There’s a lot of noise in the music industry, especially when every artist is yelling over the other to try and get noticed, get a deal, get a big break. But that’s a lot of work and strain, especially for those singers whose livelihoods depend on conserving that beautiful voice and resting it as much as possible, right?
That’s where we come in. Here’s how to cut through the chaos of the music industry and create a strong and consistent brand voice.
Make your stage match your songs.
It’s not just about what you say. Remember actions are louder and backdrops can say a lot about you. You want to make sure everything in your brand is consistent, all the way down to the avatar you use to the colors you select. Use the same profile picture on all websites, social networking pages, and email – anything promotional (especially in the beginning). All of these assets should be the same across marketing channels so that audience members immediately recognize your brand and understand your brand voice through its unique symbolism.
Stay in tune with with competitors.
Contrary to common belief, you should do more than just study your competitors – you should support them. (Gasp!) Since they are talented (they wouldn’t be your competitor if you didn’t think they were good, right?) and have a similar following and possibly a larger one, it would be a major compliment to be included in their company when your ideal audience thinks about your genre. And by supporting other artists, their gratitude will bring them to support you in turn, opening up cross-promotional opportunities and additional networking to expedite your brand awareness.
Think twice before hitting the road to another social network.
As a musical artist, your time is precious, and marketing is only one aspect of your daily concerns (though it’s one of the most important ones). So, how do you ensure that you spend time in the right ways? Apply your social media efforts to spaces that make sense for your brand. For example, if your audience is mostly older males, you need not spend much time on Pinterest (or create a profile at all). If you’re looking to reach teens, Instagram is the perfect place for you. Couple that with tweets and of course your own YouTube channel and you’re much more likely to reach your target audience. Since social media management can be taxing, don’t jump on the bandwagon to join new social media networks just because they’re exciting and shiny. Only spend time on networks that pay off.
To get back to the basics: Avoid Mariah-vs.-Nicki-Minaj type of situations, but be sure to follow their branding techniques.
Which artist’s brand voice resonates most with you?
