Wtf is branding anyway?

What is a brand?

A strong brand can create a strong pipeline of work, because people will come to you for you. 

Put simply, it is how a person sees, hears, or feels about your act. It is not just a logo or name.

Let’s take a look into some of the best practices when it comes to branding and how to make the most out of your act!  

Jack Sheppard performs as the Ed Sheeran Experience Tribute act, where he had to closely follow the original brand

Why is branding so important?
Human history is built on culture, likemindedness, and tribal behaviours. People will support you if you represent their values and they can get on board with your ‘mission.’

Establish some values
Your tribe will follow your mantra, so establish some values where possible. Think of the Sex Pistols, who were against the monarchy, or Tupac, who highlighted West Coast California. Sam Fender adopted very British values by singing about his hometown, referencing events like the ‘riots in the 90s,’ the DWP, and other cultural touchpoints to be relatable.

One Eyed Man merch is made from natural and sustainable materials to reflect the brand's values of conservation and environmentalism
Bob Marley was a huge advocate of love and peace

The Mission
There are many examples of artists who support various causes, helping their fans relate to them. Here are some examples of artists and their causes:

  • The Beatles: Had a major ethos of ‘Love’ and were against war.
  • Beyoncé: A huge advocate of feminism and female empowerment.
  • NWA: Empowering black communities and standing up against police brutality.
  • Bob Marley: Advocated for love and… weed?

Think about the following questions:

  • What do you hope to inspire?
  • Who are you as a person?
  • Who do you relate to?
  • Who is your tribe?

These questions can be challenging, but starting to think about them will make it easier to define your brand over time.

WHAT YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT

Be Creative
Take ownership of a particular font or logo and use it consistently.

Be Authentic
Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Audiences can sense inauthenticity and won’t appreciate a false bravado if it’s not convincing.

Be Original
There is no point in trying to be like everyone else. If you share the same genre and vibe as other artists, what reason do they have to follow you? You need to stand out in your market, so be unique and you’ll be remembered for it.

He Fired First is a local punk folk act that represents values of social morality and activism
Jack Twiner runs InFocus Recording based in Berkshire, which provides high quality showreels for artists. Their logo is instantly recognisable and is attributed to the quality of their products, which generates more work in the future!

Be Consistent
From a design perspective, try to use the same formula to build recognition. Take ownership of a particular font or logo and use them in all your promotions. Your audience will develop a subconscious affiliation with it and will notice your ads more as a result. Ensure it relates to your act; use something interesting that speaks to your audience!


Be Recognisable
Branding is crucial because it ties closely with marketing. If someone comes to see your act, what makes you unique? How will they remember you? 


When people see you perform and like you, they may want to follow your progress and see you again. Make it as easy as possible for them to do so, ensuring you gather as much of that following as you can.

As with marketing, branding is a vast area to cover, but hopefully, this provides a closer insight into the things you should consider for your act. A strong brand attracts the right customers, leading to further opportunities.

We’ll go into more detail in future newsletters, so sign up to learn how to grow your act!

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