Here's how you can kickstart your career in brand strategy without a degree.

There is no sure-fire route to a career as a brand strategist. But you'll need to be: — culturally aware — interested in the commercial world — brand savvy — open and curious — a good communicator. It's really important to build your skills in all these areas.

First off, skip the blogs. There's too many that are full of theory that's not backed by experience. For the most part, don't trust them. Find the experts in the industry, that you deeply respect, and that you know, have a track record of doing outstanding work – and study them. In some cases study with them. Some will have books or classes or programs that you can take around brand strategy. And once you have some knowledge under your belt, I love the idea of analyzing existing brands and seeing how well you can understand their positioning. But then go further. What could you add to the process? Even and exceptionally well branded company like Apple – is there anything you could add to what they're doing?

To gain experience in brand strategy without a degree, seek mentored volunteering or internships. Learn from experienced professionals rather than executing work independently. Working under supervision prevents harming organizations or your reputation while learning. Find a willing mentor and absorb their knowledge. Ask thoughtful questions and observe their processes. This hands-on approach is invaluable, as brand strategy isn't extensively covered in books or affordable courses. By assisting skilled mentors, you'll gain practical insights, develop skills, and start building a portfolio. This experience is crucial for kickstarting your career in brand strategy.

Practical experiences where all the gold is. So get as much as you can as quickly as you can. Even if it's poor or incomplete at least it's a starting point to learn from. People often forget that our greatest lessons come from the stakes. Of course don't purposely make mistakes. But be willing to take some risks that might end up in mistakes so that you can learn faster. Do pro bono work. Work at a low cost for small nonprofits. Help friends out with their business. The bottom line is get experience. And make sure you evaluate each project to see what you did well and what you can improve on. And absolutely make sure you ask for feedback from your clients. Both what they experienced of your process and what they thought of the results.

You must have a portfolio. But even more important, in my opinion, our testimonials in case studies. Try to avoid the boring common testimonials that we see everywhere. Rather find a script that helps you build engaging testimonials. And if you can get your clients to do video testimonials, they're even more powerful. Case studies are crucial element. They let you highlight your work and your process and the outcomes. They also bring the client to play talking about the problems they began with and how you helped them solve it. Unlike a testimonial a case study takes people through the whole process. And in many cases of potential client can see themselves in one of your case studies.

As a brand of strategist, you should be picking a niche. And whatever that niche is, you need to stay up-to-date and current on trends and technologies, and other elements that influence your niche's market. I have a little different approach when we talk about staying current with brand strategy trends. Don't! Instead, expand your ability to think creatively. Become better at thinking outside the box to find more unique solutions. And learn to facilitate. It's a critical skill. You're not there to tell the company what to do with their brand. Instead, you were there to facilitate a process with a team of people toward the common goal. They'll be many obstacles along the way. Learning how to facilitate will help mitigate problems.

Take initiative by offering brand strategy ideas to local businesses or startups. Demonstrating your proactive nature can lead to job offers.

Become a Brand Detective! Read everything you can about successful brands (websites, articles, even cereal boxes!). Analyze their messaging, visuals, and overall vibe. It's like cracking a branding case – fascinating! Level Up Your Skills! Social media is your playground! Follow industry leaders, create mock brand campaigns for your favorite companies, and share your insights online. Showcase your passion and thinking. Volunteer Your Superpowers! Non-profits and local businesses often need branding help. Offer your services for free to gain experience and build your portfolio. It's a win-win – you learn, they get a boost!