In today’s music landscape, it’s highly evident that artists who are creating their own lane are able to build thriving careers.
The successful ones understand the importance of effective branding and positive relationships, while those who don’t yet value these things remain largely unknown.
In the video above, iBEENART walks through how to develop your branding as a musician, providing a blueprint for success that can not only change your personal trajectory but also help you build an invaluable community. Join us for an in-depth discussion, and see an overview of the key topics covered below.
1. Good branding vs. bad branding for musicians
In the early stages of developing your brand as a musician, it’s important to understand that you’re not going to get everything perfect immediately. Like your music, your brand will continue to grow and evolve.
That said, there are some general guidelines for what you should do and what you should avoid that can set you on the right path. In this first chapter of the video (0:52 – 3:38), iBEENART discusses both ineffective strategies as well as the habits and dispositions of iconic artists like Kenny Beats who are known for their brand.
2. Defining your unique brand
Digging deeper, we can define one’s unique brand as a sum of the following components: personality, sound, relationships, and value. Do you want to develop a highly niche sound, or should you emphasize versatility? Should you emulate a personality strategically, or lean into what’s already authentic and natural to you? In this chapter (3:38 – 6:35), iBEENART shares his thoughts on these questions and more.
3. The importance of networking and relationships
When it specifically comes to building a career, the phrase “it’s not what you know; it’s who you know” holds a lot of truth. Among many others, veteran producer and rapper Cardo Got Wings has demonstrated this idea through his industry-spanning collaborations, which have led to everything from GRAMMY nominations to one-of-a-kind shoe designs with the likes of Kevin Durant and Boi-1da.
So, it’s clear that networking is important for musicians. But how do you network in a way that’s authentic and effective? See 6:35 – 7:45 in the video for tips as well as additional resources.
4. Finding your value
Last but not least, it’s important to reflect and build on the unique value you bring to the table as an artist. What separates you from the crowd, and how do you fill gaps or present solutions to problems that others face?
In this final chapter (7:45 – 9:21), iBEENART articulates how he came to define his own value, and presents mental frameworks for how you can find your own in a way that’s genuine and productive.
Branding and relationships are career-long pursuits
Ultimately, we’ve just scratched the surface here when it comes to branding and building relationships. What sorts of topics would you like to see us dive deeper on in a follow-up video? What aspects of branding or networking do you struggle with the most? Let us know in the comments section of the video, and subscribe to the Splice YouTube channel for more tips and insights.
Keep learning about branding, networking, and more via Kenny Beats’ Splice Skills lessons:
October 20, 2022
