Dear Creative Friend, Do You Have an Online Brand?

12 Apr

I recently read a quote that said, “Branding is key. Branding is the reason people pay ten times more for a logo.” Dear Creative friend, do you have a brand? If yes, what exactly is your brand? If not, there’s no reason you shouldn’t start building one now.

In today’s economy, an online brand is crucial to the success of a person and a business. Hence, since a creative entrepreneur is both a person and a business, it is vital to your growth that you have one. Building an online brand positions you to reach more people, helps you stand out from the competition, and makes you stay memorable to your audience — all of which can be very beneficial to you now and in the long run.

Whether it is just for you as a creator or for your creative business, here are some important questions to ask yourself when building your online brand:

1. What is your niche?

Clearly defining your niche is beneficial both to you and your audience. Ask yourself what kind of creative work you want to be known for. Once you have answered this question, it’ll be easier for you to establish your niche, also making it easier for potential clients to understand what you do. This is also an excellent first step because it helps you focus your work and all branding efforts.

2. Do you have a brand strategy?

Having a logo is cool and all, but that’s not even half of it. That is why, going into your branding, it’s essential to do your homework and have a plan — define who you are, where you want to go, your target audience, what appeals to them, how you want them to perceive you, where you can reach and stay in constant contact with them, and reflect/learn how to best position your brand for best results.

3. Does your brand have an identity?

There are certain elements that give your brand a personality, and these things all come together to make up what is popularly referred to as your “brand identity”. These elements include the type of pictures you post, your logo, your colour scheme, your typography, the tone/voice of your content, your brand name, and more. Having a strong visual identity that reflects your personality and your creative work, having a unique voice and style, and being consistent with these things across your social media, portfolio, and website is crucial.

4. What is your story and messaging?

Create a narrative that resonates with your audience, and always ensure that your messaging is consistent. Focusing on storytelling helps you stay memorable and enables you to get your audience more emotionally involved — people go for what they feel and connect with, so it’s important to create something that appeals to your audience on an emotional level.

5. Are you marketing your brand?

Marketing is how you get your brand in front of the right people — which is significantly part of the whole point of building a brand. In order to effectively market your brand, it is important to strategically decide where and how you/your brand shows up. Depending on who your target audience/customers are and where they are reachable, you can select specific social media platforms and build a presence there. Additionally, putting together a portfolio that highlights your best work, range of experience, and skill sets never hurts anyone — do it!

Utilizing other online channels, such as building a website and having a Linktree link in your bio, can also be effective for your growth.

6. What are your brand goals?

“If you don’t know where you’re going, you don’t know in which direction to go”.

Your goal is like a compass that directs you on what road to take. Have goals, friend! In setting your goals, here are a few things you want to have answers to: What is your big dream? What does your desired future look like? What tiny steps will you take to get to your desired future? How will you measure success along the way?

7. Are you networking?

Aside from creating content, it’s also important to your brand that you get out (or online; whatever works, really) and meet people. Connect with other creatives and industry professionals and build relationships, create and take up opportunities to collaborate, attend events, join collectives, check out online communities, overall engage with other people in your field and be known for doing what you do.