The role of a Brand Strategist is to ensure a consistent and effective brand message across the marketing channels. This includes both owned, paid channels and social media. Brand strategists usually work under the Brand Manager in a marketing team.
Brand strategists thoroughly research the market. And based on their analysis define brand elements and tone of the communication. They develop brand positioning recommendations for the brand/s they work with.
Based on the current market data and trends they find ways to enhance the branding of a product or service of the brand in order to achieve the brand’s business goal. For example, if a brand’s goal is to increase awareness about their new product line.
A Brand Strategist will find out the channels which are getting a high rate of engagement. He will then devise strategies to increase brand awareness on those channels. Also, he will find other possible places/channels/ mediums he can increase brand awareness in the target market.
In this case, he/she can go for a radio ad, magazine ad, or a TV ad. Or he can go for sponsorship of a community event where his brand will be prominently seen by his audience.
What Do You Need to Be a Brand Strategist?
Simply putting a Brand Strategist has a holistic view of the entire marketing and the brand. He not only works on the social media end of things but on other channels and aspects. He works for both branding and marketing of the company. A Brand Strategist should be detail-oriented and multi-faceted. He should understand the elements of:
- SEO
- SMO
- SMM
- SEM
- Web development
- Graphic design
- Content marketing & promotion
- Email marketing
- Influencer marketing
- BTL marketing tactics
- Social Media Management
- Customer retention strategies.
A Brand Strategist is a forward-thinking person. He anticipates future trends and success of a product or service in its target market and target audience.
Qualifications for a Brand Strategist?
This position usually needs a degree in business or marketing. But, anyone with a strong data analytics background, understanding of marketing channels and marketing methods can become a brand strategist.
Salary / Compensation
Salary or compensation of the Brand Strategists is based on the brand they work with, industry type, experience, country, etc. However, according to payscale.com average salary is $60,651 per year for this position.
