Branding: 2 Things That Must Be Obvious
Before we dive in, let’s get clear on what branding is.
Branding isn't just about color schemes, logos, and aesthetics. It's about presenting an identity to the world with which your ideal audience can connect emotionally, build a relationship, and feel a sense of belonging to.
It is important for your mental health that your branding is based off of your authentic self rather than crafted based off of what you think your artist brand "should" be.
Now that we are on the same page…
In order to connect emotionally, build fan relationships, and foster a sense of belonging with your audience, 2 things have to be unmistakable:
Who You Are
How You Sound
1. Who You Are
In order for someone to tell whether they want to get behind you or not, especially monetarily, who you are needs to be apparent.
Go beyond the basics (i.e. I am an artist, I am creative, I am a performer, etc.), and dive into the details that capture your spirit. Things like, What do you give a shit about? What do you inspire the people in your life to do? What qualities do you possess without even trying?
2. How You Sound
In order for someone to discern whether or not it's possible that they will like your music (enough for them to put in the extra effort to even check it out), how you sound needs to be crystal clear.
The more explicit you can be about your genre, timbre, vibe/mood, emotional effect, ideal listening venue, etc., the more a prospective fan will know whether or not your music is for them.
Warning:
Avoid using Anti-descriptions. Phrases such as, "I don't sound like anyone else," or "my music defies genre," are detrimental to your ability to grow an audience, as they do not relay the information that is needed to convert a prospect into an action taker (listener).
Avoid using clichés. Clichés are words that once have meaning, but have lost their lustre due to overuse. The words, "creative," "passionate," "unique," "musical," etc, are so common amongst artists, that they do not relay any information that sets you apart.
Want more tips like this, but tailored just for you?
