Are you interested in pursue a career as a Brand Strategist in 2023, but don’t know from where to start?
If so, you’re in the right place.
This comprehensive guide will take you through the step-by-step process of becoming a brand strategist, covering the necessary skills, qualifications, and career path to excel in this field.
Also check out my ultimate guides on becoming a SEO specialist, product manager, software developer, social media manager and web designer.
Let’s dive right in!
Why Pursue A Career As A Brand Strategist In 2023?
Brand strategists in 2023 are in high demand as companies prioritize branding. They create strategies to establish and maintain brand identity, contributing to brand awareness and equity. A strong brand presence is crucial for businesses to stand out in a competitive market.
Brand strategists collaborate, work on campaigns, and analyze trends, shaping organizational success. With skills in research, creativity, communication, and strategic thinking, they play a vital role in building positive customer associations. This dynamic career offers compelling advantages for those passionate about branding and its impact on business.
What Is a Brand Strategist?
A Brand Strategist supports the marketing team or brand manager in enhancing the brand’s visibility to customers. They anticipate future trends and understand the evolving needs of the product, facility, or service offered by the customer. They tailor the messaging and market it to the audience.
Additionally, they analyze research data collected by the company to gain insights into the statistics.
What Does A Brand Strategist Do?
The Brand Strategist is responsible for overseeing brand strategy trends. They play a crucial role in planning, identifying target audiences, and positioning the brand’s product as a solution to customer needs.
They determine the most effective times and platforms to engage with customers, taking into account their brand’s positioning, competitors’ reach, and product/service limitations. Various critical components are considered to ensure effective brand engagement.
Brand Strategist: Roles & Responsibilities
The following are the roles and responsibilities typically associated with a brand strategist:
Gathering feedback and analyzing consumer behavior
Brand strategists gather feedback from sales and analyze consumer behavior to understand the target audience and define the company’s positioning.
Crafting differentiation strategy
They develop a differentiation strategy that sets the company apart from competitors and highlights its unique selling points
Creating guidelines for brand voice
Brand strategists create guidelines that define the company’s voice both online and offline, including terminology and slogans. This ensures consistency in brand messaging across various channels.
Briefing creative teams
They collaborate with the creative team and provide clear briefs for marketing projects such as ebooks, email campaigns, and advertising banners
Designing promotional campaigns
They design and develop promotional campaigns for new products and target markets to increase brand awareness and drive customer engagement.
Developing social media strategy
Brand strategists are responsible for developing the company’s social media strategy, including content planning, audience engagement, and monitoring performance.
Analyzing market trends
Brand strategists continuously monitor market trends and identify new opportunities and challenges that may impact the company’s branding efforts. This helps in staying ahead of competitors and adapting strategies accordingly.
Brand Strategist: Skills & Qualifications
Here are the skills and qualifications typically associated with a brand strategist:
Strong writing skills
Brand strategists need excellent writing skills to craft compelling brand messaging, slogans, and marketing materials. Effective written communication helps convey the brand’s voice and values to the target audience.
Comfort with technology
Brand strategists should be familiar with various technologies, including spreadsheets, presentation software, and content management systems. Proficiency in these tools aids in data analysis, creating presentations, and managing marketing collateral.
Understanding of marketing principles and strategies
Brand strategists need a solid understanding of marketing principles and strategies. They should be familiar with market research, target audience analysis, competitive analysis, and marketing tactics to develop effective branding strategies.
Excellent research skills
Brand strategists rely on research to gather insights about the market, target audience, and industry trends. They use data to make informed decisions and develop strategies that align with the company’s goals and target market.
Creativity and strategic thinking
Creativity is vital for developing innovative branding ideas and strategies. Brand strategists should possess the ability to think outside the box and find unique ways to position the brand effectively. Strategic thinking helps them identify opportunities and develop long-term brand plans.
Marketing or Business Degree
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in marketing, business administration, or a related field provides a comprehensive understanding of marketing principles, consumer behavior, market research, and strategic planning. These courses lay the groundwork for developing brand strategies and executing effective marketing campaigns.
Communication or Advertising Skills
Degrees in communication, advertising, or public relations can be advantageous for brand strategists. These programs focus on effective communication strategies, messaging, brand positioning, and audience engagement. Skills gained in these programs can contribute to crafting compelling brand stories and managing brand perception.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Brand Strategist?
The time it takes to become a brand strategist can vary. Typically, it involves completing a four-year bachelor’s degree program, gaining a few years of relevant work experience, and continually developing your skills and knowledge in the field. It’s important to note that becoming an expert brand strategist can take several years of dedicated effort and experience.
