How to become a Brand Strategist

In today’s dynamic and competitive business landscape, becoming a brand strategist is not only a lucrative career choice but also a strategic move towards shaping the success of businesses. Brand strategists play a crucial role in developing and executing effective marketing strategies that resonate with target audiences and drive business growth. In this article, we’ll delve into the key steps and strategies to become a proficient brand strategist, drawing inspiration from top books on brand strategy. As a freelance brand strategist, here are a few tips to have a successful career in freelance brand strategy.

Understand the Role of a Brand Strategist: At its core, a brand strategist is responsible for crafting a compelling brand identity that differentiates a company from its competitors. This involves deep dives into market research, understanding consumer behaviour, and aligning brand messaging with business objectives.
Educate Yourself: Start by immersing yourself in the world of marketing and branding. Books like “Building Strong Brands” by David A. Aaker provide valuable insights into creating and managing successful brands. Aaker’s framework emphasises the importance of brand identity elements such as brand vision, positioning, and personality.
Master the Fundamentals of Marketing and Content Creation: A solid foundation in marketing principles is essential for a brand strategist. Familiarise yourself with digital marketing techniques, social media platforms, and content creation strategies. Books like “Contagious: How to Build Word of Mouth in the Digital Age” by Jonah Berger offer valuable tips on creating viral marketing campaigns and engaging content.
Develop Analytical Skills: Brand strategists rely heavily on data and analytics to make informed decisions. Books like “How Brands Grow: What Marketers Don’t Know” by Byron Sharp provide insights into consumer behaviour and effective marketing strategies based on empirical evidence.
Hone Your Strategic Thinking: Successful brand strategists are adept at developing and executing comprehensive marketing strategies. “The Brand Gap” by Marty Neumeier is a must-read for understanding the connection between business strategy and brand strategy, highlighting the importance of clarity, differentiation, and relevance.
Gain Practical Experience: Consider pursuing internships or freelance projects to gain hands-on experience in brand strategy. Working with diverse clients and industries will broaden your perspective and enhance your skills as a brand strategist.
Stay Updated with Industry Trends: The field of brand strategy is constantly evolving, with new technologies and consumer trends shaping the marketing landscape. Follow industry publications, attend conferences, and engage with thought leaders to stay abreast of the latest developments.

By following these steps and drawing inspiration from top books on brand strategy, you can embark on a rewarding journey towards becoming a skilled and sought-after brand strategist. Remember, continuous learning and adaptation are key to thriving in this dynamic field.

Author: ROMA SINGHAL

Roma has spent over 15 years as Brand, Design and Digital Strategist carving disruptive and impactful strategies for blue-chips brands at marketing advertising organisations such as American Express, Ogilvy, Publicis Groupe, McCann, BBDO and more in Sydney, Singapore and Mumbai covering Global, AUNZ, ASEAN and India markets. She has planned and launched insightful and effective campaigns for a diverse clientele, spanning across various industries and brands. Her works have been awarded, one of them being The EFFIE Gold for Cadbury. She was also chosen as the first round judge for EFFIE Australia 2019. Last few years, she has been experimenting with her entrepreneurial spirit, having launched three planning initiatives, 1. THE SMILING STRATEGIST (www.thesmilingstrategist.com), a freelance strategy initiative working across a variety of brands and industries in a highly collaborative set-up; 2. SELFCONCEPT (www.facebook.com/selfconcept123), a self-awareness platform gathering true human insights, where training from Mind Master Tony Buzan on Mind Mapping techniques helped her think divergently; 3. ROYALE ARTISAN (www.royaleartisan.com), an online artisan gift store, which she has founded to give back to the talented rural artists. In her free time she drives her humanitarian initiatives, tries her mind at poetry, plays the guitarlele and experiments with acrylic painting on square shaped canvasses. A lover of philosophy, she is working everyday to become a better human being. To start a conversation please e-mail her at romasinghal@brandself.net. Also join her page on Linked-in @ https://www.linkedin.com/company/romasinghal-thesmilingstrategist/ for strategy tips. View all posts by ROMA SINGHAL

The Smiling Strategist

ROMA SINGHAL

Roma is Founder & Strategy Partner at Brandself. She has spent over 20 years as Brand, Design and Digital Strategist carving disruptive and impactful strategies for blue-chips brands at marketing and advertising organisations such as American Express, Ogilvy, Publicis Groupe, McCann, BBDO and more in Sydney, Singapore and Mumbai covering Global, AUNZ, ASEAN and India markets. Recently, she was chosen as one of the four female leaders to have broken down societal barriers by the hipages Group in Australia for their Empower Women in Leadership Program. Her works have been awarded, one of them being The EFFIE Gold. She sits in the APG UK Head of Planning Forum and was also chosen as the first round judge for EFFIE Australia. She is a Strategy Teacher at the esteemed Miami Ad School and a Strategy Mavin on Mavardo. She is also a Mentor at UNSW and the industry recognised Assisterhood. Last few years, she has been experimenting with her entrepreneurial spirit, having launched Brandself (www.brandself.net), a disruptive strategy studio; 2. SELFCONCEPT, a self-awareness platform gathering true human insights, where training from Mind Master Tony Buzan on Mind Mapping techniques helped her think divergently; 3. THE SMILING STAYS, a cozy Air BNB in Paddington, Sydney. In her free time she drives her humanitarian initiatives, tries her mind at poetry, plays the guitarlele and experiments with acrylic painting on square shaped canvasses. A lover of philosophy, she is working everyday to become a better human being. To start a conversation please e-mail her at romasinghal@brandself.net. Also join her page on Linked-in @ https://www.linkedin.com/company/romasinghal-thesmilingstrategist/ for strategy tips.