Branding for Creatives (how to build brand like crazy)
Never try to be perfect. That takes away the very thing that makes you authentic — the thing that creates brand.
Even if you’ve never thought about your personal brand before, other people have (at least, unconsciously).
It’s the impression you give off. It’s your reputation, skills, expertise and personality — it’s you. So the goal with branding for creatives (or any branding) is to become known for what makes you you.
Branding is fun. It’s a creative act and it’s inevitable.
So hop into the driver’s seat. It’s time to script your story, your identity and your legacy.
Let’s do this!
What Is Creative Branding?
Creative branding is the act of building your online image, identity and reputation as an artist or creative.
It’s similar to “regular” branding, but takes into account the unique goals, values, lifestyle and challenges that creatives face.
Creative branding is for:
Artists
Crafters
Authors
Musicians
Art galleries
Dance studios
Fashion brands
Content creators
Bloggers and writers
Anyone doing creative work
Explore more:
➤ How to Start a Creative Business
Branding for Creatives (the benefits)
Brand can’t be stolen
Be more recognizable
Differentiate — stand out
Be more professional
Clarify your artist identity
Increase fan loyalty
Credibility, trust and authority
Be more memorable
Claim your style and uniqueness
Improve your confidence
It’s fun
Elements of A Creative Brand
I am many things, all layered on top of each other.
You
You are the brand. Even if you’re anonymous or using an alter ego, there’s an element of you involved.
So infuse your story, voice, values, passions and experiences into your brand. Because the world doesn’t need another copy. It needs you.
Your Journey
Story is everything. It’s what makes your brand memorable and unique.
Even if you’re just starting out, you have a unique experience to share. Successful creative brands usually have a story people can follow or connect with.
So share your journey — even especially the awkward and real parts.
Explore more:
➤ Creatorship = The Hero’s Journey
Your Thing
Your thing is your craft — your art.
This is the creative asset that people can hear, see, watch, buy or consume in some way. If you’re a painter, this could be your artwork. If you’re a musician, it’s your music. And if you’re a writer, it’s your blog or your books.
So what’s your thing?
Your Look
Your look is your visual identity — your aesthetic. It’s the external image you have and includes things like your brand colors, fonts and individual style.
It’s one of the first things people notice about you and often what first comes to mind when they think about you. So it’s important (but also fun).
I talk more about building visual identity just below.
Explore more:
➤ Fashion + Creativity
Your Assets
Your personal brand needs assets and a digital nome. This includes your social media account, content, products, email list and website.
I talk more about setting this part of your brand up in step 3 below.
Personal Branding for Creatives (6 tips)
1. Know Thyself
Building your creative brand starts with self awareness and knowing what makes you unique. Nobody wants a polished filtered version of you.
They want you — all the nuances, fears, vulnerabilities, mistakes and weaknesses.
Authenticity is the ‘you-ness’ that makes you a memorable and successful creative brand.
So here are some ways to know thyself and totally own it:
Meditate more
How do you want to be seen?
What are your guilty pleasures?
What are your personality traits?
Identify your quirks — own your quirks
How do you act when no one is around?
2. Have A Visual Identity
Your visual identity is often the first thing people see or think of. So let’s make it good.
While your creative assets are still what matters most, your image is a powerful thing too.
Your visual identity is made up of things like:
You logo
Your packaging
The font you use
Your editing style
Your brand colors
Your tone of voice
The images you use
Your fashion or “look”
For example, my images use a lot of layering and a mixture of script and block fonts. This is inspired by my sketchy-painting style and my pop punk roots.
I also use a lot of deep greens and aqua blues and write with a casual tone. And my personal style is inspired by music, travel, art, snowboarding and urban-indie fashion.
So what’s your visual identity?
3. Create + Share
Even if you get everything in this post perfect, nobody will discover your personal brand if you’re not actually creating content and sharing it.
Creative branding requires you to have an online presence and assets for people to consume.
Put another way, you need to create content and be discoverable on social platforms or through Google (by using SEO).
My absolute must-haves for growing a modern creative brand online include:
A website — I use Squarespace
At least 1 social media account — wherever makes the most sense
When you have a social media account, a website and content, you can build actual authority and trust in your niche. This segues perfectly into exiting opportunities like:
Brand partnerships
Collaborations
Traffic and fan growth
Reputation and recognition
Selling products, services and merch
Authenticity
So if you haven’t yet, launch that brand-specific social account and build your personal website.
You won’t regret it (plus it’s creative and fun).
4. Let People Feel Your Brand
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
I think the most memorable creative brands are all just really good at emotional branding.
Because good branding is about the emotion you create in people.
Emotions support your story and make things more memorable.
So how do you want people to feel when they think of you or see you?
And more practically, how do you actually infuse emotion into your creative brand? Here’s what I like to do:
Share your story
Be authentic
Speak, write and act with emotion
Use original images and video
Know your audience and speak directly to them
Have a strong mission or identity people can attach or relate to
Be real — be human
And remember, a raw, unedited, imperfect phone recording probably builds more trust and brand than a polished, studio-recorded AI video.
Build relationships and real emotional connections. You can’t lose.
5. Be Consistent
Your creative brand should be easily recognizable regardless of the platform or piece of content.
Good branding is consistent.
So after getting clear about your visual identity and story, stick to that script. Don’t veer off course too far, since it can confuse people (and you).
But don’t be afraid to test new things or evolve either. This is human.
It’s all about intention.
So if your website colors are bright yellow and dark blue, keep that same vibe in your socials. Stay consistent — build brand.
6. Play the Long Game
Building a professional recognizable brand takes time. So stay patient and play the long game.
Think in years, not months or weeks.
Ignore the click-worthy YouTube titles that promise rapid results.
Because they forget to tell you just how long it actually takes to become an overnight success. Image and reputation take a long time to establish.
Brand is what happens when you keep showing up as you and adding awesome value.
This is part of why I love personal blogging. It’s a sustainable strategy and the content has a super long shelf life.
Later ✌️
Creative branding is your reputation and visual identity. It’s how people feel when they see you or think about you.
Clearly labeling your visual identity and infusing emotional elements into your brand are great starting points. But staying consistent and patient will make things stick.
And of course, learn to love the ride.
Building your creative brand is a creative act, so enjoy it, get weird and have fun with it.
