One of the most important tools for advancing a career in the creative world is the use of a personal brand. Once the domain strictly of commercial enterprises, the principles of branding are now used successfully by individuals who want to clearly communicate why they are the best person to provide a service to the audiences they want to reach. The same principles that have made Steinway “the finest pianos in the world” and Nike products for athletes who “just do it” can be applied to musicians and artists who want to distinguish themselves from their peers.
Branding is an especially powerful marketing tool for creative artists because having a brand is about knowing your authentic unique gift and communicating that gift to the people you want to attract.
In short, a brand is your vision of who you are and what you do for your audiences. It encompasses:
• a message that expresses what makes you unique and memorable and distinguishes you from your competition so that your target audience connects with you emotionally and wants to work with you.
How does branding apply to professional musicians and artists?
Think of all the wonderfully talented musicians and artists out there. If you perceive yourself as just one of hundreds of talented musicians, it is easy to feel discouraged from pursuing the career of your dreams. This is where having a brand can help turn your career around. Once you see yourself as unique, it reduces the pressures of competition because you know that you have something special to offer. It is the start of trusting your gift. The same holds true when you know why are you are the ideal person to satisfy the needs of your target audience. If you truly believe that you are the best person for that audience, it reinforces your uniqueness.
How can having a brand help boost your professional artistic career?
Having a brand also helps you work smarter, not harder, because your efforts are focused on the specific audiences you want to attract.
Your branding goal is to strive for “Differentiation”, it is then that will acheive “Separation” from your competition.
If you value connectedness, abundance and authenticity, your brand is a powerful manifestation of those values. And the more you are aligned with your values, the more motivated and inspired you will be to pursue your goals.
As an artist, having a brand is a profound way to connect with your music and your audience, and a major step in taking your career to a new level. This is the mission of Archimedia STAR© – (Stand Above the Rest)