Brand Strategy Guide
Brand Strategy Guide
Brand Strategy Guide
com
Brand
Strategy video
tutorials
01
BRAND CORE
Clarify the brand internally
02
BRAND POSITIONING
Position brand in the market
03
BRAND PERSONA
Define your brand personality
2
CONTENTS
9 Branding Exercises
01. Find the purpose behind what you do. p. 7
02. Have a vision of where you’re going. p. 17
03. Determine your core values and philosophies. p. 26
04. Know your target audience to resonate with them. p. 36
05. Analyze your market to find opportunities. p. 43
06. Prioritize goals to bring awareness. p. 51
07. Define the personality of your brand. p. 58
08. Project a compelling voice for your brand. p. 64
09. Craft a memorable tagline to seal the deal. p. 72
3
INTRO
4
Start with defining the core of your brand.
BRAND
5
CORE
Brand Core
Define the core
of your brand.
Personality
Audience
Purpose
Brand Core
Market
Voice
of travelling to New York. which includes your purpose, your
vision, and your brand values.
Tagline
Values
Goals
Competency - Be informative.
Peace - A stress-free environement.
6
01
First, find the purpose behind what you do.
7
BRAND CORE
Personality
Audience
Purpose
To organize NYC visitors’ experiences, Know why you’re in business and talk
so that they can enjoy holidays fully about it to rally your team and foster
and at peace. connection with your audience.
Market
Vision
Voice
Tagline
Values
Goals
8
BRAND CORE
WHAT WHAT
CONTRIBUTION List all the products you sell, services custom
youoer,orthejobsyouperform. travel guides
WHY
community photography
events services
IMPACT
welcome
souvenirs &
packages
gifts
*Credit: Simon Sinek hotel
partnerships
9
BRAND CORE
WHAT
CONTRIBUTION custom
travel guides
fast &
welcome personal
souvenirs &
packages
gifts
*Credit: Simon Sinek hotel
partnerships
10
BRAND CORE
WHAT
CONTRIBUTION custom
travel guides
fast &
welcome personal
souvenirs &
packages
gifts
*Credit: Simon Sinek hotel
partnerships
11
BRAND CORE
WHAT
CONTRIBUTION custom
to organize NYC visitors’ experiences Contribution travel guides
sustainably
Whatisthespeci4ccontributionyou group &
energy HOW
to enhance visitors’ stay in NYC make to the lives of others? It starts private tours
local expertise
with an action verb — list on page 17
to guide people to discover best of NYC & knowledge
WHY
community customer peace & innovative & photography
events centric serenity modern services
IMPACT
fast &
welcome personal
souvenirs &
packages
gifts
*Credit: Simon Sinek hotel
partnerships
12
BRAND CORE
WHAT
CONTRIBUTION custom
to organize NYC visitors’ experiences travel guides
welcome HOW group &
to enhance visitors’ stay in NYC packages private tours
local expertise
to guide people to discover best of NYC & knowledge
WHY
community customer peace & innovative & photography
events centric serenity modern services
IMPACT
13
BRAND CORE
To organize NYC visitors’ experiences , so that they can enjoy holidays fully at peace .
CONTRIBUTION IMPACT
To inspire others to do the things that inspire them, so that together we can change
the world for better.
14
BRAND CORE
Causes To Support
END EXTREME POVERTY IN ALL END HUNGER, ACHIEVE FOOD ENSURE HEALTHY LIVES
FORMS BY 2030. SECURITY & IMPROVE NUTRITION AND PROMOTE WELL-BEING
ENSURE INCLUSIVE AND QUALITY ACHIEVE GENDER EQUALITY AND ENSURE AVAILABILITY OF WATER
EDUCATION FOR ALL EMPOWER WOMEN AND SANITATION
REDUCE INEQUALITY WITHIN AND MAKE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ENSURE RESPONSIBLE CONSUMP-
AMONG COUNTRIES SUSTAINABLE AND SAFE TION AND PRODUCTION PATTERNS
TAKE URGENT ACTION TO COMBAT CONSERVE OCEANS AND SEAS FOR PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE USE OF
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
15
BRAND CORE
Action Verbs
Knowledge Understand Apply Analyze Evaluate Create
De4ne Interpret Solve Connect Criticize Design
Identify Classify Change Relate Reframe Modify
Describe Compare Relate Devise Judge Role-Play
Recognize Contrast Complete Correlate Defend Develop
Explain Infer Use Illustrate Appraise Rewrite
Recite Relate Teach Distill Value Pivot
Memorize Extract Articulate Conclude Prioritize Modify
Illustrate Paraphrase Discover Categorize Plan Collaborate
Quote Cite Transfer Take Apart Grade Invent
State Discuss Show Problem-Solve Revise Write
Match Distinguish Demonstrate Dierenatiate Re4ne Formulate
Recognize Delineate Involve Deduce Grade Invent
Select Extend Dramatize Conclude Argue Imagine
Examine Predict Produce Devise Support Inspire
Locate Indicate Report Subdivide Evolve
Record Translate Act Calculate Decide
List Inquire Prepare Order Pivot
16
02
Secondly, have a vision of where you’re going.
