As an independent artist, building a music brand can be a daunting task. You may be wondering how to stand out in a crowded music landscape and make a name for yourself. Fortunately, there are some key steps you can take to build a successful music brand.

• The first step is to create a unique identity or find your “niche.” Think about what makes you and your music stand out from the rest. What is your sound? Who are your influences? What kind of image do you want to project? Once you have a clear idea of who you are as an artist, you can start to create a brand that reflects your identity.
• Next, create a website or social media page to promote your music. You can use this as a platform to share your music, updates, and upcoming shows. Make sure to add a professional photo and a biography that summarizes who you are and what kind of music you make. Also, make sure there is consistency between your profiles. Your fans should be able to tell it’s you on each platform. They should not have to guess or wonder.
• Third, create a logo or design that will be associated with your music. This could be a simple graphic or a more detailed illustration. This logo will be used on your website, social media, and promotional materials. Your logo should represent you. Don’t overthink it, though. Remember: sometimes as an artist or creative, you may change and evolve, so your logo and image can change and evolve, just as you do.
• Fourth, start building relationships with other musicians and industry professionals. This could include joining music groups, attending industry events, and networking with other artists. There are several professional music organizations to choose from. Pick which ones resonate with you and get active. These relationships can help you gain exposure and build your fan base. You should look at your fellow artists as partners, not necessarily as competition. You can lean on each other and introduce yourselves to each other’s audience, while building your own individual brands. Remember, no one can be YOU! Only you can do that.
• You need an audience to listen and support your music, and it’s important to know your fan “avatar,” so you can know what type of content will resonate with them. Once you do, create content that will engage your fans. This content could include music videos, blog posts, and interviews. Or, sign up for a free Canva account, take some lyrics from your songs, and make lyric cards to post on social media. You can also create merchandise such as t-shirts, hats, and stickers to promote your music. Make sure anything that you share or create is relevant to your brand and your music.
• You could also consider doing Q&A sessions with your fans, to get to know them on a personal level. In our community at LearnMBE, we will often host challenges to encourage our members to touch base with their fans through email and DMs. This is a great way to make connections, and make yourself stand out as an artist.

By taking these steps, you can create a strong music brand that will help you stand out in the music industry. Building a successful music brand takes time and effort, but it is worthwhile. With a strong identity, a website, a logo, relationships, and content, you can create a brand that will help you make a name for yourself.

Remember: the best thing you can do is get started. You can always make changes along the way, and include your fans in the process, by having them vote to help you make decisions. Whatever you do, stay consistent and take time each day to work on your brand. You only need 1,000 true fans to make a sustainable music career. There are billions of people in the world who can be part of your 1,000, and with some research, work, and great music, you will find them over time.

About the Author