With social media being all the rage nowadays, we have all become acutely aware of “personal branding” and how that can be a valuable asset for any business venture that you might decide to go on in the future. Personally, when I started out with my art business it took me a minute to realize that besides my art, my persona as an artist contributed to the overall representation of my business in the online and real-world space. Once I caught onto this fact, I had to evaluate my career values and business goals to see how they factored into my authentic personal brand. It is when I had realized a clear picture of myself and my work, I was able to have a better understanding of what I wanted my branding to be and the target audience that I was going for.
By the way, it has to be said that building your own personal brand takes time, as you have to cultivate and solidify an image of yourself out there which is something that requires dedication and an ongoing commitment to your self-actualization.
Being someone who has managed to build a personal brand that is reflective of my values and identity, I wanted to write this blog to highlight some of the things that have helped me achieve my branding goals over the years.
So, if you are considering your branding strategy, here are some things that you need to think about:
Your website is your personal statement
If there is anything that sums up your personal or business’ brand on the internet, it has to be your website. Your website should be a personal statement, visually and textually, that gives the visitor an idea about what your art is about.
Think of your website as a blank canvas on which you are building a collage of your work, ideas and your artistic journey. Your website should be treated like a private gallery of your own work, where you want to display your pieces in the best possible manner. Therefore, the cost of developing a visually appealing website should be considered an investment that you can reap the benefits off later on.
Put your journey out there
In order to gain a following online and building a brand, it helps when you invite people into your journey as an artist and what you do on a daily basis. Giving an insight into your life helps people connect and relate with your work and the effort that goes behind it. These regular updates should go out on all of your social media platforms and then should be collated on your website.
The internet is a very visually based space, therefore focusing on photos and videos as a medium for communication with visitors to your social media and websites will be a highly effective strategy. Engagement is key, as you try to actively connect and communicate with netizens who are developing an interest in your work.
Attend as many art networking events as possible
If you are just starting out with your art business and still working on getting your personal brand recognized, I cannot stress enough how important it is to participate in networking events. It is even better to attend events that cater towards your specific kind of artistry or level of experience. These events happen all year round, some digitally but mostly are held in-person. This not only helps you connect with people that are looking specifically with your kind of art, but also gets you to connect with other fellow artists, who can share their experiences with you and perhaps might result in collaborations which all contributes in building your brand and reaching out to your target demographic.
It does not have to be perfect
We all hate making mistakes. I know, I did. It is the way, we are raised and taught in schools to avoid making mistakes because a mistake means that we have failed or that our shortcomings have been exposed. This is the mindset that we need to change and approach everything from a place of growth and learning. This is crucial when it comes to branding and your professional development. When it comes to building a brand that is authentic, it is impossible to not make mistakes because you are creating and managing something that is constantly evolving yet being a consistent personal reflection of yourself. So, don’t be too hard on yourself and take your mistakes as invaluable lessons.
There you have it: some important factors for you to think about when building yourself a personal brand. It is a game of patience, diligence and most importantly authenticity. So, keep at it and you will have a brand that you are not only proud of but also can call authentically yours!
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