17
BRAND CORE
Personality
Audience
Purpose
Brand Vision
Market
nRuencelong-termbusinessdeci
-
Voice
of travelling to New York. sion to ensure the brand is navigat-
ed towards the right direction.
Tagline
Values
Goals
18
BRAND CORE
ASPIRATION IDEAL
Now
Write a short description of
the current state of your busi-
ness. Where are you now?
19
BRAND CORE
ASPIRATION IDEAL
5 years
What do you want to achieve?
Where do you see your brand
in 5 years in terms of growth?
20
BRAND CORE
ASPIRATION IDEAL
10 years
What will your brand look like
in 10 years? How big will it be?
what market share you have?
21
BRAND CORE
- one CEO strartup - 10 % travel market - 100M brand by 2030 - 1B brand by 2035
- self funded - 10M in sales - Ai, VR intewgration - leader in travel planning
- bootsrtraped - 100K customers - other big cities (US) - top 100 cities (worldwide)
- got name & logo - NYC office - interactive products
- working on branidng - Team of 50
ASPIRATION IDEAL
15 years
What impact will you have
on your industry in 20 years?
How will your brand expand?
22
BRAND CORE
2 Brand Vision — State your aspirations for the brand growth. 3 min
- one CEO strartup - 10 % travel market - 100M brand by 2030 - 1B brand by 2035
- self funded - 10M in sales - Ai, VR intewgration - leader in travel planning
- bootsrtraped - 100K customers - other big cities (US) - top 100 cities (worldwide)
- got name & logo - NYC office - interactive products
- working on branidng - Team of 50
ASPIRATION IDEAL
Aspiration
The most personalized NYC experiences.
If it all goes right how will you impact
The most customized way to visit NYC. the category? Here you can use su-
perlatives like “the world’s best”.
A go-to guide for demanding NYC visitors.
*Credit: Jake Knapp
23
BRAND CORE
- one CEO strartup - 10 % travel market - 100M brand by 2030 - 1B brand by 2035
- self funded - 10M in sales - Ai, VR intewgration - leader in travel planning
- bootsrtraped - 100K customers - other big cities (US) - top 100 cities (worldwide)
- got name & logo - NYC office - interactive products
- working on branidng - Team of 50
ASPIRATION IDEAL
Ideal
The most personalized NYC guide.. A world full of meaningful travels.
De4netheidealfuture,4nal-desti
The most customized way to visit NYC. A stress-free and weelcoming world. nation or desired end state. How
can your brand change the world?
A go-to guide for demanding NYC visitors. A world without boring trips.
*Credit: Jake Knapp
24
BRAND CORE
Tobethepremierpurveyorofthe4nestcoeeintheworld.
25
03
Thirdly, determine your core values and philosophies.
26
BRAND CORE
Personality
Audience
Purpose
Voice
inspire them, so that together we can
change the world.
Brand Values
Service - Passionate to serve others.
Tagline
Values
Goals
27
BRAND CORE
Negative Positive
Confused tour guides that have no plan. Describe negative experiences you
Unreasonably time compressed experience. had with brands in similar category.
Missed the opportunity to visit some attractions. Or4gureoutwhatcouldgowrong.
Feelings
Negative Positive
Negative Positive
The agency doesn’t deliver, excuse after excuse. Our experience was the best thing we could have done.
Experiences
Confused tour guides that have no plan. Organized, enthusiastic and knowledgable tour guide.
Unreasonably time compressed experience. We went everywhere and it all was interesting.
Missed the opportunity to visit some attractions. It seemed like exactly what I was looking for.
Positive Experience
I felt like I was taken advantage of. What’d be the opposite, the desir-
Feelings
I felt mislead and frustrated. able experience that you wish you
I felt like I just wasted money. had? Turn negative into positive.
Frustrated about time and opportunity loss.
Negative Positive
The agency doesn’t deliver, excuse after excuse. Our experience was the best thing we could have done.
