Questions to Ask a Brand Strategist
Strategic questions that help you understand brand strategy, positioning, and how to build a strong, memorable brand that resonates with your target audience.
1What is brand strategy and how does it differ from marketing?
Click to see why this works
What is brand strategy and how does it differ from marketing?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Helps you understand the fundamental concepts of brand strategy and how it relates to other business functions, providing a foundation for deeper discussions.
2How do you define and identify a target audience?
Click to see why this works
How do you define and identify a target audience?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Understanding target audience identification is crucial for effective brand strategy, as it informs all other strategic decisions.
3What's the difference between brand positioning and brand messaging?
Click to see why this works
What's the difference between brand positioning and brand messaging?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Helps you understand the key components of brand strategy and how they work together to create a cohesive brand experience.
4How do you conduct brand research and what methods do you use?
Click to see why this works
How do you conduct brand research and what methods do you use?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Understanding research methods helps you assess the quality and depth of brand strategy work and what insights you can expect.
5What's your approach to brand architecture and portfolio management?
Click to see why this works
What's your approach to brand architecture and portfolio management?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Helps you understand how to structure multiple brands or products under one umbrella and manage brand relationships effectively.
6How do you measure brand performance and what metrics do you track?
Click to see why this works
How do you measure brand performance and what metrics do you track?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Understanding measurement approaches helps you assess the effectiveness of brand strategy and what success looks like.
7What's your process for developing brand guidelines and standards?
Click to see why this works
What's your process for developing brand guidelines and standards?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Helps you understand how brand strategy translates into actionable guidelines and what you can expect from the process.
8How do you handle brand crises and reputation management?
Click to see why this works
How do you handle brand crises and reputation management?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Understanding crisis management helps you prepare for potential challenges and understand how to protect your brand's reputation.
9What's your approach to brand differentiation and competitive positioning?
Click to see why this works
What's your approach to brand differentiation and competitive positioning?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Helps you understand how to stand out in a crowded market and create a unique position for your brand.
10How do you align brand strategy with business objectives?
Click to see why this works
How do you align brand strategy with business objectives?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Understanding alignment helps you ensure that brand strategy supports your business goals and creates measurable value.
11What's your experience with digital brand strategy and online presence?
Click to see why this works
What's your experience with digital brand strategy and online presence?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Helps you understand how brand strategy applies to digital channels and what considerations are important for online branding.
12How do you handle brand evolution and rebranding projects?
Click to see why this works
How do you handle brand evolution and rebranding projects?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Understanding brand evolution helps you prepare for future changes and understand how to manage brand transitions effectively.
13What's your approach to brand storytelling and narrative development?
Click to see why this works
What's your approach to brand storytelling and narrative development?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Helps you understand how to create compelling brand stories that resonate with your audience and differentiate your brand.
14How do you work with internal teams and stakeholders on brand strategy?
Click to see why this works
How do you work with internal teams and stakeholders on brand strategy?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Understanding collaboration approaches helps you prepare for the internal work required to implement brand strategy effectively.
15What's your experience with brand strategy for different industries?
Click to see why this works
What's your experience with brand strategy for different industries?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Helps you understand their expertise and whether they have relevant experience for your industry and business type.
16How do you handle brand strategy for startups versus established companies?
Click to see why this works
How do you handle brand strategy for startups versus established companies?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Understanding different approaches helps you assess whether their experience matches your business stage and needs.
17What's your approach to brand strategy for B2B versus B2C companies?
Click to see why this works
What's your approach to brand strategy for B2B versus B2C companies?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Helps you understand how brand strategy differs between business types and whether they have relevant experience for your market.
18How do you handle brand strategy for global versus local markets?
Click to see why this works
How do you handle brand strategy for global versus local markets?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Understanding market considerations helps you assess whether they can handle your geographic scope and market requirements.
19What's your approach to brand strategy for non-profit organizations?
Click to see why this works
What's your approach to brand strategy for non-profit organizations?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Helps you understand how brand strategy applies to non-profit organizations and whether they have relevant experience for your sector.
20What are the next steps for developing and implementing brand strategy?
Click to see why this works
What are the next steps for developing and implementing brand strategy?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Helps you understand the process and timeline for brand strategy development and what you can expect from the engagement.
Working with Brand Strategists
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Understand Your Business Goals
Have a clear understanding of your business objectives and how brand strategy can support them. This helps you ask more targeted questions.
Ask About Their Process
Understand their approach to brand strategy development and implementation. This helps you assess whether their process aligns with your needs.
Discuss Measurement and Success
Talk about how they measure success and what metrics they use. This helps you understand how to evaluate the effectiveness of brand strategy.
Question Sequences
The Foundation Sequence
The Process Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Focus Only on Creative Elements
While creative elements are important, focus on the strategic foundation and business impact of brand strategy, not just the visual aspects.
Don't Ignore Implementation
Ask about how brand strategy will be implemented and what support you'll receive. Strategy without implementation is ineffective.
Don't Skip Measurement
Understand how brand strategy success will be measured and what metrics you'll use to evaluate effectiveness.