Getting Started Guide
Find your starting point based on what you need to accomplish.
Choose Your Path
🚀 I'm brand new to Brand Threader
Start here:
- Read Philosophy & Approach (5 min) - Understand scaffolding vs automation
- Watch Introduction video (5 min) - See how tools work together
- Read Quickstart (10 min) - Run your first project
- Try a tool in Free Roam mode - Get comfortable with the interface
- Run a full pitch flow when ready - Use Pitch Mode for real project
First project recommendation: Use The Spark in Free Roam to generate social concepts for a brand you know well. Low stakes, quick results, builds confidence.
⚡ I need to run a full pitch (new business)
You want: Pitch Mode
- Read The Pitch Flow (5 min) - Understand the 5-tool cascade
- Watch The Definer video (10 min) - See the first step
- Gather your materials:
- Client brief (PDF or Word doc)
- Any research, competitor analysis, brand guidelines
- Budget 90-120 minutes for full flow
- Launch Brand Threader → Start with The Definer in Pitch Mode
- Upload all context documents in Step 1
- Follow the cascade: Definer → Targeter → Positioner → Strategist → Forge
Pro tip: Read Best Practices before starting. Uploading context documents takes 2 minutes but saves 20 minutes of editing generic outputs.
Need help under time pressure? See Workflow Examples for time-boxed scenarios.
🎨 I just need social creative concepts (not full pitch)
You want: The Spark in Free Roam mode
- Read The Spark documentation (10 min)
- Watch The Spark video (14 min)
- Launch The Spark directly (no need for cascade)
- Fill in: Brand name, strategic territory, communication objective
- Optional: Check Recent Social Ads (searches competitor campaigns)
- Choose format, platform, duration
- Set creative direction with 5 sliders + executional considerations
- Generate 3 concepts → Export to PowerPoint
Time: 15-30 minutes from brief to client-ready concepts.
🎯 I want to learn strategic frameworks (no live project yet)
You want: Free Roam exploration + Case Studies
- Read Philosophy & Approach - Understand the methodology
- Read The Golden Thread - Core concept explained
- Study case studies:
- Read Nokia case study - Actual tool usage example
- Try tools in Free Roam with practice brands (Nike, Oatly, your favourite brand)
- Compare your outputs to case study frameworks
Remember: Case studies are retrospective analysis, not AI outputs. They show strategic scaffolding in action.
👥 I'm setting up Brand Threader for my team
You want: Team onboarding pathway
- Read Team Management - Add colleagues to workspace
- Read Best Practices - Especially "Team Collaboration" section
- Set up your workflow:
- Designate single "driver" per project session
- Use save points before major changes
- Name projects clearly ("Client Name - Round 1", "Client Name - Sweet Spot Territory")
- Run internal training session:
- Watch video walkthroughs together (see Video Tutorials)
- Run practice pitch with familiar brand
- Review FAQ for common questions
- Start with real client work once comfortable
Pro tier: Up to 10 team members. Lite tier: 1 user only.
🔧 I need to use a specific standalone tool
You want: Direct tool access in Free Roam
| Tool | Use Case | Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| The Spark | Social-first video concepts | Spark docs |
| The Competitor | Category landscape analysis | Competitor docs |
| The Estimator | Project costing and scoping | Estimator docs |
| The Prototyper | Innovation territory exploration | Prototyper docs |
| The Creative Forge | Strategic platform (without full cascade) | Forge docs |
Launch Brand Threader → Select tool directly → Work in Free Roam mode.
Quick Decision Tree
What do you need right now?
Full pitch deck (5 tools, 90-120 min) → Read Pitch Flow → Start Pitch Mode
Social concepts only (1 tool, 15-30 min) → Read Spark docs → Use The Spark
Competitive analysis (1 tool, 20 min) → Read Competitor docs → Use The Competitor
Project costing (1 tool, 15 min) → Read Estimator docs → Use The Estimator
Not sure / want to learn → Start at top of this page with "I'm brand new"
Common Starting Mistakes (Avoid These)
| Mistake | Why It Happens | Better Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Jumping into Pitch Mode without reading docs | Eager to try the tool | Spend 15 min on Philosophy + Quickstart. Saves 60 min of confusion later. |
| Not uploading context documents | Seems like extra work | Uploading takes 2 min. Editing generic outputs takes 20 min. Upload first. |
| Accepting first AI suggestion without editing | Assuming AI knows best | AI gives 80% draft. Your craft takes it to 100%. Always edit. |
| Using Pitch Mode for single tool needs | Not understanding modes | Pitch Mode = full cascade. Free Roam = standalone tool. Choose correctly. |
| Two people editing same project simultaneously | Team collaboration without plan | Designate single "driver" per session. Review together, one person saves. |
Your First Week with Brand Threader
Day 1: Learn the philosophy (30 min)
- Read Philosophy & Approach
- Read FAQ (especially "Won't all pitches look the same?")
- Watch Introduction video
Day 2: Practice with low-stakes project (60 min)
- Use The Spark to generate concepts for a brand you know well
- Export to PowerPoint, review quality
- Get comfortable with interface and workflow
Day 3: Study case studies (45 min)
- Read 3 case studies (Dove, Oatly, Nike)
- Read Nokia case study (actual tool usage)
- Understand strategic scaffolding vs outputs
Day 4: Watch tool videos (60 min)
- Watch Definer, Targeter, Positioner videos
- See full workflow demonstrated
- Note best practices
Day 5: Run full practice pitch (90 min)
- Choose a familiar brand or past pitch
- Run full Pitch Mode: Definer → Targeter → Positioner → Strategist → Forge
- Export, review, refine in PowerPoint
- Compare to your usual pitch development process
After Week 1: You should feel confident using Brand Threader for live client work. If not, review Best Practices and Troubleshooting.
Still Not Sure Where to Start?
Email support@brandthreader.com with:
- Your role (strategist, creative director, agency owner)
- What you need to accomplish (pitch, social concepts, learning)
- Your timeline (urgent, exploratory)
We'll send you a personalized starting pathway. Pro users receive priority onboarding support.