How To Build Your Personal Brand As A Visual Artist
When we think of the term “personal branding,” successful business moguls or social media personalities might come to mind.
However, in our current digital age, branding is no longer reserved for a handful of thought leaders; it is now being used by anyone who has a passion for expressing their creativity and marketing their skills.
Whether you’re new or experienced in your creative field, personal branding holds immense value for all levels of visual artists, offering a barrier-free pathway to building credibility, attracting work opportunities, and generating a loyal audience.
Branding as we know it is evolving, which is why in this guide, we’ll explore the strategies, techniques, and practical tips essential for visual artists like yourself to build an authentic personal brand.
What is personal branding?
Personal branding is about deliberately crafting and promoting your public identity, which incorporates your unique experiences, skills, and values. A personal brand manifests when you present who you are through your image, story, and connections within your communities.
Myths about personal branding:
Before we delve deeper, let’s address a common myth surrounding personal branding:
- It’s all about self-promotion: While personal branding involves promoting oneself, it’s not solely about self-promotion. Personal branding focuses on building meaningful connections, adding value to others, and contributing positively to your creative field or community.
- It’s only for extroverts: Personal branding is not limited to extroverted individuals. There are several introverts building strong personal brands by sharing their depth of knowledge and self-awareness, often through forms of media that enable them to connect with others on a deeper level.
- It requires a large following: While having a large following can be beneficial, especially with the rising number of visual creators, personal branding is more about quality than quantity. Building genuine relationships and engaging with your audience authentically is much more impactful than sheer numbers.
- It’s only for entrepreneurs or influencers: Personal branding is valuable for individuals across various creative professions and industries, not just entrepreneurs or influencers. Whether you’re a freelancer, employee, or business owner, cultivating a strong personal brand can help you stand out, advance your career, and attract opportunities.
- It’s static and unchangeable: Personal branding is dynamic and can evolve over time. As you gain new experiences, skills, and insights, your personal brand may shift to reflect these changes. It’s essential to regularly reassess and refine your personal brand to ensure it remains relevant and authentic.
How to build personal brand as a visual artist:
Define your creative identity
Defining your creative identity is the first step in building a strong personal brand. Take the time to analyze your work and identify what sets you apart from other visual creatives. Consider the message you want others to understand through your work, the standout features of your style, the tools and mediums you use to express yourself, and the techniques you’ve learned to refine.
62% of consumers say that their purchase decisions are heavily influenced by a brand’s values. Therefore, understanding and communicating your creative identity is crucial for attracting potential clients, communities, and brand partnerships.
Use this checklist from Brand Credential to give you a head start when preparing your personal brand.
Tell your creative story
Studies indicate that our brains are naturally programmed for good stories, and integrating stories into content has been shown to enhance information retention rates.
A study conducted by Stanford University revealed a significant increase in retention rates, from 5–10% to 65–70%, when statistical information is coupled with anecdotes or real-life examples. This occurs because the brain processes information more effectively when it is presented in the form of a story rather than as data or facts.
Your story is what connects people to your art on a deeper level. It’s not just about what you create but why you create it. Share your creative journey, inspirations, challenges, and goals in a way that resonates with your audience.
Here are different ways you could tell your story on social media.
Develop your visual style
Your visual identity is the visible expression of who you are; your brand. It’s what makes you instantly recognizable and memorable to others.
By looking at the Instagram profiles of David Urbanke, Polina Washington, and Graphic Galore Studio above, you can tell that each profile has a totally different visual identity that’s unique to their individual style.
Choose colours, fonts, and imagery that reflect your artistic vision and personality. You can use Adobecolor to create a brand palette that you find represents you best. Most creators use palettes to consistently reinforce their brand identity. Some colours are associated with specific emotions, moods, or themes. For example, warm tones like red and orange often convey energy, passion, and excitement, while cool tones like blue and green can evoke feelings of calmness, trust, and serenity.
According to research, consistent brand presentation across all platforms can increase revenue by up to 23%.
Establish yourself as a visual artist on social media
More than 4.5 billion of us are active on at least one social media platform, whether it be Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, or Facebook. When it comes to your target audience, you can bet they’re on social media too.
If you’re passionate about what you do and you’re good at it, let the world know by sharing your knowledge and ideas.
According to a survey by Sprout Social, 68% of consumers follow brands because they want to stay informed about new products or services; So, if you haven’t started already, share the products or services you use in your work, excerpts from presentations you’ve given, pro tips, how-to content, and valuable lessons you’ve learned as a visual artist. These actions will contribute to building a strong online presence as a visual artist.
Create an impressive visual portfolio
Having a personal portfolio website has become essential for professionals in various creative fields. Your online portfolio is like your digital gallery; it’s how you can showcase projects you’ve worked on in a visually appealing and user-friendly layout. High-quality images, clear descriptions, and organized categories are key to making a positive impression on potential clients and collaborators.
According to Forbes Advisor, 61% say that if they don’t find what they’re looking for within about five seconds, they’ll go to another site. Therefore, ensuring that your portfolio is intuitive and visually compelling is essential for keeping visitors engaged and interested in your work.
To build a portfolio for free and display your service packages, sign up as a visual creative on Blens, a free all-in-one platform that simplifies the process of managing schedules, bookings, and payments, allowing you to focus more on your craft and less on administration.
Build collaborative relationships:
Collaborating with other visual artists and industry professionals can help expand your reach and opportunities. You can attend events, join online communities, and seek out opportunities to collaborate on projects or exhibitions to grow your network.
According to Sprout Social, 52% of marketers lean on creators to strengthen their social community, and 41% say they want to work with content creators to promote their brand values.
“I’ve learned that networking is the ultimate shortcut to everything you want to achieve!” - Melitta Campbell
Summary:
You’re now equipped to take control of your personal brand as a visual artist in 2024. Use this information as a guide to help you achieve both your professional and personal objectives. Remember, personal branding involves consistent exploration, so continue learning about your audience, creating content that resonates with them, and developing meaningful relationships online. With dedication and perseverance, you can use your personal brand to stand out as a visual artist and find exciting opportunities along the way.