How Much Does a Brand Strategist Make?
The average yearly salary for a Brand Strategist in the United States is $63,683, with a total pay estimate of $85,423. Additional pay, such as cash bonus, commission, tips, and profit sharing, is estimated to be $21,740 per year.
These figures are based on data collected from our users and represent the median, encompassing values within the 25th and 75th percentiles of all available pay data for this role.
Where Do Brand Strategists Come From?
Brand strategists often come from various backgrounds, including marketing and advertising, branding and design, market research, business and strategy consulting, communication and public relations, and creative and copywriting.
They bring a range of skills and expertise to develop effective brand strategies, such as knowledge of market trends, consumer behavior, visual branding, data analysis, communication, and storytelling. Diverse educational backgrounds and industry experiences contribute to their abilities in this field.
Where Do Brand Strategist Work?
Here are some common places where brand strategists may work:
Marketing Agencies
Many brand strategists find employment in marketing agencies that specialize in developing and implementing branding strategies for clients across different industries.
Advertising Firms
Brand strategists can work in advertising firms where they collaborate with creative teams to develop brand messaging, positioning, and integrated marketing campaigns.
Branding Consultancies
Some brand strategists choose to work for branding consultancies that offer strategic guidance and expertise to clients in building and managing their brands effectively.
Corporations
Larger corporations often have in-house brand strategy teams responsible for developing and implementing brand strategies across their product lines or business units.
Step By Step Guide To Become A Brand Strategist
Becoming a brand strategist requires a combination of education, skills, experience, and a passion for branding. Follow these step-by-step guidelines to embark on your journey:
Step 1: Gain a Strong Foundation in Marketing and Communication
Start by obtaining a solid education in marketing, communication, or a related field. Complete a bachelor’s degree that includes essential marketing principles, consumer behavior, advertising, and market research. Having a firm grasp of marketing fundamentals will establish a sturdy foundation for your brand strategist career.
>> Pro Tip: Find Best Colleges & Degrees For Brand Strategists > Here
>> Pro Tip: Find Best Branding Courses & Certifications > Here
>> Pro Tip: Find Best Brand Strategy Courses & Certification > Here
Step 2: Develop a Deep Understanding of Branding Principles
Immerse yourself in the study of branding. Familiarize yourself with the principles, theories, and best practices of brand development and management. Read books, attend webinars or workshops, and follow reputable branding experts to gain insights into this dynamic field. Understand the importance of brand identity, positioning, storytelling, and emotional connection with the target audience.
>> Pro Tip: Learn Brand Principles and Guidelines by Admind Branding
>> Pro Tip: Learn 10 Key Principles of Branding & Management by Frontify
Step 3: Acquire Market Research Skills
Market research is a vital aspect of brand strategy. Develop your skills in conducting market research, analyzing data, and deriving actionable insights. Learn various research methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative, to gather valuable consumer insights, industry trends, and competitor analysis. Proficiency in market research will help you make data-driven decisions and develop effective brand strategies.
>> Pro Tip: Read How to Do Market Research Guide by Investopedia
>> Pro Tip: Get Market Research Guide and Template by HubSpot
Step 4: Hone Your Analytical Abilities
As a brand strategist, you’ll be working with data and metrics to measure the effectiveness of brand strategies. Enhance your analytical abilities by learning to interpret data, identify patterns, and draw meaningful conclusions. Proficiency in data analysis tools and techniques will enable you to track brand performance, identify areas for improvement, and optimize brand strategies accordingly.
>> Pro Tip: Learn How To Improve Your Analytical Skills (Guide by Indeed)
Step 5: Build a Diverse Skill Set
Apart from specialized branding knowledge, a brand strategist should possess a diverse skill set. Develop strong written and verbal communication skills to articulate brand strategies effectively. Master visual communication by understanding design principles, color theory, and typography. Familiarize yourself with digital marketing strategies, social media platforms, and content creation techniques. Embrace creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to develop innovative brand strategies.
Step 6: Gain Practical Experience through Internships or Entry-Level Positions
Practical experience is crucial to solidify your skills and enhance your understanding of brand strategy. Seek internships or entry-level positions in marketing agencies, advertising firms, or corporate marketing departments. Engage in real-world brand strategy projects, collaborate with industry professionals, and gain exposure to diverse brands and target markets. Practical experience will not only boost your resume but also provide valuable insights into the dynamics of brand strategy.
>> Pro Tip: Find Brand Strategist Intern Jobs & Employment at Indeed
Step 7: Network and Build Professional Relationships
Networking plays a significant role in career advancement. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with like-minded professionals in the branding and marketing field. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and seek mentorship opportunities. Building a strong professional network will open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and knowledge sharing.
