looks outdated.
Have you ever looked at your branding and thought, “this looks like it was designed in the early 2010’s?” If so, it might be time for a refresh. Outdated branding is a huge turnoff for modern clients, and will make your business appear behind the times.
If your branding looks outdated, it’s time to consider a rebrand. And depending on your audience, a fresh, modern look can help you connect with younger audiences. Not to mention—it’ can’ll also give your business a competitive edge by positioning you as a forward-thinking and innovative brand.
Quick note: I’m not saying your branding should be trendy – I’m saying it should be timeless. A rebrand that’s too trendy can quickly become outdated itself, so aim for a design that’s modern and relevant, but also has staying power. (It’s a balance, folks!)
So, when should you re-brand?
Look for the signs, be open to change, and don’t be afraid to take the leap when you start feeling cringe. I know I’m biased, but it’s always an extremely valuable investment for businesses looking to stay competitive and relevant in their industry.
If you’ve made it to the bottom of this blog post and are feeling cringe about your branding, I’d love to be the one to help. Check out my brand & web design services here for all things rebrand and design.
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Hi, I'm Sarah Kleist.
Brand & web designer, personal brand strategist, and marketing educator obsessed with the power of connecting with audiences.
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