Are you a creative in 2020, struggling with getting your art and design out into the bustling competitive online community? Are you having trouble creating an online presence as a writer, animator, poet or traditional artist? Here are some of 1853 Communication’s self-representative tips for expanding your creative brand.
Organize your portfolio
I know artists and writers are sick of hearing this but before you can start putting your name out into the professional world you have to have an up-to-date portfolio of your work. It is key to staying organized and feeling like a professional in your field. If you’re a writer, take some time to organize your writing into an archive. If you’re an animator or an artist, buy an external drive to store digital copies of your pieces. There are some great platforms for archiving writing like Notion or even just good old Google Drive.
Create an online “hub”
Now that you have your work ready to share, it’s time to figure out how! The first step is social media, if you’re striving for individuality in your brand it’s important for your audience to know who you are. Ask yourself these questions: Who is your audience and how can you reach them? Do want to sell your art to individuals or businesses? Are you trying to market a book to a certain demographic? Who will commission your work? Depending on your answers, your audience could range from college students to dentists’ offices, but the good thing is that they all have social media in common. Think about creating a business page on Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and even TikTok and get involved in the creative community there. Follow other creative professionals, build connections in the field you wish to be a part of. There is an audience out there, you just have to give them a place to gather! If you choose to create a website for your work it should be concise and easy to maneuver like an online resume, and always include your name, and professional ways of contact.
Spread your brand!
Now that you have a page it’s time to create an online presence and brand. Decide a mission statement for yourself, what does your art mean? Are you an animator whose art style you think would be perfect for children’s television, or a poet wishing to sell copies or your newest collection? Lean into your style and create a brand based on your creation’s individuality. Create mystery around the content you post. If you’re a poet, post lines from your poetry and encourage them to buy your book or check out your website for more. If you’re an artist post a short video of you creating your newest work and encourage your audience to buy it or commission a piece like it! Don’t worry about not having a large following at first, if you remain consistent, organized and engaged, you can develop active and loyal followers interested in supporting your work.