Experiences
I felt like I was taken advantage of. I was happy and excited during the whole time!
Feelings
I felt mislead and frustrated. The time went by so fast, but it was so woth it.
I felt like I just wasted money. I feel like it was the best deal ever.
Frustrated about time and opportunity loss. I felt welcomed and as if I belong there.
put it in the
worksheet
32
BRAND CORE
Core Values
Values commonly used by brands & businesses.
33
Secondly, position your brand in the market.
BRAND
34
POSITIONING
Brand Positioning
Position your brand
in the market
Personality
Audience
Busy travelers who value their time
Purpose
Voice
New York, unlike other generic travel
of travelling to New York. strategy, which includes your audi-
guides our solutions are unique and ence, your market and your goals.
customized by locals.
Tagline
Values
Goals
35
04
Know your target audience to resonate with them.
36
BRAND POSITIONING
Personality
Audience
Busy travelers who value their time
Purpose
Market
Voice
of travelling to New York.
Tagline
Values
Goals
Competency - Be informative.
Peace - A stress-free environement.
37
BRAND POSITIONING
Goals Problems
Muhammad - busy
professional in his early
Impact 30’ lives in Riyadh Desires
Label
Who is the most common customer? Man or
women? What’s her/his name? What are the
basic demographics? Age, Location, Job etc.
Goals Problems
Muhammad - busy
professional in his early
Impact Goals
30’ lives in Riyadh Desires
Whatobjectivesandgoalscustomershave
asitrelatestoyouroering?Whatkindof
strategic aspirations or hopes they have?
Goals Problems
Muhammad - busy
professional in his early
Impact Problems Desires
30’ lives in Riyadh
What are the problems your customers face
before they can get what they want? What
are their pain-points and core challenges?
Goals Problems
Overwhelmed by data.
Frustrated by irrelevant info.
Fear of not fitting in.
Feel in constant rush.
Confused and lost.
Goals Problems
43
BRAND STRATEGY
Personality
Audience
Busy travelers who hate wasting time
Purpose
Lookforgapsinthemarketto4nd
Voice
New York, unlike other generic travel
of travelling to New York. whatdierentiatesyou&howyou
guides our solutions are unique and can stand out & stand for something.
customized by locals.
Tagline
Values
Goals
Competency - Be informative.
Peace - A stress-free environement.
BRAND POSITIONING
EXTREMES Y
Extremes
X Personalized experience. Pick two extremes. Choose to stand
for something, not everything. Find
Y Destination focused.
something that people care about.
DIFFERENCE
X
BENEFIT
45
BRAND POSITIONING
EXTREMES Y
X Personalized experience.
Real New York Tours Localike Sukoon
Y Destination focused.
Lonely Planet
TripAdvisor
BENEFIT Travelocity
Google Trips
Kayak Expedia
*Credit: Seth Godin
46
BRAND POSITIONING
5 Market Analysis — Find the difference you make in the market. 5 min
EXTREMES Y
X Personalized experience.
Real New York Tours Localike Sukoon
Y Destination focused.
Lonely Planet
TripAdvisor
BENEFIT Travelocity
Google Trips
Kayak Expedia
*Credit: Seth Godin
47
BRAND POSITIONING
EXTREMES Y
X Personalized experience.
Real New York Tours Localike Sukoon
Y Destination focused.
Lonely Planet
TripAdvisor
BENEFIT Travelocity
Benefit
Authentic / real New York. Whatistheendbene4t?Statewhat
Google Trips
your brand does for the target audi-
Meaningful experiences to share. Kayakthat is
ence Expedia
emotional & intangible.
*Credit: Seth Godin
48
BRAND POSITIONING
We help all consumers who want to purchase products online to experience quick
delivery, unlike other online retailers our solutions are customer-centric with passion
for innovation, and commitment to operational excellence.
49
BRAND POSITIONING
Sample Extremes
Speed Networkeect
Price Imminence
Performance Visibility
Ingredients Trendiness
Purity Privacy
Sustainability Professionalism
Obviousness Dizculty
Maintenance cost Elitism
Safety Danger
Security Experimental
Edginess Limited
Distribution Personalized
50
06
Set marketing goals to bring awareness.
51
BRAND STRATEGY
Personality
Audience
Busy travelers who hate wasting time
Purpose
Voice
New York, unlike other generic travel
of travelling to New York.
guides our solutions are unique and
customized by locals.
