The power of branding for musicians

This week’s Hypebot Flashback Friday looks at the power of branding for musicians and how to attract an audience. It starts with telling a story and a deliberate approach to building an artist’s brand.

The power of branding for musicians

by Tony van Veen from the Disc Makers Blog

As an independent music artist, one of the keys to your success and longevity is building a clearly definable artist brand. That means two things. First, you need to create brand awareness. In other words, getting fans to know your name. And, just as importantly, it means positioning yourself in your fans’ minds. Who are you? And what are you like?

I want to focus on this second piece: How do you position yourself in your fans’ minds so they have a clear mental image when they think about you? There are plenty of examples of great brand positioning by music artists. Just consider these names and how they want you to think about them.

I want to focus on this second piece: How do you position yourself in your fans’ minds so they have a clear mental image when they think about you? There are plenty of examples of great brand positioning by music artists. Just consider these names and how they want you to think about them.

• Bruce Springsteen: New Jersey, working-class hero.
• Snoop Dogg: Compton gang-banger with an affinity for THC.
• Taylor Swift: Young, smart, and focused on getting revenge on her ex-boyfriend and anyone else who she feels has wronged her ever.
• Kendrick Lamar: the intellectual observer and chronicler of life In the hood.
• KISS: over-the-top rock and roll theatrics. When you hear that name, don’t you immediately think makeup, tall platform boots, and spitting fire and blood?

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