Step 8: Stay Updated with Industry Trends and Best Practices
Brand strategy is a dynamic field, continuously evolving with market trends and consumer behavior. Stay updated with the latest industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in branding. Follow industry publications, blogs, and thought leaders to stay informed. Continuous learning and adaptation will ensure your brand strategies remain relevant and effective.
How to become a self taught Brand Strategist?
Steps to become a self-taught Brand Strategist:
- Learn brand strategy: Understand the importance of brand strategy in marketing and how it helps businesses differentiate themselves.
- Define brand identity: Discover how a business presents itself to customers and stands out from competitors.
- Study consumer behavior: Gain insights into consumer preferences and behavior to develop effective brand strategies.
- Build marketing skills: Acquire knowledge in marketing principles and strategies to support brand development.
- Apply creativity: Utilize creative thinking to craft compelling brand messages and visual elements.
>> Pro Tip: Follow The Best Brand Identity and Strategy Course by Coursera
Also check out this free YouTube Tutorial to start your self taught Brand Strategist journey!
Free Online Courses & Recourses to Become a Brand Strategist
Learn Brand Strategy from basics in this free online training. The Brand Strategy course is taught hands-on by experts. Learn about brand positioning, brand image & its Core values. Best for Beginners. Start now!
This Brand Strategy course covers core aspects of successful brand strategy, including values, positioning, image, and post-COVID brand building. Starting with an introduction to brand strategy, we delve into values and their impact on purpose, mission, and beliefs.
>> Pro Tip: Free Branding Courses by HubSpot
How To Become A Freelance Brand Strategist?
To become a freelance Brand Strategist, you can either pursue formal education or learn on your own, as explained earlier. Then, you can work as a freelancer on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
>> The Best Freelance Websites to Find Work in 2023
Benefits of Working As a Freelance Brand Strategist
As a freelance brand strategist, there are several benefits to enjoy. Here are some key advantages:
- Flexibility and autonomy: Freelancing as a brand strategist allows control over clients, projects, rates, working hours, and location.
- Diversify portfolio: Freelancing provides the opportunity to work with clients from various industries, enhancing skills and becoming a versatile brand strategist.
- Creative freedom: Pursue personal creative vision and style without conforming to corporate or agency culture.
- Networking opportunities: Interact with professionals from different fields, expanding professional network and opening doors for future opportunities.
- Personal and professional growth: Freelancing develops skills in project management, client communication, and business development, fostering continuous learning and self-improvement.
Brand Strategist Salaries In US
- The average salary for a brand strategist is $120,948 in the US.
- The average brand strategist salary ranges between $89,000 and $164,000 in the US.
- Hourly rates for brand strategists in the US typically range between $42 and $78 an hour.
- The average brand strategist salary is $145,812 in Washington, $145,351 in Rhode Island, and $143,442 in New Jersey. These are the three highest-paying states for brand strategists in the US.
- Meta has the highest average salary for brand strategists.
- Start-up is the highest-paying industry for brand strategists in the US.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming A Brand Strategist
What degree is required to become a brand strategist?
While there is no specific degree requirement to become a brand strategist, a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communication, advertising, or a related field is beneficial. However, practical experience, skills, and a deep understanding of branding principles are equally important.
Can I become a brand strategist without a marketing degree?
Yes, it is possible to become a brand strategist without a marketing degree. While a marketing degree provides a strong foundation, practical experience, self-study, and continuous learning can compensate for the lack of a formal marketing education. Focus on acquiring relevant skills, staying updated with industry trends, and building a strong portfolio.
What skills are essential to become a successful brand strategist?
To become a successful brand strategist, essential skills include strategic thinking, market research, analytical abilities, written and verbal communication, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. Proficiency in data analysis, digital marketing, and visual communication is also valuable.
How do I showcase my brand strategy skills to potential employers or clients?
To showcase your brand strategy skills, develop a portfolio that highlights your previous brand strategy projects. Include case studies, campaign results, and measurable impact achieved through your strategies. Demonstrate your ability to think strategically, understand consumer insights, and deliver successful brand solutions.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a brand strategist requires a combination of knowledge, skills, and practical experience. By following the step-by-step guide outlined above, you can embark on a rewarding career in brand strategy. Remember to continuously learn, stay updated with industry trends, and adapt your strategies to meet the evolving needs of brands and consumers.
Remember, this guide serves as a starting point, and your determination, passion, and commitment will be the driving forces behind your success. Best of luck on your journey to becoming a highly skilled and sought-after Brand Strategist!
