Being an artist is more than being just a person but goes beyond to being a brand. This means that the artist has to create and maintain an image. But how does one create and maintain his image and reputation in the industry?
5 THINGS TO DO
1. Smell and Look good
An expensive look is one way to make a mark in the industry. While on stage or physically interacting with your fans, make sure you look good and smell sweet. Try to keep with the latest trends in the fashion industry and visit different fragrance shops for sweet smells.
Yes it may be expensive to look and smell good but one can still look good while keeping it simple. Make sure you keep it clean and on the low. A plain white slim fit shirt and blue denim jeans can go all the way to making you look as good as you can be. Black with a white base sneakers will go well with this outfit. Affordable perfumes like Villa Fragrances are available on the market in the country. A range of these perfumes will do the work.
2. AVOID ATTRACTING 'THE FLIES'
Flies are mostly attracted to rotten stuff. In the industry, paparazzi or the journalists are one class of flies you should stay away from. They either build or destroy your reputation. A lot of artists have fallen from grace after they got involved into scandals which attracted these flies.
'The haters' too are a class of flies. The fanbase against you is always watching. They may or may not say or comment on anything when everything is on the right track but once you are involved in any kind of drama, they will become your biggest fans. Try not becoming a dead beat and keep your reputation on the clear.
3. Keep a clean social media presence
Being present and active on social media is very critical for an artist. Build a few pages on different social media platforms and keep the content coming in. Your fans will always be eager to hear from their favorite artist, won't they?
However, keep mind of the content you post on your pages. Do not post explicit, sensitive and destructive content. Be creative and selective to catch more eyes of your target fanbase. Stay away from religious and political views. This two have destroyed the reputation of a number of artists. You are an artist, keep the artistry in the page.
4. Hang Out with the big boys
The company your surround yourself with will define the person you are and will become. Try to hang and network with the ones who are way ahead in the game. You will learn a few things from them.
Artists in the industry however have learnt to keep it with themselves. However, they do not realize that they share their experiences with the world through the internet. Rather than hanging out with them if you may find it difficult, follow them on social media platforms and learn one or two things from them. Who knows, maybe you might be the next Trevor Noah.
5. Keep promises and work within deadlines
Be loyal and be true to your word. That what makes a brand strong. Once you announce to the public a certain project or anything on your schedule make sure you do it. Fans have a strong memory. They do not forget. You can say today that you'll do something in the next ten years and trust me they will definitely take your word for it. Make sure you deliver what you promised and do it to your best.
5 THINGS NOT TO DO
1. Open up about everything in your life
As an artist you are compelled to sharing everything about your life to the world as you are trying to build your brand. This must be against your standards and morals because once the world knows the whole of you, it becomes way easy to prey on you. Your weaknesses and way of life should be separated from your professional live. Yes your brand should not be built on lies but limit the truth you allow the world to know about yourself.
2. Associate yourself with bad company
Should I say birds of the same feathers fly together or bad company corrupts good character? Working with a team surely guarantees you success than working alone but you need to be cautious. You must distance yourself from people who attract a lot of flies. Just like in the stock market, the reputation of the CEO will tend to determine how successful the company will do in the market so is in the entertainment industry.
Try not to involve yourself with a scandalous crew, marketing agency, a manager or any other organ. No matter how successful that company may be in the short run, but the future will definitely be blur. Do not want to be there when the 2 minutes fame takes a downturn.
3. Make a lot of useless noise
For an artist to make the fans know he means business, he definitely have to make a lot of noise but not just any noise. Some noise is good for the brand but some will be a down turn for it. Make good music, post creative and meaningful content, attend significant events and hang with 'the big guns'. That is the type of noise the fans are looking for and will definitely ensure success in your career. Do not be that type of dog that barks a lot but does not bite.
4. Forget the ones supporting you in your come up
One rapper once spat "Never bite the hand that feeds you". During one of the interviews we had with South African based rapper Eskae Amigo, he highlighted that you should never forget the people that showed you love when you are still struggling in the industry. He said they are the ones with genuine love. This is an error most of the established artists have made and probably one of their biggest mistake. Never spit on the ladder that you stepped on while on your way to success. Who knows, you might need it to climb down when the odds stand against you.
Most of artists have decided to blame it on depression after they loose all the considerable amount of success. The real truth will remain that some of these artists fear that they will not be accepted back in the life they left behind and forgot once they got to the top. The secret is simple, the hood that defines you and support you now, those are the real people you must never leave behind.
5. Forget God
I don't know who or what you believe in but do not forget who you came from before all this and who you are going to after all this. Always give thanks to the Superior power who allows you to explore the multitude of opportunities that keep presenting themselves to you. It may be one or a million but never stop giving thanks. The entertainment industry is haunted by a lot of beliefs, cultures and traditions in particularly illuminati. But the truth of the matter remains tall, God is king.
Very educative and inspirational. Thanks guys 👏👏👍