Awareness Goals
Service - Passionate to serve others. Do first - Website, Email Marketing,
Tagline
Values
Goals
52
6 Awareness Goals — List all initiatives that bring awareness 5 min
Itinerary template
Email marketing
Direct mail
Trade show
Promotional items
Business cards
*Inspired by: Jose Caballer
Low impact
53
6 Awareness Goals — What’s the impact and difficulty of each? 5 min
54
BRAND POSITIONING
Awareness Goals
Word of mouth Promotional items
Email Marketing Events
Blog (content marketing) Direct mail
Socila Media Marketing Press releases
Social Media (organic) Tradeshows
Videos Search marketing (SEO)
Reeralprogram Telemarketing
Azliateprogram Point-of-Purchase Marketing
Flyers Guest Posting
Brochures nRuencerMarketing
Stationery design Pay per click (PPC)
Business cards TV Ads
Website Community engagement
Landing page Event sponsorhip
55
Thirdly, develop the persona of your brand.
BRAND
56
PERSONA
Brand Persona
Develop the persona
of your brand.
Personality
The Explorer 70% and The Sage 30%.
Audience
Busy travelers who hate wasting time
Purpose
And human
Voice
New persona,
York,
inspire them,unlike other
sowhich
that genericwetravel
together can
of travelling to New York. brand includes We are enthusiastic and passionate,
guides
changeourthesolutions aretagline.
world.and unique and
personality, voice but we’re not wild or impetuous.
customized by locals.
Service - Passionate to serve others. Do first - Website, Email Marketing, Travel stress-free.
Tagline
Values
Goals
57
07
Define the personality of your brand.
58
BRAND PERSONA
Personality
The Explorer 70% and The Sage 30%.
Audience
Busy travelers
brandwho hate wasting time
Purpose
Voice
New York, unlike other generic travel
of travelling to New York.
guides our solutions are unique and
customized by locals.
Tagline
Values
Goals
59
BRAND PERSONA
tor Innoc
ARCHETYPAL MIX Crea ent
n
vatio Safet
Sa
Inno y
le
Ru
ge
Kn
l
ro
ow
nt
le
Co
dg
*Credit: Margaret Mark and Carol S. Pearson
giver
Explo
Provide Explore
Freed
Structure Spirituality
ice
Care
Serv
rer
m o
nging Desire
n
man
ratio
w
Pursue Leave
Outla
Belo
Libe
Every
Connection Legacy
Archetype
En
er
j
w
oy
Po
m
en
n
Je
ia
tery
t
acy Mas
st
ic
ag
er
pickthearchetypethatwould4tyourpersonalitybest.
M
Love
r Hero
60
BRAND PERSONA
tor Innoc
ARCHETYPAL MIX Crea ent
n
70% Explorer Archetypal Mix vatio Safet
Sa
Inno y
le
Ru
ge
Keepyouarchetypalmixre4ned&
Kn
30% Sage
l
ro
ow
focused e.g. 70% of core archetype
nt
le
Co
dg
*Credit: Margaret Mark and Carol S. Pearson and 30% of secondary archetype.
giver
Explo
Provide Explore
Freed
Structure Spirituality
ice
Care
Serv
rer
m o
nging Desire
n
man
ratio
w
Pursue Leave
Outla
Belo
Libe
Every
Connection Legacy
En
er
j
w
oy
Po
m
en
n
Je
Intim
ia
tery
t
acy Mas
st
ic
ag
er
M
Love
r Hero
61
BRAND PERSONA
62
BRAND PERSONA
What do you love and why? We love planned exploration and smart adventures. .
What do you hate and why? We hate misinformation because it gets us stuck. .
We love revolution because we want to change the world for the better.
We hate regulations because they restrain our freedom of choice.
63
08
Project a compelling voice for your brand.
64
BRAND PERSONA
Personality
The Explorer 70% and The Sage 30%.
Audience
Busy travelers who hate wasting time
Purpose
De4neyourtoneofvoicetoset
Voice
New York, unlike other generic travel
of travelling to New York. guidelines for how you want to We are enthusiastic and passionate,
guides our solutions are unique and
sound to your target audience. but we’re not wild or impetuous.
customized by locals.
