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Think of the most successful gospel recording artists you know and you will find that they all have a good brand. Gospel artists like Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Yolanda Adams, and Donnie McClurkin are at the peak of their careers, but along the way, and even now, they continue to promote a brand that resonates with their audience. Yes, everyone can sing very well and even with an anointing (that divine supremacy that fans of gospel music feel almost immediately). But most importantly, these successful gospel artists are well qualified.
What exactly does it mean to have a brand? It means that they are known for something, a sound, an appearance, a phrase, that distinguishes them from all other artists. Are there others who can sing or surpass them? Absolutely! But branding has little to do with how well you sing and a lot to do with how well you continually present yourself to the people you want to hear your music. Here are three initial steps to marking yourself as an artist.
1. Find out what really stands out about you. What do you do as an artist that you can build a brand around? Get feedback from your audience, producer, and management. Define yourself as an artist so that people associate you with that great thing you do.
2. Identify a word, phrase, singing style, or even a name that is synonymous with you. And guess what? You don’t have to come up with the phrase yourself. In some cases, your name might be what you are looking for. Although Grammy Award-nominated contemporary gospel singer Kierra Sheard has dropped her nickname “Kiki”, most of us have to consciously not pronounce it because “Kiki” was so perfectly marked with her as the signature sound she inherited from her. legendary family.
3. Create a logo or symbol that is uniquely yours. Marry your logo and it will be with you wherever you go. When you do concerts or appearances, your logo should be your backdrop. Promotional items like T-shirts, mugs, pens, and newspapers should definitely carry your logo.
Once you discover the right brand for you, you can proceed to saturate your audience with it. Wrap your SUV in it. Show it on all your merchandise. Take every opportunity to promote your brand and watch in awe as you start to stand out from the rest.