Why Every Creative Needs a Brand, Not Just a Feed.
What is a brand and how you can start building one.
Hi Substack Fam! I’m back this week answering another question “Why do I need a brand online?” and I’m going to tell you exactly that right now.
Before we get into the logistics, it’s important you understand what a brand actually is and what it means. In short, people follow brands, not people. You can post every day, follow trends, and still feel invisible online until you start building your personal brand for others to resonate with.
A brand is more than just a logo or color palette, its your consistency, your own brand voice, and a brand story. People follow creatives with a strong brand story that allows them to relate or feel inspired. Think of some of your favorite artists, I’m sure you know exactly what is it about them you relate to, where they come from, or how they got to where they are today which is the power of a great brand story.
So why is this important and how can you build one for yourself?
Social Media is extremely saturated and fast moving but I always say don’t let this discourage you from starting. Your personality and your story are your strength since there is only one of you. By starting with this base, start thinking about what you want to share about your journey, art, or lifestyle. Then break it out even further by deciding on how you’re going to share that story: short form videos? long form videos? newsletters? The choice is yours, but I’d recommend you start with the steps below:
Brand Clarity
define your niche / target marketing, what you stand for, and what story you want to tell
Consistency
use repeatable consistent colors, fonts, editing formats, and posting schedule
it’s okay to start smaller at first - I recommend quality over quantity
Audience Connection
Always remember your audience: talk to them like they are your friends. Respond to comments, direct messages, and encourage them to engage on your posts
Curation
Only post content that relates back to your brand story and message. This can evolve over time but it’s something to keep in mind as you look to create content so you don’t confuse your audience with different messaging.
Building your brand is how you stop being just another creative and start becoming the one people remember. Once I started taking my brand seriously two years ago, everything changed for me. My audience grew, new opportunities came in, and I built a real fanbase that connects with my art and now it’s time for you to do the same.