Image to Impact
Brand isn’t just a logo - it’s how people experience you. Be consistent onstage and off, choose the attention you want, and let professional behaviour do the heavy lifting.
'Authentic brands don't emerge from marketing cubicles or advertising agencies. They emanate from everything the business does' - Howard Schultz
In music, brand = how people experience you - again and again.
Personal branding is the story your actions tell: how you speak, dress, post, show up, and follow through. Yes, visuals matter. But the biggest driver is behaviour: onstage, offstage, and online.
“It doesn’t take the striking pose of a high-fashion model or the strict stance of someone in uniform to earn respect and admiration.” - Cindy Ann Peterson
Attention ≠ good attention.
Positive attention grows the audience you want. Negative attention can grow the audience you don’t - and cost you future bookings.
Consistency builds trust.
Stage look, photos, name/logo, and one-liner help people recognise you. Icons have recognisable ‘uniforms’ - but what keeps them booked is how they treat crews, keep to time, and deliver for paying audiences.
Professionalism is the brand people remember.
A gig is work. If people paid (or a venue hired you), they’re buying a quality experience. Showing up altered, disrespecting fans or staff, or phoning in a set doesn’t just hit tonight, it ripples through word of mouth and bookers’ inboxes.
“Effective branding comes down to creating a sense of comfort, recognition, and trust… It is more about the content and message than the logo and the colors.” - Loren Weisman
Plan for Success (Quick Exercises)
Make your brand bookable
One-liner: who you are + vibe + audience (“Energetic indie duo for dance-friendly pub rooms”).
Look that fits the sound: pick a simple ‘uniform’ you can repeat.
On-site behaviour: be punctual, kind to crew, keep to set times, clear changeovers.
Online tone: consistent bio, photos, and links; no whiplash between posts and persona.
Aftercare: thank the venue, share a clip, reply to messages, log a “next date?” follow-up.
Personal boundaries: decide what’s public vs. private - and stick to it.
Red flags (for your future self)
Relying on shock over substance.
Treating fans or staff poorly (on or offline).
Inconsistent stories/bios across platforms.
Showing up unprepared and hoping charm will cover it.
Image to Impact: choose one repeatable on-stage ‘uniform’ and one behaviour you’ll deliver every show (e.g., on time, on brand, on point).
Want a 1-page Brand Basics checklist (bio, look, tone, behaviours) to print? Say the word and I’ll share the template.
This series, the content and any observations or suggestions made are based on my personal experience, anonymised to protect privacy. Nothing here is financial, legal, or medical advice - please seek professional guidance for your own situation.