Branding – Have You Thought of Everything?
Branding – Have You Thought of Everything?
A couple weeks back I called a voice over artist that was approaching our agency as representation for them. I called the number provided and got a cell phone with a plain as day message saying “You have reached {insert first name here}, I am not around, but leave a message and I’ll get back to you!” It was a very casual message with very bad audio left on the business phone of a voice over artist. This is a perfect example of not taking an inventory of all the opportunities to showcase yourself and your abilities. It is always amazing to me to see the opportunities we miss and sometimes the most obvious things that get by us! Who would think a voice over artist didn’t think of doing a voice over for their own business phone, which in many cases is the first thing a prospective client hears. This happens all the time in some way shape or form. I know I have certainly been guilty of missing something.
Everything, and I mean everything is a billboard for your professionalism and competence in your craft. Every business/entertainer needs to take an inventory of everything they have put out to represent themselves and every possible opportunity to show their professionalism and capabilities. Make sure you take the time and really evaluate where you are at and where you need to go and set the marketing/branding plan to get there. Leave no stone unturned.
Once you have done this, take the time to go through and enhance, correct or plan what needs to be done in the future. Make sure that you are showcasing yourself in the best light possible. Does your branding campaign hurt your or help you? Success takes time and a lot of effort. If you want to be successful, be diligent, detailed and surround yourself with a team of experts that can help you build your brand and help you make sure you didn’t miss anything.
Good Luck!
I’m in the process of fine tuning my marketing approach and it’s little tips like this that make several lightbulbs go on over my head. Thanks!
Hi David,
Once again great advise. There are so many opportunities that artist have to further push their brand. All it takes is a few moments to sit down think it out and create a plan to make it happen. They have everything to gain!
David
The plumber with leaking pipes at home is all too true in regards to branding, pretty much irrespective of the business segment. The voiceover artist with the lame voicemail recording is a great example. I think the underlying reason why so much of branding crashes and burns is folks are too close to it, thus the team concept.
I do wonder though for the small entity just getting rolling… the whole concept of team, and the expense of such likely scares the heck out of them. Ie, do they bring in a branding guy for a bit, or stock more merch, or hire a better mastering engineer, or more stage props etc. Such is likely to color initial self evaluation…. perhaps you could address ways in which to get a psuedo team going from the get go for the newbie?
Thank you for reading my blog Ron! Great post and I will definitely consider your request:)
Great post, David. I hadn’t thought about it, but I use my cell phone as my voiceover contact phone. Going to rethink my “non-message” message.
Jen,
I am glad you found it useful. Thank you for reading it.