You might think only companies need branding but branding simply means your image. It’s how you look, act, talk. It’s your aura, your smell, your opinions… your you-ness that sticks to people’s minds. Therefore, all of us have a brand. When you’re starting a career, any career, it is important to take care of your image and reputation. Here are some branding tips for musicians and other artists:
“Think of yourself as a brand. You need to be remembered. What will they remember you for? What defines you? If you have it in you, do something that defines you. Invent something, develop a unique skill, get noticed for something — it creates a talking point.”
― Chris Arnold
Be clear about who you are, and who you are not. You need to understand your unique promise of value, and how this sets you apart from others. This first step is critical because it forces you to see yourself as others do. Once you’ve made it clear about what you are all about, you will soon attract and build a more targeted fan base that will better resonate with you because you’ve taken a position. Clarity extends to your logos, your social media topics, and even the diction you use when talking to your fans. Are you more formal and write in proper grammar, or are you more laid back and talk as though you are chatting or texting? Do you care about what’s going on in politics, or do live life more carefree?
“It’s easier to maintain a good character than to recover it when it’s gone bad!”
― Israelmore Ayivor
“Your names and your photos give you a unique identity. Make and maintain a good name in the hearts of people. Paint good photos in their minds.”
― Israelmore Ayivor
Take some time, sit down and really apply yourself to defining the single best thing that you do. Often this will be what people already mention when they discuss you or your art—after all, it’s what you’re good at. Other times, what makes you unique is the reason you create your art, or the life experiences you’ve had which have shaped you as an artist. There is no wrong answer. Simply find that unique element that is you and move on to step two.
― Empty Easel
Have A Story
Every band is different, but for us, it was important to have a story and a theme from the get-go – everything since then has been evolving from that initial fairy-tale of Princess Lilofee.
– Kimi: Lilofee
Act The Part
Make sure you’re acting in a way that you want your band to be represented. Plan out things like when and where you’re playing and how often and when you’ll release new material. You have to watch yourself because others are always watching you. The only person who can mess everything up is the same person who can make it all awesome: you.
– Petro: Dizzy Balloon
Building a brand takes a lot of time and effort especially for new artists but once you put in the work to build a good, consistent reputation, your career would greatly benefit from it.
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