When you see a plain black contour of an apple, with the right side bitten and cut out with a clean arched line, what comes to your mind? That’s right, Apple.
What about when you see the phrase< “Just Do It?” Nike.
And when you hear names like William Shakespeare, George Orwell, J.K. Rowling, and Ernest Hemingway—you quickly realize these are authors (even if you’re not a literature major).
But that’s the power of branding. These companies and individuals have consciously built their brands over the years to the extent that they’re synonymous with what they do. They’re also seen as an authority in their different industries, which results in credibility and trust from their target audience. Eventually, trust turns into sales.
You’re a creative who wants to build a personal brand but doesn’t know where to start. Read on to learn how to build your brand in 6 simple steps.
6 Steps to Build Your Brand as a Creative
Before creating your brand, you need to define your unique value. This means identifying what makes you different from everyone else. Sure, you can be a talented artist or have a great voice. But what sets you apart from hundreds of other talented artists?
Only after you realize this will you be able to stand out in a crowded market. Here are the steps to take after knowing your unique value:
1. Identify Your Target Audience
This step is crucial because it will help you understand who your work appeals to and their needs. Without knowing your target audience, you might create content no one wants.
To identify your target audience, start by understanding who you are as a creative. What inspires you? What motivates you? And what kind of work do you enjoy creating?
Once you have answered these questions, consider the people who would appreciate and benefit from your work. Are they young adults or middle-aged professionals? Are they interested in art, fashion, or music?
Knowing this information will help you tailor your brand’s messaging and visuals to appeal to them.
2. Build a Solid Online Presence
Now that you know your target audience, it’s time to build a solid online presence. This means creating a website or blog that showcases your work and provides information about you and your brand.
Put your creative juices to work to craft an attention-grabbing bio like this one that highlights your unique value proposition. Don’t forget to include a portfolio of your work, testimonials, and contact information.
Social media is also an effective way to build your brand and connect with potential clients and employers. Choose platforms that align with your target audience and post regularly to keep your followers engaged.
3. Share Your Expertise By Creating Valuable Content
Things move fast on the internet, so creating content that people engage with is vital. You’re only as relevant as your last post.
Depending on your industry and the type of content you produce, this could mean creating videos, blog posts, infographics, or podcasts. Whatever medium you choose, create content that provides value for your audience.
Creating valuable content requires careful planning and execution. Start by identifying what topics your audience is interested in and what questions they may have about your industry or niche.
From there, brainstorm ideas for content that addresses these topics and questions in an informative and engaging way. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your approach—after all, you’re a creative!
Once you’ve created valuable content, it’s time to promote it effectively. Share it on social media channels where your audience is most active and engaged.
4. Utilize Storytelling
People remember stories 22 times better than facts. People often think of persuasive arguments based on facts, figures, and data when they advocate for their ideas. Nevertheless, studies show that sharing a story can usually persuade people.
Storytelling has been used for centuries to convey messages and connect with people emotionally. As a creative, you can use this technique to share your brand story in a way that resonates with your audience.
The first step in storytelling as a branding tool is identifying the unique story behind your brand. After defining your story, you can share it through various mediums such as social media, blog posts, videos, or podcasts.
You can also leverage storytelling to create content that reflects your brand’s values and beliefs.
5. Network with Like-Minded Individuals
Networking is essential to building your personal brand. Not only does it allow you to learn from others in your industry, but it also expands your reach and increases exposure.
Attend events and conferences related to your niche. These are great places to meet new people, share ideas, and collaborate on projects. You might also consider joining online communities or forums where creatives gather to discuss their work.
Don’t be afraid to reach out directly to other creatives in your field. This could mean requesting a meeting over coffee or connecting with them through social media. Approach these interactions with an open mind and willingness to learn.
6. Be Authentic and Consistent
These two words may seem obvious, but they can significantly impact how people perceive you.
Being authentic means staying true to yourself and your values. So it’s unsurprising that 90% of consumers value authenticity when choosing a brand.
You can understand where they’re coming from because an authentic brand is transparent, consistent, and genuine in its communication and behavior.
Don’t try to conform to what people want or expect. Embrace your unique qualities and share them with the world. This will help you build trust with your audience and make them feel more connected to you as a creator.
Consistency is critical to maintaining a solid brand image. A consistent brand can increase a company’s revenue by up to 33%. This means using the same colors, fonts, tone of voice, and overall aesthetic across all platforms – from social media accounts to website design.
Doing so creates a cohesive look that is instantly recognizable and establishes credibility in potential clients’ eyes.
The Importance of a Personal Brand for Creatives
As a creative individual, you might think that your work should speak for itself. But the truth is, in a world of short attention spans and unlimited content, your work alone is not enough. A personal brand is no longer “nice to have” if you want to stand out—it is crucial.
It’s no longer enough to simply produce great work; you need to showcase it in a way that sets you apart from others.
A personal brand is your unique identity as a creative professional. It allows you to establish yourself as an expert in your field and build trust with potential clients and employers.
By defining who you are, what you do, and what makes you different from others, you can create a lasting impression on those who come into contact with your work.
Creating a personal brand also gives you more control over your career path. With a solid online presence and clear messaging about your skills and values, you become more visible to potential collaborators or employers who share those same values.
Building a Strong Personal Brand Takes Time and Effort
Building a personal brand as a creative is no longer an option today. To thrive in your career, you need to stand out and position yourself as an expert. These six steps should help you get started.
It takes effort and time to build your brand. Don’t expect overnight success or immediate results. It’s a long-term investment in your career that requires consistency, dedication, and perseverance.
Building a solid personal brand is a journey, so enjoy the process.
