7 Branding Tips For Musicians Who Hate Branding

Hate the word "brand" so much you just want to skip reading this post and go on attack in the comments? Hold on there buddy! Stefan Aronsen has found a solution that he presents in part two of his survival guide for bands.

It's called BUZZ: PERSONIFY and it suggests that if you hate the term brand, focus on building a strong persona and you'll do just fine. It's free for a limited time so take this opportunity to find out more about building your brand persona.

Stefan Aronsen and associates present their thoughts on branding in bits and pieces throughout the second installation of the ebook series BUZZ: PLAN titled BUZZ: PERSONIFY. It's currently available for free so check out the quotes below then go get a copy for yourself.

1 – Hate Branding? Personify!

Bands are afraid of the word brand. So with that in mind I say "You don't need to brand yourself as long as you create a strong persona."

– Stefan Aronsen

2 – Discuss Your Persona

In your next meeting … because you have meetings … I want you to talk about your persona! Somebody in the band has an opinion. I want you to talk about why it is you're so scared to look good when you're on stage.

– Stefan Aronsen

3 – Be Unique

Differentiate yourself from all the other bands out there so that people will always remember you. A persona makes you yourself, it is a representation of yourself, and that makes you unique.

– Vincent Lo: Astro Studios

4 – Have A Story

Every band is different, but for us, it was important to have a story
and a theme from the get-go – everything since then has been evolving
from that initial fairy-tale of Princess Lilofee.

– Kimi: Lilofee

5 – Act The Part

Make sure you're acting in a way
that you want your band to be represented. Plan out things like when and
where you're playing and how often and when you'll release new
material. You have to watch yourself because others are always watching
you. The only person who can mess everything up is the same person who
can make it all awesome: you.

– Petro: Dizzy Balloon

6- Complete the Picture Painted By Your Music

The songs we perform aren't written nor recorded in a day-to-day atmosphere – it is an alternate reality with strong emotional and chemical charges. Writing music is extraordinary and sometimes transcendental, so clothes and external props can help to complete the picture of this place you were when you wrote the song. Both mentally and physically.

– Jay: Music For Animals

7- Put It In Your Contract

Unless you have a lot of time, somebody else is going to have to do a lot of your marketing for you. If you decide to sign with a label, it's going to be the label doing it for you. In just about every recording contact, there will be clauses addressing who controls the band's likeness and name and how they can be used. Taking a hands-off approach could lead to the label making your album cover for you.

– Kendall Diz, Attorney at Law

More: 10 Tips For Emerging Indie Musicians: Planning For Survival & Success

Hypebot Senior Contributor Clyde Smith (@fluxresearch) blogs about music crowdfunding at Crowdfunding For Musicians. To suggest topics for Hypebot, contact: clyde(at)fluxresearch(dot)com.