Tagline
Values
Goals
65
BRAND PERSONA
HUMOUR
Funny Serious
FORMALITY
Funny or Serious
How do you sound to others? Are you
RESPECT
Sassy Respectful
ENTHUSIASM
Enthusiastic Matter-of-fact
66
BRAND PERSONA
HUMOUR
Funny Serious
FORMALITY
Casual Formal
RESPECT
Casual or Formal
Are you formal and keep it professional at
Sassy all cost? Or more Informal and Casual? Respectful
ENTHUSIASM
Enthusiastic Matter-of-fact
67
BRAND PERSONA
HUMOUR
Funny Serious
FORMALITY
Sassy or Respectful
Doyouapproachthesubjectinarespectful
RESPECT
Sassy Respectful
ENTHUSIASM
Enthusiastic Matter-of-fact
68
BRAND PERSONA
HUMOUR
Funny Serious
FORMALITY
Casual Formal
Enthusiastic or Matter-of-fact
RESPECT
Do you seem to be enthusiastic about the
subject?Areyouexcitedabouttheoofer?
Sassy
Or is the writing dry and matter-of-fact? Respectful
ENTHUSIASM
Enthusiastic Matter-of-fact
69
BRAND PERSONA
We’re funny, but not sarcastic. We’re authoritative, but not bossy.
We’re friendly, but not sappy. We’re sympathetic, but not cheerful.
70
BRAND PERSONA
Tone of Voice
List of Detailed Tone Descriptors
71
09
Craft a memorable tagline to seal the deal.
72
BRAND PERSONA
Personality
The Explorer 70% and The Sage 30%.
Audience
Busy travelers who hate wasting time
Purpose
Voice
New York, unlike other generic travel
of travelling to New York. We are enthusiastic and passionate,
guides our solutions are unique and
but we’re not wild or impetuous.
customized by locals.
Brand Tagline
Service - Passionate to serve others. Do first - Website, Email Marketing, Travel stress-free.
Tagline
Values
Goals
Mind Map
Use keywords from
previous exercises to
draw a mind map.
74
BRAND PERSONA
Mind Map
Find synonyms, related
words & phrases.
peace of mind
informative competency
75
BRAND PERSONA
stress-free
helpful wisdom
organized relaxed serenity expertise
peace of mind
informative competency
I love NY
authentic
iconic city
like a local
personalized Statue of Liberty
travelling
Travel stress-free
Just explore
Imperative
Commands action
and usually starts
with a verb.
Just do it
KU C
Y U YY
77
BRAND PERSONA
Descriptive
Describes the
service, product, or
brand promise.
78
BRAND PERSONA
Superlative
Positions the compa-
ny as best in class.
79
BRAND PERSONA
Travel stress-free Customized by locals Explore best of New York Explore best of NY.
Just explore Explore more. Save time. The must-see NYC What’s freedom?
Provocative
Thought-provoking;
frequently a question.
80
BRAND PERSONA
Travel stress-free Customized by locals Explore best of New York Explore best of NY. Explore like a local
Just explore Explore more. Save time. The must-see NYC What’s freedom? Travel your way.
Have a custom trip.
Authentic experiences.
Specific
Revealsthespeci4c
business category.
Just do it Expect more. Pay less. A diamond is forever. Got milk? Happy hunting.
in Different Imagination at work. King of beers. Where else? Love the skin you’re in.
pen appine Ideas worth spreading. Ultimate driving machine. Where’s the beef? Drivers wanted.
81
BRAND PERSONA
Travel stress-free Customized by locals Explore best of New York Explore best of NY. Explore like a local
Just explore Explore more. Save time. The must-see NYC What’s freedom? Travel your way.
Have a custom trip.
Authentic experiences.
put it in the
worksheet
Just do it Expect more. Pay less. A diamond is forever. Got milk? Happy hunting.
KU C Imagination at work. King of beers. Where else? Love the skin you’re in.
Y U YY Ideas worth spreading. Ultimate driving machine. Where’s the beef? Drivers wanted.
82
Brand Strategy for Sukoon Travel Group you’ll end up with
something like this
Personality
The Explorer 70% and The Sage 30%.
Audience
Busy travelers who hate wasting time
Purpose
Voice
New York, unlike other generic travel
of travelling to New York. We are enthusiastic and passionate,
guides our solutions are unique and
but we’re not wild or impetuous.
customized by locals.
Service - Passionate to serve others. Do first - Website, Email Marketing, Travel stress-free.
Tagline
Values
Goals
Having your strategy written on one page, or one white- You will feel safe and strong about your process and as
board is the key to building a successful brand. a result it will attract powerful clients.
Use this guide to run brand strategy workshops with And most importantly, you will level up as a designer,
your clients prior to doing any type of design work. chargepremiumfeesandrunprojectseortlessly.
84
OUTRO
What’s next?
check out sample
delivery document
85
AREK DVORNECHUCK
BRANDING EXPERT
929.245.9811
[email protected]
EBAQDESIGN.COM