How to Build Your Creative Brand and Find Your Target Audience

May 1

If you finding it challenging to reach the right audience and promote your work effectively, you're NOT alone! We all struggle with marketing at some point, but it doesn't have to be that way.

I made this helpful video about marketing for you if you prefer to watch (or listen). :)

Effective marketing can transform your creative business and take it to new heights. That's why I'm excited to share some marketing fundamentals with you!

Firstly, it's crucial to have brand clarity and understand your ideal customer (or your "people" as I like to call them).

Who are you, what do you do, and who do you serve? Make sure those three things are clear to anyone who interacts with you.

Who are your ideal clients, and what do they want? They are the people who align with what you do or are looking for the service pr product you provide. By understanding their needs and desires, you can connect with them on a deeper level.

For example, if you make soft, whimsical animal patterns, your ideal customer may be someone who purchases fabric for kids' clothing or a manufacturer that creates products for kids. It would NOT be a company or a person who likes bold, bright, geometric patterns. This seems obvious, but it's really important not to try and serve everyone. Serve and market to ONLY the people who are perfectly aligned with what you do.

Who do you find your "people"?

A million different ways, but I will share what has worked for me:

1. Consider collaborating with other creatives in your niche OR with people/organizations that have a similar ideal customer to yours. By working together, you can create powerful marketing campaigns that can help you reach a broader audience and gain new clients.

To give you an example, I recently partnered with a non-profit animal rescue. 10% of all profits for some of my art prints and t-shirts get donated to the rescue. This is an amazing way to get in front of people who are aligned with what you put out in the world AND a way to help a non-profit!

2. Create content that's relevant. If you want to work with people who love nature, don't write or talk about cars. Pay attention to the language you use and make sure it aligns with "your people." Listen to what your audience tells you and help them with the things that come up over and over again. If you’re an artist, you “solve an emotional problem”. For example, if people want to feel uplifted, peaceful, and encouraged, they buy art that makes them feel that way.

3. Make sure your customer service is on point. What does that have to do with marketing? Everything. If people are happy doing business with you, they will tell other people. :) Treat every customer you have like they are the most important person in the world.

TWO IMPORTANT THINGS!

1. I will be announcing the live free workshop dates in my next email. Stay tuned! Yes, there will be replays if you can't make it live. If you are not on my email list, you can add yourself here: https://juliemaidacreative.ck.page/95cfee82b6

2. Several people have asked me about working one-on-one. I will be offering this on a trial/limited-time-basis because I want to spend most of my time making art and playing with my kiddos. If this is something you are interested in, please CONTACT ME.